For most of the players and fans, it was just another beautiful Aloha Friday in Kailua — one of those perfect afternoons where the community comes together to watch high-level tennis in paradise. But for me, it was more than that. It was my very last match at the beautiful Kailua Racquet Club — a place that has been my home, my training ground, and the heart of so many unforgettable memories over the past four years.
This match carried extra weight. Not only was it my final home game, but we were also fighting for a better seeding position in the upcoming conference championship in Arizona, now less than three weeks away.
The match kicked off at 4:30pm, ideal timing for fans to show up after work. And we needed them. The day before, we had fallen short against the University of Hawaii Hilo, a loss that stung due to a lack of energy and maybe a bit of underestimating our opponent after securing the doubles point. I hadn’t played in that match, still nursing an ankle injury that had been bothering me for a month. But after that loss, I knew I had to push myself — one more time — and help the team bounce back.
Friday felt different. The energy was palpable from the very beginning. I looked around and saw familiar faces — friends, fans, mentors. People who had supported me throughout my journey in Hawai’i. It was a mix of nerves and excitement. I knew I was going to leave everything on the court.
We came out firing in doubles. HPU swept all three courts and grabbed the doubles point within 30 minutes. The energy from the coaches, players, and especially the crowd was electric. You could feel the fire and urgency that had been missing the day before. That fueled me even more.
In singles, we kept the momentum going. Arthur Perry and Finnegan Heber both dominated on courts 4 and 5, giving us a 3-0 lead. We only needed one more win to clinch. Jon Karlstaad fought hard on court 6 but fell in a close match. Then came my turn — I gave it all I had, but couldn’t capitalize in the second set and ended up losing. Still, we weren’t done yet.
Mile Matic — the rock of our team — came through like he always does. After struggling in the first set, he battled back to win the match and clinch victory for us. Final score: 4-2. But wait — Adam Vasir, who was just two points away from losing, pulled off a gutsy win to give us an exclamation point. Final tally: HPU Sharks 5 – UH Hilo 2.
The joy, the relief, the love — you could feel it in the air. This team cares about each other deeply, and it showed. After the final point, I was honored with a small farewell ceremony. Leis around my neck, photos, and heartfelt gifts from teammates and fans — it was overwhelming in the best way. A night I will remember forever.
To everyone who made my time at Kailua Racquet Club so special — thank you from the bottom of my heart. This club will always have a special place in my heart.
Next week, we take on Hilo again — this time on their turf. I’m beyond excited to compete and continue building momentum as we head into the championship.
Go Sharks!