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Wednesday, May 17, 2000

Hoe was perfect from
first serve to last

By Tim Crouse
Special to the Star-Bulletin

You wouldn't know Erin Hoe had just completed the most amazing high school tennis career in state history unless you really dug for information.

It's hard to get the Mililani senior to talk about her accomplishment - winning four state titles, never losing a single match, and getting pushed to three sets just once in four years.

Hoe capped off her remarkable career last weekend by winning the state tournament on the Big Island.

"States is just another tournament. I'm really happy to win, but life goes on," said Hoe, smiling.

The fourth state title for Hoe was by far the toughest.

In a semifinal match against Hawaii Prep's Jackie Hagen, Hoe dropped the first set of her high school career when she lost an opening-set tiebreaker, 7-5.

"I tried to pump myself up even more because I knew if I got down on myself it wouldn't help," she said. "I just wanted to relax and concentrate on the next set."

Hoe made the necessary adjustments though, and responded by winning the next two sets, 6-2, 6-3.

"I had to focus more mentally, thinking that if I got to a ball, I could make the shot," said Hoe.

She fell behind second-seed Tracie Chong of Iolani, 2-0, in both sets in the finals, but rebounded to take the match, 7-5, 6-3.

"Everyone tries to step up their game playing in states," said Hoe. "People are always chasing me. You never truly get used to it, but I've learned to deal with it."

Hoe said she was really nervous going into the final match, despite four years of not losing.

"Losing always crosses your mind and I try not to think about it," Hoe said.

Hoe, who will attend the University of Washington on a tennis scholarship this fall, said that before she plays a match it's important for her to know that she's practiced enough and is in good enough shape to endure the match.

"I need to be mentally prepared," she said.

Hoe said she couldn't have accomplished what she did without the backing of her parents, Elvic and Lorene.

"They've always been there supporting me," said Hoe. "When I was small, my mom would help me get my things together before tournaments and no matter if I did good or bad, they'd be there for me."

Hoe, who is a good friend of Trojans track and field star Vera Simms, spent some time on the cross-country team, as well as the track and field squad.

But in the end, she put aside her other athletic pursuits to focus on tennis and accomplish what no other high school player in Hawaii has before.

SOFTBALL COMMITMENTS: St. Francis catcher JC Kira has signed a letter of intent to attend Northwestern University on a softball scholarship, according to St. Francis athletic director Tony Tyler.

Iolani's Mitzi Ing, the state player of the year, said she has verbally committed to Fresno State.