The Healdsburg High girls tennis team has delivered another strong season in the fall sport, finishing a solid fourth in the 10-team NBL Oak, behind Maria Carrillo, Cardinal Newman and Ukiah, respectively. Soon to be officially announced is the naming of two Greyhound girls to the All League rosters.
A shoo-in will be Meher Dhiman, the team’s No. 1 singles player and a North Bay League Oak All-League first-teamer. She went nearly undefeated last year and this, and for a No. 1 singles player that’s quite an accomplishment since everyone is aiming to take her down. It also means she faced the league’s best singles players match after match, and more often than not came out the winner.
Seeded third in the regional Singles Championship, Dhiman was ranked behind Analy’s Bella Gee and Maria Carrillo’s Caitlin Weng. She fought through each set point by point, and once again drew notice from area tennis scouts.
“I can’t overstate the significance of these two matches against much more experienced players, and the effort she made shot after shot,” said team coach Mary Beth Chandler. “MD used every tool in her toolbox and played with the best attitude and effort—an absolute triumph! I hope this is just the beginning of MD’s tennis-playing career.”
Dhiman herself, now a senior, finished the year ranked third in the league with a 13-4 record. “This team will always hold a dear spot in my heart, the grit and determination they brought to every match helped us finish with a winning record and as fourth in the league,” she said. “It was an honor to be captain, I feel proud to have worn the Healdsburg jersey out on the court!”
A second team All League nomination goes to Amelia Wickersham, also a double-threat student athlete. “Amelia had a strong winning season, and continues to improve. Her absence will be felt next season,” coach MB said.
Dhiman and Wickersham will play as the team’s No. 1 doubles pair at the upcoming Doubles Championship this week. Also in the tournament will be Kathleen Arriaga and Bella Abel, the team’s No. 1 doubles duo, representing the Lady Hounds.
In addition to Chandler, the team is also coached by Scott Johnson, the assistant coach whose emphasis is on singles play. “We had 26 girls on the team, and I tried to give singles as much small-group attention as possible. Scott played a significant role in that attempt,” Chandler said.
Other tennis coaches included Dry Creek resident Leenette Merino and two boys team players, senior Niles Cobb and junior Tristan Jensen.
From them, perhaps, Meher Dhiman received her best advice: “The most valuable thing I’ve learned in these four years is to play for every point. It’s never too late to make a comeback—when games get hard embrace it, and leave it all out on the court!”
