For a first-timer, you'd have to say Kalani High's Jared Spiker did pretty well.

Playing in his first state boys tennis tournament, Spiker capped an undefeated season with a 7-6, 6-3 victory over Kevin Caulfield in the title match.

Spiker became the first boys winner from the Oahu Interscholastic Association in 26 years.

A junior, Spiker swept to 23 consecutive victories this season. He didn't drop a set.

"He's a coach's dream," said Kalani coach Matt Lee, who benefitted from Spiker's transfer from Kaiser. "He's an awesome kid. Real humble."

Lee said Spiker's mental toughness carried him through the OIA tournament and then states. As the competition got more fierce, Spiker's game got better. "His mental game is awesome," Lee said. "That's what really sets him apart."

Spiker agrees.

"Usually in a match, if I fall behind or miss a shot, I don't panic," Spiker said.

His mettle was tested big-time during a semifinal victory over Joshua Wong of Hilo High. Wong raced to a 5-1 lead in the opening set before Spiker got control of his game.

"I came out sloppy and he hit some good shots," Spiker said. "I just told myself to stay focused, stay relaxed and just play my game."

Spiker fought back to tie the set at 5 and then took control of the match.

"After I tied it at 5, everything was back to square one," Spiker said. "I think he was deflated after blowing that big lead."

Spiker took the final two games of the opening set and then rolled to victory in the second set, 6-0.

The test continued in the title match. Caulfield broke Spiker at love in the opening game, but Spiker broke back to tie it.

Spiker then dropped four of the next six games and was serving at 3-5, 30-all when the strings on his racket broke. After and equipment change, he held serve and then broke Caulfield to tie it at 5.

The players held serve and went to a tie-breaker. Once there, Spiker left little doubt, picking up the first three points and winning, 7-3.

"Caulfield tried everything he could to slow Jared down," Lee said, "but Jared didn't let anything bother him. He realized what he had to do and just did it."

Spiker said his 6-3 victory in the second set was tougher than the score indicated and after more than two hours he could call himself a state champ.

That's something of a family tradition in the Spiker household. Spiker's brother Jason, a senior at Kaiser, won a wrestling state title earlier this year and Jonathan won four straight state wrestling crowns for St. Louis from 2000 to 2003.

Spiker credits his dad, John Spiker, for helping develop the brothers' penchant for coming up big when the spotlight is brightest.

"He knows about hard work, focus and mental toughness."