Fifteen-year-old Sarah Kukino stepped onto the courts at the Kiahuna Swim and Tennis Club on Saturday for her first match as a high school prep tennis player. She was in for what could possibly one of her toughest matches of
Fifteen-year-old Sarah Kukino stepped onto the courts at the Kiahuna Swim and Tennis Club on Saturday for her first match as a high school prep tennis player.
She was in for what could possibly one of her toughest matches of the season, and at least she got it out of the way early. Her opponent: top-ranked Lyndsey Tom of Kapa‘a High School.
“With Lyndsey, I was so nervous,” Kukino said. “I’ve practiced with her and played against her for fun, but never competitively and I was nervous because she’d been dominating the past years.”
Kukino quickly won the first set 6-1, but dropped the last two, 4-6 and 3-6.
“I know her and she’s my friend. I just went out there and just wanted to play and give (Lyndsey) a good match,” she said.
Tom, who consistently finishes at the top of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation and at the state level, admitted that the match against Kukino was a competitive one.
“I think she’s a great counter-puncher, meaning that she’s really consistent and she gets the shots she needs to,” said Tom. “I knew she was going to come out and play really well. It was a pretty hard match for me.”
Kukino beat out several returnees for the top spot for Kaua‘i High School when the team had a winner-take-all challenge. The girls all played a set each and the freshman, Kukino, came out on top.
It was an unexpected accomplishment for her and she said being the top player of the team wasn’t even on her rookie-year agenda.
“I was surprised, but I know that I could have a chance (at it),” she said. “I thought if I tried really hard, I’d have a chance at it. It really wasn’t a priority to be No. 1.”
Kukino said the decision to play high school tennis was more about camaraderie than receiving individual accolades. She said that even though tennis is more of an individual sport, it’s the team aspect and socializing that was most appealing to her.
“It was just about being a part of the team and making new friends,” she said.
But being No. 1 means performing at a certain level and being able to live up to the expectations that come along with it.
She had been playing tennis since she was 6 years old, playing for fun with or against her parents. The competitive edge for her began to build around the third grade. Kukino started playing in tournaments around the island and across the state.
“My first tournament, I was really nervous,” she said. “It was up in Hanalei and I played a girl named Cherine Ito and it was in the 10s Novice (division). It was a close match, but I came in second.”
As Kukino began to win matches and tournaments, she said she felt her competitiveness growing and it made her want to win more often. That most likely led to her rise to the top so early.
“I love the competition and the intensity because that pushes you to be your best, she said. “Being No. 1, it is pressure because I don’t want to let the team down. I think I can handle it because I have nothing to lose.”
She currently plays in at least 12 tournaments a year and balances high school and outside tennis. She said it’s difficult but it’s a good balance to have. Kukino said that the two atmospheres are different. Private lessons are more intense because it’s one-on-one with the coach and with high school tennis, it’s more of a joint session.
“High school is not as serious, but it balances out the fun factor (of tennis),” she said.
Kukino also maintains a 4.0 grade point average and is a member of the Key Club at Kaua‘i High.
With this being her first year of high school competition, Kukino said she didn’t set too many personal goals for herself.
“I really just want to play well,” she said. “Oh, and I want to go to states, so I guess those are my goals for this year.”
Kukino’s next match will start at noon on Saturday when Kaua‘i faces Waimea High School at the Waimea courts.
“Playing Lyndsey, I knew it would be tough, but as far as future matches, I don’t know what to expect,” she said.
Sarah Kukino
Age: 15
Family: Parents Joy
and Clifton Kukino;
older brother Jor
dan and younger
sister Kaylin
Hometown: Lihu‘e
Tennis lessons: in
Po‘ipu and Kaua‘i
High School
Favorite tennis play
er: Maria Sharapo-
va (”She hits the ball
hard and has a good
backhand.”)
Player she’d most
likely want to play
against or with: Ana
Invanovic (”I really
like her game. I like
how she constructs
points, so that
would be fun.”
Goals: “I want to
make states.”
• Lanaly Cabalo, sports editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
