St. Francis Prep’s girls tennis team carved out a niche for itself over the last decade as arguably the most dominant team in all of New York City high-school sports with its 187 consecutive wins and 11 Mayor’s Cup titles. In the last three years, the boys team has joined them, winning each of the last three city crowns.
And on Friday, three players that have meant so much to both programs – Kathleen Uy, Nicole Rydzewski and Chris Jimenez – accomplished a lifelong dream by signing Division I National Letters of Intent. Uy put pen to paper for Rhode Island, Rydzewski to Sacred Heart and Jimenez to St. Francis (Pa.), the first time the Fresh Meadows school has sent three tennis players to Division I schools in the same year.
“It was really special,” said Uy, the Terriers’ first singles player. “This has never happened before.”
All three have benefited from coach John Brennan’s relentless teaching and tireless commitment. Uy, an aggressive baseliner with a never-ending motor, worked her way from a second doubles player as a freshman to first singles as a junior while Rydzewski has enjoyed a sensational senior year after an inconsistent junior campaign and Jimenez never considered playing Division I tennis before St. Francis College coach Paul Tobin contacted him.
“The vast majority of players graduate and never play again – I feel bad about that,” Brennan said. “But you have to be awfully good to play at the next level. I’m really happy for these three. It means a lot to their families financially plus they are really nice young men and women.”
The success of the programs are intertwined somewhat, said Jimenez, a Bayside native who will major in sports management at St. Francis. In the spring, the boys and the girls practice together, offering competition and encouragement. Jimenez remembers wanting to win a city title as a freshman to match all the girls’ success.
“It’s always a really good practice session,” said Uy, who plans to study speech pathology at Rhode Island. “We have a great bond. I’ve made some great friends, not only on the girls team, but on the boys team, too. We’re all one big family.”
Uy holds a special place in Brennan’s heart because of her determination and work ethic. He didn’t envision her becoming his No. 1 singles player as an underclassman. But she kept on showing up and getting better, adding shots and versatility.
“I’m most pleased with what she’s done,” Brennan said. “She’s the perfect example of what our program can do for a player who has ability, but needs to develop. Without coming to Prep, I seriously doubt she would’ve even gotten a scholarship.”
Uy picked Rhode Island over Marist and Fordham after a memorable visit to the school’s Providence, R.I., campus. Everything about the school reminded her about St. Francis Prep, from the demanding coach to the close-knit teammates.
“The team was really fun to be with,” she said. “They were a little family. The coach [Val Villucci] was telling me once a month the team goes to her house and she cooks for them. It was a reflection of Prep and my team.”
Friday was a memorable day because of what the three players accomplished as individuals, but also what the teams have done as a whole. The girls will go after Mayor’s Cup No. 12 later this spring while the undefeated boys have plans on a fourth straight city crown and first Mayor’s Cup title.
“It just shows how the teams are soaring,” Jimenez said.
