Texas Junior Spotlights
Texas is home to thousands of oustanding Junior competitors and athletes. Learn more about some of these players and how they play the game. This showcases 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in singles and doubles in L1-L4 events.
2025 USTA Texas Slam
Elsa Laureen Pina Boiko
Elsa Laureen Pina Boiko is a 7th grader from Brownsville and attends Noth Hill. She placed 1st in Girl's 12 singles at the 2025 USTA Texas Slam in Plano, TX.
"I set clear goals for myself this season—and I'm incredibly proud to have achieved them.”
Zoe Young
Zoe Young is a 9th grader from The Woodlands and attends The Woodlands High School. She placed 1st in Girl's 16 doubles at the 2025 USTA Texas Slam in Plano, TX.
"I’m really happy with how we performed under pressure during crucial moments and points.”
Vihaan Reddy Mereddy
Vihaan Reddy Mereddy is a 6th grader from Prosper and attends Rushing Middle School. He placed 1st in Boy's 12 singles at the 2025 USTA Texas Slam in Plano, TX.
"I had the privilege to compete against the best players in Texas. The Texas Slam is a very prestigious tournament to win.”
Stella Chambers
Stella Chambers is a 7th grader from Austin and attends Austin Tennis Academy College Prep. She placed in Girl's 12 singles and doubles at the 2025 USTA Texas Slam in Plano, TX.
"I was so excited to do well and compete my best during that week!.”
Kush Purohit
Kursh Purohit is a 6th grader from Austin and attends Austin Tennis Academy College Prep. He placed 1st in Boy's 12 doubles at the 2025 USTA Texas Slam in Plano, TX.
"I got to watch good matches in different age groups. It was amazing experience..”
Miguel Rooney
Miguel Rooney is an 11th grader from Dallas. He placed 1st in Boy's 18 doubles at the 2025 USTA Texas Slam in Plano, TX.
"My best memories of the tournament were overcoming two really close matches in the semifinal and final to get the win.”
James Andrew Ross
James Andrew Ross is a 9th grader from Frisco. He placed 1st in Boy's 18 doubles at the 2025 USTA Texas Slam in Plano, TX.
"It’s been a really cool experience to see all that effort pay off.”
Daria Budko
Daria Budko is a 12th grader from Frisco. She placed 1st in Girl's 18 doubles & 2nd in Girl's 18 singles at the 2025 USTA Texas Slam in Plano, TX.
"I feel honored to be surrounded by all of my friends in these types of tournaments and the competition is through the roof! ”
Elaina Jia
Elaina Jia is a 7th grader from Fulshear & attends Adams Junior High. She placed 1st in Girl's 12 doubles at the 2025 USTA Texas Slam in Plano, TX.
"It was meaningful because me and my partner beat some tough oppenents, and I also made some new friends! ”
Alexandra Patton
Alexandra Patton is an 11th grader from Coppell & attends Coppell High School. She placed 1st in Girl's 16 singles at the 2025 USTA Texas Slam in Plano, TX.
"I remember the challenge of staying mentally tough in high-pressure moments and the pride I felt after playing my best.”
Maya Chen
Maya Chen is a 12th grader from Edinburg. She placed 1st in Girl's 18 doubles at the 2025 USTA Texas Slam in Plano, TX.
"This was my first tournament back and I feel that it helped me with my confidence. I also made new friends going in this tournament. ”
L1 USTA 2024 Winter National Championship
Chukwumelije Clarke
Chukwumelije Clarke is a 10th grader from Humble and attends ICL Academy. She placed 1st in Girl's 18 singles at the 2024 USTA Winter National Championships in Orlando, FL.
"The best memory that I have was playing in the final. This was the best memory because I had to win a three setter that went into a tiebreak. I had to dig deep to get the win and get my first gold ball”
Jacqueline Nick
Jacqueline Nick is a 7th grader from Katy. She placed 1st in Girl's 12 singles at the 2024 USTA Winter National Championships in San Antonio, TX.
"This is my 1st win in an L1 tournament and, my 1st gold ball. It was even better in my home state. I always play well in San Antonio. This win meant so much as my opponents were very good and I overcame fears of failing.”
L2 Minneapolis
Sasha Miroshnichenko
Sasha Miroshnichenko is a 9th grader from Southlake. She won the placed 1st in Girl's 14 singles at the L2 Minneapolis in Minneapolis, MN.
"This tournament helped a lot with my confidence. I had a few matches where I was able able to come back when I was down and that was really encouraging for me.”
15k Lakewood SoCal Pro Series
Alanis Hamilton
Alanis Hamilton is a 12th grader from Allendale Academy in Addison. She won the placed 1st in Women's Singles singles this past July (2024) at the 15k Lakewood SoCal Pro Series in Lakewood, California.
“Winning the 15k in Lakewood was deeply meaningful to me because it was my first pro title and it validated my hard work and dedication. It was a significant milestone in my career, affirming my skills and boosting my confidence while opening new opportunities for growth and recognition..”
USTA Clay Court Championships
Enya Hamilton
Enya Hamilton is an 8th grader from Addison. She won the placed 2nd in Girls’ 14 singles this past July (2024) at the USTA National Clay Court Championships in Plantation, Florida.
“This tournament was really important to me because it showed how much I've improved. Getting second place at a national level proved that all my hard work and dedication paid off. It also taught me a lot about staying strong and never giving up.”
Mason Vaughan
Mason Vaughan is an 8th grader from Dallas. He won the Finals in Boys’ 14 doubles & singles this past July (2024) at the USTA Boys 14s Clay Court Championships in Dothan, Alabama.
“This tournament was meaningful to me because I showed lots of improvement in between matches, like resting, stretching and recovering in the A/C when I’m not playing. I also showed myself that I can hang right in there and beat the top guys.”
Sebastian Iñaki Godoy
Sebastian Iñaki Godoy is a 9th grader from Houston. He advanced to the Finals in Boys’ 14 singles this past July (2024) at the USTA Boys 14s Clay Court Championships in Dothan, Alabama.
“I have played many L1 tournaments before, but never able to pass 2 rounds in main draw, so this achievement makes me feel great. I have been working very hard, trusting the process along the way and I knew results were going to come at some point, and they did.”
L1 USTA Easter Bowl at Indian Wells, March 2024
Lani Brotman
Lani Brotman is an 11th grader from Carrollton. She advanced to the Semifinals in Girls’ 18 doubles this past March (2024) in the L1 USTA Easter Bowl Championships at Indian Wells.
“This tournament was really meaningful to me because this was my first national ball. I liked how all the country clubs were open to the tournament players so that it was always easy to find a practice court”
James Quattro
James Quattro is a 10th grader from Austin. He won third place in Boys’ 16 doubles this past March (2024) in the L1 USTA Easter Bowl Championships at Indian Wells.
“This tournament was meaningful for me because it was my first time playing and visiting CA. I also really enjoyed meeting & playing against many boys that I would not have the opportunity to do so. This showed me tennis is really a global sport.”
Zimora McKnight
Zimora McKnight is a 10th grader at Connections Academy from McKinney. She won second place in Girls’ 16 doubles this past March (2024) in the L1 USTA Easter Bowl Championships at Indian Wells.
“This tournament was meaningful for me because it was my first time playing here, to make it this far meant something to me. It meant alot to me because, 1 year after choosing tennis over all my other sports, I made it into the Easter Bowl. I understand this was a big accomplishment for my career."
L1 Winter Nationals Tournament in San Antonio, December 2023
Kayden Johnson
Johnson is a 9th grader at Saint John’s High School in Houston. She won 3rd place in Girls’ 14s this past December (2023) in the L1 Winter Nationals Tournament in San Antonio.
“This tournament was meaningful for me because of all of the friendly people and personnel at tournament sites.”
Tristan Ascenzo
Tristan Ascenzo is a 7th grader at Highland Park in University Park. He won second place in Boys’ 12 singles, and second place in Boys’ 12 Doubles alongside his partner, Sebastian Zavala this past December (2023) in the L1 Winter Nationals Tournament in San Antonio.
“This tournament was meaningful for me because I got two more cherished balls for my collection. It was especially fun winning the gold ball in doubles with partner Sebastian Zavala. It's more fun when you get to celebrate a victory with someone. We have definitely mastered our chest pumps!”
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