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Oak Brook Tennis Center’s 10 and Under Junior Team won all four matches against teams from Ohio, Indiana, and Elmhurst, IL to become the USTA MIDWEST 10 & Under Junior Team Tennis Sectional Champions on Sunday, July 30 in Indianapolis, IN. This is the third time in four years a team from the Oak Brook Tennis Center has won the championship in this division.

Front row left to right: Patrick Burke, Alex Pop, Matthew Spates, Nicholas Marringa. Second row left to right: Richard Chen, Lorenza Foster, Chelsea Boruff, Lily Brecknock, Clare Lopatka, Rachelle Qin. Third row left to right: Coach Alin Pop, Coach Dorin Iacob, Coach Sam Pecyna

Coach Dorin Iacob recruits players from Oak Brook Tennis Center’s Junior Development Program to join the Tennis Center’s 10 and Under Academy Training Pathway. This year’s team had six returning competitors, Clare Lopatka (Oak Brook), Rachel Qin (Oak Brook), Lorenza Foster-Simbulan (Glen Ellyn), Nick Marringa (Hinsdale), Alexander Pop (Morton Grove), and Richard Chen (Clarendon Hills). New players in 2017 were Patrick Burke (La Grange), Matthew Spates (Westmont), Chelsea Boruff (Hinsdale), and Lily Brecknock (Oak Park).

The Oak Brook Tennis Center, located at 1300 Forest Gate Road in Central Park, offers a USTA accredited 10 and Under Tennis Program which features trained coaches, age appropriate equipment, competitive play and progressive pathways.

Tennis Center Manager, Alin Pop, introduced the 10 and Under teaching philosophy to the club in 2010. According to Alin, the win is a testament to the excellence of our 10 and Under progressive training program at the Oak Brook Tennis Center. “It is very rewarding to see players that have trained with us from the beginning achieve so much in such a short time,” he says.

The Oak Brook Tennis Center 10 & Under Junior Team

Coach Dorin Iacob

Coach Sam Pecyna

Coach and Oak Brook Tennis Center manager, Alin Pop

Clare Lopatka (Oak Brook, IL)

Rachelle Qin (Oak Brook, IL)

Lorenza Foster-Simbulan (Glen Ellyn, IL)

Nick Marringa (Hinsdale, IL)

Alexander Pop (Morton Grove, IL)

Richard Chen (Clarendon Hills, IL)

Patrick Burke (La Grange, IL)

Matthew Spates (Westmont, IL)

Chelsea Boruff (Hinsdale, IL)

Lily Brecknock (Oak Brook, IL)

In a season that lasts from November through May, USTA Junior Team Tennis is the largest junior tennis league in the USA with over 100,000 participants nationwide. USTA Jr. Team Tennis is often compared to Little League Baseball, as the program offers children the opportunity to develop their individual and team skills in a fun, yet competitive atmosphere.

The Oak Brook Tennis Center is a facility of the Oak Brook Park District. For more information on competitive and recreational programming or memberships visit www.obparks.org/tennis or call 630-990-4660.