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TheLotto Elite Hot 100 lists are published each month, and the March Hot 100 lists feature the 100 boys and girls who most improved their rankings during the month of February. 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:

Kareena Yang (Redondo Beach, California)

Kareena Yang (WTN: 24.6) climbed 47 rungs of the ladder in the Tennis Recruiting Network girls rankings from 210th to No. 163.

The 5-foot-6 right-handed three star posted an excellent 10-0 singles record, winning two 16s tournaments in California along the way. Yang captured the L4 67th Long Beach Junior Open and the L5 Racquet Club of Irvine Flighted event.

Three-Star Sophomore Kareena Yang
© Contributed Photo

“I credit my success last month to my strong work ethic, a good mindset, and a change in my pre-game routine,” said Yang, a sophomore at Redondo Union High School. “My best win during this time was winning the Long Beach Junior Open. My most memorable match was beating an opponent who had previously beaten me. This match was memorable because I pushed myself hard throughout the match and used every possible tool in my tennis toolbox to pull off the win.”

Yang’s coach is Morisa Yang, who was one of the top players in Southern California and is a USTA Player Development Coach. Yang is working with her coach on developing variety on the second serve and building shot tolerance, but being aggressive when appropriate.

“I would describe my game as an aggressive baseliner who is comfortable finishing at the net,” Yang said. “My strengths are construction of points using patterns, getting ahead in points with the serve, and my backhand. On the mental side, staying mentally tough throughout the match is another strength. My backhand angle is my favorite shot so I can pull my opponents off court, allowing me to capitalize on the opponent’s weaker shots. My game style is like that of (Aryna) Sabalenka’s, and I hope to be like her one day.”

For her fitness and training, Yang goes to RDD Elite Academy in Lakewood. In the past, she worked at Sean McRoberts Academy in Redondo Beach.

Yang is the top player at Redondo Union High. Last year, she won the Bay League individual singles title, a challenging high school league in California. She has received the MVP Award for the past two years for her tennis performance.

Her teammates often refer to her as the “most huggable player.” Yang loves to mentor little kids in the sport of tennis whenever she gets a chance.

An excellent student, Yang maintains a 4.0 grade-point average. She is enrolled in an advanced placement class, an honors class, and the PLTW Biomedical Pathway. Students in that program experience state-of-the-art tools and techniques that are used by professionals in hospitals and labs.

“My demanding schedule has taught me to strike a balance between studying for tests, tennis training, USTA tournaments and having fun with friends,” Yang added. “I have also been on the Principal’s Honor Roll twice.”

As to college preference, Yang said: “I am excited by the prospect of playing college tennis and I aspire to be in a competitive tennis program. At the same time, I would want the school to have a rigorous academic program. I want to be on a college tennis team that is a close-knit community with great coaching and one that pushes and motivates me to play better every day, and where I can make an impact. I am open to attending colleges inside or outside of California, and I prefer it to be a moderate-sized school.”

Yang’s mom and dad are Deepa Dabir and David Yang. At an early age, Yang tagged along to watch her cousins play competitive tennis. She has participated in the sport since the age of 6. Her dad played high school tennis and her 8-year-old brother already is playing competitive tennis. Yang said their idea of family fun is to head out to the courts and play “parents vs. kids doubles.”

“We chose tennis because it’s a lifetime sport and fun to play as a family,” her parents said. “At the same time, it teaches one to be disciplined, handle pressure, and problem-solve in the moment. Kareena thoroughly enjoys being part of the tennis team and is the first one to cheer on her peers during matches.

Jens Holger Nissen (Ellicott City, Maryland)

Jens Holger Nissen (WTN: 20.1) now stands at No. 119 in the Tennis Recruiting Network boys rankings, moving up from the 145th slot.

The 6-foot-6 right-handed four star produced a 10-2 singles record, and won an 18s L4 tournament. Nissen captured the Indoor Championships at Virginia Beach Tennis Club.

Four-Star Junior Jens Holger Nissen
© Contributed Photo

“I credit my good play to my movement and mentality,” said Nissen, a junior at Glenelg Country School in Howard County, Maryland. “Being able to move and use my legs through the entire match helps me to not make as many errors and I play better on the court. I also said my mentality, because in the past, I would let my emotions get the best of me. But in the last few months I have started to control my emotions. I just keep everything to myself, not showing that I am frustrated or that I have lost focus.”

Nissen trains with Ross Coleman of the Suburban Club of Baltimore, located in Pikesville, Maryland. He also works with Craig Anderson of Montgomery Tennisplex in Boyds, Maryland. Nissen is working with his coaches on movement and getting low for shots. He said movement has always been a big problem for him, and developing it has made him “more of a threat on the court.” Because of his long legs, getting low to the ground has been hard but he has focused on that matter for a while.

“I would describe my game as being an aggressive player,” Nissen said. “I try to step into the court and take control of the points. I try to get to the net when I have a chance. Some of my strengths would be my serve, due to the fact that I am tall. It also helps me get free points in big moments. I can be aggressive with my forehand. With my volleys, I can cover the net due to my large wingspan.”

Nissen is a member of the Glenelg Dragons tennis team. He won the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association C Conference Singles Championship for two years in a row. His team also won the MIAA Conference title.

As to college plans, Nissen said: “The thing I am looking for in a college is making sure the environment is good, and I can see myself doing other things than playing tennis. I want to make sure the school has a good biology or engineering program, because I want to study one of those areas. I am also looking for a tennis team that has a good connection with each other. I want to make sure everyone is good friends.”

Nissen was born in Shanghai, China, but is a Danish citizen. Nissen’s older siblings, brother Jens Arhur Nissen and sister Esther, both are avid tennis players. Nissen often played with his siblings, and his parents love to watch the sport. Nissen said he “sort of was driven into playing it,” and his family helped him to grow to be the type of player he is today.

Micah Racquel Russell (Elberta, Alabama)

Micah Racquel Russell (WTN: 26.5) moved up to No. 258 in the Tennis Recruiting Network girls rankings, and was previously ranked in the 293rd slot.

The 5-foot-7 ambidextrous (serves right-handed, with two backhands) three star sported a 10-6 singles record. Russell was a finalist in the 18s L5 One Love Tennis Championships of the South, held in Rome, Georgia.

“I credit my good play to God healing me from my injuries, hard work, and my coaching and hitting with me,” said Russell, a freshman home-schooled student. “My mom has spent so much time with me at practice, tournaments, and traveling. … My dad has supported me through tournaments since I was 6 years old.”

Three-Star Freshman Micah Racquel Russell
© Contributed Photo

Her mom and dad are Rhett and Amy Russell (née McGarrahan). Her mom played tennis at the University of Arkansas from 1988-1992. Dad was club champion at the University of Alabama and is director of racquet sports at Hidden Dunes in Miramar Beach, Florida. The younger Russell splits her time between Alabama and Freeport, Florida.

Definitely coming from a tennis family, Russell’s sister, Blaeke Mitchell, and her team from Campbellsville University in Kentucky, won the National Christian Championship in 2022. Another sister, Raegan Mitchell, won the 2019 USTA Alabama Female Junior Player of the Year Award and received a scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Brother Brock Mitchell was the Region 2A District 1 singles champion, while 14-year-old sister Blaeze Russell was ranked ninth in the South in the 10-and-under category. Finally, 12-year-old brother David Rhett Russell was the Alabama state champion in the 8 and 10-and-under divisions.

To top it off, grandmother Monica Davidson used to play doubles with Blaeze. Her other grandmother, Sarah McGough, who started playing tennis at the age of 38, encouraged Russell’s mom to enter the sport of tennis. The Russell family was named the USTA Alabama 2014 Family of the Year.

“Racquel has been working hard the last five months after a year and a half of injuries. It has been a long road for her,” Amy Russell said. “She has put the time in on and off the court daily. Racquel has zeroed in on tennis rather than other activities, probably because Rhett and I have brought her up on the tennis court since she was 3 years old.”

Russell is also coached by Fernando Guarachi, who teaches at Seascape in Miramar Beach, Florida. Her trainer is Travis Tolbert, and Alex Serrano is her sports psychologist. Russell is working with her coaches on adding more pace on ground strokes and the serve. In doubles, Russell said she is focusing on being more aggressive and running everything down.

“I am an aggressive player,” Russell said. “Doubles is my specialty. I feel like I have a strong net game. I love the strategy of doubles, and I work hard to stay positive on the tennis court. I do not eat sugar four days out before each tennis tournament. I eat healthy. My mom jokes around that she cannot keep me fed. I practice three hours on the court and one hour of physical training six days a week.”

Russell studies online and has straight A’s grades. She sings in her youth group at school and loves to participate in art.

“I am looking for a Division I college, preferably a Christian college, not too far from home,” Russell said. “A good relationship with the coach is important to me. Also, I am open to any scholarship offers.”

Russell had some thoughts about her future in the sport of tennis.

“I love tennis so much, it might be my full-time career,” Russell said. “I want to be a tennis teaching professional. I can see how much my parents enjoy it for a career. Tennis is important to me for a future scholarship and possible career.”

Tyler Stout (Zephyrhills, Florida)

Tyler Stout (WTN: 26.1) rose 40 positions in the Tennis Recruiting Network boys rankings from 288th to No. 248.

The 5-foot-8 right-handed three star produced a 14-3 record and also won a 16s L5 tournament. Stout captured the Daytona Beach (Florida) Splitz event, and was a semifinalist in the 16s L4 Red Bug Flighted tournament held in Casselberry, Florida.

Three-Star Freshman Tyler Stout
© Contributed Photo

“I would credit my success mainly to the hard work of my coaches,” said Stout, a freshman at American Collegiate Academy at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Zephyrhills, Florida. “Over the past few months, we have been working diligently and trusting the process, even when things weren’t working at first. I also want to give credit to the players at my academy. Every day, we come to practice with the same mindset - success. A player could be having a rough practice and the atmosphere at my academy will allow them to work through that, with the help of fellow players.”

Stout’s coaches are Andrew Sorrentino and Jimmy Brown of the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Zephyrhills. He is focusing with his coaches on his forehand shot. They also work with him on his serve. Stout added that he has been taught the serve is one of the most important shots in tennis because it is something that can be controlled.

“I would describe my game as aggressive and crafty,” Stout said. “A big weapon of mine is my forehand. It’s my favorite shot and I’m confident in its ability to end the rally. My one-handed backhand is another one of my shots I really enjoy. I dedicate a lot of time practicing this shot, allowing me to be very comfortable using it in a rally. I also view it as something that makes me unique, and sets me apart from other players.”

College is a way off for Stout, but it is certainly a subject on his mind.

“Playing college tennis is definitely something I have thought about and would love the opportunity to take my tennis to the next level,” Stout said. “Something I would look for in a college’s program is a strong bond between the players and coaches, as well as a school that values academic success.”

Stouts’ parents are Bryan and Junko Stout. They started their son in tennis lessons at the age of 4 with coach Oliver Foreman. The younger Stout said he was eager to begin lessons after driving each day by the courts. He took up tennis solely at the age of 12, as he had earlier been a state-championship-level swimmer.

“Years of practice have contributed to his recent success,” his parents said. “Tennis is a hard sport which does not often provide instant gratification. Many players do not develop a winning game style for years, and it sets the sport apart for many others. Tyler understands this and his willingness to work hard makes the difference.

“Tyler has loved the game since he was very young, always developing a trust in his coaches and believing in the process. He enjoys the tennis community and has developed great friendships. Tyler possesses patience and understands that tennis takes years of practice and hard work.”

Presented by Lotto Elite

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It's no coincidence that nearly 200 professional players represent the Lotto brand on the ATP and WTA tours, making it the third most visible brand behind only Nike and adidas, respectively. The Italian design and performance features make Lotto product highly sought-after at every level of competition.

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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.