To tell if a team has upgraded from one year to the next, it
pays to look at the shirt – collar or T.
To tell if a team has upgraded from one year to the next, it pays to look at the shirt – collar or T.
The Hollister High tennis team looked rather smashing in its Baler polo shirt, a much more attractive piece of attire from last year’s T-shirt. Credit Chris Roberson, a freshman on the squad, for the logo design.
Hollister – in particular No. 1 singles player Glen Morris – was smashing at times in a 6-1 loss to visiting Soquel Tuesday. It was the third 6-1 defeat in three matches for the Balers, but second-year head coach Allen Barker said hope is on the horizon Thursday when Hollister opens Tri-County Athletic League play against Live Oak at the Ridgemark Tennis Center.
“Pacific Grove can beat a lot of teams,” said Barker. “And Aptos and Soquel have many players who are members of Seascape Country Club. I know their parents. Hopefully the teams in the league won’t be that strong.”
The Balers do look improved over a year ago, when they finished second from the bottom in the Monterey Bay League. Morris is pounding his serve and forehand and gave Soquel sophomore Landon Browne a good tiff before falling 2-6, 6-7 (3-7). Morris was up 5-4 and 6-5 in the second set before the southpaw Browne turned it on from the service line to pull out the win.
The two spent part of the match arguing about line calls and scores, which made it even more interesting for the 20 or so fans watching center court.
Playing No. 2 Tuesday for the Balers was senior Michael Blake, who was blanked by sophomore Richard Forno 6-0, 6-0.
“You could tell I didn’t play any tennis over the summer,” said Blake.
Senior Perry Marks lost by the same score at No. 3 to the Knights Luke Vessey. Freshman Cameron Barker played No. 4 singles and was downed 6-3, 6-3 by Luis Cortes.
The Balers’ lone victory was at No. 1 doubles when Isidro Trujillo and Pablo Andrade, fresh off the Baler soccer team, defeated Frankie Mecozzi and Andrew Davidson 7-5, 6-3.
“I’m not sure if Isidro and Pablo can win T-CAL’s, but they can finish in the top four,” said Allen Barker.
“We’re going to go as far as possible,” said Trujillo.
Larry Branqhino paired with Spencer Gonzalez at No. 2 doubles and played well in a 6-2, 6-3 loss.
Branqhino’s brother, Jamie, teamed with Andrew Pringle at No. 3 doubles and lost 6-3, 6-3.
Barker has 25 players on the roster compared to 14 on the roster last season.
“That’s a lot better,” he said. “Hopefully that bodes well for the future.”
Hollister High boys tennis schedule
Feb. 27 – Live Oak*
March 4 – at Gilroy*
March 6 – at Palma*
March 11 – Salinas*
March 13 – at North Salinas*
March 18 – at Live Oak*
March 20 – Gilroy*
March 25 – Palma*
March 27 – at Salinas*
April 1 – North Salinas*
April 3 – Live Oak*
April 8 – at Gilroy*
April 10 – at Palma*
April 29 – Salinas*
May 1 – at North Salinas*
May 2 – T-CAL tournament
*T-CAL matches
All matches start at 3:30 p.m.
