GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Punahou's Skyler Tateishi, right, envisions three Buffanblu reaching the boys singles semifinals.

Top seed Tateishi cruises in state tennis

KIHEI, Maui » There was neither rain, nor sleet nor snow to keep Punahou's top-seeded Skyler Tateishi from his assigned task during yesterday's third round of the Carlsmith Ball HHSAA state tennis tournament.

But he did overcome intense heat, lack of shade and the noisy cacophony of a weed-whacker, a backhoe and a jackhammer all being operated at the same time by a work crew performing upgrades at Maui's busiest beach park.

A far cry, indeed, from the state tournament's other two sites: the manicured grounds of the Makena courts adjacent to the plush Maui Prince Hotel, or the Wailea Courts situated below a string of million-dollar townhomes.

But tuning out all distractions at the Kalama Park courts, Tateishi posted a 6-1, 6-0 third-round victory over Mike Rothhammer, an unseeded senior from Kalaheo, to reach this morning's quarterfinals at Wailea.

He will face 10th-seeded Cainan Shinjo of Leilehua, who advanced with a hard-fought 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3 victory over sixth-seeded Maui Interscholastic League champ Mark Magdaong.

"Once you start playing, the noise just fades away," Tateishi said. "It's there, you know, but you kind of stop noticing it."

Based on the seeds, you can make a strong case that Tateishi faces his toughest competition in practice. Three of the top four seeds play for Punahou, including No. 2 Reid Kiyabu and No. 4 Kevin Caulfield. The only interloper is Kamehameha's Nathan Caulfield, who is seeded third.

"It's great," Tateishi said of the high level of competition he faces on a daily basis.

"That's one of the reasons why I decided to go to Punahou. Great players, great coaches and great facilities."

Following tryouts, Tateishi said veteran coach Rusty Komori divides the survivors into potential singles and doubles players.

"Then we have a round-robin, and it goes from there," he added.

Last year, Tateishi played behind and eventually was eliminated in the semis by teammate Mikey Lim, who went on to capture his second straight state singles crown. Tateishi finished third. Now he's eyeing a gold medal.

More likely than not, he'll have to face another teammate or two along the way to his goal.

"Three Punahou guys in the semifinals would be great," Tateishi said. "But, to be honest, I hate playing against other Punahou guys. We're friends. We're teammates. We play against each other all season. And we know each other's games."

Rothhammer, his opponent yesterday, appeared to hit the ball every bit as hard as Tateishi. But when the top seed was "on," his ground strokes were precise -- particularly a top-spin forehand that kept his opponent on his heels and unable to attack the net.

Whenever his level of play dropped, Tateishi could be seen and heard quietly scolding himself, showing an intensity that isn't evident when he chatted after the match.

"I've experimented with it, you know, and I play better when I have more intensity. I'm more focused and my shots are sharper," said Tateishi, adding that "my mind starts to wander" he takes the mellow approach.

"That's when I hear the noise," he said.

Tateishi probably won't have to worry about the noise and he certainly won't have to worry about this kind of heat when he heads to the college ranks next fall. He will attend the University of Washington, attaining a goal of playing Pac-10 tennis.

But first, there are two goals to reach for in the next few days: winning a state singles title and helping perpetuate Punahou's championship tradition.

The Buffanblu have won 16 straight boys team titles and 23 of the last 24. The lone break came in 1990, when Lahainaluna captured the crown behind singles champ Ryan Ideta.

TENNIS

HHSAA State Championships

Team standings

Varsity boys

1. Punahou, 13; 2. Iolani, 6; 3. Roosevelt, 4. Pearl City, 3; t5. Island Pacific, Kamehameha, Le Jardin, Leilehua, McKinley, Waiakea, 2; t11. Island, Kailua, Kalaheo, Kalani, Kamehameha-Hawaii, Kealakehe, Kohala, Lahainaluna, Seabury, Waipahu, 1.

Varsity girls

1. Punahou, 11; 2. Mililani, 7; t3. Iolani, Kamehameha, 4; t5. Baldwin, Castle, Kealakehe, Lahainaluna, Pearl City, Sacred Hearts, 2; t11. Aiea, Hawaii Baptist, Hilo, Kapaa, Kauai, Konawaena, Maryknoll, Maui, Mid-Pacific, Waiakea, 1.

Yesterday

Boys second-round singles

[1] Skyler Tateishi, Pun def. Joshua Wong, Hilo, 6-1, 6-4; Mike Rothhammer, Kalh def. Darrel Nonaka, Waim, 6-1, 6-2; [6] Mark Magdaong, Lah def. Daniel Rodrick, Kapaa, 6-0, 6-1; [10] Cainan Shinjo, Lei def. Erik Pang, Pun, 6-2, 6-3.

Justin Vea, Isl def. Ryota Yokose, HPA, 6-3, 6-2; [5] Kevin Wong, LeJ def. Kallen Mizuguchi, Waik, 6-1, 6-0; [11] Kaimalu Cope, Keal def. Harold Shimono Jr., Waim, 6-0, 6-0; [9] Matthew Tavares, McK def. Jacob DeForest, StAnt, 6-0. 6-0.

Logan Chun, Iol, def. [8] Colin Fujishige, Cas, 6-1, 6-0; Peter Meyer, Sea def. Tanden Hayes, Kais, 6-4, 6-3; [3] Nathan Nakatsuka, Kam def. Tyler Kamigaki, Hilo, 6-0, 6-0; Larson Oliva, PC def. Travis Kuwahara, Waik, 6-1, 4-6, 7-5.

[7] Matt Westmoreland, IP def. Quoc Huynh, McK, 6-2, 6-3; Tomoki Imai, Roos def. Takumi Kobayashi, Keal, 6-3, 6-2; [2] Reid Kiyabu, Pun def. Coleman Mira-Naeole, Kail, 7-6 (4), 6-2.

Girls second-round singles

[1] Kristen Lim, Pun def. Janelle Ng, Moan, 6-0, 6-0; Briana Feliciano, Maui def. Katy Kawauchi, Hilo, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4; [8] Jan Matsumoto, Mryk def. Katie Perryman, KSM, 6-2, 6-4; [11] Sherise Lum, Pun def. Ashley Pascual, Bald, 6-4, 6-3.

[4] Megan Yoshimoto, Mil def. Mariko Fujio-White, HPA, 6-2, 6-3; [10] Krystal Mizuguchi, Waik def. Demetria Woods, Rad, 6-1, 6-3; [6] Sayo Tsukamoto, Keal def. Sali Morioka, Kaln, 6-0, 6-0; Tezra Damaso, PC def. Irene Ma, McK, 6-0. 6-0.

Samantha Kaneta, HBA def. Kasey Venus, Lah, 6-7 (8), 7-6 (4), 6-3; [7] Jackie Owens, Lah def. Elisa Koehler, KK, 6-0, 6-0; Natalie Phanphengdy, Aiea def. Sandy Cavan, Wail, 6-1, 6-1; [3] Janelle Arita, Pun def. Silkie Kawahakui, Wail, 6-2, 6-0.

[9] Lyndsey Tom, Kapaa def. Mutsumi Kanzawa, Waik, 7-5, 6-0; [5] Sara Yoshinaga, Iol def. Kiana Nip, Lah, 6-2, 6-2; Gabrielle Gorence, MPI def. Nicole Morikawa, Kaim, 6-0, 6-4; [2] Brooke Doane, Kam def. Alyson Kinoshita, Moan, 6-0, 6-0.

Boys second-round doubles

[1] Alex Ching/Erik Shoji, Pun def. Michael Saiki/Andrew Yoon, Bald, 6-0, 6-0; Melvin Benevides-Fonda/Eric Lau, KSM def. [11] Joshua Chapple/Greg Hogan, Sea, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3; [6] David Imanaka/Braxton Sato, Iol def. Austin Kamimura/Scott Kawamura, Aiea, 6-1, 6-4; Kawika Ku/Ron Nakahara, Koh def. Peter Shewmaker/Peter Cellier, Hilo, 6-2, 7-6 (6).

[4] Jordan Lum/Jon Chang, PC def. Billy Boynton/Louis Polak, HPA, 6-0, 6-0; [10] Jason Lum/Ryan Kido, Kail def. Eric Steinhoff/John Ignacio, Koh, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1; [8] Brady Smith/Michael Okada, Waik def. Cheuk Ho/Daylen Horn, PC, 6-1, 6-3; Kent Okamura/Chris Raker, Roos def. Chris Camarao/Joon Seok Lee, Kaim, def.

Travis Ing/Brett Katayama, Pun def. Ikaika Greenlaw/Steven Maesato, Hilo, 6-2, 6-0; [5] Gene Kurosawa/Robby Kelley, Pun def. Holden Au/Aaron Kawamoto, Mil 6-2, 6-0; Arvhin Aris/Ozzie Jaramillo, Waip def. Steven Pascual/Travis Wakayama, Kapaa, 6-0, 6-0; [3] Marcus Pearman/Kyle Shiroma, Iol def. Jonathan Quidez/Hector Alcayde, Lei, 6-0, 6-0.

Regan Kobayashi/Brant Kitagawa, Kaln def. Rei Yoshimine/Jesse Smothermon, Kais, 6-4, 6-2; [7] Jordan Lau/Jason Siu, Roos def. Reyn Balocan/Sterling Inouye, Kauai, 6-1, 6-4; [9] Devin Anderson/Robert Tamai, Iol def. Ian Dela Cruz/Ben Massenburg, KK, 6-0, 6-4; [2] Hiroshi Hikida/Brad Takei, Pun def. Gary Ballesteros/Jarin Valdez, Waip, 6-1, 6-2.

Girls second-round doubles

[1] Ashley Ohira/Nicole Nakaoka, Pun def. Alex Riecke-Gonzales/Mattie Ross, KK, 6-0, 6-1; Megan Vento/Katie Anderson, Kauai def. Lani Husson/Mary Guo, Roos, 6-4, 6-1; [6] Genoa Morton/Elora Morton, Cas def. Kaitlin Dela Cruz/Shiho Miyahira, KK, 6-0, 6-1; [10] Allison Chen/Kaity Yim, Pun def. Trisha Avellaneda/Trisha Leong, Moan, 6-1, 6-3.

[4] Kelsey Daguio/Kelly Domingo, SH def. Louise To/Jennifer Lum, Roos, 6-1, 6-0; Charis Peich/Jess Yim, PC def. Brunella Barbis/Stephanie Tamosan, Hilo, 6-1, 6-2; [7] Erica Kunihisa/Lokelani Paia, Mil def. Emmellin Tung/Kimi Harada-Kato, Kais, 6-1, 6-2; Tiffany Lorenzo/Karisse Wakamatsu, Bald def. Elena Abe/Asha Francisco, KK, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Robyn Ing/Morissa Kahakui, Kam def. [9] Maille Kamisuge/Rebecca Lin, MPI, 6-4, 6-3; [8] Stephanie Tadaki/Kimberly Katada, Hilo, def. Jenna Yoneshige/Brittney Lesher, Lei, 6-0, 6-1; Jessica Kaneshiro/Rachel Mizuno, Mil def. Amber Stillman/Megan Wery, KSH, 6-3, 6-3; [3] Nikki Castel/Jaime Young, Iol def. Debbie Aureliano/Deanna Corpuz, Waip, 6-2, 6-1.

Kaitlin Kimura/Maia Olmstead, Kona, def. Jaymi Urashima/Ashley Miyano, PC, 6-4, 6-4; [5] Kimberly Wo/Dara Azuma, Pun def. Cherine Ito/Stephanie Kawamura, Kap, 6-0, 6-2; [11] Claire Fukuoka/Marisa Watanabe, Bald def. Devin Choy/Stefanie Barbosa, Moan, 6-3, 6-3; Alyssa Shimizu/Erin Yamamoto, Mil def. [2] Abby Tateishi/Kerrie Ann Tobita, Bald, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.

Boys third-round singles

[1] Skyler Tateishi, Pun def. Mike Rothhammer, Kalh, 6-1, 6-0; [10] Cainan Shinjo, Lei def. [6] Mark Magdaong, Lah, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3; [4] Kevin Caulfield, Pun def. Justin Vea, Isl, 7-5, 5-7, 6-4; [5] Keven Wong, LeJ def. [11] Kaimalu Cope, Keal, 7-5, 6-1.

[9] Matthew Tavares, McK def. Logan Chun, Iol, 6-0, 6-1; [3] Nathan Nakatsuka, Kam def. Peter Meyer, Sea, 6-3, 6-2; [7] Matt Westmoreland, IP def. Larson Oliva, PC, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3); [2] Reid Kiyabu, Pun def. Tomoki Imai, Roos, 6-1, 6-3.

Girls third-round singles

[1] Kristin Lim, Pun, def. Briana Feliciano, Maui, 6-2, 6-1; [11] Sherise Lum, Pun def. [8] Jan Matsumoto, Mryk, 6-4, 6-4; [4] Megan Yoshimoto, Mil def. [10] Krystal Mizuguchi, Waik, 6-2, 6-3; [6] Sayo Tsukamoto, Keal def. Tezra Damaso, PC, 6-4, 7-6 (5).

[7] Jackie Owens, Lah def. Samantha Kaneta, HBA, def.; [3] Janelle Arita, Pun def. Natalie Phanphengdy, Aiea, 6-0, 6-1; [5] Sara Yoshinaga, Iol def. [9] Lyndsey Tom, Kapaa, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3; [2] Brooke Doane, Kam def. Gabrielle Gorence, MPI, 6-0, 6-1.

Boys third-round doubles

[1] Alex Ching/Erik Shoji, Pun def. Melvin Benevides-Fronda/Eric Lau, KSH, 6-2, 6-0; [6] David Imanaka/Braxton Sato, Iol def. Kawika Ku/Ron Nakahara, Koh, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2; [4] Jordan Lum/Jon Chang, PC def. [10] Jason Lum/Ryan Kido, Kail, 6-2, 7-5; [8] Brady Smith/Michael Okada, Waik def. Kent Okamura/Chris Raker, Roos, 6-3, 7-6 (3).

[5] Gene Kurosawa/Robby Kelley, Pun def. Travis Ing/Brett Katayama, Pun, 3-6, 6-0, 7-5; [3] Marcus Pearman/Kyle Shiroma, Iol def. Arvhin Aris/Ozzie Jaramillo, Waip, 6-3, 6-2; [7] Jordan Lau/Jason Siu, Roos, def. Regan Kobayashi/Brant Kitagawa, Kaln, 6-4, 6-2; [2] Hiroshi Hikida/Brad Takei, Pun, def. [9] Devin Anderson/Robert Tamai, Iol, 6-4, 6-2.

Girls third-round doubles

[1] Ashley Ohira/Nicole Nakaoka, Pun def. Megan Vento/Katie Anderson, Kauai, 6-2, 6-2; [6] Genoa Morton/Elora Morton, Cas def. [10] Allison Chen/Kaity Yim, Pun, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1; [4] Kelsey Daguio/Kelly Domingo, SH def. Charis Peich/Jess Yim, PC, 7-5, 6-0; [7] Erica Kunihisa/Lokelani Paia, Mil def. Tiffany Lorenzo/Karisse Wakamatsu, Bald, 6-1, 6-3.

Robyn Ing/Morissa Kahakui, Kam def. [8] Stephanie Tadaki/Kimberly Katada, Hilo, 6-3, 7-5; [3] Nikki Castel/Jaime Young, Iol def. Jessica Kaneshiro/Rachel Mizuno, Mil, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2; [5] Kimberly Wo/Dara Azuma, Pun def. Kaitlin Kimura/Maia Olmstead, Kona, 6-0, 6-0; Alyssa Shimizu/Erin Yamamoto, Mil def. [11] Claire Fukuoka/Marisa Watanabe, Bald, 6-0, 6-2.