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NEWPORT BEACH — They came to accept awards for their outstanding play in high school tennis but ended up turning the spotlight back on the high school game.
The many benefits of the high school tennis were highlighted Thursday night by the recipients at the 12th annual Southern California National High School Tennis All-American awards banquet at Newport Beach Yacht Club.
The All-Americans shared how school pride, friendships, supportive coaches and parents and playing the CIF Southern Section and Ojai tournaments forged memorable experiences during a time in which some of their peers decide not to play for their high schools.
“I do think everyone should play high school tennis,” said University senior Conrad Brown, who was named an All-American and the SoCal boys MVP. “It’s a really special thing being part of a team … (and) it’s something I’ll really remember.”
“If I just went to a (tennis) academy, I would just play the same old tournaments everyone else plays,” he added.
Big night for OC tennis! Sunny Hills’ freshman Daniela Borruel and University senior Conrad Brown named SoCal MVPs by National HS Tennis All-American Awards, Borruel first freshman winner for girls in 12 years of program! @ocvarsity
@SunnyHillsAD @AccoladeSports @UNI_ATHLETICS pic.twitter.com/SP3uAsdRgj
— Dan Albano (@ocvarsityguy) June 17, 2022
The UC Santa Barbara-bound Brown, The Register’s boys player of the year this spring, highlighted his season by claiming the Ojai singles title and leading University to the CIF-SS Open Division title. He also helped the Trojans win the National High School All-American tournament.
Three Orange County girls were selected All-American: Sunny Hills freshman Daniela Borruel, Marina junior Mika Ikemori and Troy junior Nadia Kojonroj.
Borruel, The Register’s girls player of the year and the CIF-SS individual champion, became the first freshman girl earn the SoCal MVP. “I think all my hard work has paid off,” she said.
Ikemori finished as the CIF-SS runner-up to Borruel and has committed to UC Davis.
Kojonroj lost to Ikemori in the semifinals of CIF individuals and defeated Borruel for the Freeway League singles title.
The other All-Americans from SoCal are: senior Lindsay Eisenman of Peninsula, senior Emma Sun of Westlake, freshman Cassius Chinlund of Campbell Hall, Ojai runner-up and Mira Costa senior Kelly Giese, CIF-SS individual champion and junior Andy Nguyen of Millikan and senior Zach Pellouchoud of Canyon Crest Academy.
Please send tennis news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy on Twitter
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