San Quentin Prison is known for outside community members, including the Golden State Warriors organization, coming in to compete with inside teams. However, for the first time, several women from a college tennis team ventured onto the Lower Yard to engage the Inside Tennis Team.
Holy Names University Tennis Coach Scott Howard returned to the prison with six members of the women’s team, three men and his wife. He said he came back after being moved by a previous visit when he brought in some of the male tennis team.
“It’s a great experience to see we are all flesh and blood,” said Howard. “We are all human beings, and everybody has a story to tell. We can all learn a little bit from each other.”
After seeing a prison yard for the first time, Mariel said, “I’m learning that prisoners aren’t like the scary people you see in movies. Up close in person, everybody seems ordinary; everyone is very friendly.”
Marlayna added, “Everyone is really nice.”
Chelsea saw the day as a way to give back.
“I’m really happy to help with rehabilitation. I think it brings happiness and joy, and it is good to play against other people,” said Chelsea.
The Holy Names women’s tennis team is a division two. It ended last year with a winning record, according to HNU player Mariel.
The day started with matches. Young women who grew up playing tennis against older men who learned the game while in prison.
The opening contest paired Chelsea, from Germany, and Amaru against inside members Paul Alleyne and Orlando Harris.
Alleyne and Harris put up a fight, but fell 4-3.
“You guys are a lot better than we expected. Duck (Harris) aced me, and I almost never get aced,” said Chelsea, who a teammate describes as one of HNU’s better players.
“Chelsea has serve. Some feelings are coming up for me that remind me of my very first match, where I lost to a 70-year-old man. Next time you come in here, you won’t win,” joked Harris.
Amandine from France and Mariel lost to Clay Long and Chris Schuhmacher 3-1 in the following match.
“They are more passionate about tennis than us,” said Mariel.
“I think they took it easy on us,” said Schuhmacher.
HNU’s Taylor and Amaru defeated N. Young and Paul Oliver, 4-0.
HNU male player Bernardo and the coach’s wife Christina lost 0-4 to Paul Oliver and Robert Barnes.
After the good-natured games, the guest and inside members ran drills together, each helping to make the other better.
Editor’s Note: Per managing editor’s request, only the first names of the college students were used in this article.
