2024 SALEM NEWS GIRLS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
EMMA JANI
Hamilton-Wenham Sophomore
First singles
Talk about reloading and not rebuilding. When the defending state champion Hamilton-Wenham Generals lost their top singles player to an injury, it would’ve been easy to expect the team to stumble. Enter Emma Jani.
The budding sophomore superstar made sure Hamilton-Wenham didn’t miss a beat, going a perfect 18-0 and being named Cape Ann League Baker Player of the Year in the process. She was spotless at the top of the ladder in the state tournament, making sure the Generals got back to the top of the mountain as Division 4 state champions once again.
“Emma’s very talented and extremely technically sound,” said H-W coach Joe Maher. “She’s also very competitive. She’s relentless on the court. There’s never a point or a game that she doesn’t want.”
That never ending motor helped Jani finish off any number of opponents that may have had good starts but couldn’t keep pace over the course of an entire set or two. Among her best wins of the year were triumphs over Lynnfield, Manchester Essex and Masconomet, among others.
Training ay Montoya Tennis, Jani is an excellent student and hopes to one day become an orthodontist.
THE ALL-STARS
AOIFE BRESNAHAN
Marblehead Senior
First Doubles
Captain was chosen as Magicians’ team MVP this season … All-Northeastern Conference selection along with partner Lucia Levin … Went 13-1 in doubles play in the conference … Favorite match was a thrilling 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 triumph over Masconomet that took nearly three hours … Two-time Salem News all-star … Off to study at University College Dublin this fall … Brothers have been her biggest athletic influences, as she’s played all different sports with them over the years and their fierce competition has made her a better athlete.
CLAIRE BULETZA
Ipswich Junior
First Singles
Picked up 11 victories this spring while playing against the top competition in the Cape Ann League each and every match … Won Ipswich’s Team Grit Award, signifying her outstanding perseverance against difficult opponents … Terrific student carries a 4.2 grade point average … Member of Ipswich’s three-time Division 4 state champion volleyball team, the sport she’ll continue to play in college … Her dad, a former volleyball player at Harvard, has helped lead her to become the player she is today and be a strong leader on the court.
REESE FRIEDMAN
Marblehead Junior
Second Doubles
Along with partner (and fellow all-star) Lani Gilmore finished the season unbeaten … Chosen as All-Northeastern Conference … Favorite match came against Masconomet when she and Gilmore rallied from an early 2-5 deficit before falling 5-7, then coming back with a 6-1 win before prevailing in a 10-8 super tiebreaker … Terrific student owns a 4.2 GPA … Captain-elect for 2025 tennis season … Wants to study business in college … Enjoys the lively playing style that Nick Kyrgios shows and the passion he displays on the court.
YASMINE GIACALONE
Peabody Senior
Third Singles
Captained the Tanners to a Division 1 state tournament berth … Foundational piece as Peabody rebuilt its program and had back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in ten seasons … Best win of the year came against Gloucester … Picked up key conference victories over Winthrop and Salem (twice each) … Northeastern Conference all-star … Two-sport captain received MIAA Boston Bruins Sportsmanship Award this past winter … Will study criminal justice at Western New England University.
LANI GILMORE
Marblehead Junior
Second Doubles
Undefeated on the season along with partner and good friend Reese Freedman … Competitive drive and love of the sport keeps her constantly looking for ways to better her game … All-Northeastern Conference selection … Worked hard in the offseason with the Woburn Racquet Club Junior team to improve her play … Captain-elect for 2025 season … Best win this season over reigning NEC and state champion Masconomet, 5-7, 6-1, 10-8 … Also had deciding point in a 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (11-9) triumph over Lynnfield … Outstanding student with 4.36 GPA … Fan of both Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz.
SIENNA GREGORY
Hamilton-Wenham Senior
First doubles
One of the most accomplished doubles players on the North Shore in a long time graduates a three-time state champion … Had an overall high school record of 43-4 … She and partner Emily McIntosh were selected All-Conference in the Cape Ann League … Finished her career with 6-4, 7-5 decision to make it a sweep in the Division 4 state championship match … Proud to have captained the Generals this spring … Two-time Salem News all-star and four-year varsity player will attend Fairfield University next year.
NORAH HICKEY
Ipswich Senior
First Doubles
Finished her final season for IHS with 13 victories out of the first doubles spot … Co-captain along with fellow senior Tess O’Flynn helped lead Tigers to their best season (12-7) in program history … Won all three of her playoff matches … Had her biggest wins with partner Lila Borgman against Division 4 state finalist Lynnfield, 7-6. 7-5, as well as a comeback postseason triumph over Hopedale, 4-6, 6-2, 13-11 … Unsung Hero Award winner … Graduated with 4.0 GPA … Going to UMass Amherst and plans on majoring in psychology … Said her father’s love for basketball helped her find a sport she loved and brings her happiness.
ADELINE KONTOS
Beverly Sophomore
First Singles
Has played in the Panthers’ top spot in both her freshman and sophomore seasons … Chosen as her team’s Best Singles Player … Favorite match was a 3-2 triumph over perennial powerhouse Marblehead … Enjoyed her matches that ended 6-0, 6-0 … All-Northeastern Conference … Member of the North Shore Travel Tennis team out of Bass River Tennis Club in Beverly … In her second year as a tennis instructor with the Annisquam Yacht Club Junior Program … On the Honor Roll and member of the National Arts Honor Society … Assistant captain next season … Mom was an NCAA champion rower at Brown University and is in the school’s Hall of Fame.
LUCIA LEVIN
Marblehead Senior
First Doubles
Honor roll student and team captain finished her tennis career with the Magicians splendidly … Teamed with doubles partner Aoife Bresnahan to finish 13-1 on the season in conference matches … Two-time Salem News all-star … All-Northeastern Conference selection … Bore down to take a thrilling decision over fellow NEC powerhouse Masconomet, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 … Beat Melrose handily in state playoffs, 6-1, 6-1.
TAYLOR MASTROGIOVANNI
Masconomet Senior
Second singles
Senior captain earned All-Northeastern Conference honors after moving up from second doubles for the 2023 D2 state champs into the second singles slot … Helped the Chieftains go unbeaten in conference place … Tremendous touch on her shots with the ability to place winners anywhere on the court … Picked up straight set wins over very good opponents against Marblehead, Swampscott and Newburyport … Honor Roll student was also a member of Masco’s School Council.
EMILY MCINTOSH
Hamilton-Wenham Sophomore
First doubles
Stepped into the first doubles slot alongside seasoned veteran Sienna Gregory and turned in one of the most dominant seasons on the North Shore .. Earned All-Cape Ann League honors in the Baker Division … Won a two-setter in the Division 4 state finals to help the Generals clinch their third straight state title … Excellent both on the baseline and at the front of the net … Also plays soccer for the Generals.
LACEY MURPHY
Bishop Fenwick Senior
First doubles
United with last year’s partner Ari Summa midway through the season and the pair were nearly unbeatable, going 8-1 … Pulled out a three-setter against Beverly … Catholic Central League all-star … Had an overall season mark of 10-4 across all doubles play with different partners … Patrols the sideline very well and has strong return game … Wenham native is a powerful hitter on the volleyball court and will play Division 1 volleyball at Holy Cross.
NAOMI PROVOST
Hamilton-Wenham Junior
Second singles
All-Cape Ann League selection is already the winningest tennis player in Hamilton-Wenham history, boys or girls, with a school record 60 wins going into her senior season … Went a perfect 18-0 … Formed a formidable 1-2 punch with fellow All-Cape Ann League selection Emma Jani that made the Generals nearly impossible to beat … Swept through the state tournament to help H-W three-peat at Division 4 champions … Has been a Salem News all-star all three years of high school.
CALLIE REED
Bishop Fenwick Sophomore
Second singles
Catholic Central League all-star had a tremendous season for the Crusaders, going 10-5 overall … Had a 6-2 record in league play … Highlight of the year was a marathon against D4 Final Four squad Manchester Essex that resulted in a 6-7, 7-5, 11-9 victory … Received the Coaches Award … Beverly native is a President’s List student with a 4.4 grade point average … Looks up to her parents for their unending support … Also plays soccer for the Crusaders.
MADISON SAVAGE
Danvers Junior
First Singles
Team captain is already looking forward to what the Falcons can do in 2025 after turning in a stellar 18-2 campaign this spring and winning the Northeastern Conference Lynch Division crown … All-Northeastern Conference selection … Favorite match was against Marblehead in which she rallied for a first set tiebreaking win (10-8) en route to prevailing, 7-6, 6-2 … Would love to play college tennis … Has always admired Coco Gauff, whose incredible talent and consistent work effort inspire her.
TEAGAN SKULLEY
Masconomet Junior
First singles
Climbed the ladder from third singles last season to the top spot this year and claimed Northeastern Conference Player of the Year honors … Helped the Chieftains go unbeaten in NEC competition at 13-0 … Grabbed two victories against league power Marblehead … Won state playoff match in stragiht sets … Excellent service and return game on the baseline … Looks up to older sister Kendall, who now plays tennis at Colby … Also an excellent soccer player for the Masco varsity.
ARI SUMMA
Bishop Fenwick Senior
First doubles
Catholic Central League all-star went on a doubles tear at the end of the season along with partner Lacey Murphy, going 8-1 down the stretch … Also picked up several singles wins in the early part of the season, showing off strong versatility on the court … Three set doubles victory against Beverly was one of the highlights of the season … Also captained the Fenwick gymnastics team with her top event being beam … Headed to Sacred Heart next year.
JOSIE VOGEL
Danvers Sophomore
Third Singles
Remarkable campaign for the 10th grade standout, who finished a perfect 19-0 for the Falcons while helping them to the NEC Lynch Division title … All-Northeastern Conference selection … Favorite win of the spring was her victory over the two-time Division 2 state champions from Masconomet … Ranked No. 1 in her incoming junior class of 201 students … Has already begun visiting colleges and universities … Her friend, teammate, No. 2 singles player Sophie Sanidas, constantly motivates and inspires her to be the best player she can be.
HONORABLE MENTION
Beverly: Olivia Devereaux, Fr. 2nd singles; Grace Adams, Jr. 3rd singles; Elina Savoia, Jr. 2nd doubles.
Bishop Fenwick: Gwen Schroeder, Jr., 1st singles;
Danvers: Sophie Sanidas, Jr. 2nd singles; Raina Langlois, Jr. 1st doubles; Kelly Huynh, Sr. 2nd doubles.
Hamilton-Wenham: Ellie Holbrook, Sr., 3rd singles; Maddie Minich, Sr., 2nd doubles; Angelina Meimeteas, Sr., 2nd doubles.
Ipswich: Tess O’Flynn, Sr. 3rd singles; Abbie Allen, Soph. 2nd singles; Lila Borgman, Jr. 1st doubles; Emily Hannibal, Jr. 2nd doubles; Frannie Hertz, Jr. 2nd doubles.
Marblehead: Maddie Conlon, Sr. 1st singles; Aviva Bornstein, Sr. 2nd singles; Samara Dosch, Soph. 3rd singles.
Masconomet: Sophia Donnellan, Jr., 3rd singles; Sienna Anvari, So., doubles; Izzy Kelly, Sr. doubles.
Peabody: Vanessa Kolani, Sr., doubles; Argiro Psyhogios, So., doubles.
Pingree: Allyn Carl, Soph. 3rd singles; Callie Brady, Soph. doubles; Helene Crate, Sr. doubles.
Salem: Janay Newton, Jr., singles.
Swampscott: Ava O’Donnell, So., 2nd doubles; Alexia O’Donnell, So., 2nd doubles; Victoria Quagrello, Sr., 1st doubles.