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Katie Volynets hadn’t participated in a junior tournament in nearly a year. The blue chip rising senior was playing mostly Pro Circuit events over the last 11 months.

Singles Champion Katie Volynets
© J. Fred Sidhu

But returning to San Diego for the USTA Billie Jean King Girls 18 National Championships was never a question for the 17-year-old from Walnut Creek, California.

“It’s such a great environment and the tournament is so prestigious and named after such a legend,” Volynets said. “And, of course, the reward is just the big cherry on top.”

The delectable prize every player covets is a wild card into the main draw of women’s singles at the U.S. Open.

The second-seeded Volynets secured her golden ticket by defeating No. 3 Emma Navarro of Charleston, South Carolina 6-2, 6-4 in the final in front of a large crowd and Tennis Channel cameras at the Barnes Tennis Center.

“It feels so amazing,” Volynets said. “I had a surge of energy and joy after I won. I am so excited to go to New York.”