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The Big Island Tennis Summit, (BITS) starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at Holua Tennis Center and is sponsored by the Kona Community Tennis & Recreation Association – a non-profit/501(c)(3) organization.

This doubles tournament is a fundraiser for Big Island College Tennis Programs. The suggested tax-deductible donation is $20 for participants. Food & drinks will be provided for players/donors and available for purchase.

In addition to a great day of tennis, we will have a Community Bake-Off Competition and baked goods for sale, a silent auction, tennis contests, as well as prizes for Frightfully Fastest Serve and Most Spooktacular Costume.

The tournament format is a blind draw of players from East Hawaii and West Hawaii. On the morning of the tournament, players will be randomly selected according to their skill rating to form a team.

The UH Vulcan men’s and women’s tennis teams will captain and participate on each of the teams. All teams are guaranteed to play four matches.

For further information and an entry form, call Kelly at 896-0777 or email kddco@aol.com

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This is a fundraising event to help build a new church for St. Michael’s on Alii Drive.

This event, the second of a series of Gonna Love It (GLI) tournaments this year, will be a part of the GLI Tennis series by Lovette Llantos.

Funds raised will help replace the 150 year old landmark church in Kailua-Kona which was damaged beyond repair by the 2006 earthquake and rebuild the new church to its former glory.

WHEN: June 11-12, 2011

WHERE: Holua Tennis Center, 78-7190 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

FORMAT: Team Tennis; Best 2 out of 3 sets; No-Ad scoring; 10pt in lieu of 3rd set. Each team to play at least 2 matches

DIVISIONS: MEN’S and WOMEN’S

LEVELS: 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, and Open

PRIZES: Trophies

DETAILS: www.gonnalove-it.com/t…

For questions or more information or donations, contact Lovette Llantos at lovette@gonnalove-it.c… or at 938-3910.

— Find out more:
www.sportshigh.com

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French Open champion Michael Chang returns to The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows for a ‘friendly’ exhibition match against former ATP player and Big Island resident Jan-Michael Gambill at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28.

Chang, who is Mauna Lani Bay’s tennis ambassador, is best known for becoming the youngest ever man to win a Grand Slam singles title when he won the French Open in 1989 at the age of 17.

Gambill, who currently resides in Kona, is a former World No 14 player and recognized for his unusual double-handed forehand. He is well-known for defeating former World No 1 players including Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.

The exhibition will be the first time Chang and Gambill have played against each other in Hawaii.

The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows is globally recognized for its appeal to the health and fitness-minded traveler partnering with professional athletes and experts in the fields of tennis, golf, triathlon, surfing and stand up paddle boarding.

For more information about the Chang and Gambill exhibition and programs and events at The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows contact 808-881-7911 or visit www.maunalani.com

WHAT: Michael Chang and Jan-Michael Gambill exhibition match

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28

WHERE: Tennis Club at The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows

COST: Free

GETTING THERE: Turn into the Mauna Lani Resort entrance off the Queen K Highway. Continue to drive straight when you reach the roundabout. Turn left into Pauoa Road.

PARKING: Complimentary parking available.

REFRESHMENTS: Water and sports drinks available for purchase.

Women’s Tennis: UH-Hilo vs. Academy of Art University

The University of Hawaii at Hilo defeated the Academy of Art University, 6-3, in an NCAA Division II West Region match in San Francisco, Calif.

“The women got a good win who we just lost to a week ago at the PacWest tourney,” said UHH Head Coach Kula Oda. “We started a little slow but came back strong winning five singles matches.

“It was definitely one of our better performances of the year. Hopefully we will use this confidence in our final two matches of the season.”

University of Hawaii at Hilo 6, Academy of Art University 3

Singles competition
1. Kelsey Daguio (UHH-WT) def. Kunkanda Phukchampa (AAU-WT) 6-4, 1-6, 6-4
2. Amal Ben El Hadj (AAU-WT) def. Stacie Grant (UHH-WT) 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3
3. Janelle Ng (UHH-WT) def. Laone Botshoma (AAU-WT) 6-4, 6-2
4. Lindsey Shin (UHH-WT) def. Maria Tenorio (AAU-WT) 6-2, 6-3
5. Anna Hamlin (UHH-WT) def. Paola Correa Fe (AAU-WT) 7-6 (7-4), 6-4
6. Morrisa Kahakui (UHH-WT) def. Courtney DeWalt (AAU-WT) 6-3, 6-3

Doubles competition
1. Kunkanda Phukchampa/Amal Ben El Hadj (AAU-WT) def. Kelsey Daguio/Stacie Grant (UHH-WT) 8-6
2. Laone Botshoma/Paola Correa Fe (AAU-WT) def. Janelle Ng/Lindsey Shin (UHH-WT) 8-5
3. Anna Hamlin/Morrisa Kahakui (UHH-WT) def. Maria Tenorio/Cecilia Hedin (AAU-WT) 8-4

Women’s Tennis: UH-Hilo vs. Dominican University

The University of Hawaii at Hilo swept through doubles competition en route to a 7-2 win over Dominican University in San Rafael, Calif.

Hawai’i Hilo 7, Dominican (CA) 2

Singles competition
1. Kelsey Daguio (UHH-WT) def. Irina Morozova (DUC-WT) 6-4, 7-6, 7-0
2. Stacie Grant (UHH-WT) def. Shannon McCarthy (DUC-WT) 6-0, 6-1
3. Jamie Fernandez (DUC-WT) def. Janelle Ng (UHH-WT) 3-6, 6-4, 10-0
4. Lindsey Shin (UHH-WT) def. Michele Freitas (DUC-WT) 6-1, 6-4
5. Anna Hamlin (UHH-WT) def. Tami Tan (DUC-WT) 6-3, 6-2
6. Anh Truong (DUC-WT) def. Morrisa Kahakui (UHH-WT) 6-1, 6-1

Doubles competition
1. Stacie Grant/Kelsey Daguio (UHH-WT) def. Irina Morozova/Shannon McCarthy (DUC-WT) 9-7
2. Janelle Ng/Lindsey Shin (UHH-WT) def. Tami Tan/Jamie Fernandez (DUC-WT) 9-7
3. Morrisa Kahakui/Anna Hamlin (UHH-WT) def. Michele Freitas/Anh Truong (DUC-WT) 8-6

Men’s Tennis: UH-Hilo vs. University of California-San Diego

The University of Hawaii at Hilo nearly upset the 10th-ranked team in the nation before falling 5-4 to the University of California-San Diego in the Bay area.

“The match came down to the #4 singles and we lost 6-4 in the third set,” said UHH Head Coach Kula Oda. “We played pretty well, especially in doubles. Bryan Canavan and Ryan Coffey were able to beat Elliot and West, who are the #1 team in the region and #23 in the country.”

Set scores were not available.

UCSD is currently undefeated on the season, #1 in the region and #10 in the country.

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The University of Hawaii women’s tennis team will take part in the first-ever Mauna Lani Bay Tennis Classic on March 21-22 at The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows.

UH will take on visiting team, UCLA, in the two-day official ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) event.

The tournament will consist of a two-day dual-match format with three doubles matches and eight singles matches between UH and UCLA on Monday, March 21 and Tuesday, March 22 (with reverse line-ups from the Monday matches).

Spectators are invited to cheer on our hometown team as they take on UCLA, which is ranked No. 8 in the country, according to the most recent ITA rankings.

A highlight of tournament will be the singles match played under lights between the number one player for UH, Katarina Poljakova, and UCLA’s top player, McCall Jones.

WHAT: Inaugural Mauna Lani Bay Tennis Classic showcasing official ITA match between the Division 1 UH Women’s Tennis Team and UCLA.

WHERE: Tennis Club at The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Big Island, Hawaii.

WHO: Eight-member UH and UCLA Women’s Tennis Teams. Head Coach of UH, Jun Hernandez and Head Coach of UCLA, Stella Sampras.

SCHEDULE: Competition begins at 11 a.m. each day with doubles matches. Singles matches at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Night matches to follow at 5 p.m. Monday with a doubles match, then the No. 1 players from UH and UCLA will go head-to-head in a singles match not to be missed.

COST: No cost to attend.

PARKING: Complimentary parking available.

REFRESHMENTS: Water and sports drinks available for purchase.

STAY: UH and UCLA friends, family and fans are invited to join the team on the Big Island and take advantage of the special room rate. The resort is offering the special tournament rate of $199 per room, per night plus tax. (almost 50 percent off normal rate.) To reserve contact reservations at (800) 367-2323 or email reservations@maunalani…. Mention: The 2011 Mauna Lani Bay Tennis Classic to receive the special tournament rate.

For more information about The Mauna Lani Bay Tennis Classic, contact (808) 885- 6622 or visit www.maunalani.com

Mobile version of video
Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

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This annual charity event is organized by Gonna Love It with Lovette, LLC in cooperation with the Kona Visayan Club (KVC). Proceeds will support scholarship grants for local students.

“The biggest tournament on the Big Island in 20 years”

WHEN: July 17 – 18, 2010 (Saturday and Sunday)
WHERE: Holua Tennis Center at Mauna Loa Village, Kailua Kona, HI 96740
FORMAT: Best 2 of 3 tiebreak sets; No Ad scoring
RULES: USTA rules and regulations (“Friend At Court” Edition)
COST: $25/player or $40/player for 2 events
PERKS: FREE food and drinks for registered players
PRIZES: Trophies, Champions T-shirt, and Bragging rights

A t least 170 players! Attendance is high with players, families, and spectators coming to watch competitive matches, food, fun, and games.

Tennis galore plus Silent Auction, Hit-for-Prizes, and vendors throughout the facility.

For more information, visit: www.gonnalove-it.com/t…

For more information, contact: Lovette Llantos, 938-3910, Lovette@GonnaLove-it.c…

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This is the second of a series of Gonna Love It (GLI) tournaments this year.

The winner from each division from each tournament will be INVITED to play for the Championship at the end of the year (December) to compete for cash and prizes.

WHEN: May 15-16, 2010
WHERE: The Fairmont Orchid Tennis Club, 1 North Kaniku Drive, Kohala Coast, HI 96743

FORMAT: Best 2 of 3 tiebreak sets; No Ad; 3rd set 10 pt. tiebreaker

BACKDRAW: Guaranteed to play 2 matches

DIVISIONS:

- Men’s Singles 4.0 and above
- Mens Singles 3.5 and below
- Women’s Singles 4.0 and above
- Women’s 3.5 and below

COST: $25 per player

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Thursday May 12 at midnight

PRIZES: CASH & PRIZES !!

DETAILS & ONLINE REGISTRATION: www.gonnalove-it.com/t…

For questions or more information, please call Lovette at 217.9671.

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Daniel Pollock

“Although Dan has only been here for one year, he has already made a huge impact on the program and our athletic department,” said UHH head coach Kula Oda. “With my duties at the University’s Student Affairs Office as well as all the fundraising we needed to do to fund the men’s team, he really stepped in and helped me in so many different ways. He took over the strength and conditioning, he took over our academics, and he also ran practices when I could not be there.

“Because he was also a player of mine he understands my system and was able to fit in seamlessly but at the same time he brought in a ton of new information and new perspectives. He was not only able to teach me new things but also make me understand how we can best integrate those things into our current system. I couldn’t ask for a better assistant.”

Pollock is also an athletic department academic advisor and the staff advisor for our Student Athlete Advisory Committee. As the SAAC advisor he organized multiple events and got our student/athletes involved in giving back to their community.

“His leadership and dedication to academics has been the reason why our women’s tennis team has the highest overall team GPA in our athletic department and our men’s team has the highest team GPA amongst our men’s sports at UH Hilo,” said Oda.

As a Vulcan player, Pollock was the 2007 winner of the National Division II Intercollegiate Tennis Association Arthur Ashe Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship.

MEDIA RELEASE

Anna Hamlim won 6-1, 6-1 in third singles as the University of Hawaii at Hilo fell to Chaminade University 5-1 at the Pacific West Conference championships in Phoenix, Ariz.

MEDIA RELEASE

The University of Hawaii at Hilo dropped their regular season finale 7-2 to Sonoma State University on the Holua Tennis Courts in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Christie Pagatpatan and Anna Hamlin picked up singles victories for the Vulcans. Pagatpatan won 6-3, 6-0 in first singles while Hamlin won 6-4, 6-3 in third singles.
Singles competition
1. Christie Pagatpatan (UHH_WT) def. Stephanie Luk (SSU_WT) 6-3, 6-0
2. Haley Hickock (SSU_WT) def. Justine Abella (UHH_WT) 6-1, 6-3
3. Anna Hamlin (UHH_WT) def. Jeanette Peck (SSU_WT) 6-4, 6-3
4. Jessica Harris (SSU_WT) def. Jenna DeCleene (UHH_WT) 6-1, 6-1
5. Mollie Maguire (SSU_WT) def. Madison Wells (UHH_WT) 6-2, 6-1
6. Stephanie Hoffmire (SSU_WT) def. Kaylene Peric (UHH_WT) 6-0, 6-0

Doubles competition
1. Stephanie Luk/Mollie Maguire (SSU_WT) def. Christie Pagatpatan/Anna Hamlin (UHH_WT) 8-3
2. Haley Hickock/Jessica Harris (SSU_WT) def. Justine Abella/Jenna DeCleene (UHH_WT) 8-3
3. Jeanette Peck/Stephanie Hoffmire (SSU_WT) def. Madison Wells/Kaylene Peric (UHH_WT) 8-2

MEDIA RELEASE

Operational and scholarship funding will be restored to the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s women’s golf and men’s tennis team beginning fall 2010 announced *UHH Director of Athletic Dexter Irvin*.

“Because of great budget management and sacrifice on the behalf of all of our sports programs, we are able to make a commitment to keep women’s golf and men’s tennis solvent,” said Irvin. “There is a potential for additional institutions to come into the Pacific West Conference that have both of these programs. The potential addition of participating institutions would provide further opportunities for stronger conference affiliation in these two sports.”

“We cannot however survive without the continued efforts of our community members that have contributed to these two programs. We are very grateful for the resounding financial and active support for men’s tennis and women’s golf that has been demonstrated on the Big Island. Athletics at UH Hilo is working very hard to operate as efficiently as possible while providing maximum reasonable opportunities for success. The continued cooperation by our boosters, corporate sponsors, and the institution is essential to assist students in achieving their potential.”

Budgetary re-organization reduced scholarship and operational funding to both programs at the end of the 2008-09 season. As non-participating sports in the Pacific West Conference, women’s golf and men’s tennis took the brunt of the changes.

Behind the guidance of men’s *tennis coach Kula Oda* and *women’s golf coach Jim DeMello*, the scholarships for their athletes were preserved.

“With renewed commitment, the Vulcan women’s golf program can move forward in assisting young women fulfill the dream of playing college golf and getting a degree,” said DeMello. “We have been fortunate that we have done very little fundraising for our program but that will be changing.

“In the past, the community has been very supportive of our men’s program and I am sure that when the women’s program comes calling, that they too will also step up to the plate.”

Community fundraising helped Oda schedule full seasons during this period. Last year’s squad responded to the support by qualifying for the NCAA Division West Region tournament.

“Our relationship with the tennis community has been such a win/win situation,” said Oda. “Our student athletes have been doing grass roots programs for years, and have been outstanding role models to our junior tennis players. Recognizing the value of these programs and the positive influence this has on Hilo’s youth, the tennis community has in turn been extremely supportive of our men’s tennis team. Whether it’s donating their time or their hard earned dollars, the tennis community has come out in groves to ensure that the men’s tennis team here at UH Hilo continues to thrive. In this economic climate, when time and money are more valuable than ever before, it is extremely humbling for the team and I to experience the massive amounts of support that we received in our time of need. This experience has truly been an inspiration to me personally and makes me proud to call myself a resident of Hilo, Hawaii.

“Restored funding, coupled with the continued support from the community, will provide our student athletes with the quality college tennis experience that they all deserve.”

Organizations such as Hui Kako’o Kenika stepped to the plate and hosted clinics, challenges and other community events to support the program.

“When word got out that the tenure of the mens’ tennis team was in jeopardy, the members of the community voiced their concerns loudly,” said *Hui Kako’o Kenika President Kelly Moran*. “UH-Hilo tennis players are an important part of the tennis landscape here on the Big Island. One of the main reasons that the community feels so strongly about the tennis program is Coach Kula Oda.

“Through many community tennis fundraising events and junior tennis activities he has let the public get to know the tennis team players as individuals. Hui Kako’o Kenika is thrilled to hear that UH-Hilo has chosen to continue to fund the tennis program, and extends a sincere ‘mahalo’ to the many people who joined in the grass-roots effort to support Vulcan Tennis.”

Hui Kako’o Kenika is a fundraising entity whose mission is to promote Big Island tennis.

iPhone version of slideshow
Photography by Rick Ogata | Special to Hawaii 24/7
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The University of Hawaii at Hilo tennis program had a double whammy as Brigham Young University-Hawaii took both men’s and women’s matches on the UHH tennis courts.

The series continues with at 9 a.m. match on Saturday on the UHH tennis courts.

Wins in singles tennis by Kevin Tamura and Justin Dugan prevented a shutout as the Vulcans dropped a men’s tennis match 6-2 to the Seasiders.

Tamura beat Chenyu Wu 6-1, 6-4 in first singles while Dugan beat Agnel Peter 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in third singles.

In doubles, Tamura and Stephen Royalty loss to Rong Ma and Dillon Porter (8-4). Dugan and Aaron Tada loss to Peter and Andy Xing (8-4). Ross Sugiyama and Larson Oliva loss to Wu and Diego Miranda (8-2).

In other singles, Royalty loss to Porter (6-4, 6-2), Tada loss to Miranda (7-6 (13), 6-4), Sugiyama loss to Carlton Taylor (6-7(6-8), 3-6).

The Vulcan Ladies were blanked 9-0 in a women’s tennis match.

In doubles, Christie Pagatpatan and Anna Hamlim loss to Elwen Li and Yuan Jia (8-2), Justine Abella and Jenna DeCleene loss to Ayako Ikeda and Shawni Porter (8-5), and Madison Wells and Kaylene Peric loss to Jenny Chin and Salina Aranda (8-0).

In singles, Pagatpatan loss to Li (6-0, 6-3), Abella loss to Jia (6-4, 6-2), Hamlin loss to Ikeda (6-0, 6-1), DeCleene loss to Porter (6-0, 6-0), Wells loss to Chin (6-0, 6-0) and Peric loss to Aranda (6-0, 6-0).

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The University of Hawaii at Hilo men’s tennis team is 2-1 after the first three days of the Grand Canyon University Invitational in Phoenix, Ariz.

The Vulcans (2-3) opened with a 9-0 win over Montana State University-Billings.

In doubles, Kevin Tamura and Stephen Royalty beat Travis Lehman and Josh Schouman (8-0), Aaron Tada and Justin Dugan beat Luis Olivera and Delbert Landicho (8-3), and Ross Sugiyama and Larson Oliva beat Stephan Gruener and Goeff Fehr.(8-5).

Tamura beat Navin Marimuthu (6-1, 6-4), Royalty beat Franco Valdez (6-3, 6-0), Dugan beat Schouman (6-2, 6-1), Tada beat Lehman (7-6, 6-0), Matthew Tavares beat Fehr (6-1, 6-1), and Sugiyama beat Landicho (6-3, 6-0).

The next day, Stephen Royalty went 2-0 against Midwestern State University but the Vulcans loss the match 7-2.

Royalty teamed with Tamura to beat Carlos Bataller and Daniel McMullan in first doubles (8-5), Royalty then beat Bataller in second singles (6-7, 6-1, 10-5).

In the remaining matches, Tada and Dugan loss to Octavian Dinuta and Vjekoslav Stipanic (8-6), and Sugiyama and Oliva loss to Chad Meeks and Luke Joyce (8-5).

In singles, Tamura loss to Bozo Ziputovic (6-1, 6-3), Dugan loss to Stipanic (6-0, 6-2), Tada loss to McMullan (6-1, 6-1), Tavares loss to Joyce (6-4, 6-1) and Sugiyama loss to Dinuta (0-6, 7-5, 10-2).

Dugan and Tada picked up wins in singles and doubles as the UH Hilo beat Grand Canyon University 7-2 on the third day.

The pair teamed to beat Eric Schroeder and Brian Kirby (8-6) in doubles then came back in singles with Dugan beating Schroeder (6-2, 6-4), and Tada beating Kirby (6-3, 6-1).

In doubles, Tamura and Royalty beat Patrice Giraldi and Will Heubert (8-4), while Sugiyama and Oliva loss to Seymon Gas and Sebastian Guevara (8-1).

In singles, Tamura loss to Giraldi (6-1, 2-6, 10-6), Royalty beat Gas (4-6, 6-4, 10-8), Tavares beat Guevara (6-1, 6-1) and Oliva beat Jonathan Przybyl (6-1, 6-2).

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For the second time this weekend, the HPU men’s and women’s tennis teams defeated UH-Hilo. The Lady Sea Warriors topped the Vulcans 6-0, with the men’s team winning 5-0. Both HPU teams improve to 2-0.

In the ladies action, HPU began the match by taking all three doubles games. The HPU pair of Ingrid Cseh and Zora Vlckova defeated Christie Pagatpatan and Anna Hamlin, 8-6, in one doubles. The teams of Sandra Wikstrom and Tinka Mihova, and Nina Mihova and Brittney Ynfante, won their matches at two three doubles, respectively.

Vlckova topped Pagatpatan in one singles, 6-1, 6-3, and Cseh and Wikstrom won their singles matches in straight sets.

The men’s team won at love for the first time this season. The fifth-ranked Sea Warriors took all three doubles matches highlighted by Dominic Mclusky and Nikola Petrov’s win at one singles. They defeated Kevin Tamura and Stephen Royalty, 9-7.

In singles play, Petrov again topped Royalty with a 6-4, 6-3 win in one singles. Anton Samuilau collected HPU’s other singles win with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Matthew Tavares in five singles.

The men’s team next travels to California for a four-match road trip. First up is Fresno Pacific University this Friday, February 12. Start time in Azusa, CA is set for 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time. The Lady Sea Warriors next take on Chaminade on Saturday, February 20. Start time for that match is set for 9:00 a.m. at the Central Oahu Regional Park Tennis Complex.

iPhone version of slideshow
Photography by Rick Ogata | Special to Hawaii 24/7

Women’s Tennis

The University of Hawaii at Hilo women’s season started off with a 9-0 loss to Hawaii Pacific University on the UHH tennis courts.

In doubles, UHH’s Christie Pagatpatan and Anna Hamlin loss to Zora Mlckova and Nina Mihova (8-3), UHH’s Justin Abella and Jenna DeCleene loss to Ingrid Cseh and Sandra Wikstrom (8-5), UHH’s Madison Wells and Kaylene Peric loss to Tinka Mihova and Brittany Ynfante (8-1)

In singles, Pagatpatan loss to Vlckova (6-2, 6-4), Abella lost to Nina Mihova (6-2, 6-2), Hamlin loss to Cseh (6-4, 6-0), DeCleene loss to Wikstrom (6-3, 6-0), Wells loss to Tinka Mihova (6-1, 6-1), and Peric loss to Ynfante (5-7, 6-1, 10-2)

Men’s Tennis

Kevin Tamura racked up a pair of wins in the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s 7-2 loss to Hawaii Pacific University in men’s tennis on the UHH tennis courts.

Tamura teamed with Stephen Royalty to HPU Anton Samuilau and Aleksandar Markov 9-7 then beat Nikola Petrov in first singles 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

HPU claimed the other seven matches with Daniel Luedi and Petrov beating UHH’s Aaron Tada and Justin Dugan (8-2) and Dominc Mclusky and Sebastian Bader beating UHH’s Matthew Tavares and Ross Sugiyama (8-1)

In singles, Royalty fell to Mclusky (6-4, 6-4, Dugan fell to Bader (6-2, 6-2), Tada fell to Luedi (7-6, 6-0), Tavares fell to Sathi Reddy (6-4, 7-5) and Sugiyama fell to Kaimalu Cope (4-6, 7-5).

This is the FIRST of a series of the Gonna Love It (GLI) tournaments this year.

The winner from each division from each tournament will be INVITED to play for the Championship at the end of the year (December) to compete for the GRAND PRIZE of a week stay at a Luxury Resort in Kona.

WHEN: February 20-21, 2010

WHERE: Holua Tennis Center at Mauna Loa Village, 78-7190 Kaleiopapa Street, Kailua-Kona, HI

FORMAT: Best 2 of 3 tiebreak sets; No Ad; 3rd set 10 pt. tiebreaker

BACKDRAW: Guaranteed to play 2 matches

DIVISIONS:

• Men’s Singles 4.0 and above
• Mens Singles 3.5 and below
• Women’s Singles 4.0 and above
• Women’s 3.5 and below

COST: $25 per player

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Thursday Feb 12 at 6pm

PRIZES: CASH !!

DETAILS & ONLINE REGISTRATION: www.gonnalove-it.com/t…

For questions or more information, please call Lovette at 217.9671.

MEDIA RELEASE

A joint benefit for the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Hilo High School tennis programs will be held on Friday and Saturday, January 29-30 at the Edith Kanakaole Tennis Complex.

On Friday, UHH head coach Kula Oda and former Vulcan/tennis instructor Randy Kunimoto will host a clinic beginning at 6 p.m.

Saturday’s main event will be a round-robin doubles tennis tournament. If you don’t have a partner, a UHH player will be available.

Each event costs $25 per person to participate.

There will also be a silent auction during the two-day event.

For more information, contact Kunimoto at 640-3923 or Oda at 974-7704.

If you would like to make a donation and require pick-up service call Newton Chu at 961-0406 or Glenn Tada at 936-3399.

MEDIA RELEASE

Tennis is taking a step back into history with the revival of the Interisland Tennis Championships, slated Nov. 6-8 at Holua Tennis Center.

The event was first held in the islands in the 1900s, took a few breaks here and there, and with the help of Ron Seno and Hattie Somerville, the event reappeared in the early 1990s at the Royal Waikoloan.

The last known winner of the Championships was the Big Island in 1993. The home team edged out Oahu, with Maui coming in a close third.

Here is how it works

While playing a regular tournament draw, individuals are also accumulating points for their home island. At the end of the tournament, there will be individual event winners and there will be an overall island winner who gets to claim the Interisland Championship Trophy and bragging rights.

The tournament will include Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles for 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 & Open divisions plus a 65 & Over Age Division.

Entry fees are $20 per event and $35 for two events. Entries close at 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Fees include a player party Saturday evening.

“This tournament has a great history in the islands and we thought it was time to bring it back,” tournament director Cheryl Shrum said. “When the tournament first started, players traveled by steam ships and cane trains to get to the event, often taking a half a day or longer. So not only does it have that kind of history behind it but it was also treated as the Davis Cup of the islands.”

Event organizers urge tennis lovers to come out and root for the home team.

“The players get really involved in rooting for their island, creating a lot of fun and camaraderie,” Shrum said.

Entry forms are available at all the local clubs or by calling 329-8504.