SURPRISE, Ariz. — Hilo’s Aloha Aces USTA 6.0 18-and-Over Mixed Doubles Tennis Team made the entire Big Island proud earlier this month, and is now a national champion.
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Hilo’s Aloha Aces USTA 6.0 18-and-Over Mixed Doubles Tennis Team made the entire Big Island proud earlier this month, and is now a national champion.
Led by captain Kimi Watkins, the team prevailed in the 2024 UTSA League National Championships against the Middle States region in the finals after competing against teams from the Intermountain, New England, Northern, Caribbean and Southwest regions. Championship matches began November 1 and concluded with the finals on November 3 in Surprise, Ariz.
“Every single player went through the heartbreak of loss, and yet the team never gave up and came back to win every match with grit — many of them relying on a third-set tie break to determine the match,” Watkins told West Hawaii Today when looking back at the challenges the team overcame. “I am so proud of every one of them for playing their hearts out.”
The team is excited to have had the opportunity to represent the East Hawaii Community Tennis Organization (EHCTO) and the Hawaii Pacific Section. They are all so grateful to share the Aloha Spirit with everyone there and proud to bring the win back home to Hilo town.
Tournament information
• Day 1, Nov. 1 — First-round matches (morning) vs. Intermountain: 2-1 win; (afternoon) vs. New England: 3-0 win
• Day 2, Nov. 2 — Second-round matches (morning) vs. Northern: 2-1 win; (afternoon) vs. Caribbean: 2-1 win
• Day 3, Nov. 3 — Semifinals vs. Southwest: 2-1 win; Finals vs. Middle States: 2-1 win in tie break
