Celebrating Character, Growth, and Excellence
at the 2025 Junior Awards Banquet

On Saturday, November 1, the Long Beach Marriott celebrated Southern California’s outstanding young athletes at the 2025 Junior Awards. These honors recognize juniors who excel not only on the court but also through character, integrity, and dedication, inspiring those around them and strengthening the values of tennis throughout the region.

Tennis thrives in Southern California thanks to passionate players, coaches, officials, families, and volunteers, and this night highlighted a select group of juniors whose leadership, sportsmanship, and love for the game set them apart. Each recipient was celebrated for the pride, grace, and commitment they bring to tennis, earning honors that reflect both achievement and impact. From lifetime sportsmanship to competitive excellence, the 2025 honorees embody the heart of Southern California tennis: athletes who compete with intensity, lead by example, and uplift everyone around them.

Evelyn Houseman Lifetime Sportsmanship Award

The Evelyn Houseman Lifetime Junior Sportsmanship Award is the highest honor in Southern California junior tennis, recognizing players who consistently demonstrate respect, fairness, and positivity. Traditionally awarded to one boy and one girl, it honors juniors who pair elite performance with exceptional character and leadership. Past recipients include Mike and Bob Bryan, Sam Querrey, Marcos Giron, Ena Shibahara, Brandon Holt, and USTA Southern California Board Member Neel Grover. Winners receive a lifetime USTA membership, reflecting the award’s prestige and lasting significance.

This year, the award honors two remarkable young women: Buena Park’s Daniela “Dani” Borruel and Fallbrook’s Emily Deming. Both have earned admiration from peers, coaches, and officials for their steady leadership, humility, and respect for the game. Blue-chip recruits, they are now freshmen at Division I programs—Dani at USC and Emily at the University of Georgia. Their on-court achievements are exceptional, but it is their character, kindness, and dedication to uplifting others that make them especially deserving of this award.

Dani has distinguished herself through talent and consistency, winning two CIF Southern Section Individual Singles titles, finishing three times as a finalist, and earning Freshman of the Year in 2021 and 2023 Player of the Year honors from the Orange County Register. She reached the doubles semifinals at the 2022 CIF Southern Section Championships, won three Junior Doubles Sectionals titles, and is currently ranked No. 3 in California, with career-high ITF singles and junior rankings of 995 and 916. Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Dani has volunteered consistently at USTA SoCal events, particularly those celebrating Hispanic heritage and supporting the Hispanic community. Off the court, she enjoys hiking, movies, and family time and aspires to complete her degree at USC, pursue a master’s, and continue embodying the integrity and kindness she has shown throughout her tennis journey.

Emily, ranked No. 17 nationally and No. 4 in California by the Tennis Recruiting Network, has built a junior career marked by both performance and integrity. She captured the 2023 Level 1 USTA Winter Nationals Doubles title, earned Gold Ball honors in Girls’ 18s Doubles at the 2024 Winter Nationals, and represented Southern California on the 2023 and 2024 Battle of the Sections teams, helping secure back-to-back championships. Emily was a doubles finalist at the 2025 Easter Bowl, where she also received the FILA Easter Bowl Girls’ 18s National Junior Sportsmanship Award. Off the court, she enjoys family time, board games, and reading, and hopes to build a successful college tennis career, give back to her community, and eventually pursue marketing. Although training in Georgia, her father accepted her award on her behalf.

Dani and Emily’s leadership, character, and love for the game leave a lasting legacy on Southern California tennis and exemplify the true spirit of sportsmanship.

Player of the Year

The Player of the Year Awards celebrate athletes who have reached the pinnacle of excellence, achieving outstanding results on the court while demonstrating integrity, focus, and a true love for the game. This year, USTA Southern California honored three juniors whose exceptional performances and leadership set them apart both regionally and nationally.

Boys’ Player of the Year: Keaton Hance

Keaton Hance of Torrance has had a phenomenal year nationally and internationally. A student at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School APEX, he balances academics with elite tennis, inspired by Rafael Nadal. Earlier this year, Keaton and partner Jack Kennedy reached the semifinals at the French Open Juniors. He finished fourth at the Boys’ 18s National Hard Courts in Kalamazoo and went on to win the Boys’ Doubles title at the 2025 US Open Juniors.

Currently ranked No. 20 in the ITF Junior World Rankings with a career high of No. 19, Keaton also captured a J300 title in Barranquilla, Colombia, and reached the semifinals at the J300 in Indian Wells. A three-time Junior Davis Cup Champion, he has committed to play collegiate tennis at the University of Texas. Off the court, he enjoys skimboarding, drumming, and guitar, crediting his family and coach Jose at the USTA for their support. He is currently training in Florida for upcoming professional events.

Girls’ Players of the Year: Julieta Pareja and Alyssa Ahn

Carlsbad’s Julieta Pareja and San Diego’s Alyssa Ahn have represented Southern California with distinction, demonstrating elite competitiveness and inspiring younger players.

Julieta made a remarkable leap onto the international stage. After becoming the youngest champion in history at the 2024 SoCal Pro Series in Rancho Santa Fe, she reached both the junior singles and doubles finals at Wimbledon at age 16 and rose to No. 1 in the junior world rankings by August. She became the youngest WTA Tour semifinalist since Coco Gauff in 2019, captured three major junior titles, reached the Roland Garros Juniors quarterfinals, earned a US Open wild card, and helped her team win the Billie Jean King Cup Juniors in Turkey. Currently ranked No. 5 in the ITF Junior Girls World Rankings, she continues to demonstrate consistency, determination, and poise. Off the court, she enjoys reading and remains focused on pursuing a professional career.

Alyssa also had a breakout 2025 season. The now-Stanford Cardinal turned a wildcard entry into a championship at the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships, earning a US Open main draw wild card and becoming only the third player this century to capture both the Girls’ 16s and 18s titles. She made her Grand Slam debut against world No. 21 Elise Mertens and reached her first professional final during the SoCal Pro Series at the University of San Diego. Alyssa also won the 2024 FILA International Junior Championships Doubles title, reached three USTA Pro Circuit semifinals, and claimed the 2025 ITA Division One Women’s Northwest Regional Championships. Off the court, she enjoys time with family and friends, discovering new food spots, and relaxing at the beach. Her long-term goal is to pursue a professional tennis career while helping her team win national titles. Her parents proudly accepted the award on her behalf.

Most Improved Player

The Most Improved Player Award recognizes athletes whose dedication and development have propelled their games to new heights. Matteo Huarte and Isabelle Nguyen exemplify passion, focus, and perseverance.

Matteo, a standout at Mater Dei High School with a 3.8 GPA, improved his UTR from 10.38 to 12.33 and rose from No. 566 nationally to the top 65 in the Boys’ 18s. Highlights include winning the Boys’ 18s L4 Closed Yamasaki, L4 Long Beach, and L3 Lakewood events, reaching the semifinals at the Boys’ 18s Henry Talbert, and finishing as a finalist at the CIF Boys High School Event in Ojai. Matteo is also MVP of the Mater Dei Boys Tennis Team. Inspired by Learner Tien, he aims to continue his tennis journey at USC while pursuing a business degree.

Isabelle, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA at Elite Academic Academy, earned the 2024 Easter Bowl Sportsmanship Award, finished fourth in the event, was named Billie Jean King Player of the Day, and captured multiple 2025 L4 and L5 titles in singles and doubles. Since her Green Ball beginnings in 2022, Isabelle has steadily risen through the ranks, displaying skill, dedication, and exemplary sportsmanship. Off the court, she enjoys baking, reading, and art, and hopes to compete at the top Division I collegiate level and ultimately play in a Grand Slam.

Junior Sportsmanship Award Winners

These awards honor respect, integrity, and leadership across all age divisions. Honorees consistently show fairness, humility, and positivity, earning admiration from peers, parents, and officials. While trophies and rankings may fade, sportsmanship defines a player.

In the 12s division, Jaden Joyner of Tarzana, who attends Blue Ridge Academy, has been nominated a record 24 times for the Ultimate Sportsmanship Challenge and captured the 2024 title, earning a grand prize trip to the 2025 BNP Paribas Open. His tennis highlights include winning a six-hour match at the 2025 Boys’ 12s Alabama Hard Court Nationals and meeting his favorite player Gaël Monfils. Off the court, Jaden enjoys basketball, singing, and filmmaking. Kate Zhang of San Diego, who attends Sage Canyon Elementary, has already published two books and earned multiple sportsmanship awards. She is known for her dedication and kindness and aims to continue her tennis and academic journey toward Stanford University and a future career in law.

In the 14s division, Eli Villaroman of Santa Ana, who attends St. Cecilia Catholic School, combines athletic talent and strong character. He has competed in team events such as the Brewer Cup and excels academically as an honor roll student. Eli also participates in track and field, ping pong, padel, and hockey, consistently demonstrating respect and positivity on court. Mika Wei of San Diego, who attends Thurgood Marshall Middle School, has earned multiple sportsmanship honors for her fairness and positive attitude, including recognition alongside Jaden at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open. Off the court she enjoys drawing and is celebrated for her exemplary conduct, with aspirations to compete at the Division I level.

In the 16s division, Andrew Johnson of Rancho Palos Verdes, who attends Palos Verdes High School Distance Learning Academy, is a CIF Champion and Junior US Open quarterfinalist. He maintains a 4.0 GPA and is known for his respectful and professional presence on court. Mandy Oliveros of Lakewood, who attends the California Academy of Math and Science, pairs competitive success with fairness and kindness. She has received repeated sportsmanship recognition, maintains high academic achievement, and enjoys music and softball, combining intelligence, creativity, and character both on and off the court.

In the 18s, Andrew Li of San Diego, attending Santa Fe Christian Schools, is a two-time ITF champion known for dedication and integrity. Nicole Weng of South Pasadena, attending South Pasadena High School, is nationally ranked No. 1 in USTA Girls 18s, won the 2025 Girls 18s National Clay Courts Championship, earned a Bronze Ball at the Easter Bowl, and maintains a perfect 4.0 GPA while demonstrating fairness and positivity on and off the court.

Across all divisions, these athletes embody the spirit of tennis, elevating the game through character, integrity, and respect.

A Bright Future for SoCal Tennis

From the youngest award winners to those recognized for a lifetime of sportsmanship, the 2025 honorees represent the best qualities of junior tennis in Southern California. They remind us that success is measured not only by wins but also by character, how players compete, treat others, and carry the game forward.

Congratulations to all 2025 award winners. Your achievements, growth, and sportsmanship make the Southern California tennis community proud.

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View photos from the event here.