Owens in title match
POSTED: May 10, 2008
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The Lahainaluna High School star won three matches on Friday to advance to the girls singles final in the Carlsmith Ball State Championships at Holua Tennis Center.
‘‘It’s my first time (in the state championship),’’ she said. ‘‘I’m pretty excited.
‘‘Actually, very excited.’’
Owens put in a long day on Friday, beating Mauka Lani Christian’s Madison Wells 6-1, 6-0 in a round of 16 match that started at 8 a.m. after being postponed by rain on Thursday.
She went on to defeat Waiakea’s Krystal Mizuguchi 6-2, 6-2 in a mid-morning quarterfinal match before winning again in the afternoon’s semifinal match against Allison Chen of Punahou, 6-3, 6-2.
‘‘I felt pretty good, especially against the last two, because I usually play them in the tennis circuit for the state, so they were pretty good,’’ Owens said. ‘‘It was kind of tough because my arm has been kind of hurting, but I’m just getting through it, I guess.’’
Owens will meet up with another familiar face in the title match — fellow junior Kristin Lim of Punahou, the defending state champion.
‘‘After the last time I played her in February, I lost the match 6-3, 6-4, but it was a pretty close match so I expect a good match,’’ she said. ‘‘She’s a pretty big baseliner, I have more of an all-court game.’’
Lim was a 6-1, 6-0 winner over Sayo Tsukamoto of Kealakehe in the semifinals, after defeating Sarah Kukino of Kauai 6-2, 6-1 in the quarterfinals.
Owens, who placed third overall in last year’s state finals, feels confident going into today’s match.
‘‘Actually, the pressure’s pretty much all on Punahou and my opponent,’’ she said. ‘‘I feel absolutely no pressure on me and they have a lot.’’
Owens was the only MIL’s only representative beyond the round of 16. Maui High’s Misha Wilson lost 1-6, 6-0, 6-2 to McKinley’s Matthew Tavares in boys singles action on Thursday following a win earlier in the day.
Both Sabers doubles teams were defeated as well. Saint Louis’ Andrew Tomiyama and Rex Chun defeated Austin Wines and Jo Salamack 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2, while the Briana Feliciano and Michelle Soga lost 6-0, 6-0 to Ashley Ohira and Ashley Nakaoka of Punahou.
