Poei, Raiders seek breakthrough

Kristen Poei admits she wasn’t ready for the big stage.

"I think the pressure got to us," Poei said. "Me and Sari (Kwee), we haven’t ever been in that position before."

Last season, the ‘Iolani doubles tandem found itself in the final of the Carlsmith Ball/HHSAA Girls Tennis State Championships.

The Raiders ha­­dn’t won a state title in girls tennis in more than a decade, and Poei and Kwee were just a victory away from breaking the streak.

"(We were) trying to determine who’s going to be the winner for the whole state title," Poei said. "I don’t think we were prepared for all the pressure we were under. I know that we could’ve done better, but our mind got the best of us and we just lost from there."

ILH rival Punahou claimed its 10th consecutive state team championship in 2012, once Katie Kim and Ashley Ishimura swept Poei and Kwee 6-2, 6-1.

It was Poei’s second loss in the state final in doubles. She finished third as a sophomore in her only season playing singles.

League rules dictate that a tennis player can compete in either singles or doubles, but not both.

"I don’t really have a specific preference, but I play whatever spot my coach puts me in and what’s better for the team," Poei said. "I enjoy playing both equally.

"There’s good and bad to both singles and doubles. In singles, I like figuring things out myself, but in doubles I like having a partner to pick me up when I’m down."

Kwee will likely partner up with Poei again as the duo looks to break through at the state tournament, but first they must survive conference play.

"I think winning the ILH as a team would be my first priority," Poei said. "I don’t want to look that far ahead and jinx myself, but winning states would be my ultimate goal for my high school career."

The Raiders are on their way with a 7-1 start, with their only loss coming against the Buffanblu.

"The scores are always so close, but we can’t pull through," Poei said. "I think we just have to work harder as a team and we need to want it more than Punahou. I don’t think we have that fire yet, so this year we’re just trying to get it into all of our girls."

Poei is playing doubles again as a senior because ‘Iolani coach Allison Ishii thinks that’s where her presence is best for the team.

"She’s a great tennis player all around, and in doubles she’s really consistent," Ishii said. "It may seem like singles is more glamorous, but the doubles field is super strong in Hawaii. The doubles players really have to be good at volleys and Kristen is a strong, consistent baseliner. She’s lights out at the net."

Ishii is in her seventh year as head coach and praises Poei’s ability to bring the Raiders together.

"She’s very, very talented, but the one thing that stands out about her is she’ll play with anybody. She’ll warm up with anybody and she doesn’t act like she’s a really good player," Ishii said. "She’s not the rah-rah cheerleader, but the biggest thing she brings to the team is humor.

"She’s really funny and tries to play jokes on the coaches and it helps us since things can get pretty stressful on the court. As coaches, we can only do as much as we can, but they look to the strongest girl on the team, and one of them is Kristen."

Poei began developing her skills as a 5-year-old watching her older brother, Darin, who also played tennis at ‘Iolani.

"After that time I picked up the racket, I fell in love with tennis," Poei said. "It just stuck with me for my whole life."

She entered her first tournament five years later, and ended up winning that championship.

"Most of my life has been spent on the court, and I sacrifice so much to become the player I am today," Poei said.

In addition to weight training twice a week with her teammates, she practices every weekday after school.

‘Iolani has a strong chance to compete for the ILH championships, slated for April 17-19 at Central Oahu Regional Park.

The conference title has eluded Poei, who has always reached the finals, but never clinched the first-place trophy.

"No one wants to settle at second place. It’s motivation for me to try harder and try to be that first-place winner," Poei said. "I don’t want to be satisfied with second place."

No matter how Poei fares this season, her tennis career will continue as a Matador for Cal State Northridge, where she’s planning to sign in April.

"I was actually really surprised since I looked for tennis scholarships kind of late, but this was a great offer from a great school," Poei said.

Before she graduates and begins college, Poei has unfinished business in her final season at ‘Iolani. She uses the memory of losing in the conference and state championships as motivation to finally reach her dream of winning it all.

"I’m not trying to remember how I lost, but I’m trying to remember how it felt to be in that position and make it to the state final," Poei said. "I was so close last year. I’m trying to play more, practice more and just dedicate myself to this last year for varsity tennis.

"I just want to prove to myself and just prove to everyone that I’m capable of doing this."