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New-look Sabers open with sweep of Farmers

Maui High School’s Kai Matsui follows through on a first-set shot against Molokai’s Jalen Kalama during the Sabers’ 3-2 win over the Farmers on Saturday at Kahului Community Center. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

KAHULUI — Maui High School’s Kai Matsui appeared nervous as he gave his post-match interview Saturday.

He was anything but on the court.

Matsui led the Sabers’ boys tennis team to a 3-2 win over Molokai while the Maui High girls beat the Farmers 4-1 under the hot sun at the Kahului Community Center courts.

Matsui defeated Molokai’s Jalen Kalama 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 singles. Teammate Hunter Arconado also added a point toward the win with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Brenden Keanini at No. 2 singles.

“I felt pretty good about today. Things can improve, like my backhand and forehand,” Matsui said. “I had some unforced errors but I try my best on the court every day and I try new shots and practice all my shots.”

Maui High’s Meilani Kong follows through on a return Saturday. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

Saturday’s results were a repeat of Friday’s matches, when the Sabers defeated the Farmers 4-1 (girls) and 3-2 (boys). These were the first Maui Interscholastic League matches of the season for both teams.

“As a team, I think we’re striving to get better every day,” he said. “We’re all working together as a team, but slowly but surely, I think everyone is doing a great job.”

With a fairly new and young boys team, the Sabers look up to Matsui, who is a more experienced player, coach Michelle Luna said.

“He goes out there and just plays,” she said. “He does his best and that’s all I can really ask for.”

Hana Yoshikawa and Marisa Luna are the only returners for the girls, giving the Sabers room for growth. They defeated Kayla DeRouin and Aiza Ragonton 6-0, 6-1 at No. 1 doubles.

Molokai’s Irish Oamil hits a shot. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

Meilani Kong, who is in her first year playing for Maui High, teamed up with Luzcilla Roflo in No. 2 doubles, but fell to Molokai’s Irish Oamil and Naiomi Cabreros 6-3, 6-1.

“We’re just beginners but I thought we did pretty good. (The older girls) help me a lot in tennis and then I have other people that help me outside. So, it’s good because I love tennis,” said Kong. “We’re just going to try our best and make it to the MIL tournaments.”

This year poses a new experience for the Sabers now that Kihei Charter has its own team. The majority of the starters from Maui High’s MIL championship squad last year attended the small South Maui school.

“I think they just felt it was time to break off, which is good for the Maui High kids because it’s more opportunity for other kids to try the sport and play,” Luna said.

Saturday afternoon ended with a competitive boys singles match between Molokai’s Daylen Casino and Maui High’s Clarence Lubaton. They played to a third set, which Casino won with a tiebreaker, 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (5).

Molokai’s Jalen Kalama runs down a shot. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

“Great effort,” Molokai coach Emilio Macalalad said of his team’s performance. “They were up against some really strong players on the Maui team, but they put up their best effort and that’s all they can do and I just told them to use this opportunity and learn from stronger players. They’re not going to get that in Molokai, so just learn from this experience and hopefully get better from there.”

* Dakota Grossman is at dgrossman@mauinews.com

MAUI HIGH GIRLS 4, MOLOKAI 1

No. 1 singles–Hie Luna Beamer, Maui High, def. Torae Kawaauhau-Puaa 6-0, 6-0. No. 2 singles–Erica Gumboc, Maui High, def. Kuulei DeCosta-Parks 6-0, 6-0. No. 3 singles–Leanne Osomo, Maui High, def. Skylar Kuahuia 6-0,6-1. No. 1 doubles–Hana Yoshikawa and Marisa Luna, Maui High, def. Kayla DeRouin and Aiza Ragonton 6-0, 6-1. No. 2 doubles–Irish Oamil and Naiomi Cabreros, Molokai, def. Meilani Kong and Luzcilla Roflo 6-3, 6-1.

MAUI HIGH BOYS 3, MOLOKAI 2

No. 1 singles–Kai Matsui, Maui High, def. Jalen Kalama 6-0, 6-1. No. 2 singles–Hunter Arconado, Maui High, def. Brenden Keanini 6-3, 6-1. No. 3 singles–Daylen Casino, Molokai, def. Clarence Lubaton 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (5). No. 1 doubles–Gabe Kaahanui and Alex Mawae, Molokai, def. Sean Tiri and Kit Anipot 6-0, 6-0. No. 2 doubles–Kevin Cacho and Joey Needham, Maui High, win by default.

BALDWIN GIRLS 5, LANAI 0

All matches won by default

BALDWIN BOYS 5, LANAI 0

No. 1 singles–Liam Caldwell, Baldwin, def. Jayden Castillo-Pagay 6-1, 7-5. No. 2 singles–Malachai Semevolos-Bullock, Baldwin, def. Joenell Agmata 7-6 (3), 6-4. No. 3 singles–Brent Lacuesta, Baldwin, win by default. No. 1 doubles–Aden Kinoshita and Nicolas Wittenburg, Baldwin, def. Mitchell Ganir and Michael Raqueno 6-1, 6-1. No. 2 doubles–Zion Singh and Jerren Manarpaac, Baldwin, win by default.

KIHEI CHARTER GIRLS 3, KING KEKAULIKE 2

No. 1 singles–Jessalyn Lopez, Kihei Charter, def. Caroline Stevenson 6-0, 6-0. No. 2 singles–Kiyo Christopher, Kihei Charter, def. Sumara Goy 6-0, 6-0. No. 3 singles–Carine Bleasdell, Kihei Charter, def. Kali Spalding 6-1, 6-2. No. 1 doubles–Aurora Middleton and Yoana Gkatsu, King Kekaulike, def. Chloe Jones and Jessica Priest 6-0, 6-2. No. 2 doubles–Radha Singh and Aleth Sabugo, King Kekaulike, win by default.

KIHEI CHARTER BOYS 3, KING KEKAULIKE 2

No. 1 singles–Hobbes Wilstead, Kihei Charter, def. Jaxon Chester 6-0, 6-1. No. 2 singles–Quinn Shapiro, Kihei Charter, def. Gage Bailey 6-0, 6-3. No. 3 singles–Trenton Uchima, King Kekaulike, win by default. No. 1 doubles–Devon Baldwin and Trevor Coronesi, Kihei Charter, def. Rielyn Domingo and Kai Frostad 6-1, 6-1. No. 2 doubles–Preston Ito and Kainalu Yoshida, King Kekaulike, win by default.

LAHAINALUNA GIRLS 5, ST. ANTHONY 0

No. 1 singles–Ana Paula Rodriguez-Gomez, Lahainaluna, def. Kawena Fujieda 6-0, 6-0. No. 2 singles–Kahea Garcia, Lahainaluna, def. Toa Siua 6-1, 6-0. No. 3 singles–Taryn Cabingas, Lahainaluna, def. Elise Rodriguez 6-2, 6-1. No. 1 doubles–Ziri Lapus and Ariana Pacleb, Lahainaluna, def. Bri Leval and Tammy Abrew 6-0, 6-1. No. 2 doubles–Angela Bulatao and Chalsea Adovas, Lahainaluna, def. Tina Abrew and Randi Ouye 6-2, 6-2.

LAHAINALUNA BOYS 5, ST. ANTHONY 0

All matches won by default

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