Maui High girls, Baldwin boys win MIL team championships
LAHAINA — Baldwin High School’s Justin Powell and Maui High’s Erica Gumboc knew how important their performances would be during the final matches of the Maui Interscholastic League team championship tournament on Saturday.
The Sabers and the Bears — the West Division’s No. 1 girls and East’s No. 2 boys teams, respectively — had to take on the East’s top teams from Seabury Hall to take home the MIL tennis titles. The victories mark the second MIL girls title in school history for Maui High and the first since 2012 for the Baldwin boys.
It was Gumboc’s and Powell’s wins that became just what their teams needed to defeat the Spartans by scores of 3-2 at the Lahaina Civic Center on Saturday afternoon.
“The day before, I was honestly kind of nervous because I didn’t think I could pull through, but I did and I tried my best and it worked out in the end,” said Gumboc, who won at No. 2 singles 6-0, 3-6, 6-1 over the Spartans’ Alexa de Crinis. “I felt confident in a way, but a lot of pressure knowing that it’s on me to decide who wins team for us or not.”
The Sabers’ cheers kept Gumboc going throughout the two-hour match against de Crinis, which was crucial when her leg started cramping on match point.
“As soon as I started serving, I knew I had to get off, but I knew I had to keep going. I had to finish it,” the Maui High senior said. “I was nervous the whole game, but hearing them cheer helped me a lot, so I want to thank them for always supporting me.”
The Sabers’ other points came from Taliah Cabatu, who defeated Bobby Goldyn 6-2, 6-1 at No. 3 singles, and the No. 1 doubles pair of Hie Luna Beamer and Jordyn Luna, who defeated Lia Reisenaur and Marissa Tasaki 6-0, 6-0.
For Baldwin freshman Powell, who won his No. 1 singles match 6-1, 6-0 against Seabury’s Liam Mabbutt, he said the final round of the tournament in the boys division was “very exciting” while competing against the top team and pulling off a victory.
“It was very nerve-wracking, you know, I knew I had to win that match and my teammate had to win his match in order to win the playoffs, the championship, so I had to stick with my own today and play the best I could,” he said.
It was not an easy point earned by Baldwin’s Ean Allencastre-Higuchi, who survived a 6-4, 7-5 battle against Evan Lipetz at No. 2 singles.
“I’m glad he won,” Powell said. “It was just fun going against Seabury today, you know, because they’re No. 1.”
The Spartans had earned points with their No. 3 singles player Lucas Utsch defeating the Bears’ Kenji Shing 6-1, 60, and with their No. 1 doubles team of Manoli Placourakis and Brandon Yu, who beat Kai Matsui and Skye Curley 6-1, 60. Seabury, however, had to default the No. 2 doubles match.
The MIL individual championship tournament starts Thursday, and Powell hopes to find himself in top shape before heading into the HMSA/HHSAA state championships at the Royal Lahaina and Kapalua Garden courts on May 5-7.
“I’m also very excited for that, too,” he said.
After Gumboc’s team-winning match, she’s feeling a little more hyped for next week, as well.
“I’m looking way forward to it, whether I win or lose, as long as I try my best,” she said.