NorCal Girls' 18 & 16 Junior Sectional Championships @ Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa

Please read USTA Northern California concurrent tournament rule:
http://assets.usta.com/assets/635/15/Norcal_junior_tournament_rules.pdf
more info

Thank you for your interest in playing the Girls' 18 and 16 USTA NorCal June Sectional Championships at Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa. During the registration process, please provide your telephone number (cell phone preferred) and email address. Failure to provide your contact information will limit the tournament's ability to contact you.

This tournament is open only to residents of USTA NorCal. USTA Membership is required. Players must meet the age eligibility requirements of the division entered.

Entries close for the tournament at 11:59 am Eastern Time/8:59 am Pacific Time on Monday, May 25th. To avoid potential problems that arise when attempting to register at the last minute, it is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that players enter well in advance of the deadline. A player that does not enter by the deadline is only eligible to be a Late Applicant and is placed on the bottom of the Singles Alternate List and is prioritized last for selection into the draw.
Note: Doubles entries are due at a later date - see information under Doubles below.

Not only is this the Sectionals the most prestigious USTA NorCal junior tournament, the singles winners (if they remain age eligible and submit a timely entry) will be guaranteed acceptance into their respective divisions of the USTA Girls' 18 and 16 National Championships held this coming August in San Diego.

National Level 3 Ranking Tournament:
This tournament is a National Level 3 Ranking Tournament.
Singles Table: Feed-in Championship (FIC) through Round of 16 Draw Format
Doubles Table: Single Elimination Draw Format
Please refer to the National Ranking Tables at the link below for ranking points earned at the tournament.
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Please refer to the Ranking Rules & Tables at the link below for ranking points earned at the tournament. more info

If the draws are full, all singles qualifying matches (including the singles qualifying consolation) and the first round of doubles will be played on Saturday, June 6, with main draw singles beginning on Sunday, June 7. If the draws are not full, an analysis of the number of matches and rounds that will be played over the entire tournament will be done and it is possible that main draw singles matches will begin on Saturday, June 6.

The SAT and SAT Subject Tests are offered on June 6, the first day of tournament play. The ACT is offered on June 13, the 2nd Saturday of tournament play.
We will guarantee a not before 3:30 pm singles start time for a player with a test conflict and use our best efforts to schedule a match later if requested.
We will use our best efforts to schedule around doubles matches, but can make no guarantees for this event.
Test avoidance requests must be submitted to ardenhillstournaments@gmail.com no later than the entry deadline.
The request must include the following information:
• Player's name
• Events entered (singles and/or doubles)
• Test(s) and test location(s) - see below for locations near Sacramento
• The time the player can begin play on June 6 and/or June 13

It is recommended that players consider taking the SAT, SAT Subject Tests or the ACT at testing centers near Arden Hills.

SAT/SAT Subject Tests:
• The SAT website indicates students taking the SAT are dismissed at approximately 1:00 pm.
• Students taking SAT Subject Tests are dismissed at varied times depending on whether they are taking 1, 2 or 3 tests; testing begins between 8:30 and 9:00 am and each Subject Test last one hour.
• Note that test centers and test dates can't be changed once a registration is submitted - registration is due for this SAT by May 8.
• Sacramento test sites:
Florin High School; Hiram W Johnson High School; Jesuit High School; John F Kennedy High School; Luther Burbank Sr High School; McClatchy High School; Mira Loma High School; Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep; St. Francis High School; Valley High School

ACT:
• Students are dismissed at approximately 12:15 pm, except for students taking the ACT Plus Writing who are dismissed at approximately 1:00 pm.
• Note that test centers and test dates can't be changed once a registration is submitted - registration is due for this ACT by May 8.
• Sacramento test sites:
CK McClatchy High School; Florin High School; Hiram W Johnson High School; Valley High School

Players submitting an avoidance request for a reason other than the SAT or ACT must also have the request submitted by the entry deadline and the request must include the date and time of the conflict, a detailed description of the conflict, and the time frame the player can not be on court. There shall be no guarantee of honoring this type of a request, but the tournament will make an effort to do so.

Please use the email address ardenhillstournaments@gmail.com for all written correspondence related to this tournament. Telephone numbers for the tournament director and referee are provided above.

Singles Qualifying Draw and Match Format Information:
The singles qualifying draw is limited to 32 players. The 32-player draw shall play two rounds to qualify 8 players for the main draw. The first round losers in the Singles Qualifier shall play one additional consolation match. All main draw qualifier matches will be the best of 3 Tiebreak sets; all consolation matches will be the best of 3 Tiebreak sets with a 10-Point Match Tiebreak played in lieu of the 3rd set. Players that do not qualify for the main draw are eligible to play doubles.

Singles Draw and Match Format Information:
The singles draw size is limited to 64 players. A Feed-In Championship whereby players are fed into the consolation through the Round of 16 will be played. The losing quarterfinalists will play off for 5th and 6th place and a playoff for 3rd and 4th place will also be held. All main draw matches and the 3rd/4th playoff will be the best of 3 Tiebreak sets; all consolation matches (including the quarterfinal playoff matches) will be the best of 3 Tiebreak sets with a 10-Point Match Tiebreak played in lieu of the 3rd set.

Doubles Draw and Match Format Information:
The doubles draw size is limited to 48 teams. A single elimination format with a playoff for 3rd and 4th place will be played. All matches through the quarterfinals will be an 8-game pro set with a 7-Point Tiebreak at 8 games all. The semifinals, finals, and playoff for 3rd and 4th place shall be the best of 3 tiebreak sets with a 10-Point Match Tiebreak in lieu of the 3rd set.

Posting of Draws & Start Times:
Draws with start times will be posted no later than 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 3. Draws can be viewed by clicking the "Draws" tab on this TennisLink tournament home page. It is anticipated that only Arden Hills will be used for tournament play. If this is the case, no locations will be posted on the draws.

If an additional site is needed, matches will be played at Rollingwood Racquet Club. Sites will be identified as "Arden" and "RRC."

Singles Main Draw Selection Process:
Players shall be selected for the June Sectional Championships as follows:
• 52 players shall be selected based on their ranking on the most recently published Combined Sectional Final Ranking List of the division of the event.
• Up to four wild cards may be selected by the Wild Card Committee. See information below on applying for a Wild Card.
• 8 positions in the draw shall be reserved for the top eight finishers in the Singles Qualifier.
• If the Wild Card Committee awards fewer than the maximum number of wild cards, the remaining spots in the draw shall be filled with players remaining on the Combined Sectional Final Ranking List used to select players into the draw.

Singles Qualifying Draw Selection Process:
32 players shall be selected for the Singles Qualifier using the Combined Sectional Final Ranking List used to select players into the main draw. Those players who have not been selected after the main and qualifying draws have been filled shall be placed on the Alternate List in the order in which their names appear on the Combined Sectional Final Ranking List used to select players into the main draw.

Alternate List for Singles Main Draw:
Immediately following the completion of the singles qualifier, the Tournament Committee shall prepare an Alternate List of singles qualifier players who were not among the eight players who qualified for the main draw and who played the singles qualifier to completion. The Alternate List shall be ordered using the most recently published Combined Sectional Final Ranking List as follows:
• The players who lost in the round of 16 shall be placed at the top of the lucky loser list in the order in which their names appear on the List.
• The players who lost in the round of 32 shall be placed directly below the first group in the order in which their names appear on the List.
A player who plays the singles qualifier to completion shall be defined as a player who has not withdrawn from the tournament, conceded a match by walkover, or been defaulted for reasons other than lateness.

The Alternate List shall be used to replace player who withdraw from the main draw.

Late Applicants:
A Late Applicant is a player who enters after the entry deadline. Regardless of position on the Combined Sectional Final Ranking List, a Late Applicant is placed on the bottom of the Alternate List in the order in which it is received. Two Late Entries received at the same time are ordered by lot. A Late Entry alternate will not be accepted into the draw if it invalidates the seeding.

Publication of Selection and Alternate Lists:
The list of players selected for the tournament will be published to the "Players" Tab on this website by the end of the day on Friday, May 29. All players not selected will be published to the "Alternates" Tab on this website at the same time. As soon as possible thereafter, an ordered list of alternates will be published to the top of this "Important Info" Tab. The ordered Alternate List will be used to replace players that withdraw from the tournament.

Onsite Alternates:
Onsite Alternates are those players/teams on the Alternate Lists who have come to the tournament site to be a last-minute replacement for a withdrawing player or team. On-Site Alternates may be admitted into the singles main draw to replace withdrawing players until the completion of the first round of play. Any player receiving a bye in the first round can also be replaced by an on-site alternate in the second round because this player has not yet played a match in the event. This does not apply to players receiving withdrawals or retirements as these are considered matches won. On-Site Alternates may not play in the Feed-In Championship unless they have first played in the singles main draw.

Any alternate player or team desiring admittance must check in and be ready for play no later than 15 minutes prior to the first scheduled match time of the event for which they are an alternate. The order of the alternates is based on the original Alternate Lists published by the tournament, not a more recently published list, and not in the order in which the players check in.

To be considered for a Wild Card, a player must submit a timely entry into the tournament and apply for a Wild Card no later than the entry deadline. Click below for the Wild Card form. more info

Doubles Entry Deadline - Monday, June 1st at 5:00 pm Pacific Time:
All singles main draw players, singles qualifying players, and singles alternates (including Late Entries) are eligible to enter the doubles, regardless of whether they registered with as a team with another player by the May 25 TennisLink entry deadline.
• Teams that enter by the May 25th TennisLink entry deadline will be considered entered as a team in the tournament unless the Tournament Director receives in writing notice by Monday, June 1st at 5:00 pm PT from both players that they no longer want to be considered for selection as a team.
• Players that did not enter with a partner by the May 25th entry deadline may submit an entry until 5:00 pm PT on Monday, June 1st. Entries MUST come from both players as a verification that the players have agreed to compete as a team.
• The Tournament Committee WILL NOT randomly pair players together as a team; pairings are only made when authorized as described above.

Players Looking for Partners:
The Tournament Committee will use its best efforts to facilitate players find partners before the doubles entry deadline. If you're interested in entering, but do not have a partner, please email ardenhillstournaments@gmail.com with the following information: name, age division(s) desiring to enter, telephone number, and a statement giving the Tournament Committee the authority to share your contact information with a prospective partner.

Selection of Doubles Teams and Ordering of Doubles Alternates:
The Tournament Committee shall accept 48 doubles teams into the doubles event and order doubles alternates in the following order:
1. Teams comprising two players in the singles main draw shall be accepted.
2. Teams comprising one player in the singles draw and one singles qualifier player not in the singles main draw.
3. Teams comprising two singles qualifier players not in the singles main draw.
4. If more than the maximum number of entries is received, selection order is based first, on highest combined standings; and second, on highest combined doubles ranking points; except that no team comprised of a Late Applicant shall be selected before a team comprised of timely applicants.

All teams not selected shall be placed on Alternate Lists that are ordered using the same methods of selecting players or teams into the tournament described in above. The Alternate Lists shall be used to replace withdrawing players and teams, except that a Late Entry may not be accepted into the draw if it invalidates the seeding.

Determining Order Using Doubles Seeding List:
For the purpose of determining selection of teams, below is the process of calculating combined rankings and combined ranking points:
• A team's combined ranking is determined as follows: Player A holds the #200 ranking in the division and Player B holds the #201 ranking in the division. The Team of A&B would have the combined ranking of 402.
• Combined Doubles Ranking Points are determined as follows: Player A has 25 doubles ranking points in the division and Player B has 10 doubles ranking points in the division. The Team of AB would have combined doubles ranking points of 35.
If one partner does not have a ranking in the division, for the purposes of calculating the combined ranking, the unranked player shall be assigned a rank that is equivalent to one lower than the lowest ranked player on the Final Ranking List. For example, if Partner C holds the #1 ranking, Partner D does not have a ranking, and the Final Ranking List for this event has a total of 100 players on the list, Partner D is assigned a ranking of 101 and Team C&D have a combined ranking of 102.

This tournament uses the Computerized List Method of Seeding as further described below for the singles and doubles events.

Singles Seeding:
Provided the draws are full, 16 players will be seeded in the singles main draw and 8 players will be seeded in the singles qualifying draw by the USTA NorCal Manager of Junior Play. The most recently published Singles Seeding List shall be used as a start for determining seeding. The following additional information shall also be considered: USTA standings, ITF, ITA, WTA, and ATP rankings, ratings.

Doubles Seeding:
Provided the draws are full, 16 teams will be seeded in doubles by the Tournament Committee. Teams shall be seeded by the Tournament Committee in the order of their combined ranking using the most recently published Doubles Seeding List. Teams with USTA National, ITF, ITA, WTA and ATP standings and rankings may also be considered. See procedures for determining order using Doubles Seeding List above.

When entries close, a player shall not be entered in this tournament and another sanctioned tournament if any parts of the tournaments overlap, unless both Tournament Committees involved understand the situation and concur in writing. If entries for the overlapping tournaments close on different dates, approval must be received from all Tournament Committees no later than the entry closing date that occurs last. Players who enter a tournament and play it to completion, may then enter another tournament with overlapping dates without permission. A player who is on the alternate list in one tournament is not considered in violation of the Concurrent Tournament Rule if they enter another concurrent tournament. Players desiring to enter more a tournament that overlaps must email ardenhillstournaments@gmail.com to request permission on or before entries close.

Withdrawals Prior to Entry Deadline:
Prior to entries closing, a player may withdraw and automatically receive a refund of your entry fee by clicking on the "Withdrawal" link that is in the Edit Registration box at the top right of this page.

Withdrawals After Entry Deadline:
Immediately contact the tournament in writing at ardenhillstournaments@gmail.com if you need to withdraw from the tournament after entries close.
• If the withdrawal is due to a injury or illness, the USTA Regulations require the injured or ill player to submit written verification from a medical professional before the end of the day on June 16th (the last day of the tournament).
• If the withdrawal is due to a personal circumstance, the player must submit a written description of the situation no later than the end of the day on June 16th (the last day of the tournament) and the Referee shall determine whether the situation is a personal circumstance.
Written verification can be emailed or to ardenhillstouraments@gmail.com.

Entry Fee Refunds When Withdrawal Occurs After Entry Deadline:
No refund is required beginning 6 days before the start date of the tournament, or Sunday, May 31. If a player withdraws after this date, the player's base entry fee shall be refunded as follows:
• If a player has entered both singles and doubles and the player withdraws from the singles event no later than seven days before the start date of the tournament, 2/3 of the player's base entry fee shall be refunded.
• If a player enters both singles and doubles and the player withdraws from the doubles event no later than seven days before the start date of the tournament, 1/3 of the player's entry fee shall be refunded.

• For information on when the draw will be made, contact ardenhillstournaments@gmail.com.
• Draws with first weekend start times will be published no later than Wednesday, June 3 at 10:00 am. Start times for the second weekend will be published no later than Wednesday, June 10 at 10:00 am.

Larkspur Landing Hotel is the tournament hotel: 555 Howe Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95825
Discounted rates for tournament participants are as follows:
Studio Suites, 1 Queen - $95.00
Executive Suites, 1 King and Pull out Queen - $115.00
Double Suites, 1 King and 1 Queen - $115.00
There is no deadline for making a reservation, but the room block is limited, so it is important that you make your reservations early and cancel any reservation that is not needed.

Call (916) 646-1212 to make a reservation - request the Arden Hills Tennis Rate.
Or, click on one of the links below to make an online reservation. Separate reservation links must be used for the two separate weekends.
Saturday, June 6 to Monday, June 8 more info

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Historically the weather during this tournament has been extremely hot with one or more days in the 100s. Please begin to properly hydrate now so that you are prepared. Although an ice machine is available at Arden Hills and water and Gatorade will be available for purchase, please bring ample water to properly hydrate during the tournament.

Information on if and how inclement weather affects the tournament schedule will be posted to top of this website as court conditions change. In the unlikely event matches have to be cancelled due to inclement weather, the order of cancellation is as follows: singles consolation, doubles, singles main draw.

Practice courts will be available at Arden Hills for warm up beginning one hour prior to first match times each day of the tournament. Additional practice courts will be at Rio Americano High School and Ashton Park both about 3 minutes from Arden Hills.

Practice Court Policies:
• Courts are available on a first come, first served basis.
• During high demand times, courts are to have four "Tournament Players" to a court. Coaches, parents, players not in the draw, and other tournament guests are NOT considered "Tournament Players."
• Courts are available in half-hour blocks. Please surrender your court if you have had use of it for a full half hour and players are waiting to get on.
• Please be courteous to other players, parents, and coaches. Unsportsmanlike conduct should be reported and is subject to penalty under the USTA Suspension Point System.

Water and Ice: The club also has an ice machine available for use by all participants. Players are advised to bring water bottles/jugs to ensure they have ample water for proper hydration.

Viewing Matches: Although Arden Hills has good viewing on many courts, we welcome you to bring folding chairs to watch from some areas.

Player Snacks: Fruit and muffins will be provided daily to the players.

Arden Hills Food Services: Arden Hills has a Chavoor Restaurant and snack bar where food can be purchased.

Parking: Parking is available at Arden Hills, but there may be some restrictions due to other events taking place on the tournament dates. Resort staff will assist you should there be any restrictions in place.

Stringing: Arden Hills will have a stringer available on site. For information call (916) 482-6111 and ask for the boutique. Other convenient stringing services are available at Courtside Tennis Shop located on Fair Oaks Blvd. and Howe Avenue (approximately 10 min from Arden Hills).

Club Facilities: Players are welcome to use the club showers; however the gym and swimming pools are for club member use only.

Tournament Gift: Each participant shall receive a 2015 Sectionals Tournament T-shirt.

Awards: First through fourth place finishers in singles and doubles shall receive awards. Additionally, the winner of the singles quarterfinal playoff (5th place) and the FIC winner will receive awards.

Sportsmanship: Players shall be recognized daily for acts of outstanding sportsmanship with NorCal Sportsmanship Bag Tags. We accept sportsmanship award nominations from players, coaches, parents and spectators. At the conclusion of the tournament, the USTA NorCal Sectional Championships Sportsmanship Award will be presented to one girl in each division.

Wilson US Open Extra Duty

All players are required to wear appropriate tennis attire and dress in a manner consistent with being a participant the USTA NorCal Sectionals and a guest at a private tennis club. Running shorts, cut off shorts, sports bras, shirts with inappropriate language, shoes not designed for tennis, and any other attire that is recreational and not tennis-oriented is not permitted. T-shirts (other than the tournament shirt) are not acceptable on the final day of the tournament. Tournament guests are also asked to dress in a manner consistent with being a guest at a private tennis club. Players and tournament guests not meeting the dress code may be asked to change prior to going on the court.

Animals are prohibited, including in the parking lot and in parked automobiles.