Blumberg, Daavettila Named On USTA Collegiate Summer Team
June 23, 2021 | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
ORLANDO, Fla. – North Carolina tennis standouts William Blumberg and Sara Daavettila are among the 10 top American college players named to the 2021 USTA Collegiate Summer Team, the training program designed to help America's premier college players assimilate to professional tennis in a team-oriented environment via the USTA Pro Circuit.
Blumberg, the only 10-time ITA All-America in history, completed his fifth year in Chapel Hill in 2021. He recently was selected the ITA Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award winner that honors a Division I men's student-athlete who displays sportsmanship, character, excellent academics and has had an outstanding playing accomplishments.
Daavettila also wrapped up her fifth and final college season in style by earning the prestigious Honda Sport Award for women's tennis. The 2021 ACC Player of the Year was the top seed entering the NCAA Singles Championship and reached the semifinals. Her seven career ITA All-America citations is tied for the most in program history.
2021 USTA Collegiate Summer Team
Men
William Blumberg, North Carolina (Sr., Greenwich, Conn.)
Cannon Kingsley, Ohio State (Soph., Northport, N.Y.)
Aleks Kovacevic, Illinois (Sr., New York)
John McNally, Ohio State (Sr., Cincinnati)
Sam Riffice, Florida (Jr., Orlando, Fla.)
Women
Sara Daavettila, UNC (Sr., Williamston, Mich.)
Abbey Forbes, UCLA (Soph., Raleigh, N.C.)
Emma Navarro, Virginia (Fr., Charleston, S.C.)
Alexa Noel, Iowa (Fr., Summit, N.J.)
Peyton Stearns, Texas (Fr., Mason, Ohio)
Each of the players were selected based on their ATP or WTA singles ranking or a combination of their pro and ITA singles rankings and their Universal Tennis Rating. Players on the team are eligible to receive a grant for travel to USTA Pro Circuit events and coaching support over four weeks this summer. Virginia sophomore Natasha Subhash was eligible to compete on the team but will be unable to due to injury.
"The USTA continues to recognize and support collegiate tennis as a viable part of the professional player pathway and is committed to providing the top American collegiate players with developmental and competitive opportunities," said Martin Blackman, GM, USTA Player and Coach Development.
Blumberg, the only 10-time ITA All-America in history, completed his fifth year in Chapel Hill in 2021. He recently was selected the ITA Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award winner that honors a Division I men's student-athlete who displays sportsmanship, character, excellent academics and has had an outstanding playing accomplishments.
Daavettila also wrapped up her fifth and final college season in style by earning the prestigious Honda Sport Award for women's tennis. The 2021 ACC Player of the Year was the top seed entering the NCAA Singles Championship and reached the semifinals. Her seven career ITA All-America citations is tied for the most in program history.
2021 USTA Collegiate Summer Team
Men
William Blumberg, North Carolina (Sr., Greenwich, Conn.)
Cannon Kingsley, Ohio State (Soph., Northport, N.Y.)
Aleks Kovacevic, Illinois (Sr., New York)
John McNally, Ohio State (Sr., Cincinnati)
Sam Riffice, Florida (Jr., Orlando, Fla.)
Women
Sara Daavettila, UNC (Sr., Williamston, Mich.)
Abbey Forbes, UCLA (Soph., Raleigh, N.C.)
Emma Navarro, Virginia (Fr., Charleston, S.C.)
Alexa Noel, Iowa (Fr., Summit, N.J.)
Peyton Stearns, Texas (Fr., Mason, Ohio)
Each of the players were selected based on their ATP or WTA singles ranking or a combination of their pro and ITA singles rankings and their Universal Tennis Rating. Players on the team are eligible to receive a grant for travel to USTA Pro Circuit events and coaching support over four weeks this summer. Virginia sophomore Natasha Subhash was eligible to compete on the team but will be unable to due to injury.
"The USTA continues to recognize and support collegiate tennis as a viable part of the professional player pathway and is committed to providing the top American collegiate players with developmental and competitive opportunities," said Martin Blackman, GM, USTA Player and Coach Development.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Women's Tennis
Henri Veesaar Intro Press Conference
Wednesday, September 10
MBB: Henri Veesaar Intro Press Conference
Wednesday, September 10
Kyan Evans Intro Press Conference
Wednesday, September 10
MBB: Kyan Evans Intro Press Conference
Wednesday, September 10