Rapid City tennis player Athena Franciliso finished 8,639th in September in the junior Girls’ 18 category of the United States Tennis Association.
They started September ranked 8,541st.
By the end of the month they had earned nine points across singles and doubles tournaments.
Players earn points per round in tournaments, winning higher points the further into a tournament they advance.
Jarett Cascino of New York Tennis Magazine says tennis is one of the most competitive youth sports.
“There is always someone better than you on any given day, even if you are the number one player in the world!” he said.
Junior Girls’ 18 rankings in September in Rapid City
| Name | Starting Rank | Ending Rank | Total Points at End of Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanessa Wittenberg | 2,818 | 2,819 | 155 |
| Ella Hancock | 2,968 | 2,964 | 143 |
| Emma Thurness | 3,019 | 3,024 | 138 |
| Peyton Ogle | 4,489 | 4,486 | 62 |
| Anna Mueller | 4,937 | 4,919 | 51 |
| Alastrina Scott | 4,958 | 4,945 | 50 |
| Harper Keim | 6,004 | 5,983 | 30 |
| Sophie Schmid | 6,015 | 6,007 | 30 |
| Hannah Beckloff | 5,981 | 6,044 | 30 |
| Evelyn Haar | 7,443 | 7,444 | 16 |
| Sophia Raymond | 7,601 | 7,637 | 15 |
| Athena Franciliso | 8,541 | 8,639 | 9 |
| Claudia Werner | 9,519 | 9,908 | 6 |
