KOC OPEN WOMEN’S DOUBLES — Veterans turn back the clock, STUN #1 SEED in semifinal & WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP!

The KOC Open Women’s Doubles Championship produced a story that went far beyond the final score.

Miriam Silva & Mireya Briscoe — elite players in their prime and now veterans in their 60s — turned back the clock to defeat the talented young team of Julissa Roque & Melanie Garate, 25-17, for the championship.

Based strictly on age, the final could have been called “The Grandmothers vs. The Granddaughters.”

The youngsters had athleticism, power and stamina. The veterans countered with decades of experience, court intelligence, touch, patience and shot selection.

And on this day, experience won.

First Round Matches

#7 Kaee Dubois & Francene Roque def. #11 Angela Wu & Sarah Lok — 15-2, 15-6

Kaee & Francene were too strong with their low shots for paddleball newcomers Angela & Sarah.

#6 Julissa Roque & Melanie Garate def. #10 Sarah Au & Emso Revereau — 12-15, 15-7, 11-7

The best match of the First Round. Sarah & Emso took Game 1 as both teams displayed tremendous athleticism. Julissa & Melanie switched sides for Game 2, found better chemistry and prevailed after some of the tournament’s longest rallies, 15-7 and 11-7.

#4 Miriam Silva & Mireya Briscoe def. #13 Jessica Vasquez & Ana Ortiz — 15-8, 15-10

The eventual champions began their run with a competitive straight-game victory.

#12 Jessenia Garate & Kennedi Walker upset #5 Delia Silva & Raquel Camacho — 15-9, 14-15, 11-4

Jessenia & Kennedi pulled off an early upset by taking the deciding game 11-4.

#3 Sam & Liz DiSalvo def. #14 Zoraida Torres & Lauren Bayne — 15-3, 15-2

#8 Liz Gonzalez & Chanis Leon def. #9 Emma Jade & Meagan Tapia — 15-4, 15-4

#6 Julissa & Melanie then produced another upset, defeating #3 Samantha & Liz DiSalvo 21-15 and establishing themselves as legitimate championship contenders.

Quarterfinals

#4 Miriam Silva & Mireya Briscoe def. #12 Jessenia Garate & Kennedi Walker — 21-8

This was veteran paddleball experience against young, converted handball players with tremendous athletic ability and a bright paddleball future. On this day, experience dominated.

#1 Erika Tinalli & Kathy Guinan def. #8 Liz Gonzalez & Chanis Leon — 21-5 - Liz & Chanis jumped out to a 4-0 lead behind Chanis’ overpowering shots. Then the perennial champions took over. Kathy became a brick wall, returning virtually everything, while Erika caught fire with her forehand and patented low rollers. Erika & Kathy remarkably scored 21 of the final 22 points.

#2 Karen Cardillo & Arielle Scarcella def. #7 Kaee Dubois & Francene Roque — 21-12

#3 Sam & Liz DiSalvo got off to a strong start against the young #6 seed Julissa Roque & Melanie Garate - playing very aggressive and hitting their put away shots led them to sizable lead of 13-5. However, the youngsters turn the tide around and went on a 13-point run to go up 18-13. Sam & Liz made one last charge closing the gap to 18-15, but Julissa & Melanie prevailed at 21-15 and moved into the semifinal round.

Semifinals

The Veterans STUN THE #1 SEED

#4 Miriam Silva & Mireya Briscoe def. #1 Erika Tinalli & Kathy Guinan — 21-14 This was the tournament’s biggest upset. Erika & Kathy appeared in control with an early 7-2 lead, but Miriam & Mireya never lost their veteran composure. They began using lobs, drop shots and change of pace to take a 12-7 lead. The #1 seeds responded with their own run and regained the lead, 14-12. Then Miriam got hot, she hit several rollers, Mireya added a couple of rollers in front of her body that Kathy could not reach, and suddenly the veterans were unstoppable. Miriam & Mireya went on a scoring spree — winning the final nine points to defeat the #1 seed 21-14.

Their emotional post-match interview showed something beyond paddleball — the deep affection and friendship these two longtime players have for each other.

The Youngsters Earn Their Shot

#6 Julissa Roque & Melanie Garate def. #2 Karen Cardillo & Arielle Scarcella — 21-15. Julissa & Melanie raced ahead 14-5 before Karen & Arielle mounted a comeback. Trailing 17-8, Karen began hitting her patented low rollers and suddenly it was 17-15. Melanie responded with a left-handed kill followed by powerful shots from both down the middle, helping the youngsters close out the match 21-15.

The stage was set.

Championship Final — THE GRANDMOTHERS vs. THE GRANDDAUGHTERS — Based on Age Difference

#4 Miriam Silva & Mireya Briscoe def. #6 Julissa Roque & Melanie Garate — 25-17

Most knowledgeable fans favored the younger team.

The crowd, however, was largely rooting for the veterans. The question wasn’t whether Miriam & Mireya still possessed the skill. They had already proven that against #1 seed. The question was whether two veterans in their 60s had enough energy and stamina left to play a 25-point championship final against much younger athletes.

They answered immediately. Miriam & Mireya raced to an 8-1 lead. Julissa & Melanie fought back, but the veterans continued playing intelligent paddleball — lobs, drop shots and constant changes of pace that kept their younger opponents off balance. Great rallies followed, accompanied by Miriam’s Monica Seles-style screams, entertaining the crowd.

Trailing 14-7, Melanie switched to the left and Julissa to the right in an attempt to change the tempo. It helped temporarily, but Mireya’s lobs followed by Miriam’s relentless drop shots pushed the veterans ahead 17-10 Julissa answered with a spectacular spike that led to a four-point run, cutting the score to 21-17.

The youngsters had life, but then Julissa’s paddle slipped from her hand, costing her the serve and putting the veterans back on the service line with the championship within reach. They didn’t waste the opportunity.

Miriam & Mireya scored the final four points — FINAL 25-17.

The changing of the guard would have to wait another day. Two elite players from an earlier generation proved that great paddleball isn’t simply about who can run faster or hit harder. Experience, Placement, Touch, Strategy, Composure & Chemistry — Those skills don’t have an expiration date. And on this day at Marine Park, Miriam Silva & Mireya Briscoe — veterans in their 60s — were champions once again.

Final Placements

🥇 Miriam Silva & Mireya Briscoe — $800

🥈 Julissa Roque & Melanie Garate — $500

🥉 Karen Cardillo & Arielle Scarcella — $300

4th — Erika Tinalli & Kathy Guinan — $200

KOC OPEN WOMEN’S DOUBLES CHAMPIONS

MIRIAM SILVA & MIREYA BRISCOE — The Grandmothers won this one.

Finally - we want to thank all the people who help this event run smoothly - it’s starts with Mike Waters, Susan Stephen, Voice of Paddleball Glen Winokur, Marlon Kocher, Sammy Kawaan, Ryder Spiegel all of the lines people. We also want to thank Jewelz Santiago for always supporting the growth of Paddleball and John DiSanto from Gourmet Grill - we need more supporters to continue the growth and evolution of our sport!