PO‘IPU — The finals of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation qualifying tennis will start at 8 a.m. at the Kiahuna Swim and Tennis Club in Po‘ipu. The two-day qualifying rounds opened Thursday for berths destined to the Hawai‘i High School Athletic
PO‘IPU — The finals of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation qualifying tennis will start at 8 a.m. at the Kiahuna Swim and Tennis Club in Po‘ipu.
The two-day qualifying rounds opened Thursday for berths destined to the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association state tennis championships, which will be held on the Big Island later in the month.
Greg Gonsalves, athletic director at Kapa‘a High School, said the plan is to move the matches along so the finals will be played this morning.
Jerik Centeno of Kaua‘i High School drew the top seed for the Boys Singles followed by David Huffman of Island School getting the nod for the No. 2 seed. Kalani Murakami of Kapa‘a and Manix Wolman of Island School round out the seeds at No. 3 and 4, respectively.
During the qualifying rounds, the Waimea High School boys tennis team mingled through the throng of teams representing the four high schools in the KIF tennis program.
“Our eight boys are the KIF boys champions,” said Reni Pereira, a Menehune team mom. “We just found out last night. We were supposed to play Kapa‘a Saturday as a make-up for the rained out game last week, but after discussions, the make-up game will not be played.”
Pereira said with enrollment half the size of other schools on the island, and having to share athletes with other sports, Waimea struggled to put a team together this year.
“With only eight players, the minimum number required to compete with the other schools without having to forfeit any matches, the Menehune boys defied all odds and finished undefeated,” Pereira said. “We are very proud of our ‘Amazing Eight’ Mighty Menehune!”
Ross Shimabukuro, Kaua‘i High School athletic director, said following the matches, which were rained out Saturday, Kaua‘i and Island School girls will be co-champions of the KIF girls tennis divisions.
Tarryn Orial of Kaua‘i gets the nod for the top seed in the girls singles at the qualifying round. Waimea’s Brittney Barreira gets the No. 2 seed followed by Island School’s Michaela Fitzgerald getting the nod for the No. 3 seed and Kapa‘a’s Kiara Tamayose is seeded No. 4.
On the girls doubles court, the Waimea duo of Shalyn Jim and Kaycee San Agustin-Nordmeier is the top seed followed by the Kapa‘a pair of Kara Higa and Taylor Anama getting the second seed. April Oo teams up with Alex Obert of Island School as the No. 3 seed, and the Voyager pair of Joy Claypoole and Madison Moore got the No. 4 seed.
Waimea’s Brad Cano and Kaleo Huata team up to get the No. 1 seed for the boys doubles followed by Kapa‘a’s Kai Harrison pairing with Kenji Matsuda for the No. 2 seed. Waimea’s Marcus Pereira teams up with Riley Saiki for the No. 3 seed with Waimea’s Brad Lumabao teaming with Gilson Guillermo for the No. 4 seed.
Top finishers from this two-day series will advance to the Carlsmith Ball HHSAA state tennis championships, which will play May 2 through 4 at the Orchid Mauna Lani and the Mauna Lani Raquet Club on the Big Island.
Visit www.sportshigh.com for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
