After beginning the spring season with a series of wins and high hopes, the Healdsburg High boys tennis team ended the season with several disappointing losses in league play. However they remained on the winning side of the equation, with a 5-4 season record.
The ball bounced their way in the first three league matches, with team victories over Rancho Cotate (6 matches to 1), Windsor (5 to 2) and St. Vincent (4 to 3). But momentum shifted on March 38 with a 4-3 loss to Analy, traditionally a strong team in the North Bay region.
They recovered with a 6-1 win over Santa Rosa on April 2, and a 5-2 match victory against Montgomery a week later. At that point their league record was 5-1, with three matches remaining, guaranteeing them a winning season under coach Joshua Cavanagh.
Unfortunately the tide turned, and they lost successive matches by shutout 7-0 scores to Maria Carrillo and Cardinal Newman. And on April 16 their last league match found them in Ukiah, where they lost 6-1.
Their final league record was 5-4, on the positive side of .500. Joshua Cavanagh, who doubles as the school’s athletic director, serves as the team coach.
“This was one of the most successful seasons we have had in awhile,” Cavanagh said. “I am very proud of this team in how they competed, won and lost with grace, and strived to be better each day.”
On April 23, Austin Boaz and Eamonn Scott competed in the league singles tournament. “Austin had a very tough draw and battled against Cardinal Newman’s #1, ultimately falling in the first round,” reported the coach. “Eamonn took down Santa Rosa’s #1 in a thrilling 3-set match in round 1, and in the second round met the tournament’s #1 overall seed and lost.”
Next week a league doubles tournament will be held at Santa Rosa High. Austin Boaz and Eamonn Scott will be the #1 doubles team, with Lincoln Rueter and Brandon Hausman playing as the #2 doubles team.Â
“Our team is still relatively young and will be returning all 12 athletes next year, as we do not have any seniors. We will continue to develop and hope to compete for league next year,” said Cavanagh.
