With its number one singles player (Alex Sirois) out sick, the Kaua‘i girls’ tennis squad turned to Lezlie Tao, who according to head coach Debbie Engdahl, “rose to the occasion and led the team to victory,” this past Saturday against
With its number one singles player (Alex Sirois) out sick, the Kaua‘i girls’ tennis squad turned to Lezlie Tao, who according to head coach Debbie Engdahl, “rose to the occasion and led the team to victory,” this past Saturday against Kapa‘a High School. The win also gave the Red Raider ladies the KIF title.
Tao fought off Shawna Tamayose 7-5, 2-6, 6-2, which gave the Red Raiders the 3-2 close win over the Warriors at the Kiahuna Tennis Courts.
Kaua‘i’s Dasha Lagmay made quick work of Kapa‘a’s Julie Yoshida, 6-1, 6-2, which completed the Red Raider singles sweep.
Meanwhile, the younger Sirois, Cassady, along with Megan Vento won the only doubles match for Kaua‘i, 6-1, 6-6 (7-4). Tasha Haraguchi and Crystine Ito played tough in the second set, but Sirois and Vento overpowered the Warrior duo.
Kapa‘a’s Kellie Okamoto and Stephanie Kawamura won the first and third sets, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, over Kaua‘i’s Jaymee Wakumoto and Alyssa Miyake.
In third doubles action, Kapa‘a’s Christine Lane and Mariko Asano defeated a tough challenge from Kaua‘i’s Jacey Agena and Nikki Matsumura, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
On the other side of the coin, the Red Raider boys blitzed Kapa‘a, 5-0. James Odan led the way with a tough 7-5, 7-5 win over Kapa‘a’s Kia Tom in first singles action. Paris Mackey continued the Kaua‘i domination with a victory over Taylor Alfiler, 6-2, 6-4.
Kaua‘i’s Chad “Great Smiles” Naganuma and Steve McClaren defeated Cory Napoleon and Bryson Toda, 6-0, 6-2 in the first doubles match and Michael Hirahara and Bryce “Is Right” Hosaka nailed down Kapa‘a’s Chris “No Fro” Ramelb and Danny Rodrick, 6-1, 6-4.
Reyn Balocan and J.L. Vento were impressive in their win over Kapa‘a’s Travis Wakayama and Kila Youn, 6-3, 6-1.
Kula boys red hot
Kula’s boys’ squad continued its hot streak with another win against Island School, 4-1.
Justin Vea came up with the only win for Island School in first singles, defeating Kula’s Kyle Barrett.
After Vea’s win, it was all Kula, as Kai Anderson blistered Gabriel Sakai, 6-3, 6-3.
Alex Latif and Kibo Smith were nearly perfect against Island’s Andrew Jones and Noel Liddell, 6-0, 6-2.
Dylan Latif and Sergei Wright put the hurt on Justin Pelton and Andrew Rowen, 6-1, 6-2 in second doubles, and Matt Vinsko and Darien Parrish teamed up for the 6-0, 6-1 win over Island’s Akira Nordmeier and Fabio Villa.
The Island School girls edged Kula, 3-2, thanks to Ariel Carlson’s first singles win over Jasmine Blaine, 6-1, 6-2.
Jennifer Ray of Island School held on against Kula’s Danielle Hoen, 6-2, 06, 6-2.
Kula’s Nora Robertson and Anna Noveselova ousted Island’s Dianna Cowern and Sky Smith, 6-3, 6-4.
Island’s Tayler Dabin and Natasha Arruda rolled over Kula’s Summer Ryll and Chantay Scherrer, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 in second doubles and Kim Mayfield and Melody Yeung of Island School defeated Kula’s Chloe Garrett and Kristen Steiner in third doubles. KIF tennis continues this Saturday with Kula battling Waimea at the Hanalei Bay Resort Courts and Kaua‘i facing off against Island School at the Kiahuna Tennis Courts.
The final regular season matches will commence at 12:00 p.m. The KIF qualifying contests will take place on Friday, April 29 (8 a.m.) and Saturday, April 30 (10 a.m.) at the Kiahuna Tennis Courts.
