DENNIS SILVA II | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — Like most parents of Rio Grande Valley high school student-athletes, Jesus Falcon was wary of having daughter Stephanie leave the Valley for college. The Valley has a reputation of high school student-athletes who either stay at home or don’t go too far away to continue their athletic careers, despite possibly having better opportunities elsewhere.
But the Falcons knew a good thing when they saw it, and as Stephanie signed her letter of intent Tuesday to play tennis at Saint Peter’s University in New Jersey, an NCAA Division I program that competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, it was not necessarily about playing a sport at the highest of levels. It was about the possibilities.
“I really wanted to play for a Division I school,” Falcon said. “I like that it’s different from the Valley and I think it’s going to be a good experience for me. I love the Valley and I love being home, but it’s good getting out. Being around new people and a new environment is good.”
It was something Jesus and wife Mercedes encouraged.
“She has trained since she was 10 years old,” Jesus said. “She works hard and she deserves to play Division I tennis. She’s gotten better and better and she put in the time. This opportunity is owed to her.”
Falcon, a three-time district champion and three-time regional qualifier, is the first Division I athlete for Rattlers girls tennis coach Yvette Vela, who is entering her 12th season at the school.
“It’s hope for everybody else,” Vela said. “Not many people go out of the Valley to go to the next level. It’s a difficult task for many. So what she’s doing is a great, great thing. She’s setting the benchmark.
“She’s someone everybody looks up to and she always exemplified tradition and pride.”
The turning point for Falcon came before her senior year, when she was not getting the interest from college coaches she had expected. So she asked Vela to compete in mixed doubles for the first time.
Just like her singles career, it was a success. Falcon and teammate Hector Ronquillo made it to the Class 5A regional semifinals this season.
Falcon said playing mixed doubles, against guys where the pace is faster and competition is harder, made a difference and got her noticed to Saint Peter’s. It allowed her to show off her dominant power game.
“She’s always had the desire to do better, and every year she did her best to improve,” Vela said. “She did whatever she could to become a stronger player.”
Falcon is still undecided about what she will study in college; it will either be business or physical therapy. For now, however, she’s focused on setting a higher bar for tennis in the Valley.
“I think it goes to show that it’s possible,” Falcon said. “Tennis is strong here, and it’s possible for any girl or guy to play Division I. Most parents don’t want their kids to go far from the Valley, or at all, but my parents were encouraging.
“They know I may never get this opportunity again.”