Sakovich watches Kana and Tim in Hawaii

Saipan Swim Club founder and sports organizer extraordinaire Bill Sakovich recently saw Saipan tennis players Kana Aikawa and Tim Quan in action in tournaments in Hawaii and said the future of CNMI tennis is definitely bright.

Sakovich first watched Aikawa, who is a member of the University of Hawaii women’s tennis team, compete in the WAC Championships in Honolulu.

“I watched one of her matches and felt she played very well, getting better as the match went on. She is a tough kid. I think she was happy to see me but she also had other folks rooting for her on. I am glad I caught up with her. She also said she is looking forward to playing for the CNMI and coach Jeff Race in the Mini Games in Palau,” he said.

Despite Aikawa losing in two sets, Sakovich said both John Nelson, UH men’s tennis coach, and Carol Katayama, UH women’s tennis coach, like what they see in Aikawa and is proud of her progress.

“Both said Kana is a great athlete and easy to coach, they both love her and say she is doing well,” he said.

Sakovich, who now lives in Hilo with wife and fellow NMASA Hall of Fame coach Jean, was in Honolulu to meet with some of the swimmers he used to coach, who are set to compete in Oceania.

Just last weekend, Sakovich attended the BIIF Championships where Quan and his Hawaii Preparatory Academy team were playing.

Sakovich said the 2005 Wadonga Classic boys’ 18-and-under champion reached the finals before losing in two closely fought sets against Kevin Tamura of Waiakea High School.

He said Quan played so well that Nelson is already recruiting the six-footer for the UH men’s team in 2006.

“He played very well and coach Nelson is hoping he will come to UH next year,” said Sakovich.

Sakovich also congratulated CNMI National Tennis Team coach Jeff Race for developing Aikawa and Quan. He said their success playing for UH and HPA is attributed to his coaching.

“Great Jeff, these results are due to your great program, keep it up,” he said.

Incidentally, Aikawa and Quan were named to Race’s Palau South Pacific Mini Games team along with Race himself, who will again assume the player-coach tag, CNMI No. 1 Todd Montgomery, Daniel Son, and Amanda Weindle. Ralph Buenaventura was also chosen as an alternate.