Veteran girls tennis preps for more success in 2026
Tracy Ackerman is only days away from beginning her 10th season as the Marblehead High girls tennis coach. Rival Masco will provide the competition in Chieftain country on Monday, April 6, at 4 p.m. The Magicians will follow that up with the home opener four days later on April 10 against non-league Hamilton-Wenham at the same time.
Ackerman’s goals for this season remain the same, and it’s as simple as contending for the Northeastern Conference championship, and qualifying for the state tournament.
Last year, as the 18th seed in the Division 2 state tournament, the Magicians (13-4) were able to upset those Chieftains (12-2), the 15th seed, in the Round of 32 to begin the postseason, 3-2. But then, they dropped a 4-1 decision to Wayland, the second seed, in the Sweet 16, while the Warriors continued on with two more wins, before losing to undefeated Longmeadow, the top seed, in the state finals, 3-2.
But that’s in the past, and now Ackerman is onto a brand-new campaign with five holdovers from last year’s squad. She expects all of them to make a big impact to help the team secure another winning record.
Senior tri-captain Samara Dosch returns as the team’s first singles player. “Sami has the benefit of last year’s experiences,” said Ackerman. “As always, she will face the opposition’s best player, but I know that she is up to the task.”
Senior tri-captain Caroline Bruett made the All-Conference team last year as a second doubles player, but this season she will anchor first doubles. “Bruett won some really close, competitive matches last year, and that experience coupled with her leadership qualities should continue to make her a formidable opponent.”
Senior tri-captain Joy Meshulam was injured last year, and as a result, she’s anxious to get back out there on the courts to play an important role in the starting lineup.
Junior Callie Gilmore will be the team’s second singles player. “Callie was a utility player, who stepped up for us in some crucial matches last year,” said Ackerman. “She is a natural athlete, and I have high hopes that she’ll have even more success throughout the next three months.”
Erin Wilder, also a returnee, is currently recuperating from an injury, but the coach hopes for a quick recovery, because she is another one of her impactful athletes.
Lilly O’Keefe and freshman Sophie Li have been impressive in practice, according to Ackerman. The veteran coach then said of her entire varsity team: “Overall, they have great attitudes with the same amount of energy to keep that winning tradition going for another year.”
Girls lacrosse drops opener to host Woburn
The Marblehead High girls lacrosse team lost a high scoring, competitive matchup to host Woburn, 12-11 on March 26 to begin a new season. The Tanners also had a slim lead at halftime, 6-5.
“It was a strong first game,” said veteran head coach Annie Madden. “Our defense was outstanding. We spent most of the game (shorthanded), but as a whole, the team still rose to the challenge by communicating well and pushing the ball up in transition to ultimately keep it close on the scoreboard.”
Addie Co-Peeps (1 goal, 1 assist), Emma Ryan (4 goals), Zoe Dwyer (4 goals, 3 assists), Gwen Potter (2 assists), Maggie Svencer (1 goal) and June Crawford (1 goal, 1 assist) factored into the scoring against host Woburn. Goalie Molly Bullard did the job to keep her teammates in the game with 10 critical saves.
Last year, these Magicians finished the regular season with a 12-6 record, and were the 23rd seed in the Division 2 state tournament. They then ended up losing to Grafton, the 10th seed, in the Round of 32, 14-6.
