PO‘IPU — Kaua‘i tennis players got a treat, Sunday when University of Hawai‘i men’s tennis coach John Nelson spent the greater part of the day working with both adult and junior tennis players at the Kiahuna Tennis Courts. Carolyn Lum
PO‘IPU — Kaua‘i tennis players got a treat, Sunday when University of Hawai‘i men’s tennis coach John Nelson spent the greater part of the day working with both adult and junior tennis players at the Kiahuna Tennis Courts.
Carolyn Lum said Nelson was here for the USTA-Hawai‘i Pacific Section Appreciation Banquet, Saturday, and through the efforts of Darlene Joseph and Ron Romano of the tennis players association, offered the clinic for both experienced and novice players.
Working with the adults in the morning hours, the younger players took the court closer to the noon hour, and simplified the concept of the game, telling the youngsters that returning the ball is like catching the ball.
Lum said that Nelson, formerly from the San Diego area, is coming off his first year as head coach for the UH men’s tennis program, and recently completed his recruiting trip.
Lum added that Jordan Kukino, who was one of the top boys KIF tennis players, is hoping to make the UH men’s team as a walk-on when classes start later this month. Kukino graduated from Kaua‘i High School in June.
James Odan, another Kaua‘i High School boys tennis player, was awarded a $5,000 scholarship to Pacific Lutheran University in Washington where he, too, is hoping to play tennis at the college level.
