Tennis on Kaua‘i is gaining popularity by the minute and an island senior tennis squad displayed the growing prowess of Garden Isle players. Mixed Mahalo, a 9.0 mixed doubles tennis team from Kaua‘i captured the state sectionals title last weekend
Tennis on Kaua‘i is gaining popularity by the minute and an island senior tennis squad displayed the growing prowess of Garden Isle players.
Mixed Mahalo, a 9.0 mixed doubles tennis team from Kaua‘i captured the state sectionals title last weekend in Keahou-Kona on the Big Island.
“This doesn’t happen often at all,” Kaua‘i District Tennis Association director Laurie Coberly said.
The squad earned three victories in the tournament against no losses.
Up next for Mixed Mahalo is the upcoming national championships, held in Las Vegas in November.
“I don’t think Kaua‘i has won at states in several years,” Coberly said. “It’s quite an honor.”
Team members are Loutoa Zoller (captain), Barbara Hubbard, Sinclair Bill, Kathryn Bieker, Neal Mathur, Ryan “Koko” Chang, Calvin Lalin, Brad Klontz, Christian “Sunny” Chang and Michelle Martinez.
Other teams at the event included a 6.0 squad of Avis Hirahara, Cheryl Van Gieson (captain), Efren Domingo, Heidi Duarte, Jean Warren, John Cox, Joshua Miyamoto, Maria Almeida, Matthew Rapozo, Michael Yamane and Ruthie Palama.
Also, a 7.0 squad participated at states (Avis Hirahara, Bernard Duarte, Blair Bird, Dan Miyamoto, Darlene Joseph, Heidi Duarte, Jim Anderson (capt.), Karen Goria, Manny Rivera, Mari Anderson, Shelley Paik and Todd Ishigo).
Bernard Duarte, Brant Fuchigami, Calvin Lalin, Denise Carswell, Elizabeth Laureta, Herb Noe (captain), Joy Kukino, Kristen Konishi, Marilyn Char, Robert Miguel, Roy Yokotake and Tammie Quinlan entered the 8.0 tournament.
The Kaua‘i District Tennis Association sponsored the teams.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
