University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Emon van Loben Sels (left) and Spencer Johnson
Photo by: Alicia Helmstetter
Johnson, van Loben Sels Earn ITA Regional Honors
June 09, 2026 | Men's Tennis
TEMPE, Ariz. – Spencer Johnson and Emon van Loben Sels were honored Tuesday by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), which announced its regional award winners. Johnson was tabbed the Southwest Regional Player to Watch, while van Loben Sels received the Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship and Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Awards.
Johnson and van Loben Sels will now be considered for the national awards. Those are set to be distributed June 16.
Johnson kicked off his junior campaign by qualifying for the NCAA singles and doubles tournaments. He notched top-20 rankings in both singles (No. 8) and doubles (19) and was ultimately voted onto the All-Big Ten Second Team. Johnson finished with a 15-10 singles record that included a 10-7 dual showing. He clinched a 4-1 win against No. 25 USC, beating Branko Djuric 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(6) with the two remaining matches much in doubt (March 13). Johnson also registered an 18-8 doubles record (11-6 dual).
Johnson's berth in the NCAA doubles draw and career-high doubles ranking were achieved alongside van Loben Sels, who finished the year with a 25-5 doubles record that included an 18-3 mark in dual matches. For good measure, van Loben Sels went 22-9 in singles play (15-5 dual) and finished with team highs in total wins, singles wins, doubles wins and dual-match doubles wins. He received All-Big Ten First Team recognition and was also chosen a Big Ten Sportsmanship Honoree, both firsts for the Sacramento, Calif. native.
With his latest two ITA Regional Awards, van Loben Sels has collected four. He was voted Most Improved Player and Player to Watch in 2025.
Johnson and van Loben Sels will now be considered for the national awards. Those are set to be distributed June 16.
Johnson kicked off his junior campaign by qualifying for the NCAA singles and doubles tournaments. He notched top-20 rankings in both singles (No. 8) and doubles (19) and was ultimately voted onto the All-Big Ten Second Team. Johnson finished with a 15-10 singles record that included a 10-7 dual showing. He clinched a 4-1 win against No. 25 USC, beating Branko Djuric 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(6) with the two remaining matches much in doubt (March 13). Johnson also registered an 18-8 doubles record (11-6 dual).
Johnson's berth in the NCAA doubles draw and career-high doubles ranking were achieved alongside van Loben Sels, who finished the year with a 25-5 doubles record that included an 18-3 mark in dual matches. For good measure, van Loben Sels went 22-9 in singles play (15-5 dual) and finished with team highs in total wins, singles wins, doubles wins and dual-match doubles wins. He received All-Big Ten First Team recognition and was also chosen a Big Ten Sportsmanship Honoree, both firsts for the Sacramento, Calif. native.
With his latest two ITA Regional Awards, van Loben Sels has collected four. He was voted Most Improved Player and Player to Watch in 2025.
Players Mentioned
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