Whiz Kid: Maya Solomon Climbing Youth Tennis Ranks

• Grade: 6th
• School: 
• Achievement: Maya, 11, competed last week at the United States Tennis Association National Championships for Girls in Georgia. Although she was neither a top finisher in singles nor doubles play, Maya understands that in her first time competing in the tournament, she may take some lumps.
  
  As a tennis player, she is a terrific prospect. Her coach, Darryl Hale, said: “This young lady has the gift of discernment, height and a solid athletic build that will carry her to the top.  I am so proud to have Maya represent Detroit." At 5 feet, 4 inches tall, and wearing a size 11 gym shoe, Maya hopes to one day play at the U.S. Open in New York like her heroes, Venus and Serena Williams.
  
  However, in doing so, she may play a familiar face: Maya's 10-year-old sister, Brooke, a student at Ealy Elementary School who is also ranked highly. "I don't think she can beat me, yet," Maya said. "She has a different style of game, but she's good. She might win a couple of games against me."
  
  Maya plans to work out four days a week as school starts, where she's an incoming "freshman" at Orchard Lake Middle School after graduating from with top marks in every subject. Maya said that she typically practices with teenagers, aged between 12 and 16.

• What's next: "Next time, when I go (to nationals), I'll know what's going to happen. I'm playing another tournament before school starts and another at Christmas, and those count for national points," said Maya, who is ranked in the top-10 of girls 12-and-under in Southeastern Michigan.

Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

West Bloomfield Patch welcomes suggestions for students, youth groups and even sports teams who wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or email the information to editor Tim.Rath@patch.com. Please include all these details:

• Nominator's name
• Whiz Kid's name and age
• Whiz Kid's school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• What makes him or her successful