The Torch Is Passed

Leighann Sahagun entered Cardozo as a freshman this fall, already an accomplished prospect, a nationally ranked tennis prodigy.
She did not possess any of the baggage normally associated with such a phenom. Instead of feeding an ego that does not exist, the Electchester native wanted to follow in the footsteps of the team’s top singles player, Jillian Santos.
“She was a big inspiration when I first got into the school,” Sahagun said. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, I want to be like Jillian. I want to play as good as her.’”
Together, coupled with the steadiness of No. 3 singles Julia Passik and solid play from their doubles team, the Judges were untouchable. Last Friday, Cardozo completed a perfect season in the PSAL, dispatching Stuyvesant, 4-1, the same team that knocked them out in the semifinals last May, at the National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, their third title in four years.
“That was our goal - to win the championship - from the first day we got together,” Coach Neal Baskin said. “This is an exceptional team.”
And an exceptional twosome of ball strikers. Neither Santos, who will attend Binghamton on scholarship next fall, nor Sahagun dropped a league match during the season. Their toughest task, each said, was practice when they squared off against one another, “killing the ball,” Baskin said. “It’s hard to believe there are better players.”
Over the last decade, St. Francis Prep has owned girls tennis, reeling off 141 consecutive matches, 10 Catholic League state titles and eight Mayor’s Cups. Cardozo, in turn, was the king on the boys side. However, four years ago, the Judges’ girls team won their first city championship, coming from behind to take down Midwood. On that same team was Santos, Passik and Stephanie Smith, who played first doubles this year.
“We made a great impact and formed a great bond, the seniors,” Smith said.
Added Santos: “Today was really special. It is our senior year; our last time to do it. It feels awesome. Me and all the other seniors, it has been a long four years. It’s been great.”
As the wins and championship trophies accumulated, new players trickled in. Besides Sahagun, freshman Alexa Cohen made an impact. Her younger sister will come aboard next year. Suddenly, Cardozo is attracting supreme talent.
“I hope it starts to become a tradition,” Passik said. “I’d say we started something new. We have great players on the team and so if they’re motivated enough to keep up the winning streak, I don’t see why we shouldn’t keep on winning in the years to come.”
With Sahagun leading the charge, there is little doubt. At just 14 years of age, she’s traveling the world already, playing in International Tennis Federation tournaments, in the 18-and-under category. She recently was the youngest player at a Hawaiian tournament and after the city championship victory traveled to Oklahoma for another event.
Described as a free spirit, easygoing and talkative by her teammates, Sahagun fit the Judges like a glove. Some girls, Santos said, were taken aback when she first arrived out of fear their court time would diminish. However, she soon won them over. Now, with Santos moving on, the reins have been turned over.
“Leighann is going to be a great No.1,” Santos said. “She is going to dominate. She’s only a freshman. My goodness, she is going to be so good.”