ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Team Ramrod overcomes obstacles to qualify for USTA nationals

The rise of Team Ramrod, a group of local 18-and-under tennis players, is a story of success through perseverance.

According to the team's coaches and players, it's been quite a challenge just to gain clearance to play in United States Tennis Association events and to find somewhere to practice. But once Team Ramrod, based in Los Fresnos with players mainly from Brownsville, cleared those hurdles, there's been no stopping the squad.

"We were told by a USTA official that we had a 1 percent chance of getting into the league (and playing at state)," said Danny Cuevas, a member of the team and graduating senior at Los Fresnos. "To somehow make it in when we weren't established in the league and then to win the state tournament, that was the real challenge. To do what we did was quite an accomplishment."

At the recent USTA state tournament in New Braunfels, Team Ramrod defeated teams from Houston, San Antonio and the Dallas area to win the championship and qualify for the USTA national tournament Oct. 30-Nov. 1 at Mobile, Ala. En route to capturing the state championship, Team Ramrod won 29 of 30 matches against six opponents in team competition. Each match against another team included competition in boys singles and doubles, girls singles and doubles, and in mixed doubles, so a sweep meant a 5-0 score.

"It took a lot of calls to different people to get us into the (state) tournament," Cuevas said. "(Initially) not having a facility to practice at has been not so great, but we've found a way."

The team now practices at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.

Team Ramrod consists of five boys and three girls. In addition to Cuevas, the younger brother of the team's two coaches, the members are John Gonzalez, Humberto Lumbreras and Mariana Vargas of Porter, Memo Rico of St. Joseph Academy, Steve Trenfield of Lopez, and twin sisters Marithe and Carolina Guerra of Hanna.

All of the players are 2009 graduates except for Vargas, who will be a senior next school year, and the twins, who will be sophomores next fall.

The majority of the group has been together for approximately six years and has advanced through different age levels as a team.

"I've been with these guys for about five years, and it means a lot (to be a member of the team)," Lumbreras said. "When I started playing, I never expected to get this far and this good. These guys just took me under their wing and gave me a chance to experience tennis the way it really should be. I fell in love with the sport and they only made it more fulfilling for me. It's been quite the experience, it really has."

One year ago, Team Ramrod did well at the USTA state tournament and placed eighth at nationals in Mobile, Ala.

"I'm a real optimist, so I expect us to win nationals this time," Lumbreras said. "Everyone is pretty solid and knows what to do, and our coaches are amazing. We have a powerhouse team."

Added Gonzalez, "This is the perfect chance for us. We have the strongest team yet, and we want to go all the way."

One reason the team has done so well is each member's devotion to the sport, Carolina Guerra said.

"We practice a lot, and we're committed to tennis," she said. "We can improve and become even better (before nationals). It's a great opportunity."

Team Ramrod's coaches are brothers Ramiro and Steve Cuevas. Both are Los Fresnos graduates and former tennis coaches at St. Joseph Academy.

"These guys are hardcore," Steve Cuevas said. "Memo Rico played at state with a fractured rib. He received clearance (to play) from his parents and the doctor, and that tells you something about the commitment these players have for tennis.

"You always appreciate things a little more when you get out there and you know it's been difficult," he added. "I think you strive more when you've had such a hard time getting there. You push yourself more. Sometimes, it gives you a little more hunger inside to get there and go out and do what you know you can do.

"That's probably the most important thing that could be said about this whole experience."

Roy Hess writes for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him via e-mail at rhess@brownsvilleherald.com.