The Stanford Cardinals overwhelmed San Quentin’s Inside Tennis Team in every facet of the game.
Nolan Paige and Matt Kandath won their match with players of the San Quentin team 4-1. “It was a hard-fought battle,” said freshman Paige, from Fairfield, Connecticut.
Paige seemed surprised by the hospitality of the San Quentin players. “I did not know what to expect,” said Paige, “Everybody seems so nice.”
San Quentin’s doubles teams seemed overmatched by Stanford’s in every game. The day didn’t become competitive until the teams mixed up, with two San Quentin players each matched with a member from Stanford. Chris Schuhmacher from the Inside Tennis Team played with Kandath and Orlando ‘Duck’ Harris played with Paige from Stanford.
Harris and Paige jumped out to a 3-0 lead when Schuhmacher and Kandath dug in and fought back to a 3-3 tie.
In the final play, Schuhmacher let his serve rip. Paige sent back a deep return. Schuhmacher tried to send a lob over Orlando who lived up to his nickname and “ducked” as Nolan smashed a game winner, giving them the 4-3 set. “We shared max court time and max fun,” said Schuhmacher.
Assistant Coach Brandon Coupe, who brought the team to San Quentin, expressed his satisfaction in his team’s final ranking last season. “I felt good,” he said. “We finished ninth in the country as quarter-finalists in the NCAA championship.”
Coupe played in the ATP tour for ten years and competed against Rodger Federer.
Sophomore John Morrissey of Ireland expressed how he enjoys his California experience.
“The weather is definitely better here. It’s going to be tough to leave.” said Morrissey.
Stanford Freshman Anthony Tsodikov, Junior Jamin Ball, Juniors Fawaz Hourani and Walker Kehrer also played against the San Quentin team
Paige described his team’s approach to the upcoming season. “Every year the goal is to win a championship. We have to work hard in practice and take it day to day.”
“It’s cool to share the game of tennis with top college athletes. Only in a place like San Quentin can something like this be possible,” said Schuhmacher. “When we’re out there on the tennis court, it’s almost like we’re not in prison.”
– Vihn Nyugen contributed to this story
