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Prince Junior Players Enjoy the 2009 Easter Bowl

Bordentown, NJ, April 24, 2009 - One of the United States’ premier junior tournaments wrapped up this past weekend in Palm Desert, California - the 2009 USTA Spring Championships, otherwise known as, the Easter Bowl. When all was said and done, the event saw seven champions, four additional finalists and one sportsmanship award winner- all from the Prince junior roster - not bad for a week’s work.

“We are extremely proud, though not surprised, that our juniors did so well here. We have an extremely talented, and growing group of athletes,” said Jackie Spicijaric, Manager, US Junior Development and College Promotions. “We are continually impressed with their on-court abilities, but their world-class demeanor off the court is equally admirable. They are the future of this sport - the next generation - and we are proud to have them carry the brand name.”

The Easter Bowl brings together the best boys and girls from the 14, 16, and 18 age groups. In all age groups, boys and girls, Prince team players made a significant impact. Fifteen year-old Shane Vinsant who hails from Keller, Texas, won the Boys 16’s championship. Vinsant, who plays with the Prince O3 Hybrid Tour trains at the T-Bar M junior tennis academy - one of the academies participating in Prince’s ground-breaking and global Prince Plugged In (PPI) program.

Other notable finishes included a Boys 16 doubles title for JT Sundling, who is wielding the yellow and black Prince EXO3 Rebel 95 - one of the frames in the company’s new EXO3 line. Ryan Smith of Weston, Florida reached the finals of the Boys 14s doubles while Michael Gealer took home the title in the Boys 12s doubles.

On the Girls side, Whitney Kay used her O3 White to reach the finals of the 16s singles draw and take home the 16s doubles title while Brooke Austin captured the Girls 14s singles title, edging out fellow Prince team member Julia Elbaba - who later got her revenge by edging Austin for the Girls 14’s doubles title. In the 12s age group, Alicia Black, with her new EXO3 Graphite, dominated in both singles and doubles - taking home title in both.

Prince Champions/Finalists - 2009 Easter Bowl Boys 18’s Double Winner - JT Sundling Boys 16’s Singles Winner - Shane Vinsant Boys 14’s Doubles Finalist - Ryan Smith Boys 12’s Doubles Winner - Michael Gealer

Girls 16’s Singles Finalist - Whitney Kay Girls 16’s Doubles Winner - Whitney Kay Girls 14’s Singles Winner - Brooke Austin Girls 14’s Singles Finalist - Julia Elbaba Girls 14’s Doubles Winner - Julia Elbaba Girls 12’s Singles Winner - Alicia Black Girls 12’s Doubles Finalist - Alicia Black

Papa Receives Sportsmanship Award Edmond, Oklahoma native Spencer Papa, who plays with the new Prince EXO3 Graphite, was awarded a 2009 Easter Bowl Sportsmanship Award.

For more information regarding Prince team members or any products in the 2009 Prince line, visit www.princetennis.com

Posted on April 24, 2009
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