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Pacific Team ITF Tour to New Zealand ends on high notes

Yesterday was the final day of competition for the Junior players representing the Oceania Region in the 12 & Under December International Tennis Federation (ITF) tour to New Zealand. The team was made up of Junior tennis players from different island nations, including American Samoa’s very own Larry Magalasin. The team finished out the tour with the ‘Tennis Auckland Xmas Junior Tennis Tournament’.

“Today was the final day of competition for the 12 & Under December ITF tour New Zealand. This last tournament was the ‘Auckland Christmas Tournament’. The team has another champion in Reynald Tarroa (Tahiti) in the Boys 12’s singles after he defeated fellow teammate Larry Magalasin 7-5, 6-3 in the boys singles finals,” said ITF Development Officer for the Pacific Oceania Region, Gene Ridgway ‘via’ email to Samoa News.

“Harley Cronin (Samoa) and Larry combined together to the Boys Doubles final beating Taaroa and Luther Lizama (Northern Mariana Isalands) in the finals in an all Pacific affair,” he said.

Explaining the girls side 12 & Under, he said that Carol Lee (Northern Mariana Islands) had the tough loss, playing against the eventual champion in the Semi-Final.

“Carol played an amazing first set. She was aggressive and brave and going for shots. But in the end, she went down fighting, losing in the Semi-Final 6-4. In the other Semi-Final, Ruby Coffin (Fiji) lost in straight sets, while Isabel Heras (Northern Mariana Islands) won her final two matches to finish in the 9th position in singles overall, a good strong finish to the tour”.

“These are an amazing group of players with the potential to really become the superstars of the future for the Pacific” said Ridgway.

“I would like to take this chance to thank all of the players, the coaches and administrators who helped the players come to New Zealand and play so well. Thank you to the parents for allowing the players to come and play and the tour coaches Andrew Mailtorok and Yanni Honilla who have joined me here in New Zealand. Well done to all of you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,” said Ridgway to Samoa News.

According to Ridgway, Magalasin and the rest of the Pacific Team players should be home at this time.

Here are the overall results of the Pacific Team during this ITF Tour to New Zealand:

12 & Under Waikato Boys Singles Champion: Larry Magalasin (American Samoa)

12 & Under Waikato Girls Singles Champion: Ruby Coffin (Fiji)

12 & Under Waikato Girls Singles Runner Up: Carol Lee (Northern Mariana Islands)

12 & Under Waikato Girls Doubles Champions: Ruby Coffin & Emma Maucotel (Vanuatu

12 & Under Waikato Girls Doubles Runner Up: Carol Lee & Isabel Heras (Northern Mariana Islands)

Defeated Auckland Tennis selection in the Pacific Challenge winning 19 matches to 13

12 & Under Auckland Christmas Tournament Boys Singles Champion: Reynald Taaroa (Tahiti)

12 & Under Auckland Christmas Tournament Boys Singles Runner Up: Larry Magalasin (American Samoa)

12 & Under Auckland Christmas Tournament Boys Doubles Champions: Harley Cronin (Samoa) & Larry Magalasin

12 & Under Auckland Christmas Tournament Boys Doubles Runner Up: Reynald Taaroa & Luther Lizama (Northern Mariana Islands)

12 & Under Auckland Christmas Tournament Girls Doubles Champions: Ruby Coffin & Carol Lee

12 & Under Auckland Christmas Tournament Girls Double Runner Up: Isabel Heras & Emma Maucotel

12 & Under Auckland Christmas Tournament Girls Singles Semi-Finalist: Ruby Coffin & Carol Lee

12 & Under Auckland Christmas Tournament Girls Singles Finalist: Emma Maucotel