Humphreys senior Rebecca Kruelski made it back-to-back Division I mixed doubles titles. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan – Rebecca Kruelski seems to have the Far East tennis mixed doubles down to a science.
The Humphreys senior teamed with Julian Cho to repeat as champion Thursday at Atago Tennis Complex near Iwakuni. The Blackhawks pair downed Noah Otteson and Lisa Galloway of Nile C. Kinnick 4-2, 4-1 in the final.
“This one feels much better” since it’s her senior season and her last appearance on a Far East court, Kruelski said. “It’s amazing. It’s the greatest feeling ever. It’s my last match at Far East, so I had to give it my all.”
Zama's Sean Simpkins chases down a forehand. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
The third time was the charm for Perry's Ren Spinosi, who captured the D-II mixed doubles title after reaching the singles and doubles finals last year. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Perry's Autumn Hendra rips a backhand against Zama. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Zama's Hannah Bolin smacks a backhand against Perry. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
Humphreys' Julian Cho made it back-to-back championships in two days, Division I boys doubles and mixed doubles. (Dave Ornauer/Stars and Stripes)
For Cho, it was his second Far East title in back-to-back days. On Wednesday, he and Kruelski’s mixed-doubles teammate from last year – Nathan Hwang – won the boys doubles crown.
Cho had been eliminated from the mixed doubles in the first round a year ago with a different partner. He and Hwang were also eliminated in the opening round in boys doubles.
Their Red Devils opponents did not make it easy Thursday, Cho said. “We had to work hard,” he said. “It was rough, but we did it and that’s what tennis is all about.”
In the Division II finals, senior Ren Spinosi finally took the last steps to a Far East title, after finishing second in the boys singles and doubles last year as a tennis rookie.
Spinosi teamed with Autumn Hendra to outlast Zama’s Sean Simpkins and Hannah Bolin 4-1, 2-4, 7-3.
“It was a challenge,” Spinosi said. “I’m glad I made it to all finals in my two years. To take home the title is amazing.”
