The following is an edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:

What started as a 3-year-old hitting tennis balls in emulation of her parents has led to the first NJSIAA State Singles Championship in the history of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH).

RFH senior and tournament top seed Kate Fahey defeated Millburn’s Stephanie Schrage with scores of 6-3, 3-6, and 6-1 on Oct.18 in West Windsor.

And while she stood alone in victory on the tennis court that day, Kate has plenty of praise for all those who have supported her along the way.

“I have my parents to thank for introducing me to the sport and instilling a love for it” said Kate, who noted that they still play competitively.

Kate credits her first private coach, Ray Kuzava of New Shrewsbury Racket Club, for teaching her the fundamentals of the sport beginning at the age of 8 and providing her with a firm foundation. Her current coach, Catarina Ryan, who began working with Fahey when she was 13, is described as “a mentor and friend as well as a coach.”

During her sophomore year at RFH in 2012, Fahey reached the NJSIAA State Singles Championship Final but lost to Lexi Borr of Westfield. She then left RFH and dedicated her junior year to competition in United States Tennis Association tournaments.

After careful consideration, Kate returned for her senior year at RFH. She ended her senior season with a record of 23-0.

“It was just so nice to be back at RFH, and I love all of the girls on the team as well as Coach Manley,” said Kate. “They are just an extremely talented and wonderful group.

“I am definitely happy with my decision to come back!”

Next year Fahey will play for the University of Michigan, to which she made a verbal commitment in January of 2014.

“I made a commitment that was considered early for tennis, but after visiting the campus and meeting the coach and the players I was sure that this was where I wanted to be,” she said. “It is a great fit for me academically and athletically, and it already feels like home.”

If you guessed that Fahey has her eye on a bigger prize, you are correct.

“I plan to work very hard and try to improve at the University of Michigan, so that I will be successful after graduation.” said Kate. “I definitely want to play professionally.”

Kate is the daughter of Elena and Tom Fahey of Fair Haven.