The Junior Team Tennis (JTT) Fall Sectional Championships concluded this past weekend in Palm Desert with nearly 700 players battling it out from Saturday, December 14th until Sunday, December 15th, hoping to be crowned champion before they left Tennis Paradise.

Matches were held across four sites in the desert including Omni Rancho Las Palmas, College of the Desert, Mission Hills Country Club and the historic Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

Play kicked off Saturday featuring round robin matches across all skill levels, with semifinals and finals matches being held on Sunday. Eight of the ten divisions played their final matches at Indian Wells to give the players a small taste of what it’s like to compete at the sport’s grandest stage.

Matches were held for the skill levels of Advanced (L5), Intermediate (L6) and Novice (L7) across the 18U, 14U and 12U age divisions. 10U teams also competed over the weekend at the Green Ball level.

Unlike traditional tennis at the junior level that features more individualized play, JTT brings together junior players for level-based team matches. Teams compete weekly in leagues throughout Southern California at local parks, public and private clubs, and community organizations, all aiming to advance to Sectionals by the end of their season. Six eligible players compete during each match, with two lines of play featuring singles and two lines featuring doubles. Match outcomes are determined by record in precedence of total games won.

JTT provides a distinctive environment where children can learn the value of teamwork and collaboration while on the court. Through working together toward shared goals in both practices and league matches, young athletes develop crucial communication and interpersonal skills. By supporting and depending on each other, they not only build stronger connections, but also learn important lessons in cooperation and mutual respect. The atmosphere of team tennis allows children to face challenges, resolve conflicts, and celebrate their achievements as a team.

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18U ADVANCED (L5) – Capping off a weekend with an undefeated record in team play, the Marina Vikings (Huntington Beach) secured the championship in the 18U Advanced division. Thrown into a flight with teams from Fontana, San Diego and Simi Valley, the Vikings went 3-0 in round robin play. Here, they had a more than impressive statline of 138-61 (Games W-L). Advancing to the championship match as the top-seeded team from their flight, Marina matched up against the Valter Pavia Tennis Academy (Lakewood), who entered the match with a team record of 2-0-1. In the finals, the Vikings prevailed once more, earning their title with a final score of 47-17.

18U INTERMEDIATE (L6) – Earning themselves a Sectionals Championship in the 18U Intermediate division, the Guzman Champs (Murrieta) put together an undefeated record in team play. In a pool with teams from Torrance, Tustin and La Jolla, the Guzman Champs were dominant, going 3-0 while amassing a statline of 126-89. Moving on to the finals, Guzman were pitted against a fellow undefeated squad in the Smashers (Diamond Bar). In a back-and-forth contest, the Guzman Champs narrowly edged out their opposition, securing their championship with a 37-31 victory.

18U NOVICE (L7) – The Glendora Tartans (Glendora) showcased their talent by capturing the title in the 18U Novice division. In round robin play, they faced teams from Escondido and Camarillo, finishing with a record of 0-0-2 and a statline of 75-69. Advancing to the playoffs, the Tartans first defeated the No. 4 seeded Tigers (Cerritos) with a dominant 40-26 victory. In the finals, they met the AlleyCats from Escondido once again and emerged victorious with a 41-33 win, securing the championship.

14U ADVANCED (L5) – Taking down the competition, PRC Tennis Power (Palos Verdes) claimed a Sectionals title in the 14U Advanced division, after leading the standings following the round robin. Within play, PRC Tennis Power squared off against teams from Los Angeles, Irvine, Cerritos and Fontana, where they ended their play with an record of 1-0-3 and a statline of 100-84. Their sole victory came against the runner ups in the form of Mountain Gate (Los Angeles). On the weekend, Mountain Gate formed a record of 2-2-0 with a statline of 91-96 to boot.

14U INTERMEDIATE (L6) – In a battle to the very finish, The Force (Fontana) squeaked out a championship victory in the 14U Intermediate division. A literal force to be reckoned with on the court, the squad out of Fontana was a nightmare for opponents early on. In round robin play, they won all three of their matches over teams from Manhattan Beach, Tustin and Simi Valley, all while not dropping an individual match or set. Here, they accumulated a statline of 96-29, which was more than enough to advance them into the championship match. In the finals, the Force took on Mika’s Tennis Academy (Van Nuys), who had been just as dominant in round robin play, going undefeated as well while only losing one individual match and set. Trading points back-and-forth, the two teams were ultimately locked in a tie when all was said and done. Each team sat at two individual matches and two sets won a piece, with both teams statlines each sitting at 26-26. To determine the overall champion, a 10-point tiebreaker ensured between the players of each team that were last to finish their previous match. In the end, the Force pulled out the tiebreak win, securing them the title as Sectionals champs.

14U NOVICE (L7) – Claiming a Sectionals title in the 14U Novice division, the LJBTC Waves (La Jolla) put the finishing touches on their stellar weekend with an impressive championship victory. In pool play, the Waves squared off against teams from Santa Monica, Brentwood and Rancho Cucamonga. Here, they amassed a record of 2-0-1 with a statline of 87-45, earning them the top-seed and a berth to the finals. In the championship, the Waves got the better of the Eagles (Anaheim), defeating them by a score of 28-17.

12U ADVANCED (L5) – Emerging as the top team from round robin play, the Crazy Bananas (Irvine) earned themselves the title as 12U Advanced champions. In this format, the Crazy Bananas completed a clean sweep over teams from Irvine, Westlake Village and Palos Verdes, compiling a record of 3-0 with only one individual match and set lost. In addition, they produced a statline of 91-34. Recognized as runner ups, The Hot Shots (Irvine) carried a record of 2-1 throughout play, along with a final statline of 77-54.

12U INTERMEDIATE (L6) – In the 12U Intermediate division, it was none other than the Elite Aces (Torrance) to earn the title as Sectionals champs when the weekend was all said and done. In the round robin, the Elite Aces took on teams from Fontana, Studio City and Cerritos and put together a record of 2-0-1 while accumulating a statline of 86-66. Moving on to the finals, the Elite Aces took on the Control Beasts (Simi Valley) in a thriller of a match. Here, both teams tied in individual match wins and sets won, but the Elite Aces ultimately had the edge in the end, defeating the Control Beasts 24-23.

12U NOVICE (L7) – Dominating their way through the competition, the LJBTC Sharks (La Jolla) were crowned the 12U Novice champions. In a pool consisting of teams from Anaheim, Fontana, Palos Verdes and Santa Monica, the Sharks went 3-0-1 with a total statline of 123-73. . The top-seed in their pool, the Sharks moved on to the finals, set to do battle with an undefeated Grey Gladiators (Laguna Niguel) squad. In an extremely tight knit contest with both teams tying in individual matches and sets won, the Sharks pulled out the victory by a final of 27-26.

10U GREEN BALL – Securing the championship in the 10U Green Ball division, the BBQ Ninjas (Fontana) were in control all weekend long. A powerhouse of a team, the BBQ Ninjas put together an undefeated record of 4-0 in their pool play matches against teams from Irvine, Chatsworth, San Diego and Palos Verdes. They only dropped a single set and individual match throughout, while producing a final statline of 91-32. Heading to the finale, they matched up against the Green Gladiators (Laguna Niguel), who had accrued the exact same total stats as the Ninjas in pool play. Taking home the trophy, the BBQ Ninjas defeated the Green Gladiators by a final of 21-15.

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Rounding out the Fall season of Junior Team Tennis, the 10U Orange Ball Sectional Championships will be held at Fountain Valley High School on Saturday, January 11th.

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Photos from the event this past weekend will be available on the USTA Southern California PhotoShelter.

Interested in playing Junior Team Tennis? Registrations for the Spring season are now open! Learn more about program offerings and discover your league area! Click here for more information.