Being a tennis coach at Hawaii Prep takes its share of patience.
No, there is nothing trying about coaching Ryo Minakata.
It’s the schedule, or lack there of. Until now.
It was a with somewhat of a sweet relief that first-year coach Shelby Winkelmann was able to look around Monday at Hilo’s Lincoln Tennis Courts and see everyone present and accounted for as Ka Makani took on St. Joseph.
“This is the first practice or match that everyone has been available,” Winkelmann said. “It’s been a little bit tough, but now that spring break is over we’re getting into the heart of things.”
The season started in late February, but at HPA the two-week spring break interrupts the season for at least a fortnight, if not longer, leaving Winkelmann to hope his players stayed in touch with the game during the time off.
When Ka Makani is fully loaded as it was Monday, they have enough players to fill all the slots on the girls and boys side. HPA earned a pair of 5-0 victories over the Cardinals as it hits the meat of it schedule, including matches with Waiakea, Kamehameha, and Hilo in the next eight days.
“Those three matches are the ones where we’re going to be working hard,” Winkelmann said.
He’s raring to get going, and that’s also true for Minakata, the two-time BIIF singles champion. Minakata has an eye on competing for an HHSAA title – seeded third, he was upset in the quarterfinals last season – as well as eventually making it as a pro.
The first order of business is getting the HPA boys in position to be able to defend their team title April 20 at Holua Tennis Center.
Ka Makani carry a 4-1 record, with the only loss coming, 3-2, against Kealakehe in a match Minakata probably could have tilted in his team’s favor if he was available.
“He’s very respectful of the other schools,” Winkelmann said. “He gives them a chance to hit some balls back, but he’s itching to play. He really wants to sweat and get down to some heavy-style competition.”
Also returning from the team that beat Hilo 3-2 in the 2018 team final is Hayden Virtue, who holds down No. 2 singles, and Zane Willman, who teams with Noah Henderson at No. 1 doubles.
Ka Makani’s girls are 3-2 and face more of an uphill battle to advance to the semifinals at Holua. An injury has lifted Piper Filler to No. 2 singles, behind Alexandra Peskova.
In a 4-1 loss to Kealakehe earlier this season, Kayla Hollister and Megan Abe, at No. 1 doubles, gave HPA its only point, and Ka Makani also lost to Konawaena 4-1, with the only win coming from Halia Buchal, who is injured.
In the most competitive match Monday, Filler beat Nanami Taono 6-1, 6-4.
“Kayla and Megan are out there battling every match,” Winkelmann said. “With Zane and Noah, again, it’s going to come down to a consistency thing.”
Among the young players who he sees good potential in is Aithne Wolfenberger, who has been playing doubles for the girls team.
Wednesday presents a pair of rivalry showdowns on both sides of the island, with Waiakea playing at Hilo, and Kealakehe visiting Konawaena.
According to the BIIF’s standings, Waiakea’s boys are 7-0, with Kealakehe, Konawaena and Hilo all tied for second at 6-1. On the girls side, Waiakea and Konawaena are 7-0, with Hilo (6-1) third and Kealakehe (5-2) fourth.
