POIPU — Darlene Hasenyager of the Kauai Junior Tennis program said Sunday’s preseason tennis doubles at the Poipu Kai Tennis Courts helped the younger players get rid of their nervousness. “We should be alright this tennis season,” said Waimea coach
POIPU — Darlene Hasenyager of the Kauai Junior Tennis program said Sunday’s preseason tennis doubles at the Poipu Kai Tennis Courts helped the younger players get rid of their nervousness.
“We should be alright this tennis season,” said Waimea coach Adrian Alvarez. “The players just got to get past being nervous.”
Hasenyager was coordinating the movement of players around the courts.
“We went with a doubles format so the top players are able to mix in with those who are less skilled,” the tournament director said. “Everyone plays two games so they have to play with other schools.”
Charles Fulks, the Kauai High School coach, said he was missing one player who was injured, but other than that, his players appear to be ready for the Kauai Interscholastic Federation season which starts Saturday.
“We had a meeting with all of the coaches,” Fulks said. “At that time, we discussed the different player levels and were able to match them up so there are some good matches out there today. Other than that, I guess we’re ready for the season.”
All four KIF member schools — Kauai, Waimea, Kapaa and Island School — had players out on the court for the one-day tournament ahead of the tennis season.
“We should do this earlier,” Alvarez said. “That way, players can adjust to their mistakes. Maybe we’ll do it during the break next time.”
Hasenyager said she would love to see more of the high school players become more involved in the local tennis programs, like the Charity Doubles and even the Kauai Junior Tennis.
The KIF season starts when Kauai hosts Kapaa at the Hokuala Tennis Courts Saturday starting at 10 a.m. Island School hosts Waimea at the Kauai Community College tennis courts starting at 1 p.m.
