PREVIEW -- 2015 NEW BALANCE HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

In less than a week some of the nation's top high school tennis players will be traveling to Boston, Massachusetts and the campus of Harvard University for the 2nd Annual New Balance High School Tennis Championships presented by USTA. The event, which will take place July 20-23, was developed by New Balance with the goal of supporting and recognizing all high school tennis players and coaches and the dedication they bring to the game.

The event is presented by the United Stated Tennis Association (USTA) because of the strong alignment of both organizations’ goals to promote and develop the sport of tennis, as well as the USTA’s extensive experience managing tennis events. “The USTA is proud to support this extraordinary event and we recognize that the high school tennis experience leaves a lasting impact for so many,” said Dave Haggerty, Immediate Past President of the USTA. “These efforts and contributions aim to help raise the profile of high school tennis – and the sport as a whole.”

The tournament features a 64-player non-elimination compass draw for both the boys' and girls' singles events with all participants guaranteed four matches in tournament play. Winners of the New Balance High School Tennis Championship are awarded wildcard spots to the ITF International Hard Court Championships held in College Park, Maryland.

In 2015, players will not only experience playing against some of the nation’s best players at Harvard University’s Beren Tennis Center, but will have loads of fun during the event. "We have put a lot of work and are very excited about the social activities we have planned for the players throughout the tournament week," said Evan Zeder, Sports Marketing Manager for Tennis at New Balance. Each participant will receive a premium player’s package featuring New Balance shoes and apparel. Players will also get to experience free on-site lunch at the Harvard Business School Café, a Welcome Dinner at Harvard University's Hall of History, pizza parties, a performance by the world renowned Blue Man Group, and a trip to famous Fenway Park.

Zeder said "I can promise that every player who is selected into the event will have an incredible and memorable experience!"

BOYS PREVIEW
Defending Champion: Matt Kuhar (Smithfield HS, Smithfield, RI)

Top Players: Michael Chen (Holmdel HS, Holmdel, NJ); Chambers Easterling (Spartanburg HS, Spartanburg, SC); Galen Lee (Etowah HS, Woodstock, GA); Jackson Suh (Issaquah HS, Bellevue, WA); Jeremy Yuan (Northview HS, John Creek, GA)

By the Numbers:
Average UTR - 11.73
UTR Above 12.0 - 25
UTR 11.0 - 12.0 - 34
UTR Below 11.0 - 5

Players by State: Alaska (1), Alabama (1), California (3), Connecticut (3), Florida (3), Georgia (8), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (10), Maryland (1), Maine (1), Minnesota (1), North Carolina (3), North Dakota (1), New Jersey (7), New York (6), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (2), Rhode Island (1), South Carolina (2), Texas (1), Utah (1), Virginia (4) Washington (2)

GIRLS PREVIEW
Defending Champion: Madison Clark (Xavier College Prep School, Phoenix, AZ)

Top Players: Anna Li (North Allegheny HS, Wexford, PA); Allison McCann (Amherst HS, Amherst, MA); Jenna Moustafa (Harvard-Westlake HS, Los Angeles, CA); Sarah Rahman (Bronx School of Science, East Elmhurst, NY); Nina Sorkin (Deep Run HS, Glen Allen, VA)

By the Numbers:
Average UTR - 8.91
UTR Above 10.0 - 3
UTR 9.0 - 10.0 - 26
UTR Below 9.0 - 35

Players by State: Alabama (1), Arizona (2), California (4), Connecticut (3), District of Columbia (1), Delaware (1), Georgia (2), Kansas (1), Massachusetts (7), Maryland (5), Maine (1), Michigan (2), North Carolina (1), New Jersey (3), New Mexico (1), New York (5), Ohio (2), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (6), Rhode Island (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (4), Utah (1), Virginia (7), Vermont (1)

For more information on the New Balance High School Tennis Championships please visit their website at http://www.nbtennischampionship.com/.