Sea Colony junior players finish strong 2015

After a year of local and regional tournaments, six Sea Colony Junior Tennis Academy players ended 2015 with USTA Delaware state rankings, including seven top 10 finishes.

A pair of Sea Colony girls secured Delaware No. 2 spots, as Julianna Johnston earned the silver in Girls 12s and Annika Larsen locked up the Girls 14s second slot. Also in Girls 12s, Abigail Plylar finished at No. 6 and Sumira Sehgal at No. 7. Julianna Johnston also claimed the Girls 14s No. 8 ranking and Annika Larsen achieved the Girls 16s No. 9 position.

Sea Colony Tennis Academy boys also recorded top Delaware rankings. Xan Johnston ended the year at No. 8 for Boys 14s, while Michael Anghel wrapped up 2015 as No. 14 in that age group. Noah Fisher finished the year as the Boys 12s No. 12.

“We are so proud of what our junior players accomplished in 2015,” said Thomas Johnston, Sea Colony Tennis director and USTA Delaware Pro of the Year for 2014. “They have trained hard all year, and these rankings prove that their hard work paid off. We’re looking forward to a fun and successful 2016.”

In November, for the first time ever, the Bethany Beach-area tennis club juniors traveled out of state as a team to compete in the Monroe Township, N.J. Kickoff Classic, earning five wins during the USTA Middle States tournament, and racking up sectional points. Closer to home, the Sea Colony Tennis Center is home to eight USTA junior tournaments each year.

Open to the public, Sea Colony’s junior programs are offered Monday through Thursday at the Sea Colony Tennis Center’s indoor courts, at the crossroads of West Way Drive and Kent Avenue.

The after-school junior tennis academy features two levels - Futures from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and Tournament Tough from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Both Futures and Tournament Tough are also held from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays.

Little Hitters, for ages 4 to 7, is offered Wednesdays from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m.

The Sea Colony junior tennis player year-end rankings for USTA Delaware District were:

Girls 12: Julianna Johnston, No. 2; Abigail Plylar, No. 6, Sumira Sehgal, No. 7

Girls 14: Annika Larsen, No. 2; Julianna Johnston, No. 8

Girls 16: Annika Larsen, No. 9

Boys 12: Noah Fisher, No. 12

Boys 14: Xan Johnston, No. 8; Michael Anghel, No. 14

For more information about Sea Colony Tennis, go to SeaColonyTennis.net or call the pro shop at 302-539-4488.