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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Mililani's Senas getting it done

By Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Mililani shortstop Courtney Senas batted 7 for 8 in a sweep of Leilehua on Saturday in the OIA Red West.

ADVERTISER LIBRARY PHOTO | April 16, 2008

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Courtney Senas

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If Mililani's Courtney Senas had it her way, she would go unnoticed. There would be no statistics or linescores published — not even a number on her jersey.

But it's hard to ignore what the all-everything shortstop has done after her first two varsity seasons with the Trojans.

Senas, a junior, is a two-time Advertiser first-team All-State selection and was named Position Player of the Year after last season. As a freshman in 2007, she was named O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference Western Division Player of the Year.

Despite the accolades, Senas remains humble while acknowledging her personal awards, instead deflecting attention to her teammates.

"Our team is awesome, our team is great," Senas said. "Our lineup is really stacked, everybody can hit."

After winning their first state title in 2005, the Trojans have finished second the past three seasons to Pearl City, Baldwin and Kamehameha, respectively. Senas was on the team when Mililani lost in the 2007 and 2008 state finals.

"The last two years we lost and we always try to use that to motivate us because we don't want to fall short again in the most important game of the season," Senas said. "We want to win the OIA and states, but right now we just have to take it a game at a time and so far everybody's been doing their part."

In a doubleheader sweep of Leilehua Saturday, Senas batted 7 for 8, including a 5-for-5 effort with two home runs, seven RBIs and four runs scored in game one.

"It's just hard work. Courtney just wants to do her best every time," Trojans coach Rose Antonio said. "She has great athletic ability and a lot of heart — two qualities that you want in an athlete."

Senas hasn't allowed herself to become complacent with her abilities.

"Oh no, no, no. I've always known that I have to keep working harder," Senas said. "There are so many good players out there. Someone is always going to be better than you, so you just have to practice, practice, practice and when that time comes that you meet, hopefully you'll be ready."

Antonio agreed: "She was always a hard worker and she's been putting in the extra time and working hard at what she does."

During her spare time, Senas doubles as a long jumper for the Trojans' track and field team. In her first season in track, Senas placed third in the triple jump at last year's OIA championships.

"Actually, I don't think she does practice," Antonio said. "I think she just shows up and goes. Courtney is just so athletic — I mean if she could, she would probably play football, too."

Pitching has worked in the favor of Mililani — which lost ace pitcher Makani Duhaylonsod to graduation — early on in the league season.

"We have two pitchers in Kylee Rodrigues and Kishti Kamaka that have stepped in for us," Antonio said. "This is a team sport, so you need everybody to contribute to have success."

Despite starting 4-0, Senas said the Trojans still have room for improvement.

"We can do better than what we're doing right now," Senas said. "I know our team can do better ... Everybody is just so talented on our team. I know we can do it."

Mililani's next game is a showdown against league co-leader Campbell a week from today. The game will be a rematch of last year's OIA championship.

Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.