PO‘IPU — With a look of boredom and determination, Kapa‘a’s Lyndsey Tom, the seventh seed, blasted Mauka Lani Christian’s Kim Winther, 6-1, 6-1 in second round action, yesterday at the Carlsmith Ball/HHSAA State Tennis Championships at the Kiahuna courts. “I
PO‘IPU — With a look of boredom and determination, Kapa‘a’s Lyndsey Tom, the seventh seed, blasted Mauka Lani Christian’s Kim Winther, 6-1, 6-1 in second round action, yesterday at the Carlsmith Ball/HHSAA State Tennis Championships at the Kiahuna courts.
“I won so that was good. I could’ve played better. My first serves didn’t go in as much as I’d like them to and I was playing heavy-footed,” Tom said.
The freshman tortured Winther, who wasn’t able to keep up with the much more talented Tom.
Kaua‘i’s doubles duo of Megan Vento and Lezlie Tao fell to Hilo’s Randi Tatsuno and Stephanie Tadaki in straight sets. Kapa‘a’s Crystine Ito won her second round match.
Waimea’s Froilan Tyler and Darrel Nonaka won by default in their second round match. In the meantime, Kula’s Alex and Dylan Latif were upset in yesterday’s match. Waimea’s Sonya Tacub also lost in her second round contest.
State tennis action continues today in Po‘ipu.
Shoji sighting
University of Hawai‘i Wahine volleyball coach Dave Shoji was out of his element yesterday at the Kiahuna tennis courts. Instead of holding down court in the gym, the Hall of Fame coach took time out of his busy schedule to watch his son Erik, who is a part of the third-seeded doubles team in the tournament for Punahou.
Shoji’s other son Kawika, who attends Iolani, faced off against his younger brother in the boys state volleyball championship game, with Punahou taking the title.
Iolani’s Daniel Adachi and Marcus Pearman, the second seeded doubles team, said Kawika, who’s a senior, will be attending Stanford University on a volleyball scholarship.
Adachi and Pearman, who lost in the ILH championship to Punahou’s Jon Wong and Alex Ching, the tournament’s top seed, both said they won’t bow down this time.
“We should beat them this time. We didn’t play well at all in that match,” Pearman said.
Rain, rain go away
A rare set of showers engulfed the Po‘ipu area, giving coaches, officials, fans, and players headaches, while waiting for the courts to dry.
“You guys gotta put me on payroll,” Kapa‘a coach Jon Tom said to HHSAA officials after drying off the court a couple of times.
Even the players were affected by the sprinkles.
“It’s just annoying. I just wanted to finish and get off,” Lyndsey Tom said.
No home court advantage
Tom is too focused to let the fans get in the way.
“I’m not even hearing them. I’m concentrating so much that I don’t listen to what they’re saying,” Tom said. The freshman and No. 7 seed said she doesn’t think playing at home is much of an advantage.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
