The opening day of the 2019 Tennis schedule could not have been better. The outside visitors from Bay area tennis clubs once again expressed their tennis camaraderie and friendship with the San Quentin Tennis team at the season opener the morning of March 16.
The weather was clear, sunny with a light breeze, a perfect setting for the games.
The first two games of the season were mixed doubles, that is one San Quentin and one outside player matched against another mixed team.
Pat Leong of Oakland Hills Tennis Club teamed with San Quentin’s Paul Alleyne versus Ted Storey of Cal Tennis Club of San Francisco and Chester Boddie. Alleyne and Leong were able to out hustle their first opponents and win the game 4-1. She also won another game 4-3.
“It feels great to be undefeated here at San Quentin, I also won all my games during my last visit here.”
The third game paired Ted Storey and Kelvin Trinh versus Mark Denne and San Quentin’s Troy Smith. Kelvin smashed many returns while playing the net while defeating Denne and Smith 4-1.
The forth game featured Denne of the Cal Tennis Club of San Francisco teamed with Oakland’s Leong versus San Quentin’s Trinh and Boddie. The visitors were unable to return Trinh and Boddie well place return shots and were defeated 4-2. Leong stated after his first loss he is re- covering from serious knee injuries but nonetheless is pleased with his efforts.
“I enjoy the guests coming in and for the respect tennis guest show for prisoners,” Harris said. “And long live tennis!”
The last game featured San Quentin’s Orlando Harris and Alleyne versus Leong and Denne. Harris’s well placed returns with Alleyne’s speedy mobility triumphed over the outside club players 4-2.
During the closing circle tennis commissioner Alleyne thanked the visitors for coming to San Quentin. Alleyne stated the tennis team’s appreciation for the visitor’s presence as a contributing factor to prisoner rehabilitation and eventual successful return to the free world. Denne responded saying, “I loved being here today.”
Lastly, participants joined hands and cheered together, “Inside Outside Tennis!”