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TheLotto Elite Hot 100 lists are published each month, and the November Hot 100 lists feature the 100 boys and girls who most improved their rankings during the month of October. You can find out more about the Lotto Elite Hot 100 - and how the lists are calculated - by reading here.

The latest lists are available here:

• Boys' Hot 100
• Girls' Hot 100

We talked to some of the top performers:

Daniel Karia (Austin, Texas)

Daniel Karia (WTN: 21.5) climbed to No. 198 in the Tennis Recruiting Network boys rankings from the 257th slot.

The 6-foot right-handed three star recorded an 8-2 record and won an L5 18s tournament during his rise in the rankings. Karia captured the Dallas Tennis Association Frisco Fall Open with a 6-4, 2-6, (10-8) victory over Aaditt Rishi (Plano, Texas) in the finals.

Three-Star Junior Daniel Karia
© Contributed Photo

“I attribute my recent good play to my calming down on court and becoming more neutral,” said Karia, a junior at Austin High School. “I have been too emotional on court and that has resulted in mood swings, along with less consistent play. Being calmer has allowed me to make more of my shots in the court. The higher consistency I am obtaining is allowing me to stay in points longer, and keeping those shots deep. It also makes it more difficult for my opponents to attack and be aggressive.”

Karia trains with Scott McCain of the River Place Country Club and with Ryan Simme of the UT Golf Club. Both are located in Austin.

“I would describe my game as attacking the net and trying to play inside the court as much as I can,” Karia said. “I am pretty diverse when playing, as I have been working on my forehand extensively to make it more effective for the past year. I also have a strong backhand (two-handed) and volleys. I have always loved my backhand, and that has been my favorite shot since I started playing tennis. My volleys are where I feel most comfortable. Being at and around the net typically brings me the most success.”

Karia has played No. 1 singles for three years on the Austin High tennis team. Last spring, Karia and his mixed doubles partner, Willow Dymkowski (Austin), advanced to the University Interscholastic League state semifinals.

“I have thought about colleges and I am in the early stages of the recruiting process,” Karia said. “I have started talking with coaches and am interested in speaking with more programs, as well. I am looking for a school with advanced academics, as getting a top-tier education has been a priority of mine. I am looking for a school that has a close sense of togetherness, and a team that is tight with one another. I believe that working together as one unit is the best way to maximize our chances of winning, and that all players should put the team over themselves and their own personal interests.”

Karia’s parents are Meetesh Karia and Barbara Karia-Marton. Born in Budapest, Hungary, the younger Karia grew up playing tennis, along with soccer and basketball. Karia said he gravitated to tennis “because you and your opponent are the only people that can control what happens, and I found the individual accountability very motivating.”

“Over the past month, Danny has finally found an identity on court and has played with positive energy and great sportsmanship,” his parents said. “He’s been working incredibly hard over the past year training, lifting, working with a mental coach, and playing practice matches. It has brought more consistency and purpose to his game. It has all really started to click and come together recently, and he’s a much more mature and composed player on the court.”

Samaya Smith (Indianapolis, Indiana)

Samaya Smith (WTN: 22.6) climbed up the Tennis Recruiting Network girls rankings list to No. 122 from the 160th rung on the ladder.

The 5-foot-8 1⁄2 right-handed four star sported a 5-0 record, and won three recent 18s tournaments. Smith captured the L5 IRC and the L6 Indy Healthplex Girls Fall Tournament, both at Indianapolis; and the L6 Team Witsken Fall Brawl in Zionsville, Indiana.

Four-Star Senior Samaya Smith
© Contributed Photo

“During the 2024 spring season, I ran track and took a five-month break from tennis,” said Smith, a junior at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis. “After competing and winning the Indiana Track and Field State Championship for Warren Central with my sisters in June, I returned to tennis. It took about four months before I finally felt comfortable with my movement in tennis strokes. I spent more time on the court outside of the mandatory clinic hours, and I increased my time working on tennis technical skills, speed, conditioning, and strength.”

Smith had a conflict with playing tennis at Warren Central, because it’s the same season as track. Often, meets happen on the same day. After her success at the state track meet, Smith plans to participate on her school tennis team the rest of the way.

She currently has a 4.05 grade-point average and is ranked 24th out of a class of 899 students. Smith is a member of the 4.0 honor roll and has been inducted into the National Honor Society. She also attended an immersion elementary and middle school and is fluent in Spanish.

“I have definitely thought about playing in college and this is a dream of mine,” Smith said. “I would like to play at the highest level that my talent allows. I am looking forward to transitioning from individual junior tennis to college team tennis. I know I have a lot of work to do, and I am up for the challenge.”

Smith trains with her parents, Stephen Smith and Le’gretta Smith; and with Jamie Dieveney, director of Indiana Racquet Club, along with Maurice Willingham. She said she is working with her coaches on “pretty much everything.” Specifically, with Jagger Saylor on volleys; with Kevin Gill on groundstrokes; and with her mom, the Warren Central track coach, on footwork. She also increased her time on the court with practice matches.

“I would describe my game as a counter-puncher with a focus on becoming an all-court player,” Smith said. “As of now, I lean more on the counter-puncher side because making the ball is a safer route. Some of my strengths include getting another ball back in the court, my speed, and my ability to play aggressive defense. A new and developing skill/strength has been my serve. Lately, it has been a very beneficial weapon, allowing me to serve my way out of trouble, as well as attack and score easy points.

“I think I am learning and growing as a tennis player. I am enjoying the growth process and I am looking forward to only focusing on tennis for the next two years. I would not trade winning the Indiana state track championship with my sisters for anything in the world. Now that the family goal has been accomplished, I am ready to step out on my own and focus on tennis.”

Smith said that although her mother is track coach, she loves the sport of tennis. She put her and her sisters in summer tennis camps. Starting in their fourth year in tennis, they began year-round tennis camps, clinics, and lessons.

“Samaya made up her mind that she would like to play tennis in college and not run track, so she’s dedicated more hours to becoming a better tennis player,” her mom said. “Once I began to notice that she would go to practice without being told, I knew she had turned the corner and is taking ownership of her own success.”

Alphonso Carlos Sison (Wake Forest, North Carolina)

Alphonso Carlos Sison (WTN: 21.2) moved up 53 places in the Tennis Recruiting Network boys rankings to No. 195 from the 248th position.

The 5-foot-11 right-handed three star posted a recent 7-2 record, and won the 18s title at the L5 Charlotte (North Carolina) Junior Championships Flighted event. Sison beat Hamilton Huitt (Matthews, North Carolina) 7-5, 2-6, (10-7) in the finals.

Three-Star Senior Alphonso Carlos Sison
© Contributed Photo

“I would definitely credit my mindset and work ethic during practice to my elevated performances recently,” said Sison, a senior at Franklin Academy High School. “I have really been motivated and focused during practices in the past few months, which has been reflected in my results. During my matches, I have learned to adapt and fight through the match whenever I face adversity, which I believe is a major factor in success.”

Sison plays for the Franklin Academy tennis team. He won the Class 2A singles state championship in 2023 and 2024, and has played in the top position, as well as serving as team captain. The Patriots won the 2024 state team title, and Sison was named Most Valuable Player.

Academically, Sison was selected his junior year as a “Junior Marshal,” a recognition awarded to students in the top ranks of their classes. He is also an honor roll member and was invited to join the board of candidates for valedictorian.

Sison has a connection to Army West Point. His two uncles and an aunt all played tennis for Army a decade ago.

“My top schools I want to go to are West Point and the Naval Academy,” Sison said. “What I am looking for in a college tennis team is good chemistry where I can have a competitive and friendly environment. I want to compete at the highest level and hopefully play Division I tennis. Other than a good tennis program, I want to attend a college that has very good academics in terms of medical majors.”

Sison added he is “very young for his grade as a senior,” so he is deciding to take a gap year after high school to increase opportunities at a Division I level.

Involved in the community, Sison volunteers at a nursing home. He also spends time playing musical instruments, such as the piano and guitar.

Sison trains with Paul Goode, William O’Connell, and Eric Bratt of the Raleigh (North Carolina) Racquet Club. He is working with his coaches on point construction to get better openings to finish the points. The coaches want him to break down opponents by grinding and outworking them through endurance and discipline.

“I would say that I am an aggressive player who likes dictating the point from the baseline with my forehand,” Sison said. “I would definitely say my forehand is a lot stronger than my backhand, because I can place the ball more precisely. Whenever I get my opponent in an unfavorable position, I like to come in and finish the point at the net.”

Born in Manila, Philippines, Sison decided to start tennis at age 6, inspired by his uncles and aunt. He later started playing at the local Wake Forest Flaherty Park Community Center, and graviated to a high-performance center at the Raleigh Racquet Club.

His mom and dad, Ben-Hur and Maria Mirasol Sison, are proud of their son’s demeanor and determination to succeed.

“What sets him apart from other players is his silent but effective presence on the court,” they said. “He prefers to let his game do the talking, displaying a quiet confidence that stands out in important moments. Tennis has captured his focus because he has a strong desire to excel and to be the best at what he does. He has developed an ability to analyze and adapt, knowing his opponents well, and learning from each tournament he plays.”

Victoria Cajigas (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

Victoria Cajigas (WTN: 23.8) rose 60 positions in the Tennis Recruiting Network girls rankings to No. 179, climbing up from 239th.

The 5-foot-7 three star posted a 6-1 record and won the 18s L5 Extreme Tennis Academy tournament in Miami, Florida.

Three-Star Junior Victoria Cajigas
© Contributed Photo

“I credit the improvement of my ranking to having good play for the last couple of months,” said Cajigas, a junior in high school. “I have been concentrating on improving my game, putting in the work hours and time to achieve daily goals. That has helped me significantly in the overall part of my game.”

Cajigas attends the Grandview Preparatory School located inside Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Florida. She did play tennis for her school in Puerto Rico - Academia del Perpetuo Socorro - and was the Most Valuable Player for three seasons. Last year, the team made it to the finals of the Puerto Rico High School Athletics Alliance.

A dedicated student, Cajigas worked on a science project dealing with how lichens (hybrid colonies of algae) grow in different environments. She won first place in the competition at her school and qualified for the Regional Science Fair, where students from public and private schools are entered. Cajigas took third place in Environmental Science in the Puerto Rico Metropolitan Science Fair.

Additionally, Cajigas has taken honors classes in math and English, two of her “specialties.”

“I definitely want to play high-level tennis in college,” Cajigas said. “I am in the process of doing research on the colleges I would like to attend. I’m looking forward to a school that would be a good fit for me.”

Cajigas is coached by John Giesberts and Francesco Michelotti of Evert Tennis Academy. She is working with her coaches on serves and returns.

“My game is being aggressive,” Cajigas said. “I’m an aggressive baseliner and my strengths are definitely my forehand and attacking shots.”

Her parents are Carlos Cajigas and Fernanda Chavez-Cajigas. Carlos was born and raised in San Juan and played baseball. He came to Jupiter, Florida, his senior year for better opportunities to play the game. Carlos received a baseball scholarship to Palm Beach Atlantic University, where he met his future wife, a native of Ecuador. She also moved to Florida and landed a tennis scholarship to Palm Beach Atlantic.

Victoria was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, and moved to San Juan when she was 5 years old. She originally found tennis through her mom, mainly playing for fun. With Fernanda as an inspiration, her daughter decided to follow in her mom’s footsteps. In August of this year, Victoria moved to Boca Raton to gain more extensive tennis training and experience.

“Prior to last month, Victoria had been playing lots of matches that helped her to have good wins,” her parents said. “There were tough wins in difficult situations and also tough and close matches. That experience made her able to adjust and keep moving forward. Victoria is very mature for her age (16 years old). She is disciplined and very consistent, which may help distinguish her from other girls her age.”

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Lotto Elite is a preferred pricing program designed around and for the coach and player, not the brand. We don't think a ranking or rating defines you as a player. We think your grit, determination, love of the grind, attitude and so much more, both on and off the court, define you as a person and makes you Elite.

This is why we wanted to partner with the Hot 100 list. We believe this group of players embody what it means to be Elite. Whether you're a 2-star or Blue Chip recruit, being on this list means you put yourself out there, went for it, and accomplished a goal. Keep Grinding.

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About James Hill

James Hill is the Assistant Sports Information Director at Trinity University in San Antonio and a freelance writer. He has covered all levels of tennis competition.