August 7th, 2017
Miami Teams Sweep USTA Florida Junior Team Tennis Sectionals, Advance to Nationals
Miami juniors proved themselves the kings and queens of Junior Team Tennis in the state of Florida for 2017.
The co-ed Miami Tornados and the Miami Thunder were the 14-under and 18-under champions at the 2017 USTA Florida Junior Team Tennis Sectional Championships in July, and advanced to represent Florida at the USTA Junior Team Tennis National Championships in September at the USTA National Campus in Orlando.
The Miami Tornados finished ahead of the Treasure Bay Swashbucklers in the 14-under-intermediate division, while the Miami Thunder won the all-Miami 18-under-intermediate division final, finishing ahead of the Miami Lightning.
“We achieved because we believed,” said Kara Borromeo, who with partner Lee Pettis captained both Miami winning teams. “We trained harder and played smarter. All the players on both of these teams understood that in order to win they needed to play as a team. Our ultimate goals are to win and have fun under the Florida sun.”
18 & Under Division
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14 & Under Division
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The 14-under champion Miami Tornados were captained by Lee Pettis and included players Fronz Emmanuelle Laranang Bagayas, Andres Reynoso, Jaime Duran Perez, Sofia Isabella Palomino, Gabriela Martinez, Xiann Palenque and Jessica Bustamante.
The 14-under runners-up Treasure Bay Swashbucklers were captained by Michael Girardi and included players Julia Pierce, Sara Simmons, Ana Lense, Noah Riedle, Morgan Overman and Jay Melnick.
The 18-under champion Miami Thunder were captained by Kara Borromeo and included players Sara Christine Hartzell, Julian Lara, Deanna Vasserman, Anthony John Quetani, Khyl Gabriel Sostre and Frances Alonso.
The 18-under runners-up Miami Lightning were captained by Cyndi Johnston and included players Ray Azar, Kathrina Etienne, Alyson Nicolle Palma, Tyler Benjamin, Joseph Lewis Glidden, Zamanda Alonso and Hana Newby.
“The Florida section championships mark the end of the local Junior Team Tennis season and gives the players an opportunity to compete for a title while bonding with other players on and off the court,” said USTA Florida Junior Team Tennis Coordinator Liz Coates. “We wish to celebrate all of the teams who participated and wish our Florida champions the best of luck at the USTA JTT National Championships.”
https://www.facebook.com/ustaflorida/videos/10155120663218197/
The 14-under JTT nationals will be held on Sept. 21-24, and the 18-under nationals on Sept. 28-Oct. 1, both at the USTA National Campus in Orlando.
Established in 1991, USTA Junior Team Tennis provides youth with all of the health and social benefits of tennis in a coed, fun and competitive team environment — all while allowing participants to compete with and against individuals of similar ages and skill levels. With more than 85,000 players competing nationwide, USTA Junior Team Tennis brings players together to enjoy camaraderie and teamwork, providing a fun environment for kids to learn that succeeding is really more about how they play the game — win or lose.
For more information on USTA Junior Team Tennis in Florida go to www.ustaflorida.com/JTT.
