We hope you are all in fine voice when belting out Auld Lang Syne tomorrow night. Now that it's the end of 2009, The Racquetball Blog has put together its list of The 10 Best Racquetball Stories of 2009.
10) 2015 Pan Am Games awarded to Toronto. Toronto's selection means that racquetball will likely be included in one of the largest multi-sport games in the world. That's very important for racquetball's growth and global presence. Moreover, this will hopefully give racquetball a boost in Canada, and that is dearly needed.
9) Jason Mannino wins another International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event. At the start of this IRT season, The Racquetball Blog had doubts as to whether Mannino would win another event, based on his performances the previous season. But when Kane Waselenchuk wasn't able to make the Kentucky Open, Mannino stepped onto the court and took the title, beating Rocky Carson in the semi-finals and Jack Huczek in the finals, and that was despite Mannino suffering a calf injury midway through the final match.
8) Kristen Bellows winning the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) Ektelon Championship. In May, the WPRO focus was on whether Paola Longoria or Rhonda Rajsich would finish #1 after the final event of the season. But Bellows beat them both - Longoria in the final and Rajsich in the semis - in winning her first WPRO tournament.
7) Alvaro Beltran's injury. Beltran was the 4th ranked player at the end of last season, and the only player to defeat #1 Kane Waselenchuk. But he has not played an IRT event this season due to a pre-season leg injury. It's unclear when Beltran will return to the IRT and what sort of form he'll be in when he does. His absence has made the difference between the top few players and those below them even more evident.
6) Rhonda Rajsich wins 2009 US Open. Rajsich tied Christie Van Hees for most US Open titles by a women with three when she defeated Paola Longoria in October. The win put Rajsich back on top of the WPRO rankings.
5) Bolivians win big at World Junior Championships. Prior to this year, Bolivia had 2 gold medals at World Juniors: one in 2008 and one in 2007. This year they won 3 more. Their improvement may create some disappointed North Americans, but in general this is a good thing for racquetball, as North Americans have been too dominant for too long. If racquetball is going to be a global game, then this kind of thing needs to happen more often.
4) Racquetball returns to World Games. It had been 16 years since racquetball was last in the World Games, a multi-sport event for non-Olympic sports. The games were held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, so it was an opportunity to showcase racquetball outside North America. Rocky Carson and Paola Longoria won the gold medals.
3) Paola Longoria finishes #1 on WPRO. Longoria became the first Mexican player to be #1 on either the WPRO or IRT. She won 4 titles last season, including her first US Open title in 2008. So far this season, Longoria and Rajsich have split the four WPRO events, winning two each. This is going to make for an exciting second half of the season.
2) Dave Negrete resigns as International Racquetball Tour Commissioner. News of Negrete's resignation was shocking. The IRT improved greatly during his tenure as commissioner, and there was no indication that a change was coming. Jason Mannino has stepped into the position. He'll continue to play until the end of the season, when he will retire and completely devote himself to the commissioner's role. This change in the midst of economic uncertainty is of great concern, as sponsors, which the IRT is dependent on, are more difficult to find.
1) Kane Waselenchuk. His return to the IRT was our top story of 2008, and his continued excellence is the reason we're putting him on top again. Waselenchuk suffered only one match defeat in 2009. He's lost only once in 16 months, and it's hard to see when Waselenchuk will lose next.
There you have it. The top 10 racquetball stories of 2009. If you think we missed something, leave a comment.
Happy New Year everyone!
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to all racquetball enthusiasts around the world!
Best of the season to you from everyone here at The Racquetball Blog.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Best of the season to you from everyone here at The Racquetball Blog.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
World Junior Racquetball Championships - Team Results
The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) has announced the team competition results from the 21st World Junior Racquetball Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic that ended on Sunday. As The Racquetball Blog anticipated, the United States won the overall title based on clear wins in both boys and girls competitions.
Mexico finished second overall, although they were third in girls behind Bolivia, who came third overall based on that second place girls finish and a third place boys finish.
Canada was fourth overall, but in fifth behind Costa Rica in the boys competition. Costa Rica didn't get any points from the girls side, although they did have three girls in Santo Domingo. Thus, Costa Rica was fourth in boys and sixth overall behind Canada and Ecuador in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Ireland had its strongest ever World Juniors results, and finished seventh overall from a sixth place finish in girls and tenth in boys. The Irish team was the only one from outside the Americas.
21st World Junior Championship - Team Results
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Boys World Cup (14, 16 & 18 & under)
Rank - Country - Points
1 USA 152
2 Mexico 115
3 Bolivia 83
4 Costa Rica 68
5 Canada 60
6 Ecuador 34
7 Dominican Republic 30
8 Venezuela 26
9 Columbia 24
10 Ireland 18
11 Guatemala 13
11 Nicaragua 13
13 Chile 10
14 Honduras 5
15 Argentina 3
15 Puerto Rico 3
Girls World Cup (14, 16 & 18 & under)
Rank - Country - Points
1 USA 146
2 Bolivia 118
3 Mexico 114
4 Canada 51
5 Ecuador 49
6 Ireland 42
7 Venezuela 13
8 Nicaragua 11
9 Argentina 10
10 Dominican Republic 6
11 Chile 3
12 Guatemala 2
12 Honduras 2
14 Columbia 1
15 Costa Rica 0
15 Puerto Rico 0
Overall World Cup (14, 16 & 18 & under)
Rank - Country - Points
1 USA 298
2 Mexico 229
3 Bolivia 201
4 Canada 111
5 Ecuador 83
6 Costa Rica 68
7 Ireland 60
8 Venezuela 39
9 Dominican Republic 36
10 Columbia 25
11 Nicaragua 24
12 Guatemala 15
13 Argentina 13
13 Chile 13
15 Honduras 7
16 Puerto Rico 3
Follow the bouncing ball....
Mexico finished second overall, although they were third in girls behind Bolivia, who came third overall based on that second place girls finish and a third place boys finish.
Canada was fourth overall, but in fifth behind Costa Rica in the boys competition. Costa Rica didn't get any points from the girls side, although they did have three girls in Santo Domingo. Thus, Costa Rica was fourth in boys and sixth overall behind Canada and Ecuador in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Ireland had its strongest ever World Juniors results, and finished seventh overall from a sixth place finish in girls and tenth in boys. The Irish team was the only one from outside the Americas.
21st World Junior Championship - Team Results
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Boys World Cup (14, 16 & 18 & under)
Rank - Country - Points
1 USA 152
2 Mexico 115
3 Bolivia 83
4 Costa Rica 68
5 Canada 60
6 Ecuador 34
7 Dominican Republic 30
8 Venezuela 26
9 Columbia 24
10 Ireland 18
11 Guatemala 13
11 Nicaragua 13
13 Chile 10
14 Honduras 5
15 Argentina 3
15 Puerto Rico 3
Girls World Cup (14, 16 & 18 & under)
Rank - Country - Points
1 USA 146
2 Bolivia 118
3 Mexico 114
4 Canada 51
5 Ecuador 49
6 Ireland 42
7 Venezuela 13
8 Nicaragua 11
9 Argentina 10
10 Dominican Republic 6
11 Chile 3
12 Guatemala 2
12 Honduras 2
14 Columbia 1
15 Costa Rica 0
15 Puerto Rico 0
Overall World Cup (14, 16 & 18 & under)
Rank - Country - Points
1 USA 298
2 Mexico 229
3 Bolivia 201
4 Canada 111
5 Ecuador 83
6 Costa Rica 68
7 Ireland 60
8 Venezuela 39
9 Dominican Republic 36
10 Columbia 25
11 Nicaragua 24
12 Guatemala 15
13 Argentina 13
13 Chile 13
15 Honduras 7
16 Puerto Rico 3
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Longoria is #1 again - WPRO releases its latest rankings
Paola Longoria is again the #1 women's racquetball player according to the latest rankings released by the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO). Longoria was the #1 player at the start of the season, but was overtaken by Rhonda Rajsich, who won the first two events of the season.
But Longoria won the last two WPRO events and those wins have moved her back above Rajsich.
Jennifer Saunders and T.J. Baumbaugh have reached career highs in the rankings. Saunders is now 7th and Baumbaugh 10th. Veronica Sotomayor, who hasn't played an event this season, has fallen out of the top 10, and is now 11th.
Finally, Aubrey O'brien, who was a double gold medalist at the World Junior Racquetball Championships this past week, is just outside the top 20 at 21st.
WPRO Rankings - December 21, 2009
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria, Mexico 1297.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich, USA 1260.06
3 Cheryl Gudinas, USA 631.040
4 Kerri Wachtel, USA 612.70
5 Kristen Bellows, USA 576.00
6 Adrienne Fisher, USA 363.70
7 Jennifer Saunders, Canada 253.45
8 Angela Grisar, Chile 245.00
9 Jo Shattuck, USA 224.41
10 T.J. Baumbaugh, USA 218.80
11 Veronica Sotomayor, Ecuador 217.20
12 Krystal Csuk, USA 203.68
13 Keely Franks, USA 180.25
14 Diane Moore, USA 164.25
15 Samantha Salas, Mexico 133.05
16 Vivian Gomez, USA 128.50
17 Jackie Paraiso, USA 120.00
18 Susy Acosta-Mendoza, Mexico 112.70
19 Doreen Fowler, USA 112.19
20 Cristina Amaya, Colombia 106.50
Follow the bouncing ball....
But Longoria won the last two WPRO events and those wins have moved her back above Rajsich.
Jennifer Saunders and T.J. Baumbaugh have reached career highs in the rankings. Saunders is now 7th and Baumbaugh 10th. Veronica Sotomayor, who hasn't played an event this season, has fallen out of the top 10, and is now 11th.
Finally, Aubrey O'brien, who was a double gold medalist at the World Junior Racquetball Championships this past week, is just outside the top 20 at 21st.
WPRO Rankings - December 21, 2009
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria, Mexico 1297.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich, USA 1260.06
3 Cheryl Gudinas, USA 631.040
4 Kerri Wachtel, USA 612.70
5 Kristen Bellows, USA 576.00
6 Adrienne Fisher, USA 363.70
7 Jennifer Saunders, Canada 253.45
8 Angela Grisar, Chile 245.00
9 Jo Shattuck, USA 224.41
10 T.J. Baumbaugh, USA 218.80
11 Veronica Sotomayor, Ecuador 217.20
12 Krystal Csuk, USA 203.68
13 Keely Franks, USA 180.25
14 Diane Moore, USA 164.25
15 Samantha Salas, Mexico 133.05
16 Vivian Gomez, USA 128.50
17 Jackie Paraiso, USA 120.00
18 Susy Acosta-Mendoza, Mexico 112.70
19 Doreen Fowler, USA 112.19
20 Cristina Amaya, Colombia 106.50
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, December 21, 2009
World Junior Racquetball Championships - Round Up
No official word from the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) on the team competition results from the 21st World Junior Racquetball Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. However, The Racquetball Blog has done a medal count and based on that it appears that the United States has won the overall title with 15 total medals: 6 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze.
The USA was led by two double gold medalists. Jose Rojas won both singles and doubles in the Boys 18 and under divisions while Aubrey O'brien won the Girls 16 & under singles title and the 18 & under doubles title.
Mexico seems to have just eked past Bolivia for second place overall. Mexico had 3 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals compared to Bolivia's 3 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Coming fourth (unofficially) seems to be Ecuador, whose players had 1 silver and 2 bronze medals, which puts them just ahead of both Canada and Costa Rica, who both had 3 bronze medals each.
Players from four other countries won 1 bronze each: Columbia, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Ireland. Aisling Hickey and Ciara Mcmanamon of Ireland could have the distinction of winning their country's first ever medal at World Juniors.
In all, players from 10 different countries won medals at this year's World Juniors tournament, which The Racquetball Blog believes could be a record.
21st World Junior Championship
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Medal Summary by Country
USA - 6 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze
Mexico - 3, 3, 5
Bolivia - 3, 3, 3
Ecuador - 0, 1, 2
Canada - 0, 0, 3
Costa Rica - 0, 0, 3
Dominican Republic - 0, 0, 1
Venezuela - 0, 0, 1
Columbia - 0, 0, 1
Ireland - 0, 0, 1
Girls 18 & under
Singles
1st Yazmine Sabja (Bolivia)
2nd Sheryl Lotts (USA)
3rd Christina Cordova (Ecuador) & Danielle Key (USA)
Doubles
1st Danielle Key & Aubrey O'brien (USA)
2nd Yazmine Sabja & Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia)
3rd Jessica Parrilla & Rocio Enriquez Gatz (Mexico) and Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador)
Girls 16 & under
Singles
1st Aubrey O'brien (USA)
2nd Sofia Rascon (Mexico)
3rd Frédérique Lambert (Canada) & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia)
Doubles
1st Amanda Lindsay & Jessica Munoz (USA)
2nd Adriana Riveros & Carolina Ona (Bolivia)
3rd Aisling Hickey & Ciara Mcmanamon (Ireland) and Daniela Gascon & Elena Robles Molina (Mexico)
Girls 14 & under
Singles
1st Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico)
2nd Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico)
3rd Kelani Bailey (USA) & Masiel Rivera (Bolivia)
Doubles
1st Kelani Bailey & Abbey Lavely (USA)
2nd Masiel Rivera & Natalia Mendez (Bolivia)
3rd Michelle Morissette & Zoe Hanson (Canada) and Alexandra Herrera & Regina Franco (Mexico)
Boys 18 & under
Singles
1st Jose Rojas (USA)
2nd Alejandro Cardona (Mexico)
3rd Roland Keller (Bolivia) & Taylor Knoth (USA)
Doubles
1st Jose Rojas & Jose Serrano (USA)
2nd Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Diego Rodriguez (Ecuador)
3rd Javier Melendez & Ignacio Sabate (Costa Rica) and Conrad Cole & Colin Mohr (Canada)
Boys 16 & under
Singles
1st Carlos Keller Vargas (Bolivia)
2nd Marco Rojas (USA)
3rd Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) & Misael Lejia (Mexico)
Doubles
1st Jorge Luis Michel & Carlos Keller Vargas (Bolivia)
2nd Joshua Hungerford & Nick Montalbano (USA)
3rd Carlos Santos & Alejandro Acostarubio (Venezuela) and Juan Felipe Garzon & Sebastian Franco (Columbia)
Boys 14 & under
Singles
1st Javier Estrada (Mexico)
2nd Zachary Wertz (USA)
3rd Andres Acuna (Costa Rica) & Sam Reid (USA)
Doubles
1st Javier Estrada & Eduardo Garay (Mexico)
2nd Adam Manilla & Zachary Wertz (USA)
3rd Andres Acuna & Andres Fabian Montecinos (Costa Rica) and Francisco De-leon & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
Follow the bouncing ball....
The USA was led by two double gold medalists. Jose Rojas won both singles and doubles in the Boys 18 and under divisions while Aubrey O'brien won the Girls 16 & under singles title and the 18 & under doubles title.
Mexico seems to have just eked past Bolivia for second place overall. Mexico had 3 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals compared to Bolivia's 3 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Coming fourth (unofficially) seems to be Ecuador, whose players had 1 silver and 2 bronze medals, which puts them just ahead of both Canada and Costa Rica, who both had 3 bronze medals each.
Players from four other countries won 1 bronze each: Columbia, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Ireland. Aisling Hickey and Ciara Mcmanamon of Ireland could have the distinction of winning their country's first ever medal at World Juniors.
In all, players from 10 different countries won medals at this year's World Juniors tournament, which The Racquetball Blog believes could be a record.
21st World Junior Championship
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Medal Summary by Country
USA - 6 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze
Mexico - 3, 3, 5
Bolivia - 3, 3, 3
Ecuador - 0, 1, 2
Canada - 0, 0, 3
Costa Rica - 0, 0, 3
Dominican Republic - 0, 0, 1
Venezuela - 0, 0, 1
Columbia - 0, 0, 1
Ireland - 0, 0, 1
Girls 18 & under
Singles
1st Yazmine Sabja (Bolivia)
2nd Sheryl Lotts (USA)
3rd Christina Cordova (Ecuador) & Danielle Key (USA)
Doubles
1st Danielle Key & Aubrey O'brien (USA)
2nd Yazmine Sabja & Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia)
3rd Jessica Parrilla & Rocio Enriquez Gatz (Mexico) and Cristina Cordova & Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador)
Girls 16 & under
Singles
1st Aubrey O'brien (USA)
2nd Sofia Rascon (Mexico)
3rd Frédérique Lambert (Canada) & Adriana Riveros (Bolivia)
Doubles
1st Amanda Lindsay & Jessica Munoz (USA)
2nd Adriana Riveros & Carolina Ona (Bolivia)
3rd Aisling Hickey & Ciara Mcmanamon (Ireland) and Daniela Gascon & Elena Robles Molina (Mexico)
Girls 14 & under
Singles
1st Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico)
2nd Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico)
3rd Kelani Bailey (USA) & Masiel Rivera (Bolivia)
Doubles
1st Kelani Bailey & Abbey Lavely (USA)
2nd Masiel Rivera & Natalia Mendez (Bolivia)
3rd Michelle Morissette & Zoe Hanson (Canada) and Alexandra Herrera & Regina Franco (Mexico)
Boys 18 & under
Singles
1st Jose Rojas (USA)
2nd Alejandro Cardona (Mexico)
3rd Roland Keller (Bolivia) & Taylor Knoth (USA)
Doubles
1st Jose Rojas & Jose Serrano (USA)
2nd Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Diego Rodriguez (Ecuador)
3rd Javier Melendez & Ignacio Sabate (Costa Rica) and Conrad Cole & Colin Mohr (Canada)
Boys 16 & under
Singles
1st Carlos Keller Vargas (Bolivia)
2nd Marco Rojas (USA)
3rd Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) & Misael Lejia (Mexico)
Doubles
1st Jorge Luis Michel & Carlos Keller Vargas (Bolivia)
2nd Joshua Hungerford & Nick Montalbano (USA)
3rd Carlos Santos & Alejandro Acostarubio (Venezuela) and Juan Felipe Garzon & Sebastian Franco (Columbia)
Boys 14 & under
Singles
1st Javier Estrada (Mexico)
2nd Zachary Wertz (USA)
3rd Andres Acuna (Costa Rica) & Sam Reid (USA)
Doubles
1st Javier Estrada & Eduardo Garay (Mexico)
2nd Adam Manilla & Zachary Wertz (USA)
3rd Andres Acuna & Andres Fabian Montecinos (Costa Rica) and Francisco De-leon & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, December 20, 2009
World Junior Racquetball Championships - Doubles Results
American girls swept up all the gold medals in doubles in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic at the 21st World Junior Racquetball Championships hosted by the International Racquetball Federation (IRF), but as in singles it was a three way split on the boys' side in doubles with the USA, Bolivia and Mexico getting one gold medal each.
Each of the girls finals was an American-Bolivian battle. In Girls 18 and under, Danielle Key and Aubrey O'brien needed a tie-breaker to defeat the Bolivian team of Yazmine Sabja and Maria Jose Vargas, winning 13-15, 15-8, 11-0. Key and O'brien won the 16 and under doubles division last year.
Amanda Lindsay and Jessica Munoz won the Girls 16 and under by defeating Bolivians Adriana Riveros and Carolina Ona, 15-5, 15-13, while in Girls 14 and under Kelani Bailey and Abbey Lavely beat Masiel Rivera and Natalia Mendez, 15-7, 15-10.
Each of the gold medal winning boys doubles teams had a gold medal winning singles player. Thus, American Jose Rojas, Bolivian Carlos Keller Vargas and Mexican Javier Estrada will each being coming home with two gold medals.
Rojas and Jose Serrano won the Boys 18 and under doubles title by defeating Jose Daniel Ugalde and Juan Diego Rodriguez of Ecuador, 15-3, 15-8. Rojas also won the Boys 18 and under title last year when he played with Jansen Allen.
Vargas and Jorge Luis Michel won the 16 and under division with a victory over Americans Joshua Hungerford and Nick Montalbano, 15-12, 15-12. It's their second World Juniors doubles title, as they won the 14 and under in 2007.
Estrada and Eduardo Garay defeated Americans Adam Manilla and Zachary Wertz, 15-0, 15-10 in the Boys 14 and under final.
21st World Junior Championship
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Girls 18 & under Doubles
F: Danielle Key & Aubrey O'brien (USA) d. Yazmine Sabja & Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia), 13-15, 15-8, 11-0
Girls 16 & under Doubles
F: Amanda Lindsay & Jessica Munoz (USA) d. Adriana Riveros & Carolina Ona (Bolivia), 15-5, 15-13
Girls 14 & under Doubles
F: Kelani Bailey & Abbey Lavely (USA) d. Masiel Rivera & Natalia Mendez (Bolivia), 15-7, 15-10
Boys 18 & under Doubles
F: Jose Rojas & Jose Serrano (USA) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Diego Rodriguez (Ecuador), 15-3, 15-8
Boys 16 & under Doubles
F: Jorge Luis Michel & Carlos Keller Vargas (Bolivia) d. Joshua Hungerford & Nick Montalbano (USA), 15-12, 15-12
Boys 14 & under Doubles
F: Javier Estrada & Eduardo Garay (Mexico) d. Adam Manilla & Zachary Wertz (USA), 12-15, 15-14, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball....
Each of the girls finals was an American-Bolivian battle. In Girls 18 and under, Danielle Key and Aubrey O'brien needed a tie-breaker to defeat the Bolivian team of Yazmine Sabja and Maria Jose Vargas, winning 13-15, 15-8, 11-0. Key and O'brien won the 16 and under doubles division last year.
Amanda Lindsay and Jessica Munoz won the Girls 16 and under by defeating Bolivians Adriana Riveros and Carolina Ona, 15-5, 15-13, while in Girls 14 and under Kelani Bailey and Abbey Lavely beat Masiel Rivera and Natalia Mendez, 15-7, 15-10.
Each of the gold medal winning boys doubles teams had a gold medal winning singles player. Thus, American Jose Rojas, Bolivian Carlos Keller Vargas and Mexican Javier Estrada will each being coming home with two gold medals.
Rojas and Jose Serrano won the Boys 18 and under doubles title by defeating Jose Daniel Ugalde and Juan Diego Rodriguez of Ecuador, 15-3, 15-8. Rojas also won the Boys 18 and under title last year when he played with Jansen Allen.
Vargas and Jorge Luis Michel won the 16 and under division with a victory over Americans Joshua Hungerford and Nick Montalbano, 15-12, 15-12. It's their second World Juniors doubles title, as they won the 14 and under in 2007.
Estrada and Eduardo Garay defeated Americans Adam Manilla and Zachary Wertz, 15-0, 15-10 in the Boys 14 and under final.
21st World Junior Championship
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Girls 18 & under Doubles
F: Danielle Key & Aubrey O'brien (USA) d. Yazmine Sabja & Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia), 13-15, 15-8, 11-0
Girls 16 & under Doubles
F: Amanda Lindsay & Jessica Munoz (USA) d. Adriana Riveros & Carolina Ona (Bolivia), 15-5, 15-13
Girls 14 & under Doubles
F: Kelani Bailey & Abbey Lavely (USA) d. Masiel Rivera & Natalia Mendez (Bolivia), 15-7, 15-10
Boys 18 & under Doubles
F: Jose Rojas & Jose Serrano (USA) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde & Juan Diego Rodriguez (Ecuador), 15-3, 15-8
Boys 16 & under Doubles
F: Jorge Luis Michel & Carlos Keller Vargas (Bolivia) d. Joshua Hungerford & Nick Montalbano (USA), 15-12, 15-12
Boys 14 & under Doubles
F: Javier Estrada & Eduardo Garay (Mexico) d. Adam Manilla & Zachary Wertz (USA), 12-15, 15-14, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball....
World Junior Racquetball Championships - Singles Results
Bolivia, Mexico and the USA have each won two gold medals in the singles divisions at the 21st World Junior Racquetball Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic hosted by the International Racquetball Federation (IRF).
Jose Rojas (USA) finished his last junior tournament on a winning note by defeating Mexican Alejandro Cardona, 15-7, 15-10, in the Boys 18 & under final. In the Girls 18 & final, Bolivian Yazmine Sabja defeated Sheryl Lotts (USA), 2-15, 15-9, 11-0.
Sabja's team-mate, Carlos Keller Vargas became first Bolivian boy and the first non-North American since 1989 to win a World Junior Championship in the 14, 16 or 18 and under division as he defeated American Marco Rojas in the Boys 16 & under final, 4-15, 15-13, 11-2. American Aubrey O'brien won the Girls 16 & under title by defeating Mexican Sofia Rascon, 15-11, 15-4.
Mexicans swept the 14 & under finals. On the girls' side, it was a guarantee, as both finalists were Mexican. Lucia Gonzalez defeated Ximena Gonzalez, 1-15, 15-13, 11-10. On the boys' side, Javier Estrada defeated American Zachary Wertz, 15-0, 15-10.
Last year, Maria Jose Vargas won Bolivia's first gold medal at World Juniors (in Girls 14 & under). Now, they've won two more.
21st World Junior Championship
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Girls 18 & under
F: Yazmine Sabja (Bolivia) d. Sheryl Lotts (USA), 2-15, 15-9, 11-0
Girls 16 & under
F: Aubrey O'brien (USA) d. Sofia Rascon (Mexico), 15-11, 15-4
Girls 14 & under
F: Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico) d. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico), 1-15, 15-13, 11-10
Boys 18 & under
F: Jose Rojas (USA) d. Alejandro Cardona (Mexico), 15-7, 15-10
Boys 16 & under
F: Carlos Keller Vargas (Bolivia) d. Marco Rojas (USA), 4-15, 15-13, 11-2
Boys 14 & under
F: Javier Estrada (Mexico) d. Zachary Wertz (USA), 15-0, 15-10
Follow the bouncing ball....
Jose Rojas (USA) finished his last junior tournament on a winning note by defeating Mexican Alejandro Cardona, 15-7, 15-10, in the Boys 18 & under final. In the Girls 18 & final, Bolivian Yazmine Sabja defeated Sheryl Lotts (USA), 2-15, 15-9, 11-0.
Sabja's team-mate, Carlos Keller Vargas became first Bolivian boy and the first non-North American since 1989 to win a World Junior Championship in the 14, 16 or 18 and under division as he defeated American Marco Rojas in the Boys 16 & under final, 4-15, 15-13, 11-2. American Aubrey O'brien won the Girls 16 & under title by defeating Mexican Sofia Rascon, 15-11, 15-4.
Mexicans swept the 14 & under finals. On the girls' side, it was a guarantee, as both finalists were Mexican. Lucia Gonzalez defeated Ximena Gonzalez, 1-15, 15-13, 11-10. On the boys' side, Javier Estrada defeated American Zachary Wertz, 15-0, 15-10.
Last year, Maria Jose Vargas won Bolivia's first gold medal at World Juniors (in Girls 14 & under). Now, they've won two more.
21st World Junior Championship
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Girls 18 & under
F: Yazmine Sabja (Bolivia) d. Sheryl Lotts (USA), 2-15, 15-9, 11-0
Girls 16 & under
F: Aubrey O'brien (USA) d. Sofia Rascon (Mexico), 15-11, 15-4
Girls 14 & under
F: Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico) d. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico), 1-15, 15-13, 11-10
Boys 18 & under
F: Jose Rojas (USA) d. Alejandro Cardona (Mexico), 15-7, 15-10
Boys 16 & under
F: Carlos Keller Vargas (Bolivia) d. Marco Rojas (USA), 4-15, 15-13, 11-2
Boys 14 & under
F: Javier Estrada (Mexico) d. Zachary Wertz (USA), 15-0, 15-10
Follow the bouncing ball....
World Junior Racquetball Championships - Final results? Not yet
In an unbelievable decision, the R2Sports.com page for the 21st World Junior Racquetball Championships currently (1 PM Central time Sunday) states:
This includes disabling the media reporting function on the site.
This is simply preposterous. Who is this helping? We know it's hurting anyone who has a passing interest in the event.
This is the kind of non-cooperation that the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) has been accused of by many, including the European Racquetball Federation (ERF), which led to their resignation from the IRF.
The Racquetball Blog staff is doing a collective head shake at this poor decision. Unbelievable.
Follow the bouncing ball....
The tournament director has requested to turn off the live results to keep the results secret until the awards ceremony at 4:30 pm local time. You can continue to view the draws to check for the latest winners.
This includes disabling the media reporting function on the site.
This is simply preposterous. Who is this helping? We know it's hurting anyone who has a passing interest in the event.
This is the kind of non-cooperation that the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) has been accused of by many, including the European Racquetball Federation (ERF), which led to their resignation from the IRF.
The Racquetball Blog staff is doing a collective head shake at this poor decision. Unbelievable.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, December 19, 2009
World Junior Racquetball Championships - Semi-final results
The finals are set for the 21st World Junior Racquetball Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic hosted by the International Racquetball Federation (IRF). They will be played on Sunday.
American Jose Rojas is one step away from winning his second World Junior Championship in Boys 18 & under. Alejandro Cardona of Mexico has the task of spoiling the end of Rojas's junior career. Rojas comfortably defeated Roland Keller of Bolivia, 15-4, 15-7, while Cardona needed a tie-breaker to get by Taylor Knoth of the USA, 15-8, 14-15, 11-7.
The #1 and #2 seeds will meet in the Girls 18 & under final, as top seed Sheryl Lotts (USA) takes on second seed Yazmine Sabja (Bolivia). Lotts got to the final by defeating Christina Cordova of Ecuador, 15-9, 15-4, in the semi-finals, and Sabja defeated Danielle Key (USA), 15-13, 15-8.
In Boys 16 & under Carlos Keller Vargas of Bolivia will be trying to make history Sunday by being the first Bolivian and only second non-North American to win a World Junior Championship in the 14, 16 or 18 and under Boys divisions. However, he's up against the 2007 14 and under World Junior Champion in Marco Rojas (USA). Vargas defeated top seed Daniel De La Rosa of Mexico, 13-15, 15-8, 11-8, in the semi-finals while Rojas beat Mexican Misael Lejia, 15-8, 15-7.
In Girls 16 & under, Aubrey O'brien (USA) will face Sofia Rascon (Mexico) in the final Sunday in a show down between the 23rd and 26th, respectively, ranked players in the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO). O'brien beat Canadian Frédérique Lambert, 15-7, 15-4 in one semi-final, while Rascon defeated Adriana Riveros (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-14, in the other.
It's also Mexico versus the USA in the Boys 14 & under final, as Zachary Wertz (USA) faces Javier Estrada (Mexico). Wertz defeated Andres Acuna (Costa Rica) in the semi-finals, 7-15, 15-12, 11-1, and Estrada beat American Sam Reid, 15-7, 15-7.
The Girls 14 & under final will be an all Mexican, all Gonzalez battle, as Ximena Gonzalez plays Lucia Gonzalez. In the semi-finals, Ximena defeated Kelani Bailey (USA), 0-15, 15-14, 11-1, while Lucia took out Masiel Rivera (Bolivia), 15-13, 15-9.
21st World Junior Championship
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Semi-final results
Boys 18 & under
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Roland Keller (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-7
Alejandro Cardona (Mexico) d. Taylor Knoth (USA), 15-8, 14-15, 11-7
Girls 18 & under
Sheryl Lotts (USA) d. Christina Cordova (Ecuador), 15-9, 15-4
Yazmine Sabja (Bolivia) d. Danielle Key (USA), 15-13, 15-8
Boys 16 & under
Carlos Keller Vargas (Bolivia) d. Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico), 13-15, 15-8, 11-8
Marco Rojas (USA) d. Misael Lejia (Mexico), 15-8, 15-7.
Girls 16 & under
Aubrey O'brien (USA) d. Frédérique Lambert (Canada), 15-7, 15-4
Sofia Rascon (Mexico) d. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-14
Boys 14 & under
Zachary Wertz (USA) d. Andres Acuna (Costa Rica), 7-15, 15-12, 11-1
Javier Estrada (Mexico) d. Sam Reid (USA), 15-7, 15-7.
Girls 14 & under
Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico) d. Kelani Bailey (USA), 0-15, 15-14, 11-1
Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico) d. Masiel Rivera (Bolivia), 15-13, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball....
American Jose Rojas is one step away from winning his second World Junior Championship in Boys 18 & under. Alejandro Cardona of Mexico has the task of spoiling the end of Rojas's junior career. Rojas comfortably defeated Roland Keller of Bolivia, 15-4, 15-7, while Cardona needed a tie-breaker to get by Taylor Knoth of the USA, 15-8, 14-15, 11-7.
The #1 and #2 seeds will meet in the Girls 18 & under final, as top seed Sheryl Lotts (USA) takes on second seed Yazmine Sabja (Bolivia). Lotts got to the final by defeating Christina Cordova of Ecuador, 15-9, 15-4, in the semi-finals, and Sabja defeated Danielle Key (USA), 15-13, 15-8.
In Boys 16 & under Carlos Keller Vargas of Bolivia will be trying to make history Sunday by being the first Bolivian and only second non-North American to win a World Junior Championship in the 14, 16 or 18 and under Boys divisions. However, he's up against the 2007 14 and under World Junior Champion in Marco Rojas (USA). Vargas defeated top seed Daniel De La Rosa of Mexico, 13-15, 15-8, 11-8, in the semi-finals while Rojas beat Mexican Misael Lejia, 15-8, 15-7.
In Girls 16 & under, Aubrey O'brien (USA) will face Sofia Rascon (Mexico) in the final Sunday in a show down between the 23rd and 26th, respectively, ranked players in the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO). O'brien beat Canadian Frédérique Lambert, 15-7, 15-4 in one semi-final, while Rascon defeated Adriana Riveros (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-14, in the other.
It's also Mexico versus the USA in the Boys 14 & under final, as Zachary Wertz (USA) faces Javier Estrada (Mexico). Wertz defeated Andres Acuna (Costa Rica) in the semi-finals, 7-15, 15-12, 11-1, and Estrada beat American Sam Reid, 15-7, 15-7.
The Girls 14 & under final will be an all Mexican, all Gonzalez battle, as Ximena Gonzalez plays Lucia Gonzalez. In the semi-finals, Ximena defeated Kelani Bailey (USA), 0-15, 15-14, 11-1, while Lucia took out Masiel Rivera (Bolivia), 15-13, 15-9.
21st World Junior Championship
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Semi-final results
Boys 18 & under
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Roland Keller (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-7
Alejandro Cardona (Mexico) d. Taylor Knoth (USA), 15-8, 14-15, 11-7
Girls 18 & under
Sheryl Lotts (USA) d. Christina Cordova (Ecuador), 15-9, 15-4
Yazmine Sabja (Bolivia) d. Danielle Key (USA), 15-13, 15-8
Boys 16 & under
Carlos Keller Vargas (Bolivia) d. Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico), 13-15, 15-8, 11-8
Marco Rojas (USA) d. Misael Lejia (Mexico), 15-8, 15-7.
Girls 16 & under
Aubrey O'brien (USA) d. Frédérique Lambert (Canada), 15-7, 15-4
Sofia Rascon (Mexico) d. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-14
Boys 14 & under
Zachary Wertz (USA) d. Andres Acuna (Costa Rica), 7-15, 15-12, 11-1
Javier Estrada (Mexico) d. Sam Reid (USA), 15-7, 15-7.
Girls 14 & under
Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico) d. Kelani Bailey (USA), 0-15, 15-14, 11-1
Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico) d. Masiel Rivera (Bolivia), 15-13, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, December 18, 2009
World Junior Racquetball Championships - How the world is changing
In years gone by racquetball's superpower was the USA followed by Canada. Then Mexico came along as the third power, and international competitions have been a battle between those three countries in recent years.
But changes have begun, and you can see them in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic where the 21st World Junior Racquetball Championships hosted by the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) are in progress. Specifically, you can see the changes in the Girls 18 & under doubles.
There are 7 teams in Girls 18 & under doubles, so three teams are going to be on one side of the draw and four on the other. The three teams on the top half of the draw are Canada, Mexico and the USA. Never would that have happened in the past, because those were your Big Three countries. In the past, two of the Big Three would draw the short straws and be on the same side of the draw, meaning a semi-final showdown prior to a final against the other Big Three nation.
But not in this draw.
This happened because both the USA team of Aubrey O'brien and Danielle Key and the Canadian team of Brigitte Richard and Christine Richardson lost in the preliminary round; in fact, Canada lost twice. Thus, Canada and the USA will be playing off with the winner meeting the top seeded Mexican team of Jessica Parrilla and Rocio Enriquez Gatz in the semi-finals.
On the other side of the draw, Maria Jose Vargas and Yazmine Sabja of Bolivia are seeded second based on wins over the USA (15-13, 15-13) and the Irish team of Donna Ryder and Majella Haverty. Vargas and Sabja will play Venezuelans Islhey Mariana Paredes and Marianna Tobon, and then face either the Irish girls or Cristina Cordova and Maria Paz Munoz of Ecuador, who defeated the Canadian team in the preliminary round.
Thus, while the pro ranks are still dominated by American, Mexican and Canadian players currently, the scene could be very different in the near future as young junior players from outside North America mature and develop into strong senior players.
So, yes, Virginia, the racquetball world is changing.
Follow the bouncing ball....
But changes have begun, and you can see them in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic where the 21st World Junior Racquetball Championships hosted by the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) are in progress. Specifically, you can see the changes in the Girls 18 & under doubles.
There are 7 teams in Girls 18 & under doubles, so three teams are going to be on one side of the draw and four on the other. The three teams on the top half of the draw are Canada, Mexico and the USA. Never would that have happened in the past, because those were your Big Three countries. In the past, two of the Big Three would draw the short straws and be on the same side of the draw, meaning a semi-final showdown prior to a final against the other Big Three nation.
But not in this draw.
This happened because both the USA team of Aubrey O'brien and Danielle Key and the Canadian team of Brigitte Richard and Christine Richardson lost in the preliminary round; in fact, Canada lost twice. Thus, Canada and the USA will be playing off with the winner meeting the top seeded Mexican team of Jessica Parrilla and Rocio Enriquez Gatz in the semi-finals.
On the other side of the draw, Maria Jose Vargas and Yazmine Sabja of Bolivia are seeded second based on wins over the USA (15-13, 15-13) and the Irish team of Donna Ryder and Majella Haverty. Vargas and Sabja will play Venezuelans Islhey Mariana Paredes and Marianna Tobon, and then face either the Irish girls or Cristina Cordova and Maria Paz Munoz of Ecuador, who defeated the Canadian team in the preliminary round.
Thus, while the pro ranks are still dominated by American, Mexican and Canadian players currently, the scene could be very different in the near future as young junior players from outside North America mature and develop into strong senior players.
So, yes, Virginia, the racquetball world is changing.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, December 17, 2009
World Junior Racquetball Championships - Group Winners
The preliminary round or group stage competition wraps up today at the 20th World Junior Racquetball Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic hosted by the International Racquetball Federation (IRF).
So, here's a shout out to all the group winners ahead of Friday's elimination round.
The group winners in Boys 18 & under were: Oscar Arroyo (Mexico), Alejandro Cardona (Mexico), Conrad Cole (Canada), Roland Keller (Bolivia), Taylor Knoth (USA), Colin Mohr (Canada), and Juan Diego Rodriguez (Ecuador), and Jose Rojas (USA).
The group winners in Girls 18 & under were: Sheryl Lotts (USA), Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador), Carolina Oña (Bolivia), and Yazmine Sabja (Bolivia).
The group winners in Boys 16 & under were: Jose Diaz (USA), Joe Dillon (Ireland), Misael Lejia (Mexico), Fernado Munoz (Costa Rica), Logan Hordyski (Canada), Marco Rojas (USA), Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) and Carlos Keller Vargas (Bolivia).
The group winners in Girls 16 & under were: Aisling Hickey (Ireland), Jocelyn Loredo (Mexico), Aubrey O'brien (USA), Sofia Rascon (Mexico), and Adriana Rivero (Bolivia).
In group winners in Boys 14 & under were: Javier Estrada (Mexico), Eduardo Garay (Mexico), Andres Acuna (Costa Rica), Sami Harb (Canada), Sam Reid (USA), Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica), Anthony Schonberger (Canada) and Zachary Wertz (USA).
The group winners in Girls 14 & under were: Kelani Bailey (USA), Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico), Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico), Michelle Morrissette (Canada), Masiel Rivera (Bolivia), and Samantha Simmons (USA).
The elimination round begins on Friday and runs through Sunday.
Follow the bouncing ball....
So, here's a shout out to all the group winners ahead of Friday's elimination round.
The group winners in Boys 18 & under were: Oscar Arroyo (Mexico), Alejandro Cardona (Mexico), Conrad Cole (Canada), Roland Keller (Bolivia), Taylor Knoth (USA), Colin Mohr (Canada), and Juan Diego Rodriguez (Ecuador), and Jose Rojas (USA).
The group winners in Girls 18 & under were: Sheryl Lotts (USA), Maria Paz Munoz (Ecuador), Carolina Oña (Bolivia), and Yazmine Sabja (Bolivia).
The group winners in Boys 16 & under were: Jose Diaz (USA), Joe Dillon (Ireland), Misael Lejia (Mexico), Fernado Munoz (Costa Rica), Logan Hordyski (Canada), Marco Rojas (USA), Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) and Carlos Keller Vargas (Bolivia).
The group winners in Girls 16 & under were: Aisling Hickey (Ireland), Jocelyn Loredo (Mexico), Aubrey O'brien (USA), Sofia Rascon (Mexico), and Adriana Rivero (Bolivia).
In group winners in Boys 14 & under were: Javier Estrada (Mexico), Eduardo Garay (Mexico), Andres Acuna (Costa Rica), Sami Harb (Canada), Sam Reid (USA), Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica), Anthony Schonberger (Canada) and Zachary Wertz (USA).
The group winners in Girls 14 & under were: Kelani Bailey (USA), Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico), Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico), Michelle Morrissette (Canada), Masiel Rivera (Bolivia), and Samantha Simmons (USA).
The elimination round begins on Friday and runs through Sunday.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Latest IRT Rankings
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) released its latest rankings last week. There's no changes in the top 10, as Kane Waselenchuk remains the #1 player followed by #2 Jack Huczek and #3 Rocky Carson.
However, there are some changes in the next 10. Javier Moreno is up to 11th with Juan Herrera dropping to 13th. Also, Polo Gutierrez is up to 17th from 20th.
Charlie Pratt has cracked the top 20 for the first time, as he's now 19th (up from 22nd). His rise is at the expense of Hiroshi Shimizu, who's dropped from 18th to 21st.
IRT Rankings (as of December 7, 2009)
Rank - Player - Points - Previous Rank
1 Kane WASELENCHUK, 4286 - 1
2 Jack HUCZEK, 3240 - 3
3 Rocky CARSON, 2906 - 2
4 Jason MANNINO, 2284 - 4
5 Shane VANDERSON, 2216 - 5
6 Mitch WILLIAMS, 1901 - 6
7 Alvaro BELTRAN, 1811 - 7
8 Chris CROWTHER, 1789 - 8
9 Ben CROFT, 1664 - 9
10 Andy HAWTHORNE, 1620 - 10
11 Javier MORENO, 972 - 13
12 Travis WOODBURY, 968 - 12
13 Juan HERRERA, 945 - 11
14 Kris ODEGARD, 941 - 15
15 Andres HERRERA, 885 - 14
16 Anthony HERRERA, 881 - 16
17 Polo GUTIERREZ, 817 - 20
18 Alejandro LANDA, 801 - 19
19 Charlie PRATT 778, - 23
20 Alejandro HERRERA, 776 - 17
Follow the bouncing ball....
However, there are some changes in the next 10. Javier Moreno is up to 11th with Juan Herrera dropping to 13th. Also, Polo Gutierrez is up to 17th from 20th.
Charlie Pratt has cracked the top 20 for the first time, as he's now 19th (up from 22nd). His rise is at the expense of Hiroshi Shimizu, who's dropped from 18th to 21st.
IRT Rankings (as of December 7, 2009)
Rank - Player - Points - Previous Rank
1 Kane WASELENCHUK, 4286 - 1
2 Jack HUCZEK, 3240 - 3
3 Rocky CARSON, 2906 - 2
4 Jason MANNINO, 2284 - 4
5 Shane VANDERSON, 2216 - 5
6 Mitch WILLIAMS, 1901 - 6
7 Alvaro BELTRAN, 1811 - 7
8 Chris CROWTHER, 1789 - 8
9 Ben CROFT, 1664 - 9
10 Andy HAWTHORNE, 1620 - 10
11 Javier MORENO, 972 - 13
12 Travis WOODBURY, 968 - 12
13 Juan HERRERA, 945 - 11
14 Kris ODEGARD, 941 - 15
15 Andres HERRERA, 885 - 14
16 Anthony HERRERA, 881 - 16
17 Polo GUTIERREZ, 817 - 20
18 Alejandro LANDA, 801 - 19
19 Charlie PRATT 778, - 23
20 Alejandro HERRERA, 776 - 17
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
World Junior Racquetball Championships - On Day 2
They are in the second day of the preliminary round competition at the 20th World Junior Racquetball Championships hosted by the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The most interesting results so far come from the Girls 18 & under division. Maria Paz Munoz of Ecuador, who won Girls 16 & under in 2007, has won her first two games, defeating American Danielle Key, 15-12, 15-4, yesterday and Mexican Jessica Parrilla, 15-14, 14-15, 11-10, today.
Thus, Munoz will likely finish at the top of the group and get a favorable seeding for the elimination round. She'll play Pamela Sierra of Honduras on Thursday, but Sierra has lost to both Key and Parrilla, so Munoz will likely be victorious. Key and Parrilla will face off for second place in the group on Thursday.
In the other Girls 18 & under groups, Sheryl Lotts (USA) will likely finish first in group 1, as she has two wins and no losses. Lotts will play Jessica Maldonado of Mexico on Thursday, but Maldonado has one win and one loss.
Maldonado lost to Cristina Cordova of Ecuador, 15-7, 15-13, on Tuesday, and Lotts beat Cordova on Wednesday, 15-9, 15-6. So you'd expect Lotts would beat Maldonado Thursday, but funnier things have happened in sports, and a win for Maldonado could put her top of the group given that she would be tied with Lotts at 2 wins and 1 loss and won the head to head battle. Though if Cordova wins her match against the other player in the group, Marcela Segreda of Costa Rica, on Thursday then there would be a three way tie, and who knows who'll come out on top then.
In group 2 of Girls 18 & under, Yazmine Sabja of Bolivia and Christine Richardson of Canada both have 2 wins and no losses so their match on Thursday will determine who finishes 1st in the group.
Finally, Carolina Oña of Bolivia in control of group 4, as she has won both her matches. So a victory over Canadian Valérie Fallu on Thursday will put her in 1st. However, a Fallu victory could create another three way tie, as in group 1, if Majella Haverty of Ireland also defeats Chilean Carolina Troncoso in the other match on Thursday.
No huge surprises in the other age divisions so far.
The preliminary round concludes on Thursday with the elimination round beginning on Friday and running through the weekend. The finals are on Sunday.
Follow the bouncing ball....
The most interesting results so far come from the Girls 18 & under division. Maria Paz Munoz of Ecuador, who won Girls 16 & under in 2007, has won her first two games, defeating American Danielle Key, 15-12, 15-4, yesterday and Mexican Jessica Parrilla, 15-14, 14-15, 11-10, today.
Thus, Munoz will likely finish at the top of the group and get a favorable seeding for the elimination round. She'll play Pamela Sierra of Honduras on Thursday, but Sierra has lost to both Key and Parrilla, so Munoz will likely be victorious. Key and Parrilla will face off for second place in the group on Thursday.
In the other Girls 18 & under groups, Sheryl Lotts (USA) will likely finish first in group 1, as she has two wins and no losses. Lotts will play Jessica Maldonado of Mexico on Thursday, but Maldonado has one win and one loss.
Maldonado lost to Cristina Cordova of Ecuador, 15-7, 15-13, on Tuesday, and Lotts beat Cordova on Wednesday, 15-9, 15-6. So you'd expect Lotts would beat Maldonado Thursday, but funnier things have happened in sports, and a win for Maldonado could put her top of the group given that she would be tied with Lotts at 2 wins and 1 loss and won the head to head battle. Though if Cordova wins her match against the other player in the group, Marcela Segreda of Costa Rica, on Thursday then there would be a three way tie, and who knows who'll come out on top then.
In group 2 of Girls 18 & under, Yazmine Sabja of Bolivia and Christine Richardson of Canada both have 2 wins and no losses so their match on Thursday will determine who finishes 1st in the group.
Finally, Carolina Oña of Bolivia in control of group 4, as she has won both her matches. So a victory over Canadian Valérie Fallu on Thursday will put her in 1st. However, a Fallu victory could create another three way tie, as in group 1, if Majella Haverty of Ireland also defeats Chilean Carolina Troncoso in the other match on Thursday.
No huge surprises in the other age divisions so far.
The preliminary round concludes on Thursday with the elimination round beginning on Friday and running through the weekend. The finals are on Sunday.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, December 14, 2009
World Junior Racquetball Championships - Preview
Some of the finest young racquetball players are in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic for the International Racquetball Federation's (IRF's) World Junior Racquetball Championships. This is the 20th World Junior Championship, and the first in the Dominican Republic. There are 234 players in the event.
In Boys 18 & under, Jose Rojas should be the player to beat. He won the title last year, and is the #23 ranked player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). Those trying to prevent Rojas's repeat will include Mexicans Alejandro Cardona and Oscar Arroyo, Canadians Conrad Cole and Colin Mohr as well as Rojas's countryman Taylor Knoth.
Last year it was clear who was the favorite in Girls 18 & under, as Paola Longoria played in World Juniors for the last time, winning her 8th singles title. This year it's not so clear. But there are a few previous World Junior Champions in the field, including American Danielle Key, who won 16 & under last year, Maria Paz Munoz, who won 16 & under in 2007, and Christine Richardson of Canada won 14 & under in 2005.
But any Mexican players should not be overlooked. Jessica Maldonado and Jessica Parrilla are representing Mexico in Girls 18 & under this year. Finally, Sheryl Lotts is the other American player, and she was the USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champion this year.
Both Americans - Jose Diaz and Marco Rojas - in the Boys 16 & under division are likely the favorites, as they won the 14 & under division the last two years. Rojas in 2007 and Diaz in 2008.
In Girls 16 & under, Aubrey O'brien is likely the player to beat. She's had good results in Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) events, including a Round of 16 finish on the weekend at the Christmas Classic, and is currently ranked #23 on the WPRO. Her strongest competition could come from Canadian Frédérique Lambert (WPRO #29), Mexicans Sofia Rascon (#26) and Jocelyn Loredo (#41) as well as fellow American Devon Pimentelli (#49).
The 14 & under categories are always hard to predict as the players often have small competition records so it's hard to know what to expect. However, on the girls' side, Ximena Gonzalez of Mexico won the 12 & under division in 2007, so perhaps she's the player to beat in 14 & under this year.
No such prior Champions on the Boys 14 & under, but a Mexican or American has won this division each of the last 8 years, so it seems likely that the winner this year will be either Javier Estrada (Mexico), Eduardo Garay (Mexico), Sam Reid (USA), or Zachary Wertz (USA).
The opening ceremonies of the 20th World Junior Racquetball Championships are Monday night with the competitions to begin Tuesday morning. The format will be a preliminary round followed by an elimination round, which will conclude Sunday with the finals.
Follow the bouncing ball....
In Boys 18 & under, Jose Rojas should be the player to beat. He won the title last year, and is the #23 ranked player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). Those trying to prevent Rojas's repeat will include Mexicans Alejandro Cardona and Oscar Arroyo, Canadians Conrad Cole and Colin Mohr as well as Rojas's countryman Taylor Knoth.
Last year it was clear who was the favorite in Girls 18 & under, as Paola Longoria played in World Juniors for the last time, winning her 8th singles title. This year it's not so clear. But there are a few previous World Junior Champions in the field, including American Danielle Key, who won 16 & under last year, Maria Paz Munoz, who won 16 & under in 2007, and Christine Richardson of Canada won 14 & under in 2005.
But any Mexican players should not be overlooked. Jessica Maldonado and Jessica Parrilla are representing Mexico in Girls 18 & under this year. Finally, Sheryl Lotts is the other American player, and she was the USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champion this year.
Both Americans - Jose Diaz and Marco Rojas - in the Boys 16 & under division are likely the favorites, as they won the 14 & under division the last two years. Rojas in 2007 and Diaz in 2008.
In Girls 16 & under, Aubrey O'brien is likely the player to beat. She's had good results in Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) events, including a Round of 16 finish on the weekend at the Christmas Classic, and is currently ranked #23 on the WPRO. Her strongest competition could come from Canadian Frédérique Lambert (WPRO #29), Mexicans Sofia Rascon (#26) and Jocelyn Loredo (#41) as well as fellow American Devon Pimentelli (#49).
The 14 & under categories are always hard to predict as the players often have small competition records so it's hard to know what to expect. However, on the girls' side, Ximena Gonzalez of Mexico won the 12 & under division in 2007, so perhaps she's the player to beat in 14 & under this year.
No such prior Champions on the Boys 14 & under, but a Mexican or American has won this division each of the last 8 years, so it seems likely that the winner this year will be either Javier Estrada (Mexico), Eduardo Garay (Mexico), Sam Reid (USA), or Zachary Wertz (USA).
The opening ceremonies of the 20th World Junior Racquetball Championships are Monday night with the competitions to begin Tuesday morning. The format will be a preliminary round followed by an elimination round, which will conclude Sunday with the finals.
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, December 13, 2009
WPRO - Longoria wins Christmas Classic
Paola Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich for the second consecutive time Sunday, as she won the final of the Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia - the fourth event of the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour. Longoria won in three straight games, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3.
The win gives Longoria a 2-1 advantage over Rajsich this season. Also, Longoria may regain the #1 WPRO ranking with the win. She was #1 at the start of the season, but Rajsich went ahead of her after winning the first two WPRO events, including the US Open in October.
In the women's Open division, Adrienne Fisher defeated Krystal Csuk, 15-5, 15-14 in the final. Fisher and Csuk got to the final by defeating two Japanese players.
Fisher beat Maiko Sato, 15-2, 15-10, in one semi-final while Csuk defeated Etsuko Noda, 15-7, 15-5, in the other.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
Final
2 Paola Longoria d. 1 Rhonda Rajsich, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball....
The win gives Longoria a 2-1 advantage over Rajsich this season. Also, Longoria may regain the #1 WPRO ranking with the win. She was #1 at the start of the season, but Rajsich went ahead of her after winning the first two WPRO events, including the US Open in October.
In the women's Open division, Adrienne Fisher defeated Krystal Csuk, 15-5, 15-14 in the final. Fisher and Csuk got to the final by defeating two Japanese players.
Fisher beat Maiko Sato, 15-2, 15-10, in one semi-final while Csuk defeated Etsuko Noda, 15-7, 15-5, in the other.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
Final
2 Paola Longoria d. 1 Rhonda Rajsich, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, December 12, 2009
WPRO - Rajsich & Longoria to meet in Christmas Classic final
Rhonda Rajsich and Paola Longoria will meet in a Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) event final for the third time this season on Sunday when they face off for the Christmas Classic title in Arlington, Virginia. They split their first two meetings.
Top seed Rajsich reached the final by defeating fourth seed Kerri Wachtel, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10, while Longoria beat third seed Cheryl Gudinas in three straight games, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
Semi finals
1 Rhonda Rajsich d. 4 Kerri Wachtel, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10
2 Paola Longoria d. 3 Cheryl Gudinas, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7
Final
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 2 Paola Longoria
Follow the bouncing ball....
Top seed Rajsich reached the final by defeating fourth seed Kerri Wachtel, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10, while Longoria beat third seed Cheryl Gudinas in three straight games, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
Semi finals
1 Rhonda Rajsich d. 4 Kerri Wachtel, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10
2 Paola Longoria d. 3 Cheryl Gudinas, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7
Final
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 2 Paola Longoria
Follow the bouncing ball....
WPRO - Christmas Classic QFs
The top four seeds are through to the semi-finals at the Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia. This is the fourth main event of the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) season.
The top seeds Rhonda Rajsich and Paola Longoria both won their quarter final matches in three straight games. Rajsich defeated Jo Shattuck, 11-2, 11-9, 11-7, while Longoria defeated Jennifer Saunders, 11-3, 11-2, 11-8.
In the other quarter final matches, third seed Cheryl Gudinas needed four games to defeat Adrienne Fisher, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2, 11-6, and fourth seed Kerri Wachtel had to come back from 2 games to 1 down against Kristen Bellows. Wachtel won in a tie-breaker, 2-11, 11-7, 12-14, 11-5, 11-5.
The semi-finals will be played later on Saturday, and the final on Sunday.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
Quarter finals
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 8 Jo Shattuck, 11-2, 11-9, 11-7
4 Kerri Wachtel vs. 5 Kristen Bellows, 2-11, 11-7, 12-14, 11-5, 11-5
3 Cheryl Gudinas vs. 6 Adrienne Fisher, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2, 11-6
2 Paola Longoria vs. 7 Jennifer Saunders, 11-3, 11-2, 11-8
Semi finals
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 4 Kerri Wachtel
2 Paola Longoria vs. 3 Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball....
The top seeds Rhonda Rajsich and Paola Longoria both won their quarter final matches in three straight games. Rajsich defeated Jo Shattuck, 11-2, 11-9, 11-7, while Longoria defeated Jennifer Saunders, 11-3, 11-2, 11-8.
In the other quarter final matches, third seed Cheryl Gudinas needed four games to defeat Adrienne Fisher, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2, 11-6, and fourth seed Kerri Wachtel had to come back from 2 games to 1 down against Kristen Bellows. Wachtel won in a tie-breaker, 2-11, 11-7, 12-14, 11-5, 11-5.
The semi-finals will be played later on Saturday, and the final on Sunday.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
Quarter finals
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 8 Jo Shattuck, 11-2, 11-9, 11-7
4 Kerri Wachtel vs. 5 Kristen Bellows, 2-11, 11-7, 12-14, 11-5, 11-5
3 Cheryl Gudinas vs. 6 Adrienne Fisher, 11-5, 10-12, 11-2, 11-6
2 Paola Longoria vs. 7 Jennifer Saunders, 11-3, 11-2, 11-8
Semi finals
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 4 Kerri Wachtel
2 Paola Longoria vs. 3 Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, December 11, 2009
WPRO - Christmas Classic 16s
Higher seeds have continued to carry the day in Arlington, Virginia at the Christmas Classic, the fourth main event of the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) season. The top four seeds all had relatively easy matches in the Round of 16.
Number 1 Rhonda Rajsich only gave up 6 points in defeating Laura Brandt, winning 11-0, 11-1, 11-5. In a trans-Pacific battle, #2 Paola Longoria of Mexico defeated Maiko Sato of Japan, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6.
Third seed Cheryl Gudinas beat US Junior Team member Aubrey O'brien, 11-5, 11-4, 11-4, while fourth seed Kerri Wachtel ousted Doreen Fowler, 11-3, 11-1, 11-6.
Both the quarter finals and semi-finals will be played Saturday with the final to come on Sunday.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
Round of 16
1 Rhonda Rajsich d. 16 Laura Brandt, 11-0, 11-1, 11-5
8 Jo Shattuck d. 9 T.J. Baumbaugh, 11-2, 7-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-3
5 Kristen Bellows d. 12 Vivian Gomez, 6-11, 11-0, 11-4, 11-6
4 Kerri Wachtel d. 13 Doreen Fowler, 11-3, 11-1, 11-6
3 Cheryl Gudinas d. 14 Aubrey O'Brien, 11-5, 11-4, 11-4
6 Adrienne Fisher d. 11 Keely Franks, 11-13, 15-13, 11-2, 11-7
7 Jennifer Saunders d. 10 Krystal Csuk, 13-15, 11-8, 11-6, 11-5
2 Paola Longoria d. 15 Maiko Sato, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6
Quarter finals
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 8 Jo Shattuck
4 Kerri Wachtel vs. 5 Kristen Bellows
3 Cheryl Gudinas vs. 6 Adrienne Fisher
2 Paola Longoria vs. 7 Jennifer Saunders
Follow the bouncing ball....
Number 1 Rhonda Rajsich only gave up 6 points in defeating Laura Brandt, winning 11-0, 11-1, 11-5. In a trans-Pacific battle, #2 Paola Longoria of Mexico defeated Maiko Sato of Japan, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6.
Third seed Cheryl Gudinas beat US Junior Team member Aubrey O'brien, 11-5, 11-4, 11-4, while fourth seed Kerri Wachtel ousted Doreen Fowler, 11-3, 11-1, 11-6.
Both the quarter finals and semi-finals will be played Saturday with the final to come on Sunday.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
Round of 16
1 Rhonda Rajsich d. 16 Laura Brandt, 11-0, 11-1, 11-5
8 Jo Shattuck d. 9 T.J. Baumbaugh, 11-2, 7-11, 11-4, 4-11, 11-3
5 Kristen Bellows d. 12 Vivian Gomez, 6-11, 11-0, 11-4, 11-6
4 Kerri Wachtel d. 13 Doreen Fowler, 11-3, 11-1, 11-6
3 Cheryl Gudinas d. 14 Aubrey O'Brien, 11-5, 11-4, 11-4
6 Adrienne Fisher d. 11 Keely Franks, 11-13, 15-13, 11-2, 11-7
7 Jennifer Saunders d. 10 Krystal Csuk, 13-15, 11-8, 11-6, 11-5
2 Paola Longoria d. 15 Maiko Sato, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6
Quarter finals
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 8 Jo Shattuck
4 Kerri Wachtel vs. 5 Kristen Bellows
3 Cheryl Gudinas vs. 6 Adrienne Fisher
2 Paola Longoria vs. 7 Jennifer Saunders
Follow the bouncing ball....
WPRO - Christmas Classic 1st Round Results
Round one has been completed at the Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia, and there were no upsets. This is the fourth main event of the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) season.
No upsets but several close matches, including 22nd seed Ashley Loyd pushing 11th seed Keely Franks to a fifth game tie-breaker that Franks won by the slimmest of margins, taking the match 11-4, 2-11, 11-1, 1-11, 11-9. Franks will next play Adrienne Fisher.
The two most convincing wins so far are Doreen Fowler's victory over Sarah Warhaftig, 11-0, 11-6, 11-2, and Aubrey O'brien's win against Dolly Watson, which went 11-1, 11-3, 11-3.
O'brien will play 3rd seed Cheryl Gudinas and Fowler 4th seed Kerri Wachtel in the Round of 16 later on Friday.
The Round of 16 will begin early Friday evening.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
First Round
8 Jo Shattuck d. 25 Etsuko Noda, 1-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8 [sic]
9 T.J. Baumbaugh d. 24 Paula Truman, 11-7, 11-7, 11-0
10 Krystal Csuk d. 23 Ana Nunez, 13-11, 11-13, 11-3, 9-11, 11-1
11 Keely Franks d. 22 Ashley Loyd, 11-4, 2-11, 11-1, 1-11, 11-9
12 Vivian Gomez d. 21 Yolanda Jordan, 11-4, 11-5, 4-11, 11-9
13 Doreen Fowler d. 22 Sarah Warhaftig, 11-0, 11-6, 11-2
14 Aubrey O'Brien d. 19 Dolly Watson, 11-1, 11-3, 11-3
15 Maiko Sato d. 18 Karen Morton, 12-10, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6
16 Laura Brandt d. 17 Danielle Emerson, 11-8, 11-4, 11-2
Round of 16
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 16 Laura Brandt
8 Jo Shattuck vs. 9 T.J. Baumbaugh
5 Kristen Bellows vs. 12 Vivian Gomez
4 Kerri Wachtel vs. 13 Doreen Fowler
3 Cheryl Gudinas vs. 14 Aubrey O'Brien
6 Adrienne Fisher vs. 11 Keely Franks
7 Jennifer Saunders vs. 10 Krystal Csuk
2 Paola Longoria vs. 15 Maiko Sato
Follow the bouncing ball....
No upsets but several close matches, including 22nd seed Ashley Loyd pushing 11th seed Keely Franks to a fifth game tie-breaker that Franks won by the slimmest of margins, taking the match 11-4, 2-11, 11-1, 1-11, 11-9. Franks will next play Adrienne Fisher.
The two most convincing wins so far are Doreen Fowler's victory over Sarah Warhaftig, 11-0, 11-6, 11-2, and Aubrey O'brien's win against Dolly Watson, which went 11-1, 11-3, 11-3.
O'brien will play 3rd seed Cheryl Gudinas and Fowler 4th seed Kerri Wachtel in the Round of 16 later on Friday.
The Round of 16 will begin early Friday evening.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
First Round
8 Jo Shattuck d. 25 Etsuko Noda, 1-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8 [sic]
9 T.J. Baumbaugh d. 24 Paula Truman, 11-7, 11-7, 11-0
10 Krystal Csuk d. 23 Ana Nunez, 13-11, 11-13, 11-3, 9-11, 11-1
11 Keely Franks d. 22 Ashley Loyd, 11-4, 2-11, 11-1, 1-11, 11-9
12 Vivian Gomez d. 21 Yolanda Jordan, 11-4, 11-5, 4-11, 11-9
13 Doreen Fowler d. 22 Sarah Warhaftig, 11-0, 11-6, 11-2
14 Aubrey O'Brien d. 19 Dolly Watson, 11-1, 11-3, 11-3
15 Maiko Sato d. 18 Karen Morton, 12-10, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6
16 Laura Brandt d. 17 Danielle Emerson, 11-8, 11-4, 11-2
Round of 16
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 16 Laura Brandt
8 Jo Shattuck vs. 9 T.J. Baumbaugh
5 Kristen Bellows vs. 12 Vivian Gomez
4 Kerri Wachtel vs. 13 Doreen Fowler
3 Cheryl Gudinas vs. 14 Aubrey O'Brien
6 Adrienne Fisher vs. 11 Keely Franks
7 Jennifer Saunders vs. 10 Krystal Csuk
2 Paola Longoria vs. 15 Maiko Sato
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, December 10, 2009
WPRO - Christmas Classic DRAW
We've now got the official draw for the Chrismas Classic - the fourth main event of the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) season that will start tomorrow in Arlington, Virginia. WPRO #1 Rhonda Rajsich has won two of the three events this season with #2 Paola Longoria winning the other. They are joined by twenty three other players in Virginia.
There will be two rounds on Friday, two on Saturday and then the final on Sunday.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
First Round
8 Jo Shattuck vs. 25 Etsuko Noda
9 T.J. Baumbaugh vs. 24 Paula Truman
10 Krystal Csuk vs. 23 Ana Nunez
11 Keely Franks vs. 22 Ashley Loyd
12 Vivian Gomez vs. 21 Yolanda Jordan
13 Doreen Fowler vs. 22 Sarah Warhaftig
14 Aubrey O'Brien vs. 19 Dolly Watson
15 Maiko Sato vs. 18 Karen Morton
16 Laura Brandt vs. 17 Danielle Emerson
Round of 16
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 16 Laura Brandt or 17 Danielle Emerson
8 Jo Shattuck or Etsuko Noda vs. 9 T.J. Baumbaugh or Paula Truman
5 Kristen Bellows vs. 12 Vivian Gomez or 21 Yolanda Jordan
4 Kerri Wachtel vs. 13 Doreen Fowler or 20 Sarah Warhaftig
3 Cheryl Gudinas vs. 14 Aubrey O'Brien or 19 Dolly Watson
6 Adrienne Fisher vs. 11 Keely Franks or 22 Ashley Loyd
7 Jennifer Saunders vs. 10 Krystal Csuk or 23 Ana Nunez
2 Paola Longoria vs. 15 Maiko Sato or 18 Karen Morton
Follow the bouncing ball....
There will be two rounds on Friday, two on Saturday and then the final on Sunday.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
First Round
8 Jo Shattuck vs. 25 Etsuko Noda
9 T.J. Baumbaugh vs. 24 Paula Truman
10 Krystal Csuk vs. 23 Ana Nunez
11 Keely Franks vs. 22 Ashley Loyd
12 Vivian Gomez vs. 21 Yolanda Jordan
13 Doreen Fowler vs. 22 Sarah Warhaftig
14 Aubrey O'Brien vs. 19 Dolly Watson
15 Maiko Sato vs. 18 Karen Morton
16 Laura Brandt vs. 17 Danielle Emerson
Round of 16
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 16 Laura Brandt or 17 Danielle Emerson
8 Jo Shattuck or Etsuko Noda vs. 9 T.J. Baumbaugh or Paula Truman
5 Kristen Bellows vs. 12 Vivian Gomez or 21 Yolanda Jordan
4 Kerri Wachtel vs. 13 Doreen Fowler or 20 Sarah Warhaftig
3 Cheryl Gudinas vs. 14 Aubrey O'Brien or 19 Dolly Watson
6 Adrienne Fisher vs. 11 Keely Franks or 22 Ashley Loyd
7 Jennifer Saunders vs. 10 Krystal Csuk or 23 Ana Nunez
2 Paola Longoria vs. 15 Maiko Sato or 18 Karen Morton
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
WPRO - Christmas Classic Preview
Twenty five players are entered in this weekend's Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia, the fourth main event of the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) season. WPRO #1 Rhonda Rajsich has won two of the three events this season with #2 Paola Longoria winning the other.
Thus, a Rajsich-Longoria final would not be a surprise come Sunday. However, Cheryl Gudinas and Kerri Wachtel have both been in all three semi-finals, and Wachtel made the first final of the season in Texas, where she beat Longoria in the semis, so they are both threats to play Grinch to the top seeds plans.
We've done up the draw based on the latest WPRO rankings, so unofficially this is how it looks.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
First Round
8 Jo Shattuck vs. Etsuko Noda or Ana Nunez
9 T.J. Baumbaugh vs. Etsuko Noda or Ana Nunez
10 Krystal Csuk vs. 23 Paula Truman
11 Keely Franks vs. 22 Ashley Loyd
12 Doreen Fowler vs. 21 Dolly Watson
13 Vivian Gomez vs. 20 Yolanda Jordan
14 Aubrey O'Brien vs. 19 Sarah Warhaftig
15 Maiko Sato vs. 18 Karen Morton
16 Laura Brandt vs. 17 Danielle Emerson
Round of 16
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 16 Laura Brandt or 17 Danielle Emerson
8 Jo Shattuck or Etsuko Noda or Ana Nunez vs. 9 T.J. Baumbaugh or Etsuko Noda or Ana Nunez
5 Kristen Bellows vs. 12 Doreen Fowler or 21 Dolly Watson
4 Kerri Wachtel vs. 13 Vivian Gomez or 20 Yolanda Jordan
3 Cheryl Gudinas vs. 14 Aubrey O'Brien or 19 Sarah Warhaftig
6 Adrienne Fisher vs. 11 Keely Franks or 22 Ashley Loyd
7 Jennifer Saunders vs. 10 Krystal Csuk or 23 Paula Truman
2 Paola Longoria vs. 15 Maiko Sato or 18 Karen Morton
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thus, a Rajsich-Longoria final would not be a surprise come Sunday. However, Cheryl Gudinas and Kerri Wachtel have both been in all three semi-finals, and Wachtel made the first final of the season in Texas, where she beat Longoria in the semis, so they are both threats to play Grinch to the top seeds plans.
We've done up the draw based on the latest WPRO rankings, so unofficially this is how it looks.
2009 Christmas Classic - Arlington, Virginia
First Round
8 Jo Shattuck vs. Etsuko Noda or Ana Nunez
9 T.J. Baumbaugh vs. Etsuko Noda or Ana Nunez
10 Krystal Csuk vs. 23 Paula Truman
11 Keely Franks vs. 22 Ashley Loyd
12 Doreen Fowler vs. 21 Dolly Watson
13 Vivian Gomez vs. 20 Yolanda Jordan
14 Aubrey O'Brien vs. 19 Sarah Warhaftig
15 Maiko Sato vs. 18 Karen Morton
16 Laura Brandt vs. 17 Danielle Emerson
Round of 16
1 Rhonda Rajsich vs. 16 Laura Brandt or 17 Danielle Emerson
8 Jo Shattuck or Etsuko Noda or Ana Nunez vs. 9 T.J. Baumbaugh or Etsuko Noda or Ana Nunez
5 Kristen Bellows vs. 12 Doreen Fowler or 21 Dolly Watson
4 Kerri Wachtel vs. 13 Vivian Gomez or 20 Yolanda Jordan
3 Cheryl Gudinas vs. 14 Aubrey O'Brien or 19 Sarah Warhaftig
6 Adrienne Fisher vs. 11 Keely Franks or 22 Ashley Loyd
7 Jennifer Saunders vs. 10 Krystal Csuk or 23 Paula Truman
2 Paola Longoria vs. 15 Maiko Sato or 18 Karen Morton
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, December 7, 2009
Rajsich wins WPRO New Jersey Open
Rhonda Rajsich won the New Jersey Open - a satellite event on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) on Sunday, defeating Aimee Ruiz, 12-10, 11-2, 12-10 in the final. Rajsich is the #1 WPRO player.
In the semi-finals, Rajsich defeated Karen Morton, 11-9, 12-10, 11-3 and Ruiz beat Vivian Gomez, 12-10, 11-2, 11-9.
Rajsich's victory comes ahead of next week's Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia, the next Tier 1 event on the WPRO schedule. Rajsich won the first two tournaments of the season but lost in the final of the last one to Paola Longoria.
Follow the bouncing ball....
In the semi-finals, Rajsich defeated Karen Morton, 11-9, 12-10, 11-3 and Ruiz beat Vivian Gomez, 12-10, 11-2, 11-9.
Rajsich's victory comes ahead of next week's Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia, the next Tier 1 event on the WPRO schedule. Rajsich won the first two tournaments of the season but lost in the final of the last one to Paola Longoria.
Follow the bouncing ball....
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