Teams bring spirit, teamwork at 2018 JTT 18U Nationals  

Team spirit was on full display at the 2018 Junior Team Tennis 18U National Championships as the top teams from across the country pinned their colors to the mast and represented their sections with energy, respect and pride.

Each of the squads created a team banner that they carried in to the opening ceremony at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Fla. That spirit and sportsmanship continued throughout the weekend as players showed teamwork, camerarderie and humility throughout the course of the National Championships.

Sportsmanship awards were presented to boys and girls in each of the advanced and Intermediate divisions.

In the Advanced division, the awards went to Annie Hoang from PNW Aces representing the USTA Pacific Northwest section and Lauren Michalcik from RH-91 of the USTA Missouri Valley section. Taking home the boys' honors were Ryan Cho, also of the PNW Aces, and Antonio Marsallo from the USTA Eastern section's Lobsters squad. 

In the Intermediate class, the girls' awards were presented to Andrea Jansson from SLP McCoy of the USTA Northern section; Tashanna Smith of Northwood Pulse from USTA Middle States ; and Caroline Wernli from ATA Dream Team representing the USTA Texas section.

The individual boys' winners were Ricky Dartawan from USTA Eastern section's Sportime Acers and Gabe Knowles from Northwood Pulse. 

In addition, a plaque was presented to the one squad that best exemplified team spirit. Awards were also presented to the teams in each division with the best banner.

The overall Team Spirit award went to Miami Chihuahuas of the USTA Florida section. The banner awards were given to Caribbean Waves from USTA Caribbean and The synergistic from the USTA Northern California section.