PO‘IPU — Kapa‘a’s Lyndsey Tom penned herself in the Warrior tennis history books after taking home a fourth-place medal yesterday at the Carlsmith Ball/HHSAA State Tennis Championships, which earned the freshman the highest-ever placing at states for a Kapa‘a tennis
PO‘IPU — Kapa‘a’s Lyndsey Tom penned herself in the Warrior tennis history books after taking home a fourth-place medal yesterday at the Carlsmith Ball/HHSAA State Tennis Championships, which earned the freshman the highest-ever placing at states for a Kapa‘a tennis player.
Tom, who was the No. 7 seed, took out the No. 9 seed (Jackie Owens of Lahainaluna) and the No. 3 seed (Paige Sumida of Waiakea), but fell in the semifinals to No. 2 seed Brooke Doane of Kamehameha-O‘ahu.
Then in the third place match, Tom was overwhelmed by the No. 4 seed Christie Pagatpatan, 6-2, 6-0.
“It just wasn’t my day. She’s left-handed so it was different. I still have three more years, so I’ve got time to get better, but I’m happy how I played,” Tom said.
According to Tom, she has to become faster and improve her transition game to get farther at states.
“It doesn’t hurt to get better. It’s kind of exciting and I’m kind of proud. It was tough to play older girls in the tournament,” Tom said.
In addition to an impressive individual mark, Tom also helped her team to their highest mark ever with a tie for fourth place.
“It’s and unheard of result for us. We’ve never gone this far. It’s a standard for our team. Now we see what’s out there. It’s a tangible goal for us,” Kapa‘a coach Jon Tom said.
In the girls singles championship, No. 1 seed Kalei Gora ousted Doane, 6-4, 6-3 for the title.
In doubles, No. 1 seed Kristin Lim and Ashley Ohira of Punahou defeated No. 7 seed Joelle Yamamoto and Kim Yamaguchi, 6-4, 6-3 for the top medals.
Kaiser’s Erika Noel and Jill Kappel (No. 8) defeated No. 6 seed Janelle Arita and Dara Azuma of Punahou, 6-0, 4-6, 7-5 for third place.
Punahou’s Mikey Lim, the No. 4 seed and defending singles champ, nudged Kealakehe and No. 2 seed Spencer Mendoza, 7-5, 6-3 for the top spot.
Punahou’s Skyler Tateishi, the No. 1 seed, took the third place medal over teammate Kevin Caulfield, 6-1, 6-1.
Jon Wong and Alex Ching of Punahou, the No. 1 seed ousted No. 3 seed Erik Shoji and Hiroshi Hikida also of Punahou, 6-4, 6-0. The No. 2 seed, Iolani’s Daniel Adachi and Marcus Pearman took out King Kekaulike’s David Puleiku and Ramsay Yakut, 6-2, 6-2, for third place.
Punahou captured both the boys and girls titles.
The tournament, which was held at both the Kiahuna and Po‘ipu Kai Tennis Courts, played host to state tennis for the first time since 2001.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
