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/.

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.