WAIKAPU, Maui — It was far from easy, but the Baldwin High School girls golf team repeated as Maui Interscholastic League champion yesterday at Kahili Golf Course, defeating Maui 237-244 for the title.

The teams started the 18-hole playoff round at 12:30 p.m. in overcast conditions, and didn't finish until nearly six hours later.

The teams' depth, and their history — they split four matches this season, each team's only losses of the year — added even more tension.

''Defending champions, what a rough season, let me tell you,'' Baldwin coach Kenny Houpo said to The Maui News. ''The team we beat, they're strong, they're strong players, so I've got to take my hat off to them.

''It could've gone both ways but the sad thing about it is somebody's got to lose — I'm just happy that we won.''

The Bears' Dayna Bersamin had the low round of the day, a 76, while Cassy Isagawa fired a 77 and Christina Ju an 84. The Bears improved to 11-2.

Three-time MIL champion Elyse Okada posted a 77 for the Sabers (10-3). Kelcie Kawano, last year's state runner-up, carded an 81 and Liana Otake finished with an 86.

''It was hard — we just weren't making our shots, but it was pretty close for a while,'' said Maui coach Jerry Toyama. ''We have a great team right now. The girls — my three seniors, one junior and one sophomore — they really clicked together after a while.

''It's fun, exciting, up-and-down roller coaster, you know, like anything else.''

The rain might have made Kahili a bit easier.

''I think the girls actually liked it,'' Houpo said. ''I'd rather play in this when it's raining and not so much wind because this course is tough. It just worked out pretty good.''

Said Bersamin: ''Just like any other day, whether it's rainy or sunny, we just have to play the same. It wasn't really that bad out there.''

Bersamin made double bogey on the eighth hole, but birdied No. 9 and made par the rest of the way until a bogey on No. 18.

''We worked really hard this season and we know Maui High worked really hard, too, and it was really tense out there,'' Bersamin said.

''Right now, coming up is individuals (the tournament begins Saturday) and we just hope our team qualifies for individuals and hopefully the other girls who didn't play today can qualify for states, too.''

The addition of Ju, a sophomore transfer from Washington state, and Isagawa, a freshman, helped the Bears retain the MIL title this year.

''We weren't really sure (if we could repeat) but we were determined, so I guess that paid off,'' Bersamin said. ''Hopefully (we can do it) again next year.''

Houpo is confident that the Maui teams have what it takes to hang with the schools from the rest of the state.

''All I know is we've got two strong teams from Maui that can represent the island for the state tournament,'' he said.

''They worked hard last year, they've worked hard this season and all we've got to do is show them at the tournament and just bring it home, too.''

BALDWIN BOYS MOVE CLOSER TO MIL TITLE

In round one for the Baldwin and St. Anthony high school boys golf teams, the Bears claimed a two-stroke victory, defeating the Trojans 150-152 yesterday at Kahili Golf Course in Waikapu.

With the win, Baldwin (12-1) took control in the race for the Maui Interscholastic League championship — a victory over St. Anthony (11-2) tomorrow in the regular-season finale at The Dunes at Maui Lani will secure the title. The Trojans can force a playoff with a win.

Justin Keiley led the way for Baldwin yesterday with a 36, which matched St. Anthony's Taeksoo Kim for the day's best round.

Jon Keiley and Joshua Hemans each shot 37s for the Bears, and Mitchell Kwee fired a 40.

''They all played well,'' Baldwin coach Buff Burton said to The Maui News. ''We had some ups and downs, but other than that, they all played good and they all came through.''

Andrew Wong and Alex Wong each shot 38s for St. Anthony, and Kendrick Dumo finished with a 40.

''Well, they knew they were under some pressure — they knew coming in what it was going to take to win the MIL and that is to win both matches, for either team,'' said Trojans coach David Gerken.

''If we split, then we do what the (Maui High and Baldwin) girls just did here today — 18-hole playoff at a neutral site.

''All the guys knew what was at stake — we played very well, we shot 152 and that's probably below our average, but Baldwin was just the better team today.''

The round was played in light rain, but little wind.

''It was easier because there wasn't as much wind and the greens were pretty soft, and it didn't rain — it just kind of drizzled a little bit,'' said Justin Keiley, who parred every hole on the front nine. ''I had a lot of birdie putts, but I just kind of lagged and tapped it in for par.''

Kim, last year's league champion, recovered nicely from bogeys on Nos. 7 and 8, finishing with a birdie on No. 9 to get back to even par.

''They're very tough,'' Burton said. ''Both teams are pretty even, it's just depending on who is shooting good on what day.

''I tell the guys, 'I love you guys no matter what happens — it's just a game, it's not life or death, go out there and have fun.' ''

Getting the first win of the series is an important step for the Bears, Keiley said.

''It's big, because we're playing our home course (on Friday) and we beat them on their home course, so I think we have the advantage going into The Dunes since we know it,'' he said. ''We've just got to beat them on Friday, I guess.''

The Trojans, of course, want to force a playoff.

''We play them at their home course — they came into our home and beat us, so it's our turn to return the favor,'' Gerken said with a laugh.

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