Boys Doubles Headed to States

The Molokai High School Tennis team traveled to Wailea, Maui last weekend for the Maui Interscholastic League Tennis Championships. Under first year Head Coach Amanda Labriola,  the doubles team of Noeau Likua and Shyloh Kawaauhau-Puaa advanced to the state level, and the pair will play at the championships on May 4-6.

Likua and Kawaauhau-Puaa started play on Thursday with all their teammates and advanced by winning all three of their matches on Friday and the match to advance to states on Saturday.

Molokai players that made it to the second round were Michelle McGuire and Paula Maroto, Kurtis Ostlund and Alan Maroto, Shiloh Kawaauhau-Puaa and Noeau Likua, Erik Svetin and Christian Ragonton and Cassandra Ragonton and Romelyn Ragonton.

“Most of the team made it to second round,” said Labriola. “Genevieve Kikukawa went into a third set today in her singles match and lost.”

Friday was another long day at the courts.

“Everyone lost their second games today except Noeau and Shyloh,” said Labriola on Friday. “Alan and Kurtis went to a tie breaker and it came down to the very end of the match when they lost. Noeau and Shyloh [went] in the round robin competing for the fifth spot for states and they won all three of their matches! Saturday they have one last match they must win to qualify.”

And win they did. Likua and Kawaauhau-Puaa defeated the doubles team from Seabury 8-7  to claim fifth place and a spot at states.

Girls who participated at the championships were Anu Davis, McGuire, Kikukawa, Maroto, Romelyn Ragonton and Cassandra Ragonton.

On the boys’ side, participating players were Likua, Ostlund, Maroto, Svetin, Kahale Naehu-Ramos, King Wong, Kawaauhau-Puaa and Christian Ragonton.