Members of the Holy Names University tennis team came into San Quentin and played Inside Tennis Team members.
James Ryan, a freshman from London, said it was his first time in America and first time inside a prison.
Inside Tennis Team members Orlando Harris and Paul Alleyne gave the young visitors a challenge in the Sept. 19 contest.
“It’s always fun to be able to go up against younger men,” said Harris, who is 52. “It gives me a barometer to judge where I’m at.”
Although the HNU won, 4-1, two games went to deuce.
“I would put you guys at a 4.0 league level,” said an HNU player.
Harris started as a novice nine years ago.
Matt Halligan said he came in because, “I’m really interested in learning about prison. Coach said let’s do this. He told me about the Bryon Brothers and the Golden State Warriors playing here.”
Scott Howard, the coach of HNU, said his guys are ranked 33 in the U.S. They are in the NCAA Division 2.
“I thought it would be a great experience to see that a few miles away life is really different and to give back,” said Howard. “I wanted to bring the whole team, but they only let us bring in six guys.”
“It gives me a sense of being a part of society and to test my skills against up and coming stars,” said ITT’s Clay Long.
