Kai sisters bring double trouble for UH opponents
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
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| Krisha, left, and Natasha Kai, who played together at Kahuku High School, are forwards on the University of Hawai'i soccer team.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Classic Where: Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium When: Tomorrow, Utah Valley State (2-1-1) vs. Morehead State, Ky. (1-2-1), 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Hawai'i (3-1-1) vs. Utah Valley State, 7 p.m.; Sunday, Hawai'i vs. Morehead State, 5 p.m. Television: Sunday, KFVE-TV (ch. 5), live |
Before this season, Krisha Kai contemplated playing soccer on the Mainland because she didn't want to follow in her older sister's footsteps.
"I've been behind her my whole life," said Krisha Kai, who entertained thoughts of playing at Idaho, Nevada or on the East Coast. "I wanted to make it somewhere else, but I knew I'd miss it here (along with) my family and my sister."
In five matches this season, Krisha, a freshman forward, and Natasha, a sophomore forward and last year's Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, have combined to score five of Hawai'i's nine goals.
"I expect them to score a lot of goals for us and develop as human beings," said Hawai'i coach Pinsoom Tenzing, whose Rainbow Wahine will host the Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Classic tomorrow through Sunday at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium. "They've got a really solid family background. Everything should be as easy as A, B, C."
The Kai sisters, both all-state players for Kahuku High School, represent the future of Hawai'i soccer and carry the pride of the entire Kahuku community on the playing field.
"My dad sent me an e-mail the other day saying how proud the (Kahuku) community was of us and our decision to play together," Krisha Kai said. "I'm stoked that we have a lot of people looking forward to seeing us play."
Krisha Kai said her older sister has always set a good example for their four younger siblings.
"Ever since we were little, she's always been the better athlete," said Krisha Kai, who competed with Natasha in soccer, basketball and track at Kahuku High. "Being a tremendous athlete, she's always set a high standard for us to follow. She's always there to coach us also."
After nearly losing her younger sister to a Mainland college, Natasha Kai said she's thrilled the pair can continue their lifelong bond in soccer.
"I think it's just a blessing for her to play with me and in front of our parents (Benny and Sharon)," Natasha Kai said. "Now they have a chance to witness us play in college, and even better, we both might be able to go pro. I think that would make our parents so proud of us."
This season, Natasha Kai said she's tried to help her younger sister learn the rough-and-tumble ways of collegiate soccer.
"My first year, I told her all the experiences I went through," Natasha Kai said. "It's a different level from high school. These are women you're playing with. It's not like teenagers. She has to adapt to that quickly because no one is going to pamper you on the field. We're not going to be like, 'Are you OK little girl?' We're out there to win and that's it."
Added Krisha Kai: "She told me I had to get more fit and work my butt off so I could have some playing time."
In 22 career matches, Natasha Kai already holds several UH records, including most points (37) and goals (16) in a season. Last season, she became the first UH player in conference history to earn WAC Player and Freshman of the Year awards.
"The individual awards are great, but without my teammates I wouldn't have gotten anything," Natasha Kai said. "It's their passes and their hardwork that make me look like a player."
After the soccer season, Natasha Kai said she'll try out for another sport at UH.
"Right after soccer is over, I'm going to trade in my soccer shoes for a pair of softball shoes and try out for the team," she said. "I talked to the softball coach (Bob Coolen) and he is giving me the opportunity to play on his softball team."
Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458
