KEAAU — Kolby Akiyama counts his baseline defense as his strong suit in a tennis game that’s growing by the minute. But running a close second is the Kamehameha junior’s ability to think on his feet.
KEAAU — Kolby Akiyama counts his baseline defense as his strong suit in a tennis game that’s growing by the minute. But running a close second is the Kamehameha junior’s ability to think on his feet.
Akiyama played a lead role as the Warriors defeated Hilo 3-2 in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation playoff tiebreaker Wednesday.
On a windy day that featured 14 mph gusts, Kamehameha went into the match with a 1-0 lead over Hilo because the Vikings only have six players and forfeited the No. 3 doubles.
In the previous meeting, Hilo’s No. 1 singles player, junior Noah Hong, prevailed over Akiyama in three sets. In the rematch, Akiyama changed game plans, relying more on pinpoint accuracy than swing-for-the-fences power, to thump Hong 6-3, 6-1.
East No. 2 seed Kamehameha (7-2) faces West No. 1 Hawaii Preparatory Academy (6-0). In the other match, it’s East No. 1 Waiakea (7-0) vs. West No. 2 Konawaena (5-1).
In the girls field, it’s East No. 1 Waiakea (6-0) vs. West No. 2 Konawaena (5-1), and West No. 1 Kealakehe (6-0) vs. East No. 2 Kamehameha (5-1).
Kamehameha coach Shirley Kagawa and Hilo coach Jared Yamanaka each pointed to the No. 1 singles as the swing match.
“Kolby has worked hard to improve,” Kagawa said. “He’s very committed and coachable. He’s quick to the net and has a good stroke. He’s getting more confidence in every game.”
Akiyama and Hong hit far more unforced errors than winners, and each took turns serving into and with the wind. The two juniors often traded shots for nice mini-rallies, hitting deep balls into the corners and waiting for the other to make a mistake.
But the Warrior was better than the Viking on attacking the second serve. Hong goes for contact, and Akiyama charged and forced his foe to return with a backhand stroke, which led to points and big cushions.
Akiyama also switched tactics in the first set after taking a 2-0 lead. He started hitting drop shots and sharp angles for unforced errors. Then he went back to his baseline game, and momentum swung his way.
“The last time I tried to be aggressive on his second serve and hit a lot of errors,” Akiyama said. “I tried to hit hard and dictate points, but that didn’t work. I was disappointed I lost last time. I just focused on the match and worked to get the win.”