Lajola takes third in junior national event

By Ann Miller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Dennis Lajola beat Kallim Stewart and No. 1 seed Jonathan Tragardh yesterday at Central O'ahu Regional Park. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

The U.S. Tennis Association National Open Championships is the best junior tennis Hawai'i can watch. For the 41 Hawai'i entrants, it is probably the best junior tournament they will ever play at home.

It was a bonus that 'Aiea's Dennis Lajola returned to earn an Easter Bowl invitation with yesterday's third-place finish. Lajola turned 15 last week, then turned back a slew of the country's finest 18-and-under boys.

"This past year, in the 14's, there's a lot of momentum shifts. Players phase in and out mentally," says Michael Sell, who coaches Lajola on the USTA High Performance team. "Here in the 18's they play more consistent tennis. That is great experience for Dennis. It's also much more physical play. He has to think a lot more."

Lajola's last local tournament for many months concluded with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over top-seeded Jonathan Tragardh, 17. The Californian is ranked 12th nationally in 18's. Earlier, Lajola rallied for a 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over Indiana 16-year-old Kallim Stewart, in consolation semifinals.

This 18-under event was Lajola's first tournament as an official 16-under participant. He "retired" from 14-under ranked second nationally.

Lajola's game has blossomed so dramatically the past few years he was invited to play for Sell, who used to coach Monica Seles. With top-ranked teen tennis buddies Donald Young and Leo Rosenberg, Lajola won a Junior Davis Cup title last year.

Last month, Lajola transferred from Iolani School to the Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida on a full scholarship from the IMG sports agency.

"Before the IMG offer came to us, even before Dennis went to Iolani, we were talking about all this," says Dennis' dad, Dado. "Donald and Leo were going this route already. Of course, he wants to be like them. The conversation came up at dinner.

"We're always realistic with him, we want to be fair. My wife and I told him we cannot afford the academy, paying $30,000 every year. But, we'll try to get you as much coaching here as we can. We'll try to support you to go to the Mainland as much as we can. That's what's been going on the last few years of his life."

The scholarship changed that and Lajola has risen to the challenge, taking his game with him. His spectacular strides are unheard of in Hawai'i, where the price of paradise often keeps kids from seeing the best competition, and from being seen.

Punahou Tennis Club is attempting to keep this Level II national event here long-term specifically because it helps Hawai'i juniors develop. Their next-best local option is Sectionals, a Level IV event by national standards.

Over the past five days, Hawai'i was able to watch Treat Huey, 18, from Virginia, defend his boys singles title. Huey, headed for the University of Virginia, upset second-seeded Tye Myers, 6-4, 6-4, in yesterday's final. Myers took out Lajola in the semifinals by the same score.

California's Sarah Fansler, the youngest finalist at 16 years, 9 days, won the girls championship, 6-3, 6-1, over top-seed Tarakaa Bertrand, ranked sixth nationally at age 17. Fansler then lamented the fact that winning kept her off the beach most of the week.

Huey, whose sophisticated game and multi-national background — his mother is from the Philippines — earned him a following the past two years, had a decidedly different take. He signed autographs when it was over, then raved about the improved opposition this year and "warm" atmosphere.

"This is probably one of the best tournaments in the country," Huey said. "I live about a mile from Washington, D.C., and it's been snowing the last two months. This is such a great place and it's so well-run that everyday you can go to the beach and hang out in the afternoon."

Lajola has had to leave all that and the separation has been tough. He kept looking for his father while playing yesterday. Mother Chato, a caregiver, was working. Brother Derrick, a University of Hawai'i freshman, analyzed from the sidelines.

Derrick saw that his brother had obviously improved. As Lajola battled by older opposition it was apparent he is now more patient, able to sustain his game longer at a high level and growing creative enough to neutralize opponents' physical advantages and frustrate them into submission.

"I learned I could beat anybody here, even if they're older and stronger," Lajola said. "I've just got to stay solid. In the 18's, you can't out-power anyone ... and if you let loose on a couple points, the match can change."

Reach Ann Miller at amiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8043.