KOHALA COAST, Hawai`i--It was a day of "firsts" to be sure for the UH Hilo women's tennis team regarding their 4-3 upset of No. 5 nationally ranked Hawai`i Pacific on Monday afternoon at the Fairmont Orchid Resort Tennis Center.

It was the the first time that they have started a season 3-0 in years, it was their first victory in many many seasons over the perennial power Sharks, and it was easily the biggest women's tennis win in the young coaching career of Kallen Mizuguchi, who enters his third season at the helm.

The Vulcans won the all-important doubles point, and split the singles matches for the victory. It all came down to the deciding match, under a hot sun on the Kona side of the Big Island.

All eyes were on Vulcan newcomer Carolina Alfonsin and HPU's Valentina Mokrova with the team scored tied at 3-3. Alfonsin and Mokrova were just beginning the third set when all of the other matches were finished.

"This is what you play for, this is what you coach for," Mizuguchi told Alfonsin prior to the start of the third set. "Go out, give it your all, and enjoy the moment."

Alfonsin, a native of Mexico and a transfer from Sonoma State, fell behind to the Shark German sophomore, 3-1. But she then reeled off four straight games to take a 5-3 lead. Mokrova battled back to to stay alive in the next game (5-4), but Alfonsin broke her opponent's serve to claim the match. She shook hands, and then was crushed with hugs by her teammates.

"That is pretty cool, I really don't have the words right now," said Mizuguchi, who had to begin getting his team fed and watered before taking on the Sharks again. "To beat the No. 5 team in the country is something to be proud of."

The Vulcans served notice early with the victory in doubles. Alfonsin and Hannah Highsmith took down Mokrova and Elodie Busson on court one, 6-3, and UHH's Hikari Osaki and Sandra Dafincescu defeated Rikona Murakami and Marta Ruszczynska by the same score on court three. HPU won the No. 2 doubles match, but the Vulcans claimed the point by winning two out of three.

Highsmith gave the Vulcans a 2-0 lead with a quick 6-1, 6-1 triumph on court five, but HPU countered with Busson's 6-4, 6-4 win over Dafincescu on court two. Busson was ranked No. 2 in the west region last year and was named an ITA All-American.

Carmelle Joyner gutted out a 6-3, 6-4 win on court four for UHH to give them a 3-1 lead, but the Sharks won the next two matches to notch things at 3-3. Marleen Tilgner, ranked No. 4 in the west last year, edged out UHH freshman Hikari Osaki on the stadium court, 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) and Ruszczynska went three sets before topping Anouk van Hoek, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 on court six.

That left Alfonsin and Mokrova's match, which lasted a little over two hours, with the Vulcan and Shark teams cheering on their respective teammates. 

"Carolina really battled," Mizuguchi added. "Now we have to figure out a way call on whatever is left in the tank for this next match.'

Hawai`i Hilo 4, No. 5 Hawai`i Pacific 3
Fairmont Orchid Resort Tennis Center, Kohala Coast, Hawai`i
SINGLES
1. Marlene Tilgner (HPU) def. Hikari Osaki (UHH), 6-0, 7-6 (7-5).
2. Elodie Busson (HPU) def. Sandra Dafincescu (UHH), 6-4, 6-4.
3. Carolina Alfonsin (UHH) def. Valentina Mokrova (HPU), 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
4. Carmelle Joyner (UHH) def. Rikona Murakami (HPU), 6-3, 6-4.
5. Hannah Highsmith (UHH) def. Nicole Ballach (HPU), 6-1, 6-1.
6. Marta Ruszczynska (HPU) def. Anouk van Hoek (UHH), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
Order of Finish: 5-2-4-6-1-3

DOUBLES
1. Alfonsin/Highsmith (UHH) def. Mokrova/Busson (HPU), 6-3.
2. Tilgner/Ballach (HPU) def. van Hoek/Joyner (UHH), 6-4.
3. Osaki/Dafincescu (UHH) def. Murakami/Ruszczynska (HPU), 6-3.
Order of Finish: 3-1-2.
 
TEAM RECORDS
UH Hilo 3-0, #5 Hawai`i Pacific 0-1