Yokota freshman, Youngdahl, wins Kanto Plain singles title

SHIRAKO, Japan – Erika Youngdahl said she had no expectations entering Thursday’s Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools tennis tournament other than to do her best, leave everything on the court and maybe reach the top four.

The freshman far surpassed that. She became the first Yokota player to capture a Kanto tournament singles title, beating Kelsey Leon 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 in the final match at Shirako Tennis Complex two hours east of Tokyo.

“I was just going to do my best,” Youngdahl, her eyes filled with tears, said after the match, which made her 16-1 on the season.

Youngdahl is also believed to be the first DODDS-Japan player to win a Kanto tournament singles title. A quick survey of coaches, one of whom played in the league in the 1970s and ’80s, found none able to recall ever happening.

The Panthers also took second in the girls’ team standings with 28 points, eight behind champion ASIJ, the best placing in school history.

Youngdahl’s coach, Tommy Palmer, said he had thought her experience level might hold her back against more seasoned international-school players. Yet with every passing match, Youngdahl appeared to gain more confidence, particularly with her forehand, opposing coaches remarked.

“I assumed she would reach the quarterfinals or semifinals because of her freshman experience level,” Palmer said. “I’m really pleased and surprised. I didn’t expect her to win. Not here.”

Elsewhere, in the Okinawa Activities Council district doubles finals, reigning DODDS-Pacific Far East tournament champions Kyle Sprow and Elliot Mason also repeated their district title. Mason’s twin sister, Elissa, teamed with Christin Gentz to win the girls title.

Playing at Kadena Air Base’s Risner Tennis Complex, Sprow and Mason clubbed teammates Ryan Yerger and Arlo Taylor 6-1, 6-1. Mason and Gentz blanked Kubasaki’s Tammi Ragan and Katelynn Knox 6-0, 6-0.

Sprow and Elissa Mason will defend their district singles titles on Tuesday at Kubasaki.

Kubasaki wins OAC series

In Okinawa volleyball, senior Gabby Falco had 23 spike kills, seven block points and five service aces as the Kubasaki Dragons won the OAC best-of-five season series 3-2, rallying from a two-set deficit on Thursday for a 23-25, 22-25, 25-19, 25-23, 17-15 victory at Kubasaki High School. Rachel O’Neill had 14 defensive digs and Ku’uleialoha Ampong 24 set assists.