BYUH goes for national title today

Third-ranked Brigham Young-Hawaii will play for its 10th national title, but first since 2007, today when it meets second-ranked Armstrong Atlantic for the NCAA Division II women’s tennis championship.

The Seasiders (28-1) captured two doubles matches and won on the first three singles courts to defeat fifth-ranked Abilene Christian 5-2 in a Friday semifinal in Surprise, Ariz.

Fourth-ranked Hawaii Pacific was not as successful in its second national semifinal. The Sea Warriors ended their season 21-4 after falling to Armstrong 5-2.

Annie Hwang and Sherry Liu combined for three points for BYUH. The nation’s top-ranked D-II doubles team won 8-6 at first doubles. Hwang dropped just one game in a 6-1, 6-0 victory at No. 1 singles. Liu was nearly as dominant at No. 2, winning 6-2, 6-1.

Marika Kobayashi and Mariette Tuionetoa earned an 8-4 victory at second doubles, and Kobayashi clinched the match with a 6-4, 6-4 win at third singles.

Last year, Armstrong (30-1) beat BYUH in the final to win its fifth title in six years and seventh overall, tying the Seasiders’ D-II record. BYUH also won two NAIA championships.

Ielyzaveta Rybakova and Celina Goetti, the Sea Warriors’ top two singles players, teamed for HPU’s only doubles victory Friday, winning 8-1 at No. 3. Magdalena Smejova claimed the only other point, upsetting 27th-ranked Olga Kalodzitsa 6-3, 6-3 at No. 5 singles.

Wahine track team earns 4 medals

Hawaii senior Samantha Balentine won her second event of the Big West Conference track and field championships on Friday in Northridge, Calif., capturing the gold medal in the high jump.

Balentine cleared 5 feet, 10.75 inches.

A week earlier, Balentine won the Big West heptathlon.

Hawaii junior Joanna Franke-Kuhn placed second in the hammer throw with a personal-best 189-2, which qualified her for the NCAA championships preliminary round.

Rainbow Wahine Alex Porlier Langlois finished third in the shot put (49-1.5), and teammate Amanda Alvarez took the bronze medal in the long jump (19-6.75).

Kailua’s Dolan makes 500-meter final

Kailua’s Ryan Dolan will race in today’s B final in the 500-meter K-1 kayaking race at the Sprint World Cup in Hungary.

Dolan placed second in his 500-meter heat on Friday and fourth in his semifinal to advance.

Dolan will also participate in today’s 200-meter event.

HPU puts 2 on all-region first team

Hawaii Pacific outfielders Chante Tesoro and Keila Elderts were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II All-Region first team.

Hawaii Hilo junior shortstop Rebecca Lee was selected to the second team.

Earlier this week, Lee was picked as the Pacific West Conference’s player of the year and third-team shortstop. Tesoro made the PacWest first team, and Elderts was picked to the second team.

Water camp sneak peak is today

Ikaika Hawaii is offering a free sneak peek at its summer water camp, beginning today at Kahaluu and Magic Island. The club was created to "perpetuate the development of inspirational watermen and women through positive water sport opportunities and fun paddling fitness activities."

It is inviting kids to experience its activities today with "Try It" clinics, from 1-3 p.m. at Kahaluu and 4-6 p.m. at Magic Island. There will be another May 25, from 9-11 a.m., at Hawaii Kai. Clinics are open to beginners and those experienced at water sports.

Ikaika is also introducing "Waterman’s Summer Training Camps" this summer, with coaching in kayak, surfski, paddleboards, SUP and outrigger canoes. Camps are open to ages 8-15 and participants must be water safe and able to swim 200 meters.

The cost is $200 per session, beginning May 27, and will be available at Kahaluu, Magic Island and Hawaii Kai.

For more information, email shelleyoateswilding@gmail.com, call 388-3207 or visit ikaikahawaii.com.