Farrington’s Andre Ilagan is 3-for-3 when it comes to Oahu Interscholastic Association boys tennis championships, and now he’s hoping to take that next step for himself and his family.
Ilagan, a junior left-hander, defeated Mililani’s Jace Akagi-Okuma 6-0, 6-4 in the final of the OIA Individual Championships on Saturday at Central Oahu Regional Park.
“It feels the same from the last two years. I’m just happy I won,” Ilagan said.
Ilagan lost in last year’s state final. His brothers Anthony and Mark, now both in their early 30s, also finished as state runners-up. All three were coached by their father, Sergio.
The HMSA/HHSAA State Tennis Championships are May 4-6 at the Royal Lahaina Tennis Ranch and Kapalua Tennis Garden.
Pearl City sophomore Sarah Domingo repeated as OIA girls champion, rallying to beat Kalani junior Dale Emoto 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-0.
“Even though I lost the first set, I still just kept trying because I knew I would have a chance,” Domingo said. “Just don’t give up and you can still be in it.”
Emoto said: “After the second set, I felt like my motivation to win was kind of gone. I was really tired.”
Mililani’s freshman/senior duo of Hunter Fujimori and Tobey Chang defeated Pearl City’s Warren Domingo and Dylan Woo 6-3, 6-1 for the boys doubles title.
“It feels very good. I’ve been playing the OIAs ever since freshman year and I’ve placed third and fourth, but first place feels awesome,” Chang said.
In the girls doubles final, Mililani cousins Haley Fujimori and Taryn Fujimori beat Pearl City’s Jill Baverstock and Kira Gatiuan 6-3, 6-3.
“It was just a great experience and these are the memories I’m going to remember — not necessarily the wins, but just the team and playing with Taryn,” said Haley, a senior.
Taryn, a junior, said: “It feels really good to win, especially with Haley because she’s so fun to play with and I’m so excited for states.”
Haley’s and Taryn’s fathers are brothers.
In the boys singles final, Ilagan dominated every game of the first set except the fifth, when he trailed love-40 with Akagi-Okuma serving.
“Every point is important. Even though you’re down really big, like 0-40, you still have to battle back no matter what because anything can happen,” Ilagan said.
Akagi-Okuma, a senior, played with much more confidence in the second set, which was on serve through the first six games.
A key game was the fourth, when Akagi-Okuma had a break point only to see Ilagan win three in a row to even things at 2-2.
“That’s definitely where I could have capitalized more,” Akagi-Okuma said. “Even if you lose tough points you still have to focus on the next point and forget about it.”
Three consecutive service breaks gave Ilagan a 5-4 lead. Akagi-Okuma had a break point in the final set, but Ilagan again won three in a row, including a return winner on match point.
“He’s very aggressive. If you give him the first opportunity, he’s going to attack,” said Akagi-Okuma, who switched to singles after winning three OIA doubles titles. “He’s always putting pressure on you from anywhere on the court.”
It was Ilagan’s toughest match of the tournament. He dropped just one game over his first three contests.
