Kallen Mizuguchi, a former UH-Hilo tennis player and a state doubles champion at Waiakea, is taking over the Vulcans’ men’s and women’s teams on a interim basis.
Mizuguchi played for the Vulcans from 2011-15, playing on court one in doubles and earning third-team All-Pacific West Conference honors as a senior. He also played No. 2 singles for the Vulcans.
Mizuguchi has remained active in Hilo tennis circles, helping to coach youth and adults with fellow former Vulcan Randy Kunimoto. A graduate in business, he works as an insurance agent in Hilo.
“It’s nice to be back at University of Hawaii at Hilo,” Mizuguchi said in a school release. “I had great experiences here as a student-athlete and I am looking forward to being on the other side of things as a head coach. I enjoy working with the student-athletes, faculty, and community members who have always supported the university.”
Mizuguchi said he has plenty of help from members of the active Hilo tennis community.
“Having a stellar coaching staff and support team with Kula Oda, Randy Kunimoto, Robin Takahashi, Flavio Nucci, and many more makes it more exciting,” he said added. “We will work on giving these student-athletes a great experience on and off the court.”
Oda is a former Vulcan tennis coach and is the associate athletic director at UHH. Kunimoto and Nucci are former UH-Hilo players and members of the Vulcan Athletic Hall of Fame, and Takahashi is a former UHH professor and volunteer assistant coach.
In 2010, the Hilo native teamed with Kaito Mizutani to claim the HHSAA doubles championship.
“We are pleased to have Kallen Mizuguchi step up and serve as our interim men’s and women’s tennis coach,” athletic director Patrick Guillen said in a release. “Kallen is a former Vulcan tennis player, is from Hilo and knows what it takes to hit the ground running. There is no doubt in my mind he will do a fine job for us. I know the players have already responded well and embraced him.
“Also, I am grateful for our wonderful tennis “hui” that has also stepped up to assist us in this time of transition. All have come forward offering their assistance in one way or another to help fill the void. It is highly unusual to lose a coach two weeks before the start of the season, but I have to say it has been inspiring to see how the community has responded and answered the call. The beneficiaries will be our student-athletes who now have decades of coaching experience from talented individuals to assist the program. I am excited for the season.”
The men’s and women’s team begin the season at Holua Tennis Center in Kailua-Kona, with the 10th-ranked men opening Saturday, and the ladies Friday.
