On Tuesday this week, the Healdsburg Greyhounds varsity tennis team played host to one of their toughest opponents, the Maria Carrillo Pumas. The Rincon Valley school has one of the best records in the area, based in part on the high level of participation—their roster shows 27 names, compared to the 10 players on the Healdsburg team.
But the local boys – which coach Mary Beth Chandler calls “Gentlemen Hounds,” a play on the “Lady Hounds” nickname that befalls many of the girls teams—refuse to be counted out, despite their current record of one win against five losses in their meets this year.
The season started out well, with a 5-2 win over Analy in their second match, on March 24. That was a real boost to their team spirit, following a close 4-3 loss to Ukiah on March 11. Ukiah repeated their 4-3 score on March 26, then Windsor narrowly won in another 4-3 match on April 8. In every match the Greyhounds acquitted themselves well and kept it close.
Those narrow scores unfortunately disappeared this week as the Pumas shut out the Gentlemen Hounds 7-0 in a nonetheless tough and telling outing for Healdsburg.
“Today we joked that we were going to have to throw away the balls after the match, because everyone was hitting so hard,” said coach Chandler after the match. “It isn’t an exaggeration.”
She said all four of her singles players are “diligent, hard-working,” said Chandler. “These four musketeers are Brandon Hausman, Tristan Jensen, Niles Cobb and Henry Herrod, bringing energy, talent and tons of inspiration for their team members.”
Against Maria Carrillo, senior Hausman “completed many successful sequences and points, and ultimately won four games,” reported Chandler. “This is a huge accomplishment.”
Junior Tristan Jensen is the #2 player, senior Niles Cobb at #3 singles and senior Henry Harrold plays the #4 level. Ian Welty, a sophomore, is the singles alternate and doubles player, with Jared Oriz. Both are just off a successful season with the Greyhounds soccer team.
“The amazing thing about Tristan, he just shows up and does his job, with calmness and great sportsmanship,” said Chandler “His skill level as a junior, at 6’4”, is just starting to come together. There is so much talent waiting in the wings.” Clearly she has high hopes for his senior year at Healdsburg.
Chandler, who also coaches the girls tennis team, further broke down the top players’ strengths and character. “Niles Cobb at #3, our sole lefty, loves disc golf, but has maybe come around to loving tennis also. This is a player who leaves nothing on the table with his huge serve, and excellent acceleration in each shot. He has natural spin, speed, slice, easy power– Niles is just beginning to play tennis, really play the game of tennis. He is headed to Cal Poly next year.”
Of Herrod at #4, Chandler said, he “is discovering he is a natural singles player and his forehand is a weapon to be reckoned with. Henry is headed to Brown University to study, then rule the world most likely.” Since his father is already Mayor of Healdsburg, he seems to be on his way.
Other “gentlemen “on the roster include Archer Barrett, John Monlux, Lyric Simmons and Miguel Hernandez.
Next match for the Greyhounds is a road game against Montgomery on Tuesday, Aprill 14 (results too late for press time), followed by their final home match against Santa Rosa on April 21. NBL singles championship matches will be held April 28, doubles on May 4.
