PO’IPU — Justin Vea was stricken by a cold bug, but was determined to play. But the bug pulled the player down.Vea fell to Travis Kuwahara, 3-6, 6-3, 10-3 in the qualifying round of the Boys 16 Singles at the
PO’IPU — Justin Vea was stricken by a cold bug, but was determined to play.
But the bug pulled the player down.Vea fell to Travis Kuwahara, 3-6, 6-3, 10-3 in the qualifying round of the Boys 16 Singles at the Kaua’i Fall Jr. Open that was played over the weekend at the Kiahuna Tennis Courts.
The USTA-sanctioned tournament attracted some 65 tennis players from around the state and Kaua’i, one spectator noting that the youngest player she saw was only 6 years old, competing in a 10-year-old age group.
Kuwahara was later defeated in the semi finals of that division by second- seeded Reid Kiyabu who eventually fell to top seed Kevin Caulfield for that division title.
Justin’s brother, Mikaiah, although only 12 years old, gave the Boys 14 Singles a run for their money. He went up against top seed Austin Zito in the semis of that division early Sunday morning.
Working against the rising Po’ipu heat, Mikaiah finally succumbed to the top seed, 6-3, 6-2.
Zito went on to claim that division with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Joey Kasnetz.
But, the news was not all bad for Kaua’i tennis participants at the USTA sanctioned meet. Twelve-year-old Chas Okamoto, top seeded in his division, claimed the title with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Travis Yoshimoto, Sunday.
Jerik Centeno took two of his Round Robin matches in the Boys 10 Singles group with an 8-3 win over Daniel Tada followd by an 8-6 victory over Micah Quinlan, who eventually downed Tada, 8-6.
Top-seeded Lyndsey Tom struggled in the semifinals of the Girls 14 Singles match Sunday, showing signs of frustration in her match against unseeded Ashley Nakaoka.
Dropping her first set, 0-6, Tom rebounded, 6-3, but eventually succumbed, 10-5.
Nakaoka was defeated in the finals by second-seeded Jackie Owens of Maui, 6-2, 2-6, 3-6 for that division title.
Sarah Kukino advanced to the finals of the Girls 12 Singles before falling to top-seed Ceara Sumida, 1-6, 2-6. Earlier, Kukino advanced by downing Bobbi Oshiro 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 in the semi finals.
Carolyn Lum served as the tournament director.
- Full recaps of all divisions can be found in the Scoreboard section on page B2
