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.