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Hollister High School’s boys tennis team has turned a strong season into a league title and now shifts its focus toward the postseason.
The Haybalers headed into their Pacific Coast Athletic League Mission Division finale this week at 9-0 in league play and 9-1 overall, officially clinching first place.
Hollister’s only loss this season came in a non-division match against Pacific Grove on March 2, a team from a higher division which helped set the tone early in the year.
Head coach Rick Espino said he has been proud of the group’s performance throughout the season, especially in tight matchups against teams like Palma and Alisal.
“I’ve been very happy with them,” Espino said. “We’re undefeated in league, and they’ve done a great job competing in close matches and pulling through.”
Sophomore Oian Traveria, the team’s No. 1 singles player, said facing strong competition early helped raise the team’s level.
“It’s been going great from practice to games,” Guantalo said. “Playing a team from a higher division in preseason pushed us to improve and play better.”
He added that he continues to focus on improving the mental side of his game.
“Sometimes I get stressed during matches because I know I can play better,” he said. “I’m just trying to stay focused and improve that.”
A key factor in Hollister’s success has been its depth across the lineup. Rather than relying on just a few standout players, the Haybalers have consistently picked up points throughout both singles and doubles.
Junior Andrew Atkins, a doubles player, said that balance has helped separate the team from others in the league.
“I feel like the overall strength of our team is the depth,” Atkins said. “We’re more balanced than a lot of teams, and we’re able to win matches at the lower end of our lineup, too.”
Atkins also pointed to the team’s doubles success and chemistry as a major reason for their record.
“My doubles partner Noah Welsh and I have been playing really well together and winning a lot of matches,” Atkins said. “I think everything is just clicking for us this year.”
Senior captain Albert Teliha, the team’s lone senior, has helped lead a relatively young roster that includes several juniors, sophomores and a freshman.
“For me, it’s been a little bit bumpy, but I’ve kept a positive mindset and kept working,” Talia said. “For the team, we’re doing great. We have good chemistry, and I don’t just see them as teammates—I see them as brothers.”
Talia said leadership has also meant keeping team morale high throughout the season.
“If someone loses, I try to lift them up,” he said. “If everyone’s in a good mood, that benefits the whole team.”
The Haybalers have also leaned on team chemistry as a foundation for their success, building strong relationships off the court that translate into performance during matches.
“We’ll go to a teammate’s house or out to eat,” Atkins said. “Just hanging out and competing with each other off the court brings us closer.”
Espino said that bond is what defines success beyond wins and losses.
“Success is how these guys treat each other,” he said. “No one gets left out. It’s about integrity, honesty and being a team.”
Hollister has already been tested this season, including close matchups against Palma and Alisal that showed the team’s growth.
“I think the Palma match showed how much we’ve improved,” Atkins said. “At the start of the season it was a lot closer, but later we were able to pull ahead and win more decisively.”
With one match remaining and a playoff spot secured, the Haybalers have already clinched the Mission Division title and are focused on finishing the regular season strong.
Espino said earlier in the season he expected the team to compete for first place if they stayed consistent.
Now, the Haybalers are scheduled to host Pacific Grove in a Central Coast Section play-in game on April 24 at 4 p.m.
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