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Orange Lutheran tennis player Sophie Suh, the reigning CIF-SS singles champion, said she will forgo the high school season to travel for competition on the International Tennis Federation circuit.
The girls high school tennis starts Monday, Aug. 18.
“After much thought, I have decided not to play (high school) this year,” said Suh, who claimed the section singles crown as a freshman last fall.
“I have earned some professional WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) points this summer and will be spending more time traveling for (ITT) tournaments.”
The ITT is viewed as one of the gateways to professional tennis.
Suh, selected as The Register’s Orange County player of the year in 2024, said she earned points playing on the SoCal Pro Series over the summer.
Last season, Suh defeated two-time section champion and USC-bound senior Daniela Borruel of Sunny Hills 7-5, 6-1 in the CIF-SS singles final.
Suh displayed composure and a well-round skill set in becoming the first Orange Lutheran girl to capture the CIF singles title since Kaitlyn Christian (USC) in 2009.
In addition to earning county player of the year, Suh was named the SoCal girls MVP by the National High School Tennis Al-American Foundation.
Suh was complimentary of high school tennis last season but selected a route this fall similar to recent O.C. standouts such as Portola’s Kenzie Nguyen and Bella Chhiv.
Suh is ranked as the No. 2 sophomore in the nation by Tennis Recruiting.
This fall, the Southern Section team finals are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 14 at the University of Redlands or The Claremont Club.
The SoCal Regional for teams follows Nov. 21-22 in Claremont with the third annual state final Nov. 29 in Fresno.
The Southern Section’s individuals championships for singles and doubles are set for Dec. 4 at Biszantz Family Tennis Center in Claremont.