Last hurrah for Lady Rams Fab 5 and their coach after tennis team wins league championship title
October 18, 2023 at 9:34 p.m.
It was a last hurrah for Port Chester's Fab 5 of tennis, going out as undefeated league champions—the first time in recent history that a Lady Rams tennis team won a league championship at the varsity level.
It was also a last hurrah for veteran coach Manny Martinez who will be stepping down after 35 years as coach, the last six as head coach of the Lady Ram racqueteers.
While there were no evident tears at the first Senior Game ever to be played at Port Chester at the insistence of the players, it was obvious that the girls didn't want to let the memorable season go.
Historic Senior Game
And Manny being Manny didn't want to let his girls down because the Wednesday (10/11) exhibition was "historic in itself because it shows that the team was so proud of their accomplishments and their seniors that they implored me to have our first ever Senior Game to honor their accomplishments during their respective careers," said an emotional Martinez.
He called his seniors "the Fab 5 of Port Chester Lady Rams tennis," naming them one by one—Natalie Barreto, Yaz Handal, Melany Monroy, Kayley Martinez and Kimberly Maldonado.
Time remembered
"It is hard to believe that this group of talented young women will have played their last tennis match of their career at Port Chester High School, but the girls went out in style winning the League Championship with a record of 6-0," he said, reeling off the fact that it was the first time in recent Port Chester history that a Lady Rams tennis team has won the League Title at the varsity level.
And they did it the hard way, winning in a league that featured Mount Vernon, East Ramapo and Woodlands, with the Rams’ record including two clutch 4-3 wins over Ramapo and Woodlands, the latter coming down to the last doubles match of the regular season away against Woodlands—a match Port Chester had to win and did.
"That come from behind win at Woodlands sealed the league title," Martinez recalled, explaining that his team had to win three of the last four matches to take home the title after losing the first two singles matches.
Double the pleasure
"Our team depth at the doubles position proved to be the key factor of our success this season," Martinez said. "Most teams are equipped with solid first and second singles players but lacked the depth the Lady Rams possessed because of our doubles strength, our cohesive team play and our ability to mix 'n' match players who could step up when needed."
What he didn't say was that he built up that depth because a record 41 would-be players of varying skill levels came out for the Lady Rams this year, from beginners to veterans, and he made sure they all got playing time even if it was just in practice.
That experience showed in crunch time. Especially when it came down to the Fab 5.
In recounting what went into the championship season, Martinez highlighted the exploits of each member of that Fab 5.
The individual profiles
Natalie Barreto: Perhaps the most important figure on the roster. She went 7-1 this season playing both doubles and singles. Barreto’s career started three seasons ago when she was a sophomore. She came out during the COVID crisis when few girls were willing to venture onto the courts. Natalie’s ground strokes, both forehands and backhands, improved each season. She had precision strokes and an unteachable hard determination to win. Her leadership skills were also evident throughout the season. And many younger players looked up to her for support and guidance.
Kimberly Maldonado: In only her second full season of playing organized tennis, she became a force to be reckoned with. Kim went 6-1 this year playing first singles in all of her starts. Teaming mostly with fellow senior captain Natalie Barreto, Maldonado learned how to play tennis quickly and used her strength and stamina as a multi-sport athlete to win close matches against better opponents. Kim improved her service game. And improved her quick reflexes at the net which won her the nickname “The Poacher” for her ability to hit the shots closer to the net and make quick shots that stole points that won her key games.
Kayley Martinez: Kayley developed into the kind of player who kept on getting better each time she went on the court because of her tenacious play and her ability to make plays that kept points going. Her racket control improved each game. And her speed to the baseline allowed Kayley to keep her team competitive. With a record of 5-2, she and her partner Melany Monroy were undefeated in league play and were a top third doubles team in their league.
Melany Monroy: The best thing about Melany Monroy is that she really got hooked on tennis and wanted to do something special with her senior year. With a record of 5-2, Melany went from playing third doubles to playing and winning second doubles matches with her partner Kayley Martinez. Monroy improved each day and always had a positive attitude toward her teammates and her game.
Yaz Handal: Yaz had a good experience with the team and was always very happy and excited to be part of it. Despite being out for personal reasons during this season, Yaz always wanted to see her teammates succeed and did her best to help her team achieve their goals of winning the league. Her love for tennis was only bested by her passion for dance, where she is a strong competitor and loves to perform.
The comeback kids
Martinez paused as though seeing each member of the Fab 5 working their court magic one last time. "These fabulous five seniors were the instrumental performers in a season that included six consecutive victories in league play for the first time since I’ve been coaching tennis at the high school," he said. And of course there were others who played key roles, from Casey Schultz and Juliana Castillo, who lost only once playing second doubles throughout the season, to junior Brooke Federice who sparked the comeback against Woodlands with a win at third singles to Lucia Giordano and Sanai Cooper who won the pivotal doubles match that won the title while playing together for the first time, a tribute to the mix 'n' match ability of their coach.
"With close to 20 returning players, including three juniors who have extensive experience in Marisa Rodriguez, Brooke Federice, and captain Fatima Coyt, I feel that I’ll be leaving this team and program in a far better direction than what I inherited six years ago," Martinez said.
And then it was time to say a final tennis court goodbye to the girls who gave him their best during their undefeated championship season. It was quite a last hurrah.
Hasta la vista, baby! And vaya con dios. Because it may be a long time before Port Chester sees another Fab 5 teamed up with a supporting cast that really made them roll.
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