HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYERS ADVANCE TO US OPEN NATIONAL PLAYOFFS

The 2015 US Open National Playoff Sectional Qualifying events have seen a recent surge in success by high school tennis stars across the country. By winning the 15 Sectional Qualifying tournaments players advance to the US Open National Playoffs Championship events to be held during the Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies. The US Open National Playoffs men’s and women’s singles champions earn a wild card into the US Open Qualifying Tournament, held the week prior to the US Open. The US Open National Playoffs men’s, women’s and mixed doubles champions receive a wild card into the main draw of the 2015 US Open. 

FLORIDA

Women's Doubles -- Lauren Proctor - The Lakewood Ranch senior competed in her first year of high school tennis this spring and was a key component of the Mustangs Florida Class 3A State Championship team. Proctor, a Winthrop signee, said “Winning the state title as a team was incredible," The five-star recruit went on to claim her spot in the US Open National Playoffs Women's Doubles division winning the Florida Sectional Qualifier with Wyoming signee Miranda Talbert. The duo defeated Heather Kaiser and Sheronda Thompson of Gainesville 6-1, 6-0 in the women's doubles final. Proctor narrowly missed qualifying for the US Open Nation Playoffs in the Women's Singles tournament, falling 7-6 (4), 6-2 to Yukako Noi of Japan in the final.

MID-ATLANTIC
Women's Doubles -- Lizzie Baker - The National Cathedral School sophomore was dominant in the first year of the DCSSAA Tennis Championships claiming the Girl's Singles Championship without dropping a set. Baker teamed with Blue-chip recruit and Junior Tennis Champions Center training partner Mackenzie Clark to defeat former George Mason University player Catherine Crisostomo and Manhattan College alum Lindsey Keeler, 6-2 6-1.

MIDDLE STATES

Women's Doubles -- Kate Fahey - The Fair Haven senior and University of Michigan signee sat out her junior year of high school to focus on USTA events and improving her record. Fahey saw her national ranking rocket from 50th in the country to 5th and committed to play her college tennis with the Wolverines. With pressure off her back Fahey returned to the high school team winning the New Jersey Singles State Championship she desired so much. Her outstanding performance earned her NHSCA Girls Tennis Athlete of the Year honors. Fahey claimed her spot in the US Open National Playoff by winning the Middle States Sectional Qualifier with fellow New Jersey junior star Rima Asatrian. The duo defeated Rutgers freshman Chloe Lee and Rutgers junior Gina Li 6-4, 6-1 in the finals.

MIDWEST

Men's Singles -- Martin Joyce - The Hinsdale Central senior and Ohio State signee was awarded the top overall seed for the US Open National Playoff Midwest Qualifier. Following an outstanding high school tennis season that concluded with Joyce's second Illinois Singles State Championship. Joyce was selected as an All-American and the 2014-15 National High School Tennis Association Player of the Year. The former Red Devil defeated Indiana University Sophomore Matthew McCoy 6-4; 7-5 in the final. “It was a lot of fun and I was really happy with how I played,” Joyce said. “It was very cool. There are a lot of really good guys out here; a lot of college guys I haven’t seen before, so it was a lot of fun,” he said.

Women's Singles & Doubles -- Sara Daavettila - The Williamston junior and North Carolina commit has quickly risen to become one of the nation's top junior tennis prospects. The high school junior is the only high school player to qualify for the US Open National Playoffs in both singles and doubles. Daavettila won her second straight Michigan Division 3 Singles Sate Championship this spring. She finished her season with a 24-0 record without dropping a single game in any of her matches. The University of North Carolina commit has currently won 295 straight games in her high school career. Daavettila claimed her championship in the Women's Singles division with a thrilling 6-7(5); 6-3; 6-2 victory over junior tennis star and doubles teammate Alyvia Jones. Following the singles battle the pair partnered to claim the Women’s Doubles competition with a 7-6, 6-2 victory over University of Illinois sophomore Jerricka Boone and Stony Brook sophomore Adesuwa Osabuohien.

MISSOURI VALLEY

Women's Doubles -- Josephine Cao - The Shawnee Mission West junior has found great success at the high school level. The four-star recruit went 20-1 this fall winning the Kansas Class 6A Doubles State Championship with her sister Katherine. Cao partnered with fellow Kansas junior Dilara Spicer to take down Edmond Memorial High freshman Isabella Dunlap and Edmonth North High freshman Kinsey Fields 6-2, 7-5 claiming the US Open National Playoff Missouri Valley Qualifying spot for Women's Doubles.

NEW ENGLAND

Women's Singles -- Emma Davis - The Cohasset senior and Wake Forest signee stamped her ticket to the US Open National Playoff with a dominant performance defeating Yale freshman Carol Finke 6-1, 6-1 in the championship match. “Davis displayed beautiful, clean groundstrokes that allowed her to create an overwhelming offensive attack, said Woody Freeman, USTA New England Tournament and Rankings Manager. Nearly a week after winning the New England Sectional Qualifier Davis won her fourth straight Massachusetts Singles State Championship to finish her high school career 84-0. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that Davis never dropped a set in her high school career.

NORTHERN

Men's Doubles -- Jackson Allen - The Shakopee sophomore captured third place in Minnesota's Class AA Singles State Championship this spring. Allen played the No. 1 singles position for the Sabers who spent most of the season ranked No. 2 in the Minnesota Coaches Association Class 2A poll. Allen partnered with Forest Lake senior Toby Boyer to claim their spot in the US Open National Playoff. It was a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Wayzata High junior Nick Beaty and Minneapolis South High senior Jesse Sprinkel that stamped the duo ticket to the US Open National Playoff.

Men's Doubles -- Toby Boyer - The Forest Lake senior capped off quite a high school career this spring. Boyer, a Nebraska signee, won the Minnesota's Class AA Singles State Championship this spring following back-to-back runner-up finishes. The future Cornhusker is the top ranked senior in the state of Minnesota. Boyer partnered with Shakopee sophomore Jackson Allen to win the Northern Sectional Qualifier of the US Open National Playoff in the Men's Doubles Division. The pair defeated Wayzata High junior Nick Beaty and Minneapolis South High senior Jesse Sprinkel 6-3, 6-4 for the title.

Women's Doubles -- Jessie Aney - The Rochester Century senior put on quite a show this spring as she played high school tennis for the first time since her freshman. Aney, a University of North Carolina signee, made her impact playing for the Panther's boys team. The senior who won a pair of girls state titles as an eighth grader and freshman finished the regular season as the undefeated Section 1 champion. Aney eventually lost in the Minnesota Class AA Singles State Semifinals to State Champion Toby Boyer of Forest Lake. Aney who narrowly missed qualifying for the Women's Singles Division with a loss in the championship to Alexis Nelson. Aney went on to partner with Nelson to claim the Women's Doubles title with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Chanhassen High junior Hayley Haakenstad and Edina High senior Caitlyn Merzbacher.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Men's Singles -- Victor Pham - The Menlo senior and Columbia signee already had already completed an All-American season prior to his Sectional Qualifying victory. Pham who played the No. 1 Singles spot for the Knights was selected to the All-Tournament team at the prestigious National Invitational Boys High School Team Tennis Tournament . Pham's success helped lead Menlo to a record tying 7th consecutive Central Coast Section Team Tournament title. Pham qualified for the US Open National Playoff by winning the NorCal Sectional Qualifier. Despite a number of three set challenges throughout the event, Pham rose to the occasion defeating Northwestern freshman Logan Staggs, 6-3, 6-3 in the championship.

HEAD OF THE CLASS -- 2014-15 BOYS TOP 5 TEAMS

The 2014-15 National High School Tennis Association Boys Post Season Tennis Rankings are out. We are pleased to announce that these five outstanding teams made our Top 5.

1. San Marino (San Marino, CA) 61.61

San Marino, a 2015 California Southern Regional semifinalist, ranks atop our 2014-15 National High School Tennis Association Rankings. San Marino's lineup was led by the duo of junior All-American selection Ryan Cheng and UCLA signee Daniel Gealer. Sophomore Bryce Pereira and junior Derek Chen led the charge for the Titans in doubles capturing the teams first California Southern Sectional doubles title since 1972. Junior Connor Lee, a four-star recruit, capped off the Titans Power 5 lineup. San Marino's accomplishments also include a seventh place finish at the 2015 National Invitational Boys High School Team Tennis Tournament.

2. Menlo (Atherton, CA) 60.99

Menlo has long been a power at both the state and national level and things were no different this spring as the Knights won their seventh consecutive Central Coast Section and Northern California Regional Titles. Senior All-American Victor Pham, a Columbia signee, led the way for the Knights at the top singles position. California commit Gunther Matta played the No. 2 singles position for Menlo. Siddharth Chari marked the only freshman in Menlo's Power 5 playing the No.3 singles position. The Knights doubles lineup was led by Vanderbilt signee Vikram Chari and junior Lane Leschly. The Knights achievements also include a Runner-Up finish at the 2015 National Invitational Boys High School Team Tennis Tournament.

3. Chattahoochee (Johns Creek, GA) 59.27

Chattahoochee High School has long been among the top teams in the state of Georgia. But this year's boys tennis team rose to the top 5 of the national rankings without a single All-American on their roster. Widespread talent was the theme for the Cougars this year. However, despite a roster that included collegiate signees Colton Phillips (Abraham Baldwin) and Alvaro Godroy (Air Force) the Cougars fell to eventual state champion Walton, ranked sixth in the country, in the Georgia Class 6A quarterfinals. The Hooch's top 5 also included a trio of four-star recruits in sophomores Daniel Li, Kevin Huynh and Steven Huynh. The Cougars 2015 resume includes a regional championship over the nation's 11th ranked Johns Creek. 

4. Hinsdale Central (Hinsdale, IL) 58.51

The Red Devils won their fourth consecutive Illinois High School State Championship this spring, the first team in more than 40 years to accomplish the feat. Hinsdale Central was led by Ohio State signee Martin Joyce, Dartmouth signee Eddie Grabill and Wisconsin signee Lope Adelakun. Joyce, an All-American selection, win his second career Illinois High School Singles State Championship after joining the team late this spring. All-American selection Eddie Grabill, finished the season fourth in the state in singles. Lope Adelakun partnered with four-star junior Michael Czlonka to take fifth place in the state in doubles. Red Devil freshman Zach Elliott was half of the doubles team that advanced to the consolation quarterfinals of the state tournament. Among Hinsdale Central's accomplishments are a third place finish at the 2015 DecoTurf High School Tennis Team Championships.

5. Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC) 58.31

Spartanburg captured their second straight South Carolina Class 4A State Championship this spring to cap off their second straight season with an undefeated record against in state opponents. Led by sophomore All-American Chambers Easterling the Vikings outscored their opponents 29-1 in state tournament play. Easterling also captured his second straight South Carolina Class 4A/3A Singles State Championship. Junior Noah Nawabi was a singles state semifinalist, eventually falling to Easterling. Three-star sophomore Omar Williams joined his teammates in the singles state tournament advancing to the consolation quarterfinals. The Vikings roster also includes five-star recruit Phillip Jordan, 8th grader, and four-star recruit Bryce Keim, a freshman. The Vikings finished fourth at the 2015 DecoTurf High School Tennis Team Championships.

Please note that all of our rankings were compiled using a Power 5 formula based on the Universal Tennis Rating system to determine the most talented teams in America. Also our list of teams include only teams that are sanctioned members of their state high school athletic association. To view the entire Top 75 Boys Rankings click here.

2014-15 BOYS TENNIS PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Martin Joyce • Senior • Hinsdale Central

Martin Joyce of Hinsdale Central in hist first round match during the Illinois
Boys State Championships. Bob Chwedyk / Daily Herald Staff Photographer

In the Midwest tennis hotbed of Chicago, Hinsdale Central's Martin Joyce has been atop the food chain for the past four years. Joyce, who initially was going to sit out his senior year after signing with Ohio State University, returned to the Red Devils lineup exactly one month prior to the state championships. Joyce, quickly returned to top form winning the No. 2 singles flight and giving Hinsdale Central the team championship at the Pitchford 32-team Invitational just a week after returning to the team.

Joyce's return not only kept Hinsdale Central as the favorite to capture their fourth straight team state championship this spring, but also gave him an opportunity to capture his second singles state title. The Red Devil senior whose resume already included a fourth place finish as a freshman, championship as a sophomore and runner-up finish as a junior was poised for a historic run. After receiving the top overall seed, the blue-chip recruit rolled through the state tournament field without dropping a set until meeting Vanderbilt signee Alex Ross in the semi-finals. Joyce pulled through to meet Ross' brother Gianni, the 4th ranked sophomore in the nation, in the finals where he sealed his second straight Singles State Championship with a 6-4, 6-3 victory. The victory by Joyce also helped seal Hinsdale Central's fourth straight Illinois Team State Championship. 

Hinsdale Central coach John Naisbitt, who described Joyce's return as a "surprise", described the importance of the senior saying "Having Martin is a huge plus for us, he's a great competitor. It's a great shot in the arm for our program. He's one of the best players in Illinois and in the country."

Joyce, currently ranked 14th in the senior class by Tennis Recruiting Network, has also had plenty of success in USTA tournaments this year including a championship at the USTA National Selection Tournament (GlenCove, NY) and runner-up finishes at the USTA Midwest L1 Indoor Closed and USTA Midwest Outdoor Closed Championships. Joyce's success also includes a championship at the U.S. Open Playoff Midwest Sectional which qualifies him for the U.S. Open National Playoff and a chance at a wildcard birth in the 2015 US Open.

The Hinsdale Central graduate will certainly stay a household name in the Midwest as he has signed to play his collegiate tennis at Ohio State University. Joyce was also named the 2015 National High School Coaches Association Boy's Tennis Athlete of the Year.