March has been a thrilling month for tennis in Southern California, with high-level competition lighting up courts across the region. San Diego’s Barnes Tennis Center recently hosted the San Diego Open ATP Challenger 100, where elite pros battled for crucial ranking points on their journey to the next level. Meanwhile, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden has been buzzing with world-class action at the BNP Paribas Open and the FILA International Junior Championships, showcasing the sport’s biggest stars and future talent.

Adding to the excitement, top USTA League players from across the country gathered from March 6-10 for the Tom Fey Tri-Level National Invitational, the grand finale of the 18 & Over USTA League season, at Barnes Tennis Center and Balboa Tennis Club. With this National Championship in the books, the stage is set for a fresh season and another year of unforgettable competition.

Honoring Tom Fey’s Legacy

The Tom Fey Tri-Level National Invitational is the final USTA League event before the new year begins. For players representing USTA Southern California, this event marks the last weekend they wear the section’s signature purple, before transitioning to the new season’s colors.

More than just a tournament, this event honors Tom Fey, a beloved figure in Southern California tennis who passed away in March 2022. Tom’s passion for the game was unmatched. A former baseball and basketball player in his youth, he discovered his love for tennis in adulthood and made it his life’s work. His impact on the sport stretched from the Coachella Valley, where he was a well-known instructor in the late 1970s, to major roles such as Director of Oracle’s Challenger Series, Director of Tennis at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and a board member of the San Diego USPTA chapter.

Tom’s influence extended beyond professional roles—he was deeply involved in grassroots efforts to grow the game, giving countless players opportunities to play, learn, and compete. As we remember his contributions each spring at the USTA Tri-Level Invitational, we celebrate a legacy that continues to inspire generations of tennis players.

A Weekend of High-Level Competition

This year’s Tom Fey Tri-Level National Invitational brought together nearly 900 players from across the country for a five-day competition that featured three divisions based on NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) levels:

– March 6-8: 3.5/4.0/4.5 Division
– March 7-9: 4.0/4.5/5.0 Division
– March 8-10: 3.0/3.5/4.0 Division

Teams battled with intensity, displaying exceptional skill, camaraderie, and sportsmanship as they competed for national titles. Southern California had a strong showing, with two teams finishing in the top four across all divisions—one of which claimed the championship title!

3.0-4.0 WOMEN

1st Place: Eastern – Captain Hannah McLaughlin, Co-Captain Megumi Smillie
2nd Place: Midwest – Captain Lisa Pruitt, Co-Captain Nicola Frazer
3rd Place: Pacific Northwest – Captain Megan Miller
4th Place: Southern California – Captain Cheryl Gates

3.5-4.5 WOMEN

1st Place: Southern California – Captain Colin Tang, Co-Captain Laurie Manley
2nd Place: Hawaii – Captain Holly Toguchi
3rd Place: New England – Captain Carolynn Crabtree
4th Place: Eastern – Captain Laura Chilton, Co-Captain Jiyon Lee

4.0-5.0 WOMEN

1st Place: Mid Atlantic – Captain Grace Kim
2nd Place: Midwest – Captain Fra Angelica Farinas-Wright, Co-Captain Ayano Nakamura
3rd Place: Pacific Northwest – Captain Rochelle Whelan
4th Place: Florida – Captain Farheen Aldeen

3.0-4.0 MEN

1st Place: Middle States – Captain Athar Khalil
2nd Place: Texas – Captain Vitalie Stirbu, Co-Captain Eugene Yeoh
3rd Place: Eastern – Captain Alvin Choy
4th Place: Intermountain – Captain Scott Riding

3.5-4.5 MEN

1st Place: Hawaii – Captain Michael Okai
2nd Place: Florida – Captain Schubert Sengupta
3rd Place: Southern – Captain Joseph Olender
4th Place: Middle States – Captain Raymond Matthieu Postadan, Co-Captain Thomas Bishop

4.0-5.0 MEN

1st Place: Northern California – Captain Allen Shih
2nd Place: Florida – Captain Sebastian Martinez Christensen
3rd Place: Midwest – Captain Milan Jovanovic, Co-Captain Blaine Carr
4th Place: Pacific Northwest – Captain Alexander Calpagiu

SPIRIT AWARD

3.0-4.0 Texas – Captain Denise Sampayo

Adult League National Invitationals

The USTA League season features three types of USTA League National Invitationals. In addition to the 18 & Over Tri-Level Invitational (Tom Fey Tri-Level), national champions are crowned at the 65 & Over Invitational and the Mixed 55 & Over Invitational. 

The 65 & Over Invitational was held at the Surprise Tennis & Racquet Complex in Arizona, featuring three weekends of competition. The 7.0 division took place from January 24-26, 2025, followed by the 6.0 and 9.0 divisions from January 31-February 2. The event concluded with the 8.0 division, which competed from February 14-16, 2025.

Team SoCal had some great showings in the 65 & Over division, with the women’s 6.0 team showing their dominance.

SOCAL 65 & OVER WOMEN RESULTS

6.0: 1st place: SD, Captain Ruth Hoffman
7.0: 5th place: OC, Captain Sharon Diekneit
8.0: 3rd place: BC, Captain Kathy Zepeda
9.0: 3rd place: OC, Captain Vicky Blanco

SOCAL 65 & OVER MEN RESULTS

6.0: 6th place: BC, Captain John Lanterman
7.0: 1st place: BC, Captain Maurice Kogon
8.0: 5th place: CC, Captain Scott Cleere
9.0: 10th place: CV, Captain John Wlcek

MIXED 55 & OVER RESULTS

6.0: 13th place: CV, Captain Laura Walker
7.0: 11th place: IE, Captain Don Hoak
8.0: 1st place: OC, Captain Frank Tran
9.0: 1st place: OC, Captain Colleen Scanlon

USTA League National Championships

Each USTA League season culminates in the prestigious USTA League National Championships, where representatives from all 17 USTA sections compete across 16 League national championship events. These events range from 2.5 to 5.0 on the NTRP scale and include categories for 18 & Over, 40 & Over, 55 & Over, and Mixed divisions.

In 2024, approximately 580 League teams and over 6,300 League players competed at Nationals. USTA Southern California had an outstanding showing, with 36 teams advancing to Nationals, five of which claimed National Championship titles. Over the course of the four-week stretch, SoCal ranked third among all USTA Adult League sections, with an impressive 40% of SoCal teams finishing in the top four of their respective divisions.

As we embark on another exciting season, USTA Southern California remains committed to excellence in team competition, bringing players together through a shared love for the game. In 2025, we’re leaving behind Lakers purple and stepping onto the court in a fresh, bold look—sunshine yellow. With a new season and new colors, we can’t wait to see our players shine brighter than ever!