Tennis: Several Marin-based teams secure bids to Nationals

Marin County women’s tennis is having a banner year in United States Tennis Association (USTA) competition with five teams headed to nationals.

Making nationals is a bucket list item for most tennis players. And while Marin will be sending some of its regulars on the national scene, there are a few newcomers who have claimed their first Northern California sectional titles to fulfill their dreams.

Chrissie Costamagna, coach of The Branson School girls and boys teams, is the captain of two teams going to nationals: Harbor Point 4.5 40-and-over and Harbor Point 9.0 55-and-over. She’s been to nationals eight times, often serving as captain.

“I could probably write a book about this since I’ve captained over 50 teams,” says Costamagna. “It takes commitment, organization, people agility and time. It also helps to have an awesome co-captain for support and to vent with. There are days when you want to pull out your hair.”

Amy Rennert of Tiburon has already been a part of three national team titles and is a key member of three teams going to nationals this year. She’s the co-captain with Costamagna for the Harbor Point 55 team and she’s on the championship Boyle Park 8.0 65-and-over team.

Rennert also captains the Tiburon Peninsula Club 9.0 65-and-over team, which received a waiver to nationals since there were no other teams in the NorCal section.

“For the past 10 years, tennis has been a huge part of my life again and I’m grateful for the many forever friendships made on and off the court,” says Rennert. “I know how fortunate I am to have played on and captained so many teams that have gone to sectionals and nationals in all age divisions.”

The Boyle Park 8.0 65-and-over team has advanced to nationals for the second time in three years. The combined team from Marin Country Club and Rolling Hills won the 4.0 40-and-over NorCal championship to earn its national debut.

Martin Luther King Junior Park in Sausalito won the women’s 4.0 daytime NorCal championship, but nationals are not offered at this level. The captain was Polo Cowan.

On the men’s side, Dan Grossman of Tiburon is captain of the McInnis Park 9.0 65-and-over team, which earned a direct invitation to nationals as the only NorCal team.

For the Marin Country Club/Rolling Hills gals, who have been knocking on the national door for a few years, the setting on the day of the NorCal finals was epic.

“To be competing at Johnson Ranch in Sacramento alongside the Harbor Point 4.5 ladies and have both teams clutch wins to advance to nationals — that was really special to celebrate together,” said Mary Gamble, captain of the MCC/RH team.

Long before the 2024 season started, the Boyle Park 65 team was focused on a return trip to nationals after reaching the finals two seasons ago. Rumor has it that they’re bringing in a few ringers for 2025.

“I’d say about our team we have a great vibe on and off the court, have been to nationals finals before, and follow Arthur Ashe’s words: ‘Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can,'” says Boyle captain Cathy Kennedy,

If Marin women’s tennis teams have a motto for 2024 and beyond it’s “Yes we can.”

National schedule

Women’s 4.5 40-and-over Oct. 25-27, Surprise, Ariz.

Women’s 4.0 40-and-over Oct. 25-27, Orlando

Women’s 9.0 55-and-over Nov. 1-3, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Women’s 9.0 65-and-over Jan. 31-Feb. 2, Surprise, Ariz.

Men’s 9.0 65-and-over Jan. 31-Feb 2, Surprise, Ariz.

Women’s 8.0 65-and-over Feb. 14-16, Surprise, Ariz.