New England Juniors Return to National Stage
WESTBOROUGH, MA - It’s been nearly 12 months since New England junior players have competed on the national stage. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancelation of major national USTA tournaments and championships in 2020, and the Level 2 event from February 6-8 was the first National tournament played since USTA National Spring Team Championships concluded in March 2020.
New England came out in droves for this year’s first L2, as 85 junior players competed at 13 of the 40 sites across the country, and played as far away as Texas and South Dakota. Tournaments were all singles and featured 32-player draws.
“I am extremely impressed by the level of performance of our New England players. It hasn't been easy to stay on top of their games during COVID-19, and yet it seems they've come back from the break even stronger than before,” said Shawna Fors, USTA New England Director of Player Development.
Wenham, MA’s Syndey Jara and Windsor, CT’s Olivia Lincer shined for the girls, each dominating the field on their way to individual championships. On the boys’ side, Westport, CT’s Alex Visser led the way with a run to the finals.
Jara cruised through the competition in the Girls’ 14s tournament in Erie, PA. The No. 2 seed didn’t drop a set all weekend and defeated top overall seed, Kayla Chung, of Philadelphia, 6-3, 6-3, in the finals.
Lincer, the No. 1 seed in the Giris’ 18s draw at Longfellow Nashua, defeated unseeded Meera Jesudason (Berwyn, PA) in the finals, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0, to clinch the title.
Visser, who was unseeded, took down No. 2 Nicolas Kotzen (Short Hills, NJ) in the first round and New England rival, Walker Oberg (Weston, MA), in the quarterfinals of the Boys’ 18s tournament in New York City. Visser eventually fell to top seeded Michael Zheng (Montville, NJ), 2-6, 0-6, in the finals.
Sydney Jara won her Girls' 14s tournament.
Alex Visser reached the finals of his Boys' 18s tournament.
- Sydney Jara won her Girls' 14s tournament.
- Alex Visser reached the finals of his Boys' 18s tournament.
Other top New England performers include:
Semifinals - Olivia Cutone of Kennebunkport, ME – Girls’ 14s in Glen Cove, NY
Semifinals - Agassi Rusher of Amherst, NH – Boys’ 12s in Binghamton, NY
Quarterfinals - Walker Oberg of Weston, MA – Boys’ 18s in New York, NY
Quarterfinals - Zach Schwartz of Newton, MA – Boys’ 18s in New York, NY
Quarterfinals - Matisse Farzam, of Norwalk, CT – Boys’ 16s in Port Chester, NY
Quarterfinals - Harry Collomb of Wellesley, MA – Boys’ 16s in Sioux Falls, SD
Quarterfinals - Nancy Lee f Belmont, MA – Girls’ 12s in New Windsor, NY
Quarterfinals - Naomi Wachira of Norwalk, CT – Girls’ 12s in New Windsor, NY
Quarterfinals - Kaden Chen of Westborough, MA – Boys’ 12s in Binghamton, NY
Quarterfinals - Kai Collins of Norwalk, CT – Boys’ 12s in Deer Park, TX
Quarterfinals - Jacob Pletka of Andover, MA – Boys’ 12s in Hilton Head, SC
For a full list of upcoming junior tournaments, visit Play Tennis.
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