Yoshimoto Leads Mililani To Another Undefeated Season

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Even as a freshman competing in her first singles match back in 2005, Mililani’s Megan Yoshimoto already had the competitiveness of a senior.

“She came from behind in a lot of matches - she has that tenacity to get back a win,” Mililani tennis coach May Ann Beamer said of Yoshimoto. “She may lose the first set, but she can muster enough energy and know-how. Her game is one that she can always come back.

“Her peers all flock around her - she’s a leader-type,” she added. “To me, she was easy to coach.”

Yoshimoto recently wrapped up a great four-year career for the Trojans by being named the Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division Player of the Year. The West’s singles champion for the second straight year, she also helped lead Mililani to a second consecutive undefeated season in OIA team competition, a span that has covered 110 matches in a row. As was the case on the court, Mililani dominated in All-League selections as Adrienne Hamada and Alyssa Shimizu joined Yoshimoto as First Team honorees. Erica Kunahisa, Marissa Arakaki and Rachel Mizuno were named to the Second Team from Mililani. All-League selections are chosen in a vote of conference coaches.In addition to boasting the West’s singles champion in Yoshimoto, Mililani also featured the OIA champion doubles team with Hamada and Shimizu joining forces. The pair won all of their matches against OIA competition.

“Alyssa has the best forehand of anyone on the team, including the boys, and you could always count on her to set up Adrienne at the net,” Beamer said of Shimizu, one of four seniors to complete their eligibility along with Kunahisa, Arakaki and Yoshimoto. “Adrienne is a very versatile player who can play singles or doubles. She’s competitive at all levels, and she has the best net game on the team. We call her the vacuum cleaner.”

Kunahisa and Arakaki also competed at a high level for the Trojans in doubles.

“Marissa has a good all-around game, and she’s very likable as a teammate,” Beamer said. “Erica is a real power-player. She can hit so solidly that it astounds you. Together, they made a good team.

“Mizuno, a left-hander, still has year of eligibility remaining and has already qualified twice for the state tournament. She has the potential to play either singles or doubles,” Beamer said.

Beamer, who has led the Mililani girls to 11 OIA titles and two state championships in her 18 years at the school, was named the West’s Coach of the Year. Felen Gacillos, Tiffany Lozano and Brittany Lesher were all selected to the West’s Second Team from Leilehua.

In the boys’ Division, Jose Reque and Holden Au were named to the First Team from Mililani, while Jason Perron and Aaron Kawamoto were Second Team selections. Cainan Shinjo and Hector Alcayde were named to the Second Team from Leilehua.