KOHALA COAST, Hawai`i--The last time the Hawai`i Hilo women's tennis team was scheduled to play a tennis match, it was against Chaminade on March 12, 2020 and COVID cancelled it.
Fast forward almost 11 months exactly. Slightly different casts for both teams, but the two clubs were just thankful to be back on the courts when UH Hilo opened the 2020-21 campaign with a 7-0 victory on Saturday morning at the Fairmont Orchid Resort Tennis Club.
The two teams will square off again this afternoon at 2 pm.
The Vulcans rolled with shutout wins on courts two and three in doubles to set the tone. New Vulcans
Hannah Highsmith and
Carolina Alfonsin, transfers from Sonoma State, fought off a stiff challenge on court one from Catrina Liner and Kayleen Lau for a 6-4 win.
In singles, UH Hilo won quickly on the back courts 3-4-5-6, and
Hikari Osaki won on the stadium court over Liner, 6-3, 6-1. The most competitive and entertaining match of the morning was on court two, where Lau took the first set off of Alfonsin, only to see the Vulcan from Mexico battle back for a 4-6, 6-1, 10-6 victory.
In addition to the second match to be played this afternoon between Chaminade and UH Hilo, the Vulcans will also host Hawai`i Pacific this President's Weekend on Monday. They will also play two matches at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Hawai`i Hilo 7, Chaminade 0
Fairmont Orchid Resort Tennis Club, Kohala Coast, Hawai`i
SINGLES
1.
Hikari Osaki (UHH) def. Catrina Liner (CUH), 6-3, 6-1..
2.
Carolina Alfonsin (UHH) def. Kayleen Lau (CUH), 4-6, 6-1, 10-6.
3.
Carmelle Joyner (UHH) def. Salamasina Te`i (CUH), 6-1, 6-2.
4.
Chloe Teramoto (UHH) def. Marissa Luna (CUH), 6-0, 6-0.
5.
Mia Rosa (UHH) def. Emily Ramirez Miranda (CUH), 6-0, 6-0.
6.
Shelby Graber (UHH) def. Skye Haraga (CUH), 6-0, 6-0.
Order of Finish: 5-4-6-3-1-2
DOUBLES
1.
Hannah Highsmith/Alfonsin (UHH) def. Liner/Lau (CUH), 6-4.
2.
Sandra Dafincescu/Osaki (UHH) def. Te`i/Luna (CUH), 6-0.
3.
Lino Yoshikawa/Teramoto (UHH) def. Haraga/Ramirez Miranda (CUH), 6-0.
Order of Finish: 2-3-1
TEAM RECORDS
UH Hilo 1-0, Chaminade 0-1
