HDN opener for Warriors

Del Norte downs Arcata at home

The Del Norte High girls tennis team started the Humboldt-Del Norte Conference season strongly, defeating Arcata 6-3 on Tuesday at home.

“I’m happy we were able to win,” head coach Sara Miller said. “Hopefully we can keep the momentum going.”

There was a surprise in store in No. 1 singles play for the Warriors.

It was supposed to be a battle this year in the HDN between Del Norte senior Kathryn Gustafson and Arcata junior Abi Black. Last season, the two were the clear-cut two top players in the conference, with Black downing Gustafson in a close three- set battle in the HDN singles championships. Gustafson went on to win the HDN doubles title along with Sam Bausch.

Gustafson expected to see Black as her opponent on Tuesday.

But when she arrived to play,  Gustafson discovered that Black was not on the team this year. Her father is on a year-long sabbatical in England and Black is their with him.

That means Gustafson is the clear-cut favorite in HDN singles this season.

Gustafson was surprised and disappointed that her top rival would not be playing this year.

“I was looking forward to the epic match,” she said.

“That definitely stirred things up for a bit,” Miller said. “Kathryn was really stoked and ready to play Abi.”

In the match, Gustafson made quick work of Geena Damian 6-2, 6-1.

Miller said Gustafson was disappointed at first by the news Black was not playing and was off her game for a bit. Once she settled down she was able to play her normally strong game.

Despite not having Black in the mix this year, Gustafson said she just has to keep playing her game and hopefully one of the other girls from one of the other  HDN squads will step up.

Gustafson said she is just going to go out and play her best in a sport she enjoys to be a part of.  After all, she said, “tennis is so fun,” which is the reason that she plays the game.

In No. 2 singles, Bausch also looked strong, quickly defeating Meilan Hughes 6-2, 6-3.

In No. 3 singles, Jordan Babich of Del Norte lost 2-6, 5-7 to Noemi Schonenberger. In No. 4 singles, Taylor Cleland of Del Norte won 6-0, 6-4 over Kristyn Payne.

In No. 5 singles, Riley Sheets of Del Norte won a tough three-set match over  Kim-Thu Pham.

“It was a tight match,” Miller said.  “Riley winning took some preassure off our doubles matches.”

In No. 6 singles, Alexis Wright of Del Norte lost 1-6, 1-6 to Hannah Mathew.

In doubles, Gustafson and Bausch won 8-2 and Sheets and Cleland won 8-1. Babich and Winters lost to Arcata 8-2.

Del Norte next plays at home on Saturday starting at 10 a.m. against North Coast Prep.