A tennis team from Kailua, Kona captured the USTA League 4.5 Adult National Championship at the Randolph Tennis Center in Tucson, Ariz., last week.

The Hawai'i squad defeated a team from Woburn, Mass., 4-1, in the championship match. Earlier in the day, it edged a team from the Middle States (Sewell, N.J.), 3-2, in the semifinals. The team advanced to the semifinals by winning its round-flight competition Friday and Saturday.

Team members are Lawrence L. Lowe (Kailua), Jayme Depontes (Kailua), Hector G. Mendoza (Waikoloa), Dru Kanuha (Kailua), captain Jerome K. Kanuha (Kailua), Chris Wigen, (San Francisco/Kona), Mark C. Deckwitz (Kailua), Gifford Matsuoka (Kailua), James E. Anderson (Kailua), and Lyle Kaneshiro (Hilo).

The competition drew 18 teams from throughout the nation.

The USTA League was established to provide adult recreational tennis players throughout the country with the opportunity to compete against players of similar ability levels. Players participate on teams in a league format, which is administered by the USTA through its 17 sections. The league groups players by using six National Tennis Rating Program levels, ranging from 2.5 (entry) to 5.0 (advanced). USTA League is open to any USTA member 19 years of age or older. It features Adult and Mixed Doubles divisions, as well as a Senior Division (age 50) and a Super Senior Division (age 60).

SENIORS' MOMENT

Five super senior teams from O'ahu and one from Maui earned a trip to nationals by winning the USTA League presented by Chrysler Hawai'i Section Championships last weekend at the Patsy T. Mink CORP Tennis Complex.

The women's winners, all from O'ahu, were: MD Wenokea Super Seniors, Clock & Trophy and Luahine O'ahu.

The men's winners were: Newtown (O'ahu), Fun Guys (Maui) and The Hawaiians (O'ahu).

The teams will represent Hawai'i in the USTA League Tennis National Championships in April 2008 at a site to be determined. Super senior teams are made up of players age 60 and above.