The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine tennis team took the court with sheer determination and yesterday’s victory provided extra confidence as they downed Butler, 5-2, Tuesday at the UH Tennis Complex. Today’s victory marks the team’s second win in a row, improving their overall record to 2-9 on the season.

Hawai`i’s Polina Kravets blanked opponent Laurel Clements, 6-0, 6-0, marking the first singles shutout for the Rainbow Wahine.

“She was very determined,” said head coach Carolyn Katayama. “And she didn't let her opponent get into the match at all.”

Hawai`i lost two matches in singles play but that didn’t concern Katayama. Senior co-captain Birgitte Brubakken kept the match close but couldn’t pull out the win as she was downed, 7-6, 7-5. Freshman Kimberly Curtis lost the first set, 6-1, but continued to test Butler’s Jacci Hoffman as she edged Curtis, 7-6.

Freshman Lauren Fitzgerald, who has solidified a spot in the lineup, had no trouble defeating Butler’s Christina Laun, 6-2, 6-2.

“Lauren was all business,” said Katayama. “She had her game face on and you could see the fire in her eyes.”

The Rainbow Wahine look to keep the heat on as they take on Northern Illinois, Wednesday, at the UH Tennis Complex. Matches will begin at 3:00 p.m.



Hawai`i def. Butler, 5-2

Singles
Stacy Hakikawa (UH) def. Amy Steiner, 6-3, 6-2
Lauren Fitzgerald (UH)def. Christina Laun, 6-2, 6-2
Molly Figel def. Birgitte Brubakken (UH), 7-6, 7-5
Polina Kravets (UH) def. Laurel Clements, 6-0, 6-0
Justine Boutet (UH) def. Annie Gantz, 6-2, 6-1
Jacci Hoffman def. Kimberly Curtis (UH), 6-1, 7-6

Doubles
Fitzgerald/Hakikawa (UH) def. Figel/Laun, 8-1
Brubakken/Kravets (UH) def. Gantz/Steiner, 8-5
Mindy Champion/Clements def. Boutet/Mainor (UH), 8-6