SoCal Wild Cards Bring Depth and Excitement
to Girls’ 18s National Championships

As the USTA L1 Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships get underway in San Diego, four Southern California wild cards are stepping into the spotlight with more than just talent—they bring grit, diverse journeys, and a hunger to prove themselves on their home courts. Whether they’re returning champions, rising stars, or gaining experience between the junior and pro circuits, these players reflect the depth, ambition, and competitive fire that define SoCal tennis at its best.

Alyssa Ahn Returns to Her Home Courts With Eyes on a Bigger Prize

Leading the local contingent is San Diego’s Alyssa Ahn, 18, who broke through in 2022 by capturing the Girls’ 16s national title as the No. 9 seed. That win earned her a US Open Junior Girls’ main draw wild card, where she pushed No. 8 seed Taylah Preston to three sets. Now a seasoned competitor with national and pro experience, Ahn, soon heading to Stanford, returns to Barnes Tennis Center as the No. 7 seed in the Girls’ 18s draw.

“Winning the Girls’ 16s National title in 2022 was instrumental to the player I am today,” Ahn said. “The experience of winning the tournament, though a few years ago, has propelled my game as it’s given me motivation to get better every day to become the best player I can be. Coming back to hardcourts for the last time adds some additional pressure, but having won the 16s title previously gives me confidence that I can do it again, now in the 18s.”

Ahn has been a standout on the SoCal Pro Series this summer, playing six of seven stops and reaching at least the semifinals four times. She notched her first professional final at the University of San Diego, falling to Japan’s Mao Mushika.

“I’d like to say those deep runs can be attributed to my hard work on the court during my training blocks during the school year leading up to the summer, but also I would be remiss to not mention the convenience of the tournaments for me, living in San Diego,” she said. “I have worked really hard with my coach [Steve Adamson], spending the past year developing my game and learning from prior matches, which ultimately gave me confidence in myself through the series. I was also very motivated to compete again in tournaments after utilizing most of the school year with the focus to train and improve. The series is helpful in preparing myself for Girls’ Nationals because I had the opportunity to play a lot of matches, learn from the matches, and gain confidence.”

Training full-time at the Steve Adamson Academy, located onsite at Barnes Tennis Center, has given Ahn an added edge in preparation.

“I’m very lucky that I am able to train with Steve at my home courts in preparation for Girls’ Nationals,” she said. “Not only is it convenient that I can keep my routine at home leading up to the tournament, but I also cherish the training that I am able to have with Steve because he knows how to prepare me for a tournament better than anyone.”

As she braces to take the next step in her tennis journey at Stanford, Ahn is energized by the opportunity to join a program with a storied legacy and strong team culture.

“I couldn’t be more excited to enter my next chapter, joining the Stanford Women’s Tennis team,” she said. “I would say I am most excited to be a part of a team. I’m familiar with the girls on the team already and can’t wait to contribute to the special team culture that Stanford Women’s Tennis brings. In terms of preparation, I just want to keep working hard and developing my game in order to enter the team in my best shape.”

With a US Open women’s singles wild card on the line, Ahn welcomes the stakes without letting them shake her focus.

“The amazing opportunity for the US Open main draw wild card of course adds some additional pressure because everyone is playing for the same goal, but for me personally, it’s only positive pressure and I can use it as an advantage for my mindset,” she said. “This opportunity doesn’t change how I will prepare and compete because I try to treat every tournament with the same standards whether there’s a US Open main draw wild card on the line or not.”

Kate Fakih Eyes Another Run in San Diego After Breakout NCAA Season

At 18, South Pasadena’s Kate Fakih returns to a venue filled with unforgettable memories. Two summers ago, she and close friend Olivia Center stormed to the Girls’ 18s doubles title as an unseeded duo, defeating the No. 4 seeds in a gritty three-set final and earning a wild card into the US Open Women’s Doubles draw.

“To win Hard Courts with Olivia in 2023 as an unseeded team was an unbelievable experience for me (up to now)!” Fakih said. “We came in with zero expectations. I think the confidence we had in ourselves and in each other, plus knowing how much hard work we put in leading to the tournament, gave us an edge among our competitors and this fueled us through the tournament.”

Their run led them to Flushing Meadows, where they faced WTA stars Leylah Fernandez and Taylor Townsend in a packed stadium.

“Competing in the US Open was a surreal experience,” she explained. “We were surrounded by the pros, and got to learn from and observe the best of the best. There’s nothing like competing in your home slam in front of the New York crowd. It was truly an experience I will never forget.”

Fakih has since competed in four Junior Grand Slam events, advancing to the second round in doubles at each and breaking into the singles main draw last year. Her freshman campaign at UCLA added to her momentum where she earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors and helped the Bruins reach the NCAA doubles final.

“Competing in the Junior Grand Slams has allowed me to be exposed to the best juniors in the world,” she said. “I not only learned different game styles during my matches against them, I also observed how professional they already behave at this level. This helped me develop a more polished demeanor on and off the court.”

Now back in San Diego as the No. 10 seed in singles at Girls’ Nationals, Fakih enters with a unique mix of junior, college, and pro experience, and an appreciation for the advantage of playing close to home.

“Playing on home courts at Barnes Tennis Center in Southern California allows me to be familiar with the weather and the courts,” she said. “It also allows me to stay home longer with less travel time. Playing in SoCal also gives my family another opportunity to watch me, which is always fun!”

Fakih’s goals are clear: keep climbing.

“I would love to do well at the Hard Courts, to have a shot at being back at the US Open,” she said. “I also would like to play more pro tournaments to increase my WTA ranking. In college, I would like to contribute as much as I can to the success of my team.”

Balancing school and tennis isn’t easy, but Fakih has embraced the structure and support of the Bruin program.

“During the school year, practice and fitness is from 8-12 most days of the week,” she said. “This leaves us time in the afternoon to schedule our classes. As student-athletes, we receive support in completing our coursework, which really helps!”

Her outlook remains grounded in long-term growth.

“My long-term goal has always been to be the best tennis player I can be,” she said. “I felt the natural progression for me was to go the collegiate route and build on what I had already achieved in juniors. Playing many matches in the fall and during the season under Coach Stella [Sampras] and Rance [Brown] can and have molded me into the mature and better player I have become today.”

Lani Chang Embraces the Moment While Forging Her Own Path

At just 14, Lani Chang is already building a name on the junior and pro circuits. The Mission Viejo native, daughter of 1989 French Open Champion and Tennis Hall of Famer Michael Chang and two-time NCAA singles champion Amber Liu Chang, brings with her poise, pedigree, and plenty of potential.

“I think balancing these expectations has a lot to do with your own journey because everyone has their own story,” Lani explained. “I see these ‘expectations’ as more like goals because at the end of the day, I’m still on my own path and I’m so grateful and privileged to be able to have my family’s guidance.”

“Even though it does put more pressure on me, I think it has also developed me as a player. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that I’m not living up to anyone else’s standard but my own, and I’m shooting for my own dreams and not anyone else’s. I’ve realized that in order to grow as a player you have to accept the tough times and that’s okay and nobody is perfect. I’ve also realized by coming through these struggles, you have so much to be proud of as a player, but mostly as a person. I know that no matter what I’m still working to better myself in both worlds, and I’m really lucky to be in the supportive environment that I’m in while benefitting from learning from my parents’ experiences in the juniors and the pros,” she added.

This spring, Chang reached the semifinals at the W15 Orlando, her first pro-level event. At the SoCal Pro Series in Rancho Santa Fe, she came from behind to defeat Veronika Miroshnichenko, an opponent nearly twice her age. She recently captured the singles title at the J100 Santo Domingo and is currently ranked No. 194 in the ITF Junior Rankings.

Returning to San Diego feels like a full-circle moment for Chang.

“Growing up in SoCal has been so special for me and especially playing at Barnes so many times. I love the courts and I love the facility so I’m so so excited to play,” she said. “Coming back and playing at home has always been so amazing, especially in San Diego, so I’m really grateful for this opportunity. Playing in familiar surroundings has affected my game and mindset a lot because it’s made me realize how lucky I am to be able to travel the world but at the same time, come back to Cali which is such an incredibly special place for me. I’m going to give it my best shot and we’ll see what happens.”

Despite the pressure and the US Open wild card on the line, Chang is approaching the tournament with calm confidence and maturity beyond her years.

“I’m just seeing this tournament as just another tournament and I’ll try my best and whatever happens happens,” she said. “I’m just going to take it one match at a time and focus on myself because it doesn’t change anything that I will do at every tournament. I’m super excited to have this opportunity to compete for this and I’m looking forward to it!”

Maria Aytoyan: Quiet Momentum and Rising Promise

Van Nuys’ Maria Aytoyan has been quietly gaining ground. Over the summer, she advanced past qualifying at three SoCal Pro Series events and reached the second round each time, proving her readiness for the next level.

“There’s a few keys to my growth,” Aytoyan said. “I’d say the biggest contributor is my strong work ethic. I love working hard and grinding hours out on the tennis court. I live for the thrill of knowing it’s only going to make me better. I do a good job translating the same energy into competition, showing my fire and passion for this sport.”

She’s also sharpened her mindset, using new tools to stay composed under pressure.

“Working more on my mental game has helped me much as well,” she said. “Improving my mindset every day is very crucial. Recently, I found myself incorporating many newly taught mental skills during my matches, helping me not only with growth but with success.”

Aytoyan approaches every tournament—junior or pro—with the same intensity.

“Although playing both pro and junior tournaments is challenging, I find it important to prepare the same for all,” she said. “Whether junior or pro, I get myself ready to compete and win every time.”

After winning the Girls’ 16s consolation title in San Diego last year, Aytoyan returns with higher goals and stronger belief.

“I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity to compete in Girls’ Nationals again this year,” she said. “Last year was surreal and marked a big accomplishment for me. Of course, my goal is to come into this tournament with the same confidence and determination. Representing SoCal has been a privilege and is a big motivator for me to strive for a title, even greater this year.”

Her mission for 2025 is clear.

“My goal is winning Girls’ Nationals this year!” she said. “Beyond, getting into this year’s US Open.”

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Read the full Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s and 18s National Championships preview here.

For full singles and doubles draws, daily schedules, and live updates, visit ustasocal.com/girlsnationals/.