LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i High School boys and girls tennis teams finished the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation tennis season as undefeated champions, said Jennifer Hreljac, one of the Kaua‘i High School tennis coaches.
The Red Raiders will be sending 10 players to the 2022 HMSA Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association tennis championships that will unfold from May 5 through 7 at the Royal Lahaina and Kapalua Tennis Garden on Maui, said Herljac.
For the boys’ singles, Michael and Mark Fitzgerald, ranked No. 1 and 2 in the qualifying rounds that were contested at the Hanapepe tennis courts, the Waimea High School tennis courts, and the Kapa‘a High School tennis courts, both earned state qualifying berths after Michael beat brother Mark on 6-2, 6-4 victories.
But the Fitzgerald brothers also qualified for states when the Island School boys volleyball team beat Kapa‘a High School during a KIF playoff contest.
Hreljac said the Fitzgerald brothers will opt to play with the Voyagers’ volleyball during the state Division II competition that will take place at the same time on O‘ahu.
The open slots will be filled by Thomas Capeli of Kapa‘a High School, seeded No. 4 in the qualifying rounds, who dropped 2-6, 2-6 to Michael Fitzgerald in the quarterfinals of the boys qualifying round.
Cameron Teves, seeded No. 3 in the qualifying round, will fill the second spot after being defeated in the quarterfinals by Mark Fitzgerald, 0-6, 0-6.
On the girls singles court, Waimea High School’s Kamalani Goo took the qualifying rounds with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Kaua‘i High School’s Kirra Carvalho. Both girls were seeded Nos. 1 and 2, respectively at the qualifying rounds.
The top seeded pair of Tanner Hubbard and Dillon Fulks of Kaua‘i High School beat the duo of Matthew Rivera and Joe Puplava, seeded No. 2 in the qualifying rounds, also of Kaua‘i High School, 6-2, 6-0 to earn berths at the state tournament.
On the girls doubles court, the top seeded team of Savannah Hubbard and Madison Hubbard beat out the No. 2 seeded duo of Zoe Carvalho and Marley Marty, 6-4, 6-1 to earn berths to the state tournament.
Hreljac also announced that this would be Coach Shannon Burkman’s last season of coaching tennis at Kaua‘i High School.
“Her incredible love of the game along with her organizational skills have made this team run like a well-oiled machine,” Hreljac said. “Couple that with her motivational speeches and true dedication to the educational, social, and emotional well-being of the students, you will realize how much she will be missed.”
Also leaving with Burkman are 10 graduating Kaua‘i High School senior players.
“We wish them luck in their future, and hope they continue to play the game,” Hreljac said.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
