Julia Nojeim’s opponents know that when they face the Marion resident the competition will be fierce, but fair.

On Saturday, Jan. 9 Nojeim will be awarded the United States Tennis Association (USTA) New England’s 2015 Junior Sportsmanship Award for girls 18 and under.

In a testament to her sportsmanship, Nojeim said it's possible to go for the win while being civil.

“It’s about being fair throughout the match. It there’s a close, questionable call you give the benefit of the doubt to your opponent,” she said. “I keep my emotions in check whether I’m up six games or down six games.”

This is the second consecutive year Nojeim has earned the association's sportsmanship award. The award is given to the player who exemplifies conduct and character at the USTA competitions. Last year, she was honored at the National Championships held in South Carolina, and this year she received the award for the New England Championships at UMass Amherst.

Now a freshman at Fairfield University, Nojeim won the award playing for the Sippican Tennis Club U-18 Junior Team. The Marion-based Sippican Tennis Club hosts the team during summer.

A member of the Old Rochester Regional High School tennis team for four years, Nojeim has played on the USTA team for five years.

Under Coach Chick Renfrew, the team has advanced to the national competition the past two years and also in 2011.

Nojeim attributed part of her success to Renfrew, who has been coaching tennis since 1975.

“[Renfrew] stresses competition and good sportsmanship,” she said. “He’s fostered a really good team, skill wise and attitude wise.”

This summer, the team represented all of eastern Massachusetts at the New England championships held at UMass in August.

“We won there and that got us to the national competition,” Nojeim said. “We were a small club team that kept moving along.”

The award is given by coaches who select a boy and a girl on opposing teams that demonstrate excellent sportsmanship after matches.

“Julia has won other awards at out Junior Team Tennis events as well so it is great to see the consistency of her character,” read her nomination form.

Nojeim will be among 35 award winners and 75 longtime volunteers celebrated for their contributions to the sport at the ceremony.

“Our award winners exemplify the very best of tennis in New England. We are so proud of each of their remarkable efforts on and off the court in 2015,” said Scott Steinberg, president and CEO of USTA New England. “It is our pleasure to celebrate these wonderful people.”

Looking ahead, Nojeim said leaving the team will be bittersweet as she ages out of the program, but she plans on checking in on new players next summer.

“It was a big honor and I’m pleased my kindness was recognized,” she said. “It was really fun to be on this team the past few years. It’s a great program and I wish them the best of luck.”