Since its inception in 2022, the SoCal Pro Series has been a launchpad for talent to shine in Southern California, preparing players both local and foreign to the region in taking the next steps to play professionally. For seven weeks between the months of May and July, top collegiate and junior players are given the opportunity to compete for valuable ATP and WTA points as well as a share of $210,000 in total prize money. While many players find their way into the SoCal Pro Series via direct qualification or a wild card request, others have to battle within Pre-Qualifiers and the newly launched SoCal Open Tour to have a shot at playing in the event.

In the third Pre-Qualifier of this summer, two of the most talented high schoolers in the Southern California section competed from May 11-14 at the University of San Diego (USD) to defend their home soil. In doing so, sixteen year-old Lexi Wolf from Pacific Palisades and fourteen year-old Tyler Lee of Tustin pulled off multiple upsets en route to each winning their respective singles’ draws. With their victories, Wolf and Lee each secured themselves a spot within the main draw of the third SoCal Pro Series event of the summer, taking place from June 10-16 at USD.

LEXI WOLF

Entering the USD Pre-Qualifier as the No. 4 seed, Lexi received a first-round bye before defeating four-star recruit from Menlo Park Andra Braicu, 6-2, 6-4. In the round of 16, Lexi faced eighth grader Armira Kockinis from La Habra Heights, winning 6-3, 6-2. She advanced to the quarterfinals, defeating No. 7 seed Yilin Chen from San Diego in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. In the semifinals, Lexi, as an underdog, faced No. 2 seed Simone Kay from Santa Monica, who entered the match having not lost a set herself. The five-star recruit out of Santa Monica did not go down easy, but ultimately it was Wolf once more that would secure the win and in doing so, her spot in the championship. Two of SoCal’s top class of 2026 players, Lexi and No. 3 seed Nicole Weng, faced off in the final. Both unbeaten in sets before the match, Nicole won the first set and Lexi took the second. In the decisive ten-point tiebreaker, Lexi won 10-4, clinching the victory and the main draw entry.

Adding a Pre-Qualifier championship and now a SoCal Pro Series appearance to her already impressive resume, Wolf is seemingly just getting started on her journey towards professional tennis, in what looks like a successful career for years to come. Prior to this event, the soon-to-be high school junior has been a force within the SoCal junior circuit and beyond.

Some of Wolf’s notable victories and accomplishments to date have come within the SoCal junior ranks, with much of her success coming over the last twelve months. This year, Wolf won two championships before the Pre-Qualifier: the Level 2 Girls’ 18s singles title in February and the Bruce Kleege ITF SoCal Junior Circuit doubles title in January with Sydney Barnhart. In 2023, she claimed the Level 1 National Doubles Championship in Florida with Kristina Nordikyan and won the Jim Hillman Doubles Sectionals with Daniela Borruel. Additionally, she won the Level 3 Girls’ 18s doubles with Barnhart and was a singles finalist for the Level 1 Girls’ 16s National Indoor Championships, also finishing as a doubles finalist with JoAnna Kennedy in the same event.

Uncommitted at the moment, Wolf will be a stellar addition to any collegiate program once the time comes. In the class of 2026, the five-star talent is currently heralded as the No. 26 ranked player in the nation, ranking as high as No. 7 in California and No. 8 in the Southwest as well.

As she looks toward the SoCal Pro Series, Wolf reflected on the joy that it was to compete in the Pre-Qualifier. Winning the event, however, was the cherry-on-top for Lexi, validating all of her efforts up to this point. 

“Winning the USD Pre-Qualifier was a huge honor and a great experience. It meant so much to me that I was able to play pretty local and compete against a lot of my peers, all of whom are very talented players,” Lexi stated. “This victory validated all the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my training and gave me the confidence to compete at a higher level.”

Eager for her opportunity to compete in the SoCal Pro Series, Lexi is excited to showcase her skills all the while learning from experienced players over the week. 

“I’m most looking forward to competing against college-level players and professional athletes in the SoCal Pro Series,” Lexi added. “It will be a great experience for me to have before going into college, and I’m excited to test my skills against some of the best players in the region. The high level of competition is thrilling, and I’m eager to gain valuable experience, learn from more seasoned players, and improve my game.”

TYLER LEE

Kicking off his time at the Pre-Qualifier, Tyler Lee first squared off against Calabasas’ Dylan Waldorf Martin. The No. 12 seed, Lee would be taken to a tiebreak in his first match, but ultimately pulled out the win over Martin by a score of 7-6 (1), 6-3. Advancing to the round of 32, Lee was matched up with his first international opponent of the event in the form of Brazil’s Emanuel Meneguetti. Continuing right where he left off, Lee was dominant once again, winning the match, 6-4, 6-4. In the round of 16, Lee had the cards stacked against him, as he faced No. 4 seeded Lucca Liu. Liu, a rising junior at UC Santa Barbara, was a five-star recruit himself out of Palo Alto and has carved out a successful collegiate career with the Gauchos thus far. Although the underdog, Tyler kept his same mentality against the veteran, taking Liu to his limits the entire time. When the match was all said and done, it would be the fourteen year old that would triumph over Liu, winning the match in a grueling three sets, 7-6 (2), 0-6, 10-3.

With now only eight players remaining, Lee took on Pacific Palisades’ Jack McGary, who was coming off multiple upset wins of his own. Tyler once more rolled through this match, beating McGary in straight sets 6-1, 6-4, earning his spot in the semifinals. Taking on No. 9 seed Marco Alvarez from Chula Vista, Lee would have his most dominant win of the tournament yet, steamrolling his opponent by a final of 6-2, 6-0. In the championship, Lee was once again tasked with facing an experienced collegiate talent, as he went toe to toe with University of Nevada’s Juan Ignacio Batalla Diez. Each taking a set by a score of 6-2, it all came down to a tiebreaker where Lee prevailed in a nailbiter, 10-8. Taking down the two time All-Mountain West honoree, this victory was just one of many that demonstrates why Tyler Lee belongs in the SoCal Pro Series main draw.

The rising sophomore at Beckman High School heads into the summer not only coming off this Pre-Qualifier win, but also a very impressive year playing for the Patriots. Most recently, Tyler and high school teammate Caden Lee were crowned 2024 Boys’ Doubles champions at the CIF Ojai Tennis Tournament. Not long before that, Tyler won the 2024 Pacific Coast League Boys Singles’ Championship over Brady Tallakson, whom he teamed up with three weeks prior to clinch the Boys’ 16s Doubles title with at the 2024 Fila Easter Bowl.

Other accolades for Lee include three consecutive Final 8 Junior Masters Championships titles from 2021-2023, a 2023 Bryan Bros Doubles Race championship, a Level 2 singles championship, two Level 3 singles championships, a Level 4 singles championship, a Level 1 Winter Nationals singles and doubles Championship with Andy Johnson, a Junior Sectionals Boys’ 14s Singles Championship, a Boys’ 12s doubles title in the 2022 Easter Bowl, a 2022 Level 1 Winter Nationals Doubles Championship, and a Mixed 16s Junior Sectional Doubles championship alongside Reagan Levine.

Currently uncommitted, the phenom is bound to have multiple universities lining up for a chance to have his talents grace their campus. The blue-chip recruit is currently ranked as one of the best prospects in the class of 2027, reaching as high as No. 5 nationally, while currently being regarded as the No. 1 player in both California and the Southwest. 

Heading into the SoCal Pro Series, Lee is eager to have the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious tournament, and looks to carry a level of poise and confidence from his success in the Pre-Qualifier with him on the court.

“I’m excited to experience such a high level tournament through the lens of a player, and I’m looking forward to testing myself against whoever I happen to play,” Tyler mentioned. “Winning this Pre-Qualifier was a nice confidence boost, because it showed I can hang with older guys and that I’m on the right path.”

All eyes now look to June 11th, where Lexi and Tyler will have the chance to continue shining in one of the biggest events of their young careers, facing some of their toughest opponents to date in the SoCal Pro Series.

–

Follow along with the SoCal Pro Series on Instagram and Facebook.