Hilton Head flavor runs through USTA National Select junior winners

Briana Crowley, who trains at Smith Stearns Tennis Academy, and Hilton Head Island's Sayda Hernandez took home singles gold medals as Lowcountry players had a hand in all four titles at last weekend's USTA National Select junior tournament at the Sea Pines Racquet Club.

Crowley swept both singles and doubles crowns in the girls' 16-and-under division, starting with a 7-5, 6-2 singles victory over Carly Briggs of Calhoun, Ga. She then paired with fellow Smith Stearns pupil Ali Despain to win the doubles over Briggs and Hilton Head Island's Madison Dillon.

The twin victories added to the Indiana native’s strong run in recent months, including the USTA National Clay Courts in July and second at the USTA National Doubles a month later with Despain.

Hernandez, a Van der Meer Academy student who was unseeded in the 14-and-under draw, knocked off a pair of seeds in early rounds on the way to a title matchup against fellow unseeded player Allie Gretowski of Mount Pleasant. Hernandez made it look easy in easy in the final, winning 6-0, 6-1.

Gretowski was a winner in 14s doubles, teaming with Smith Stearns student Kylie Collins to beat top seeds Ellie Pittman and Hibah Shaikh.

The tournament, originally set for Oct. 8, had been postponed a month in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew’s damage to the area.

This story was originally published November 10, 2016 at 9:32 AM with the headline "Hilton Head flavor runs through USTA National Select junior winners."