KOC Open Tournament: A Day of Upsets, Comebacks, and Championship Paddleball
The first KOC Open delivered everything fans could ask for—major upsets, incredible comebacks, nail-biting finishes, and dominant championship performances. From the opening round through the final, every round produced memorable moments that kept players and spectators in awe.
The biggest story of the tournament belonged to #12 Marlon Kocher/Danny Serrano, who authored one of the greatest comebacks of the day. Facing the #1 seeded Navy Sealz Dave Blatt/Gregg Sgar, Marlon and Danny trailed 17-8 and appeared headed for elimination. Refusing to quit, they mounted an unbelievable rally, scoring 15 of the final 19 points to complete a stunning 23-21 victory. It was the tournament’s signature comeback and one of the biggest upsets of the event.
There were more surprises throughout the draw. #9 Iggy Espinal/Erika Tinalli knocked off #6 Matt Mantro/Richie Miller, 21-14, announcing themselves as legitimate contenders. Earlier in the opening round, #22 Karen Cardillo/Kathy Guinan battled to defeat #14 Mario Ortiz and Paul Portugal in a hard-fought best-of-three match, proving that seeding meant very little once the matches began.
The quarterfinals continued the excitement.
#7 Richie Brooklyn/Chris Ferante ended the remarkable run of Marlon Kocher/Danny Serrano 21-16 in a competitive battle.
#4 Ryder Spiegel/Julio Blanco defeated Ben Goldenberg and Bay Lui, 21-15.
#3 Robert Sostre/Will Rolon won an entertaining match over Iggy Espinal/Erika Tinalli, 21-16.
#2 Alex Kutovsky/Shawn Jackson advanced with a convincing 21-10 victory over Paul Angel and Melanie Garate.
If Marlon and Danny produced the comeback of the tournament, the semifinals nearly matched it. Richie Brooklyn and Chris Ferante found themselves trailing 19-12 against Ryder Spiegel and Julio Blanco, needing a miracle to stay alive. They responded with an incredible 9-0 run, stealing the match 21-19 and earning a dramatic berth in the championship final. On the opposite side, Alex Kutovsky and Shawn Jackson continued their dominant play, overwhelming Robert Sostre and Will Rolon, 21-6.
The championship showcased the tournament’s hottest team. Alex Kutovsky/Shawn Jackson completed an extraordinary run, defeating Richie Brooklyn/Chris Ferante 25-8 to become the first-ever KOC Open Champions. Their path to the title was dominant, winning their quarterfinal, semifinal, and championship matches by a combined score of 67-24.
While Alex and Shawn finished as deserving champions, the inaugural KOC Open will also be remembered for its unforgettable moments—the stunning 17-8 comeback by Marlon Kocher and Danny Serrano, Richie’s and Chris’ miraculous rally from 19-12 down in the semifinals, and the reminder that in tournament paddleball, no lead is ever safe.
Final Placements & Prize Money
Champions: Alex Kutovsky / Shawn Jackson — $1,400
Second Place: Richie Brooklyn / Chris Ferante — $900
Third Place: Ryder Spiegel / Julio Blanco — $600
Fourth Place: Robert Sostre / Will Rolon — $400
Fifth Place: Iggy Espinal / Erika Tinalli — $250
Sixth Place: Marlon Kocher / Danny Serrano — $250
Seventh Place: Ben Goldenberg / Bay Lui — $100
Eighth Place: Paul Angel / Melanie Garate — $100
A total of $4,000 in guaranteed prize money was awarded, capping off an unforgettable first KOC Open filled with heart, determination, and championship-level paddleball.
A special thank you to everyone who helped make the KOC Open a success!
Mike Waters, Glen Winokur, Susan Stephen, Sammy Kawaan, Mitch Goldberg, Charlene Gilio, Erika Tinalli, Bay Lui, Richie Miller, Arielle Scarcella, Chris Ortiz and everyone else who stepped in and helped throughout the day—your time, effort, and support were greatly appreciated.
This event could not have run as smoothly without all of you. Thank you for being part of the Paddleball family!