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Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Monday, December 17, 2012
Weekend Round Up
Agustin Tristan won the Men's Open division at the New Jersey Open in Warren, N.J. Sunday by defeating Mauricio Zelada, 15-7, 15-13. In the semi-finals, Tristan beat Alex Winter, 15-7, 15-2, and Zelada defeated Jason Sylvester, 15-12, 15-14.
Tristan also won the Men's Open Doubles division by teaming up with Nick Montalbano. They beat Andy Hawthorne and Aimee Ruiz in the final, 15-9, 15-14. In the semis, Tristan and Montalbano beat John Behm and Sean Klingaman, 15-8, 15-6, while Hawthorne and Ruiz defeated Zelada and Roland Keller, 15-7, 15-13.
Maria Jose Vargas was also a double winner in New Jersey, as she won Women's Open singles with a final victory over Ruiz, 15-10, 15-0, and Women's Open doubles with Masiel Rivera when they beat sisters Elizabeth and Kaitlyn Simmons, 15-6, 15-2.
Rojas Injury
Jose Rojas confirmed that he was injured during his New Jersey Open quarter final match with Nick Montalbano. He was noticeably limping during game five of that match. During the IRT Network webcast of the Montalbano-Alvaro Beltran semi-final match, Rojas said he landed on his left knee in game two and again in game four. Rojas didn't think it was anything serious, and wasn't expecting that he would have to miss any tournaments.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Men's Open Final
Agustin Tristan d. Mauricio Zelada, 15-7, 15-13
Semi-finals
Mauricio Zelada d. Jason Sylvester, 15-12, 15-14
Agustin Tristan d. Alex Winter, 15-7, 15-2
Women's Open Final
Maria Jose Vargas d. Aimee Ruiz, 15-10, 15-0
Semi-finals
Aimee Ruiz d. Samantha Simmons, 15-2, 15-0
Maria Jose Vargas d. Masiel Rivera, 15-11, 15-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
Tristan also won the Men's Open Doubles division by teaming up with Nick Montalbano. They beat Andy Hawthorne and Aimee Ruiz in the final, 15-9, 15-14. In the semis, Tristan and Montalbano beat John Behm and Sean Klingaman, 15-8, 15-6, while Hawthorne and Ruiz defeated Zelada and Roland Keller, 15-7, 15-13.
Maria Jose Vargas was also a double winner in New Jersey, as she won Women's Open singles with a final victory over Ruiz, 15-10, 15-0, and Women's Open doubles with Masiel Rivera when they beat sisters Elizabeth and Kaitlyn Simmons, 15-6, 15-2.
Rojas Injury
Jose Rojas confirmed that he was injured during his New Jersey Open quarter final match with Nick Montalbano. He was noticeably limping during game five of that match. During the IRT Network webcast of the Montalbano-Alvaro Beltran semi-final match, Rojas said he landed on his left knee in game two and again in game four. Rojas didn't think it was anything serious, and wasn't expecting that he would have to miss any tournaments.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Men's Open Final
Agustin Tristan d. Mauricio Zelada, 15-7, 15-13
Semi-finals
Mauricio Zelada d. Jason Sylvester, 15-12, 15-14
Agustin Tristan d. Alex Winter, 15-7, 15-2
Women's Open Final
Maria Jose Vargas d. Aimee Ruiz, 15-10, 15-0
Semi-finals
Aimee Ruiz d. Samantha Simmons, 15-2, 15-0
Maria Jose Vargas d. Masiel Rivera, 15-11, 15-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, December 15, 2012
IRT - Carson wins New Jersey Open
Rocky Carson defeated Alvaro Beltran, 11-7, 11-3, 5-11, 9-11, 11-8, to win New Jersey Open in Warren, N.J. Saturday night in a match that lasted over two and half hours. It's the fourth main event of the 2012-13 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season.
After the first two games went Carson's way, Beltran fought back in game three by going out to a 5-0 lead and maintaining that to win 11-5. Beltran used lob serves down the right wall exclusively while Carson primarily hit his drive Z serve to the left side.
Game four was "a battle" Carson said after it was all over, as he and Beltran went back and forth and were tied six times in the game. It looked like Carson might finish the match off when he led 9-7, but Beltran held him there and won the last four points to force the tie-breaker.
The tie-breaker was a see-saw game with few side outs. Beltran went up 3-1 only to see Carson respond and make it 7-3. Then Beltran ran five points to lead 8-7.
A couple of side-outs and then Carson ran four straight points to take the match on his first match point opportunity. He got that opportunity after hitting a drive jam serve on the right side that put Beltran off balance. Carson used that serve a few times in five to good effect.
Carson said he "knew what to do" going into game five, and that it felt "really good to finish this one off," especially as he believes Beltran's "playing as well as he's ever played."
The next IRT event will be the California Open January 3-6, 2013. The New Jersey Open action can be viewed in the IRT Network archive.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Final
Rocky Carson d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-7, 11-3, 5-11, 9-11, 11-8
Follow the bouncing ball….
After the first two games went Carson's way, Beltran fought back in game three by going out to a 5-0 lead and maintaining that to win 11-5. Beltran used lob serves down the right wall exclusively while Carson primarily hit his drive Z serve to the left side.
Game four was "a battle" Carson said after it was all over, as he and Beltran went back and forth and were tied six times in the game. It looked like Carson might finish the match off when he led 9-7, but Beltran held him there and won the last four points to force the tie-breaker.
The tie-breaker was a see-saw game with few side outs. Beltran went up 3-1 only to see Carson respond and make it 7-3. Then Beltran ran five points to lead 8-7.
A couple of side-outs and then Carson ran four straight points to take the match on his first match point opportunity. He got that opportunity after hitting a drive jam serve on the right side that put Beltran off balance. Carson used that serve a few times in five to good effect.
Carson said he "knew what to do" going into game five, and that it felt "really good to finish this one off," especially as he believes Beltran's "playing as well as he's ever played."
The next IRT event will be the California Open January 3-6, 2013. The New Jersey Open action can be viewed in the IRT Network archive.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Final
Rocky Carson d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-7, 11-3, 5-11, 9-11, 11-8
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRT - New Jersey Open - Carson & Beltran through to the final
Alvaro Beltran ended Nick Montalbano's Cinderella-like run at the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) New Jersey Open in Warren, N.J. in the semi-finals on Saturday in three straight games, 11-8, 11-2, 11-4. It was Montalbano's first semi-final appearance in an IRT Tier 1 event.
Montalbano held his own in game one as they went back and forth. Montalbano did get a lead at 7-6, but Beltran took it back and held Montalbano pointless until it was 10-7. Montalbano got one more point before the Beltran finished it at 11-8.
The fight seemed to out of the young American in game two, as Beltran went out to a 7-0 lead and won it easily at 11-2.
But Montalbano got some fight back in game three, and even led 3-2. But again Beltran put the pressure on and held his opponent at bay going on to another comfortable win, 11-4.
In the second semi-final, top seed Rocky Carson defeated fourth seed Chris Crowther in four games, 11-3, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4. Carson generally controlled the match, although credit to Crowther for pulling out game two after being down 9-6. However, game two was the only one Crowther ever had a lead in.
Crowther might have done better if his first serve percentage was higher. His drive serve seemed to be short more often than not on first serve, and drive serving is a big aspect of Crowther's game style.
So, it will be the #1 seed Carson versus the #2 seed Beltran in the New Jersey Open final on Saturday evening at 7 PM, and it can be seen live on-line at the IRT Network.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson d. Chris Crowther, 11-3, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4
Alvaro Beltran d. Nick Montalbano, 11-8, 11-2, 11-4
Final
Rocky Carson v. Alvaro Beltran
Follow the bouncing ball….
Montalbano held his own in game one as they went back and forth. Montalbano did get a lead at 7-6, but Beltran took it back and held Montalbano pointless until it was 10-7. Montalbano got one more point before the Beltran finished it at 11-8.
The fight seemed to out of the young American in game two, as Beltran went out to a 7-0 lead and won it easily at 11-2.
But Montalbano got some fight back in game three, and even led 3-2. But again Beltran put the pressure on and held his opponent at bay going on to another comfortable win, 11-4.
In the second semi-final, top seed Rocky Carson defeated fourth seed Chris Crowther in four games, 11-3, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4. Carson generally controlled the match, although credit to Crowther for pulling out game two after being down 9-6. However, game two was the only one Crowther ever had a lead in.
Crowther might have done better if his first serve percentage was higher. His drive serve seemed to be short more often than not on first serve, and drive serving is a big aspect of Crowther's game style.
So, it will be the #1 seed Carson versus the #2 seed Beltran in the New Jersey Open final on Saturday evening at 7 PM, and it can be seen live on-line at the IRT Network.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson d. Chris Crowther, 11-3, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4
Alvaro Beltran d. Nick Montalbano, 11-8, 11-2, 11-4
Final
Rocky Carson v. Alvaro Beltran
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, December 14, 2012
IRT - New Jersey Open - Montalbano into his 1st semi-final
Nick Montalbano's dream ride through the draw of the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) New Jersey Open in Warren, N.J. continues, as he upset 3rd seed Jose Rojas in the quarter finals Friday evening, winning 12-10, 10-12, 2-11, 11-9, 11-9. He'll play his first IRT Tier 1 semi-final ever on Saturday.
The match was close all the way, although after Rojas pulled out game two, he rolled through game three and then had a 5-0 lead in game four and it looked ilke Montalbano was done.
But clearly Montalbano had other ideas, as he came back to tie Rojas at 5-5. They went back and forth until 9-9 at which point Montalbano got the last two points to force a fifth game.
Montalbano took an early lead in the fifth at 4-2, but the young veteran Rojas came back and took the lead 8-5 and looked to be on his way to preventing the upset. However, around that time Rojas seemed to injure his left leg somehow, and was noticeably favouring it.
But the injury didn't stop Rojas. Indeed, he regained the serve at 8-6 with a flat backhand pinch shot and scored his 9th point in the same way on the next rally.
Montalbano chose that time - Rojas serving 9-6 - to take his timeout, and when play resumed he got the serve back after a Rojas skipped a shot.
Montalbano took the next five points to win the match. Rojas tried to stop the momentum at 9-9 with a timeout of his own, but Montalbano's next serve was a drive to the left side that jumped out of the left corner at Rojas making it unreturnable.
Montalbano will play Alvaro Beltran in the semi-finals on Saturday, as Beltran defeated Tony Carson in three games, 11-3, 12-10, 11-9.
Carson had a lead in game two and did tie the game at 10-10, but he couldn't finish off the game. In game three, Beltran took a lead at 6-2, but Carson came back and tied it at 6-6.
However, again Carson couldn't finish off the game. He was close and had chances, and even took a 9-8 lead. But Beltran sharpened up his play and finished the game and match.
On the other side of the draw, top seed Rocky Carson (no relation to Tony) had a comfortable victory over Alex Ackermann, winning in three straight games, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4.
Fourth seed Chris Crowther defeated Jansen Allen, 11-3, 11-4, 7-11, 11-4, in the last quarter final of the day. Crowther had it all his way in games one and two using his big drive serve, but late in game two Allen called a time out at 9-1.
He came back in and scored a few points to give him some momentum that he carried over into game four. Allen switched to hitting a half lob serve to the left - Crowther's backhand and it got him into rallies and allowed him to get into the match.
In game four, Crowther took the momentum back, going out to a 5-0 lead and holding that advantage through to an 11-4 victory. Crowther will play Rocky Carson in Saturday's semi-finals.
The semi-finals begin at 11 AM on Saturday with the final to follow Saturday night at 7 PM. Matches can be viewed on-line at the IRT Network.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Quarter finals
Rocky Carson d. Alex Ackermann, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4
Chris Crowther d. Jansen Allen, 11-3, 11-4, 7-11, 11-4
Nick Montalbano d. Jose Rojas, 12-10, 10-12, 2-11, 11-9, 11-9
Alvaro Beltran d. Tony Carson, 11-3, 12-10, 11-9
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson v. Chris Crowther - Noon EST Saturday
Alvaro Beltran v. Nick Montalbano - 11 AM EST Saturday
Follow the bouncing ball….
The match was close all the way, although after Rojas pulled out game two, he rolled through game three and then had a 5-0 lead in game four and it looked ilke Montalbano was done.
But clearly Montalbano had other ideas, as he came back to tie Rojas at 5-5. They went back and forth until 9-9 at which point Montalbano got the last two points to force a fifth game.
Montalbano took an early lead in the fifth at 4-2, but the young veteran Rojas came back and took the lead 8-5 and looked to be on his way to preventing the upset. However, around that time Rojas seemed to injure his left leg somehow, and was noticeably favouring it.
But the injury didn't stop Rojas. Indeed, he regained the serve at 8-6 with a flat backhand pinch shot and scored his 9th point in the same way on the next rally.
Montalbano chose that time - Rojas serving 9-6 - to take his timeout, and when play resumed he got the serve back after a Rojas skipped a shot.
Montalbano took the next five points to win the match. Rojas tried to stop the momentum at 9-9 with a timeout of his own, but Montalbano's next serve was a drive to the left side that jumped out of the left corner at Rojas making it unreturnable.
Montalbano will play Alvaro Beltran in the semi-finals on Saturday, as Beltran defeated Tony Carson in three games, 11-3, 12-10, 11-9.
Carson had a lead in game two and did tie the game at 10-10, but he couldn't finish off the game. In game three, Beltran took a lead at 6-2, but Carson came back and tied it at 6-6.
However, again Carson couldn't finish off the game. He was close and had chances, and even took a 9-8 lead. But Beltran sharpened up his play and finished the game and match.
On the other side of the draw, top seed Rocky Carson (no relation to Tony) had a comfortable victory over Alex Ackermann, winning in three straight games, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4.
Fourth seed Chris Crowther defeated Jansen Allen, 11-3, 11-4, 7-11, 11-4, in the last quarter final of the day. Crowther had it all his way in games one and two using his big drive serve, but late in game two Allen called a time out at 9-1.
He came back in and scored a few points to give him some momentum that he carried over into game four. Allen switched to hitting a half lob serve to the left - Crowther's backhand and it got him into rallies and allowed him to get into the match.
In game four, Crowther took the momentum back, going out to a 5-0 lead and holding that advantage through to an 11-4 victory. Crowther will play Rocky Carson in Saturday's semi-finals.
The semi-finals begin at 11 AM on Saturday with the final to follow Saturday night at 7 PM. Matches can be viewed on-line at the IRT Network.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Quarter finals
Rocky Carson d. Alex Ackermann, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4
Chris Crowther d. Jansen Allen, 11-3, 11-4, 7-11, 11-4
Nick Montalbano d. Jose Rojas, 12-10, 10-12, 2-11, 11-9, 11-9
Alvaro Beltran d. Tony Carson, 11-3, 12-10, 11-9
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson v. Chris Crowther - Noon EST Saturday
Alvaro Beltran v. Nick Montalbano - 11 AM EST Saturday
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRT New Jersey Open - Round of 16
Things were likely to be interesting at the International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) New Jersey Open in Warren, N.J. with all the players missing from the draw, and it's got even more interesting with three upsets in the Round of 16.
Nick Montalbano caused the biggest upset as he defeated 6th seed Shane Vanderson, 11-5, 12-10, 11-8, to reach the quarter finals for the first time in his career.
In the 8/9 match, 9th seed Alex Ackermann came out on top after five games, as he defeated 8th seed Andy Hawthorne, 9-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-4, 11-5, to reach the quarter finals for only the second time in his career. He'll face top seed Rocky Carson, who defeated Augustin Tristan, 11-3, 11-2, 11-2.
Finally, Jansen Allen defeated Brad Schopieray, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3. Like Montalbano, Allen's also in his first career quarter final, which will be against Chris Crowther, who defeated Roberto Santander, 11-5, 11-0, 11-9, in the 16s.
The quarter finals kick off at 4 PM EST Friday with the semi-finals to go at 11 AM and noon on Saturday and final Saturday night at 7 PM. Matches can be viewed on-line at the IRT Network.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Main Draw of 16
Rocky Carson d. Agustin Tristan, 11-3, 11-2, 11-2
Alex Ackermann d. Andy Hawthorne, 9-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-4, 11-5
Jansen Allen d. Brad Schopieray, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3
Chris Crowther d. Roberto Santander, 11-5, 11-0, 11-9
Jose Rojas d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-3, 11-1, 11-2
Nick Montalbano d. Shane Vanderson, 11-5, 12-10, 11-8
Tony Carson d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-1, 11-0, 11-5
Alvaro Beltran d. Luis Reveron, 11-6, 11-0, 10-12, 11-7
Quarter finals
Rocky Carson v. Alex Ackermann
Chris Crowther v. Jansen Allen
Jose Rojas v. Nick Montalbano
Alvaro Beltran v. Tony Carson
Follow the bouncing ball….
Nick Montalbano caused the biggest upset as he defeated 6th seed Shane Vanderson, 11-5, 12-10, 11-8, to reach the quarter finals for the first time in his career.
In the 8/9 match, 9th seed Alex Ackermann came out on top after five games, as he defeated 8th seed Andy Hawthorne, 9-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-4, 11-5, to reach the quarter finals for only the second time in his career. He'll face top seed Rocky Carson, who defeated Augustin Tristan, 11-3, 11-2, 11-2.
Finally, Jansen Allen defeated Brad Schopieray, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3. Like Montalbano, Allen's also in his first career quarter final, which will be against Chris Crowther, who defeated Roberto Santander, 11-5, 11-0, 11-9, in the 16s.
The quarter finals kick off at 4 PM EST Friday with the semi-finals to go at 11 AM and noon on Saturday and final Saturday night at 7 PM. Matches can be viewed on-line at the IRT Network.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Main Draw of 16
Rocky Carson d. Agustin Tristan, 11-3, 11-2, 11-2
Alex Ackermann d. Andy Hawthorne, 9-11, 12-10, 10-12, 11-4, 11-5
Jansen Allen d. Brad Schopieray, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-3
Chris Crowther d. Roberto Santander, 11-5, 11-0, 11-9
Jose Rojas d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-3, 11-1, 11-2
Nick Montalbano d. Shane Vanderson, 11-5, 12-10, 11-8
Tony Carson d. Arthur Schmeiser, 11-1, 11-0, 11-5
Alvaro Beltran d. Luis Reveron, 11-6, 11-0, 10-12, 11-7
Quarter finals
Rocky Carson v. Alex Ackermann
Chris Crowther v. Jansen Allen
Jose Rojas v. Nick Montalbano
Alvaro Beltran v. Tony Carson
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, December 13, 2012
IRT - New Jersey Open Preliminary Round Results
Qualifying is over at the New Jersey Open in Warren, New Jersey - the fourth main event of the 2012-13 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season. Two players made it through both qualifying rounds to reach the main draw of 16 on Friday.
Roberto Santander blanked Eli Mireles, 11-0, 11-0, 11-0, in his first match on Thursday before defeating Andrew Gale, 11-3, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9. Santander will play Chris Crowther in the 16s on Friday.
Also in the 16s after winning twice Thursday is Luis Reveron, although his second match was a default win against Francisco Troncoso. Reveron beat Alec Wasilonsky, 11-0, 11-1, 11-2, in the first qualifying round. Reveron will play 2nd seed Alvaro Beltran on Friday.
Brad Schopieray will face Jansen Allen in the Round of 16 after Allen dismissed Andrew Kopf, 11-0, 11-3, 11-1, qualifying.
The main draw of 16 will begin Friday at 10 AM EST with the quarter finals later on Friday afternoon and evening. Both the semi-finals and final will be on Saturday. Matches can be viewed on-line at the IRT Network.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Preliminary Draw Round 2
Q8: Agustin Tristan d. Cliff Swain, forfeit
Q1: Alex Ackermann d. Joe Kelley, 11-1, 11-4, 11-0
Q4: Jansen Allen d. Andrew Kopf, 11-0, 11-3, 11-1
Q5: Roberto Santander d. Andrew Gale, 11-3, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9
Q6: Mauricio Zelada d. Chris Young, 11-4, 11-3, 11-7
Q3: Nick Montalbano d. Eric Muller, 11-7, 13-11, 14-12
Q2: Arthur Schmeiser d. Toby Devore, 11-7, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4
Q7: Luis Reveron d. Franciso Troncoso, forfeit
Main Draw of 16
Rocky Carson v. Agustin Tristan
Andy Hawthorne v. Alex Ackermann
Brad Schopieray v. Jansen Allen
Chris Crowther v. Roberto Santander
Jose Rojas v. Mauricio Zelada
Shane Vanderson v. Nick Montalbano
Tony Carson v. Arthur Schmeiser
Alvaro Beltran v. Luis Reveron
Preliminary Draw Round 1
Joe Kelley d. Mitch Posner, 11-1, 11-9, 11-6
Andrew Kopf d. Alexi David Cocco Hayes, 10-12, 13-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-8
Roberto Santander d. Eli Mireles, 11-0, 11-0, 11-0
Chris Young d. Joseph Palumbo, 12-10, 11-6, 11-8
Eric Muller d. Jack Goldberg, 11-0, 11-1, 11-0
Toby Devore d. Abraham Cardenas, 13-11, 11-4, 11-7
Luis Reveron d. Alec Wasilonsky, 11-0, 11-1, 11-2
Follow the bouncing ball….
Roberto Santander blanked Eli Mireles, 11-0, 11-0, 11-0, in his first match on Thursday before defeating Andrew Gale, 11-3, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9. Santander will play Chris Crowther in the 16s on Friday.
Also in the 16s after winning twice Thursday is Luis Reveron, although his second match was a default win against Francisco Troncoso. Reveron beat Alec Wasilonsky, 11-0, 11-1, 11-2, in the first qualifying round. Reveron will play 2nd seed Alvaro Beltran on Friday.
Brad Schopieray will face Jansen Allen in the Round of 16 after Allen dismissed Andrew Kopf, 11-0, 11-3, 11-1, qualifying.
The main draw of 16 will begin Friday at 10 AM EST with the quarter finals later on Friday afternoon and evening. Both the semi-finals and final will be on Saturday. Matches can be viewed on-line at the IRT Network.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Preliminary Draw Round 2
Q8: Agustin Tristan d. Cliff Swain, forfeit
Q1: Alex Ackermann d. Joe Kelley, 11-1, 11-4, 11-0
Q4: Jansen Allen d. Andrew Kopf, 11-0, 11-3, 11-1
Q5: Roberto Santander d. Andrew Gale, 11-3, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9
Q6: Mauricio Zelada d. Chris Young, 11-4, 11-3, 11-7
Q3: Nick Montalbano d. Eric Muller, 11-7, 13-11, 14-12
Q2: Arthur Schmeiser d. Toby Devore, 11-7, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4
Q7: Luis Reveron d. Franciso Troncoso, forfeit
Main Draw of 16
Rocky Carson v. Agustin Tristan
Andy Hawthorne v. Alex Ackermann
Brad Schopieray v. Jansen Allen
Chris Crowther v. Roberto Santander
Jose Rojas v. Mauricio Zelada
Shane Vanderson v. Nick Montalbano
Tony Carson v. Arthur Schmeiser
Alvaro Beltran v. Luis Reveron
Preliminary Draw Round 1
Joe Kelley d. Mitch Posner, 11-1, 11-9, 11-6
Andrew Kopf d. Alexi David Cocco Hayes, 10-12, 13-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-8
Roberto Santander d. Eli Mireles, 11-0, 11-0, 11-0
Chris Young d. Joseph Palumbo, 12-10, 11-6, 11-8
Eric Muller d. Jack Goldberg, 11-0, 11-1, 11-0
Toby Devore d. Abraham Cardenas, 13-11, 11-4, 11-7
Luis Reveron d. Alec Wasilonsky, 11-0, 11-1, 11-2
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRT New Jersey Open - PREVIEW
The New Jersey Open begins later today in Warren, New Jersey. It's the fourth main event of the 2012-13 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season. It's the first IRT Tier 1 event in New Jersey in over a decade.
There are three notable absences in the draw for this weekend. The most significant of which is IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk, who is out due to a knee injury. Hopefully, the time off will mean that he can be back at full capacity in the new year.
Also missing are #6 Ben Croft, who is getting married this weekend, and #11 Charlie Pratt, who has an ankle injury.
Thus, there are some opportunities for other players to win an event. But you'd have to think that the top half of the draw will see Rocky Carson and Chris Crowther in the semi-finals.
The bottom of the draw seems more interesting, as the potential quarter finals of Jose Rojas versus Shane Vanderson and Alvaro Beltran versus Tony Carson both could be very good. Rojas hasn't been at the top of his game so far this season, while Vanderson has had good performances, as have Carson and Beltran. But it's not uncommon for Beltran to have a sub-par performance, which could give Tony Carson the opportunity he needs.
Brad Schopieray has his first placing in the top 8 due to the absent players, and he will likely face Jansen Allen in the Round of 16 in what could also be a very competitive match.
The most interesting match of qualifying could be former #1 Cliff Swain against Agustin Tristan with the winner to play Rocky Carson in the 16s. There's no play in prior to this match so both Swain and Tristan will be fresh, which could be most advantageous to the veteran Swain.
Preliminary play begins Thursday December 13 in Warren, New Jersey with the main draw of 16 set to go on Friday at 10 AM EST. Note: the final will be Saturday evening at 7 PM EST. Matches can be viewed on-line via the IRT Network.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Preliminary Draw Round 1
Mitch Posner v. Joe Kelley
Alexi David Cocco Hayes v. Andrew Kopf
Roberto Santander v. Eli Mireles
Chris Young v. Joseph Palumbo
Eric Muller v. Jack Goldberg
Abraham Cardenas v. Toby Devore
Luis Reveron v. Alec Wasilonsky
Preliminary Draw Round 2
Q8: Agustin Tristan v. Cliff Swain
Q1: Alex Ackermann v. Mitch Posner or Joe Kelley
Q4: Jansen Allen v. Alexi David Cocco Hayes or Andrew Kopf
Q5: Andrew Gale v. Roberto Santander or Eli Mireles
Q6: Mauricio Zelada v. Chris Young or Joseph Palumbo
Q3: Nick Montalbano v. Eric Muller or Jack Goldberg
Q2: Arthur Schmeiser v. Abraham Cardenas or Toby Devore
Q7: Franciso Troncoso v. Luis Reveron or Alec Wasilonsky
Main Draw of 16
Rocky Carson v. Q8
Andy Hawthorne v. Q1
Brad Schopieray v. Q4
Chris Crowther v. Q5
Jose Rojas v. Q6
Shane Vanderson v. Q3
Tony Carson v. Q2
Alvaro Beltran v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
There are three notable absences in the draw for this weekend. The most significant of which is IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk, who is out due to a knee injury. Hopefully, the time off will mean that he can be back at full capacity in the new year.
Also missing are #6 Ben Croft, who is getting married this weekend, and #11 Charlie Pratt, who has an ankle injury.
Thus, there are some opportunities for other players to win an event. But you'd have to think that the top half of the draw will see Rocky Carson and Chris Crowther in the semi-finals.
The bottom of the draw seems more interesting, as the potential quarter finals of Jose Rojas versus Shane Vanderson and Alvaro Beltran versus Tony Carson both could be very good. Rojas hasn't been at the top of his game so far this season, while Vanderson has had good performances, as have Carson and Beltran. But it's not uncommon for Beltran to have a sub-par performance, which could give Tony Carson the opportunity he needs.
Brad Schopieray has his first placing in the top 8 due to the absent players, and he will likely face Jansen Allen in the Round of 16 in what could also be a very competitive match.
The most interesting match of qualifying could be former #1 Cliff Swain against Agustin Tristan with the winner to play Rocky Carson in the 16s. There's no play in prior to this match so both Swain and Tristan will be fresh, which could be most advantageous to the veteran Swain.
Preliminary play begins Thursday December 13 in Warren, New Jersey with the main draw of 16 set to go on Friday at 10 AM EST. Note: the final will be Saturday evening at 7 PM EST. Matches can be viewed on-line via the IRT Network.
New Jersey Open - December 13-15, 2012
Warren, New Jersey
Preliminary Draw Round 1
Mitch Posner v. Joe Kelley
Alexi David Cocco Hayes v. Andrew Kopf
Roberto Santander v. Eli Mireles
Chris Young v. Joseph Palumbo
Eric Muller v. Jack Goldberg
Abraham Cardenas v. Toby Devore
Luis Reveron v. Alec Wasilonsky
Preliminary Draw Round 2
Q8: Agustin Tristan v. Cliff Swain
Q1: Alex Ackermann v. Mitch Posner or Joe Kelley
Q4: Jansen Allen v. Alexi David Cocco Hayes or Andrew Kopf
Q5: Andrew Gale v. Roberto Santander or Eli Mireles
Q6: Mauricio Zelada v. Chris Young or Joseph Palumbo
Q3: Nick Montalbano v. Eric Muller or Jack Goldberg
Q2: Arthur Schmeiser v. Abraham Cardenas or Toby Devore
Q7: Franciso Troncoso v. Luis Reveron or Alec Wasilonsky
Main Draw of 16
Rocky Carson v. Q8
Andy Hawthorne v. Q1
Brad Schopieray v. Q4
Chris Crowther v. Q5
Jose Rojas v. Q6
Shane Vanderson v. Q3
Tony Carson v. Q2
Alvaro Beltran v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
LPRT - Rankings December 10, 2012
The top three spots are unchanged in the latest Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) rankings. Paola Longoria is #1; Rhonda Rajsich is #2, and Krystal Csuk is #3.
But Cheryl Gudinas - about a year after her left knee surgery - is back in the top 4, jumping up from #7 past #5 Adrienne Fisher and #6 Susy Acosta.
Also moving up is Samantha Salas, who's 8th now ahead of Cristina Amaya in 9th and Jennifer Saunders, who's 10th after missing the last two events due to a nagging back injury.
Grace Hughes - recently named LPRT Rookie of the Year - is up to 13th and Maria Jose Vargas has cracked the top 20, sitting at #20.
The LPRT's next event will be the Wilson Tour for Hope tournament January 25-27 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
LPRT Rankings - December 10, 2012
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1884.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1259.40
3 Krystal Csuk (USA) 477.20
4 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 470.50
5 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 464.15
6 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 449.75
7 Susy Acosta (Mexico) 439.50
8 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 342.50
9 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 312.75
10 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 297.50
11 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 255.75
12 Da'monique Davis (USA) 254.35
13 Grace Hughes (USA) 227.90
14 Kristen Bellows (USA) 210.75
15 Jackie Paraiso (USA) 210.00
16 Linda Scales (USA) 127.50
17 Laura Brandt (USA) 126.75
18 Keely Franks (USA) 124.75
19 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 112.50
20 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 106.75
Follow the bouncing ball....
But Cheryl Gudinas - about a year after her left knee surgery - is back in the top 4, jumping up from #7 past #5 Adrienne Fisher and #6 Susy Acosta.
Also moving up is Samantha Salas, who's 8th now ahead of Cristina Amaya in 9th and Jennifer Saunders, who's 10th after missing the last two events due to a nagging back injury.
Grace Hughes - recently named LPRT Rookie of the Year - is up to 13th and Maria Jose Vargas has cracked the top 20, sitting at #20.
The LPRT's next event will be the Wilson Tour for Hope tournament January 25-27 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
LPRT Rankings - December 10, 2012
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1884.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1259.40
3 Krystal Csuk (USA) 477.20
4 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 470.50
5 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 464.15
6 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 449.75
7 Susy Acosta (Mexico) 439.50
8 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 342.50
9 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 312.75
10 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 297.50
11 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 255.75
12 Da'monique Davis (USA) 254.35
13 Grace Hughes (USA) 227.90
14 Kristen Bellows (USA) 210.75
15 Jackie Paraiso (USA) 210.00
16 Linda Scales (USA) 127.50
17 Laura Brandt (USA) 126.75
18 Keely Franks (USA) 124.75
19 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 112.50
20 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 106.75
Follow the bouncing ball....
IRT Rankings - December 11, 2012
Only one change in the latest top 10 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) rankings, as veteran Javier Moreno is up to 10th pushing Charlie Pratt down to 11th.
Kane Waselenchuk remains #1, although word is that he will miss this weekend's New Jersey Open due to a nagging knee injury. That could open the door for a win by one of the other top five players: #2 Rocky Carson, #3 Alvaro Beltran, #4 Jose Rojas or #4 Chris Crowther.
Ben Croft is in 6th, but he's only one ranking point ahead of Shane Vanderson, as Croft has not done well on tour - despite winning a Tier 4 event on the weekend - while Vanderson has done well so far this season.
On the other hand, #8 Tony Carson has a comfortable 357 point advantage over #9 Andy Hawthorne.
There was only a slight reshuffling in the 11-20 spots and Alex Ackermann has made it into the top 20 by landing at #20.
The IRT's New Jersey Open begins tomorrow - December 13, and runs through the weekend at The Racquet Club in Warren, New Jersey. The IRT Network will be webcasting from the event all weekend.
IRT Rankings - 11 December 2012
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3850
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3166
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 2843
4 Jose ROJAS (USA) 2171
5 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 1982
6 Ben CROFT (USA) 1933
7 Shane VANDERSON (USA) 1932
8 Tony CARSON (USA) 1671
9 Andy HAWTHORNE (USA) 1314
10 Javier MORENO (Mexico) 1229
11 Charlie PRATT (USA) 1084
12 Anthony HERRERA (USA) 1025
13 Juan HERRERA (Colombia) 765
14 Brad SCHOPIERAY (USA) 740
15 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 727
16 Ruben GONZALEZ (USA) 719
17 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 700
18 Polo GUTIERREZ (Mexico) 617
19 Jose DIAZ (USA) 598
20 Alex ACKERMANN (USA) 515
Follow the bouncing ball....
Kane Waselenchuk remains #1, although word is that he will miss this weekend's New Jersey Open due to a nagging knee injury. That could open the door for a win by one of the other top five players: #2 Rocky Carson, #3 Alvaro Beltran, #4 Jose Rojas or #4 Chris Crowther.
Ben Croft is in 6th, but he's only one ranking point ahead of Shane Vanderson, as Croft has not done well on tour - despite winning a Tier 4 event on the weekend - while Vanderson has done well so far this season.
On the other hand, #8 Tony Carson has a comfortable 357 point advantage over #9 Andy Hawthorne.
There was only a slight reshuffling in the 11-20 spots and Alex Ackermann has made it into the top 20 by landing at #20.
The IRT's New Jersey Open begins tomorrow - December 13, and runs through the weekend at The Racquet Club in Warren, New Jersey. The IRT Network will be webcasting from the event all weekend.
IRT Rankings - 11 December 2012
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3850
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3166
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 2843
4 Jose ROJAS (USA) 2171
5 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 1982
6 Ben CROFT (USA) 1933
7 Shane VANDERSON (USA) 1932
8 Tony CARSON (USA) 1671
9 Andy HAWTHORNE (USA) 1314
10 Javier MORENO (Mexico) 1229
11 Charlie PRATT (USA) 1084
12 Anthony HERRERA (USA) 1025
13 Juan HERRERA (Colombia) 765
14 Brad SCHOPIERAY (USA) 740
15 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 727
16 Ruben GONZALEZ (USA) 719
17 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 700
18 Polo GUTIERREZ (Mexico) 617
19 Jose DIAZ (USA) 598
20 Alex ACKERMANN (USA) 515
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Paola Longoria's winning streak
Paola Longoria, the #1 women's racquetball player in the world, is unbeaten since May 2011. But how many consecutive matches has she won?
This was discussed during the webcasts of the Christmas Classic on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) on the weekend (via the LPRT Network), and The Racquetball Blog staff have gone back to look at our records to see what's happened since May of last year.
There have been 13 Tier 1 or Grand Slam events over this period. Longoria played four matches in each of those events except for the two US Opens, where she played five matches each. Thus, she's won 54 matches in a row [(11 * 4) + (2 * 5)].
However, there were also two satellite events last season: one in Cincinnati and one in Fullerton, California. Longoria played in both, although she only played three matches in Cincinnati; she played four in Fullerton. But are we counting satellite events in the streak, because the full compliment of players isn't always at such events? (although the fields in both of last year's satellite events were stronger than in some of the satellite events from previous seasons).
If we are counting satellites, then Longoria's winning streak is at 61 matches in a row (54 + 7), as we reported on Sunday after Longoria won the Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia.
International Competition
But during this period Longoria has also competed in three major international competitions: the 2011 Pan American Games, the 2012 Pan American Championships and the 2012 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships.
Longoria won six matches at the Pan Am Games - two in pool play and then four in an elimination round, six at the Pan American Championships - two in pool play and four in elimination rounds, and five at the World Championships. Thus, we could add 17 match wins to the 61 Longoria's had on the pro tour. That would put her winning streak at 78 matches.
In two of those competitions - the Pan Am Games and Worlds - there was a team competition as well. Longoria played twice in the Pan Am Games team competition and four times in the team competition at Worlds, winning all of those matches. Add those six to 78 and you get 84.
How many wins in a row?
So, Longoria's won 54 or 61 or 78 or 84 matches in a row depending on what you want to include in the streak.
Of course this only counts singles wins and Longoria's got several doubles wins (all with Samantha Salas) during this period as well.
Other aspects of the LPRT streak
Longoria's most frequent opponent during this period has been Rhonda Rajsich, who she's played in 12 of the 13 Tier 1/Grand Slam events (and 1 of the 2 satellite events).
But Longoria's second most frequent opponent may surprise you, because it's Grace Hughes, who's played Longoria five times. Krystal Csuk, Samantha Salas and Jennifer Saunders have each played Longoria four times since May 2011 (Csuk's played five times, if we're including the satellite events).
Only Rajsich, Saunders and Maria Jose Vargas have won even one game against Longoria during this period. Yes, in Longoria's 54 victories she's won 162 games and lost only 8 (six to Rajsich, one each to Saunders and Vargas). That's a 95.3 winning percentage.
Rajsich, Saunders and Vargas are three of the five players to score the most points (on average) against Longoria. Rajsich is averaging 24.8 points a match (12 matches), Saunders and Vargas 17.5 each (in 4 and 2 matches, respectively). Also, Jessica Parrilla and Sheryl Lotts got 22 and 18 points against Longoria, but each of them have only played Longoria once in this period.
Sarah Warhaftig has the dubious distinction of getting the most doughnuts from Longoria. She's received three of the fourteen doughnuts Longoria's served up during the streak. Other multiple doughnut recipients are Csuk, Hughes, and Mariana Tobon (2 each).
Perhaps curiously Kerri Wachtel has only played Longoria once during this period and that was in the final of the Cincinnati satellite tournament last January, when Longoria won in three straight games with Wachtel scoring 16 total points.
Longest ever?
The records of women's pro racquetball are incomplete, so we're not sure if Longoria's match streak is the longest ever. But in our records, we've got Michelle Gould winning 16 events in a row from 1994 to 1997. Thus, Longoria's 13 tournament winning streak isn't the longest in women's pro racquetball history.
But Longoria's streak is the second longest (according to our records). Lynn Adams and Jackie Paraiso also had double digit winning streaks - both with 10 in a row. Cheryl Gudinas won 8 in a row in 2002-2003 and Rajsich 6 in 2008.
Other women with multiple tournament winning streaks are Christie Huczek (nee Van Hees) with 5, Shannon Wright 5, and Peggy Steding and Caryn McKinney with 4 each. Interestingly, Heather McKay, who some might argue was the best women's player of all time, only ever won three tournaments in a row, which speaks to the quality of her opponents as she was often battling with Wright and especially Adams.
When will it end?
We don't advise betting against Longoria for the near future. We don't know if Vegas will even give you odds on beating her; ok, they probably will, but we're not suggesting you take them.
Longoria's only 23, so time is clearly on her side. But there are players coming up who could challenge her, including Vargas and Parrilla.
We still think Rajsich could defeat Longoria. Twice during the streak Rajsich has been up 2-0 against her, but both times Longoria came back to win.
Longoria is human, so she can be beaten. But she's a human who's very, very good at racquetball, so it will take something special to do it.
Follow the bouncing ball….
This was discussed during the webcasts of the Christmas Classic on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) on the weekend (via the LPRT Network), and The Racquetball Blog staff have gone back to look at our records to see what's happened since May of last year.
There have been 13 Tier 1 or Grand Slam events over this period. Longoria played four matches in each of those events except for the two US Opens, where she played five matches each. Thus, she's won 54 matches in a row [(11 * 4) + (2 * 5)].
However, there were also two satellite events last season: one in Cincinnati and one in Fullerton, California. Longoria played in both, although she only played three matches in Cincinnati; she played four in Fullerton. But are we counting satellite events in the streak, because the full compliment of players isn't always at such events? (although the fields in both of last year's satellite events were stronger than in some of the satellite events from previous seasons).
If we are counting satellites, then Longoria's winning streak is at 61 matches in a row (54 + 7), as we reported on Sunday after Longoria won the Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia.
International Competition
But during this period Longoria has also competed in three major international competitions: the 2011 Pan American Games, the 2012 Pan American Championships and the 2012 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships.
Longoria won six matches at the Pan Am Games - two in pool play and then four in an elimination round, six at the Pan American Championships - two in pool play and four in elimination rounds, and five at the World Championships. Thus, we could add 17 match wins to the 61 Longoria's had on the pro tour. That would put her winning streak at 78 matches.
In two of those competitions - the Pan Am Games and Worlds - there was a team competition as well. Longoria played twice in the Pan Am Games team competition and four times in the team competition at Worlds, winning all of those matches. Add those six to 78 and you get 84.
How many wins in a row?
So, Longoria's won 54 or 61 or 78 or 84 matches in a row depending on what you want to include in the streak.
Of course this only counts singles wins and Longoria's got several doubles wins (all with Samantha Salas) during this period as well.
Other aspects of the LPRT streak
Longoria's most frequent opponent during this period has been Rhonda Rajsich, who she's played in 12 of the 13 Tier 1/Grand Slam events (and 1 of the 2 satellite events).
But Longoria's second most frequent opponent may surprise you, because it's Grace Hughes, who's played Longoria five times. Krystal Csuk, Samantha Salas and Jennifer Saunders have each played Longoria four times since May 2011 (Csuk's played five times, if we're including the satellite events).
Only Rajsich, Saunders and Maria Jose Vargas have won even one game against Longoria during this period. Yes, in Longoria's 54 victories she's won 162 games and lost only 8 (six to Rajsich, one each to Saunders and Vargas). That's a 95.3 winning percentage.
Rajsich, Saunders and Vargas are three of the five players to score the most points (on average) against Longoria. Rajsich is averaging 24.8 points a match (12 matches), Saunders and Vargas 17.5 each (in 4 and 2 matches, respectively). Also, Jessica Parrilla and Sheryl Lotts got 22 and 18 points against Longoria, but each of them have only played Longoria once in this period.
Sarah Warhaftig has the dubious distinction of getting the most doughnuts from Longoria. She's received three of the fourteen doughnuts Longoria's served up during the streak. Other multiple doughnut recipients are Csuk, Hughes, and Mariana Tobon (2 each).
Perhaps curiously Kerri Wachtel has only played Longoria once during this period and that was in the final of the Cincinnati satellite tournament last January, when Longoria won in three straight games with Wachtel scoring 16 total points.
Longest ever?
The records of women's pro racquetball are incomplete, so we're not sure if Longoria's match streak is the longest ever. But in our records, we've got Michelle Gould winning 16 events in a row from 1994 to 1997. Thus, Longoria's 13 tournament winning streak isn't the longest in women's pro racquetball history.
But Longoria's streak is the second longest (according to our records). Lynn Adams and Jackie Paraiso also had double digit winning streaks - both with 10 in a row. Cheryl Gudinas won 8 in a row in 2002-2003 and Rajsich 6 in 2008.
Other women with multiple tournament winning streaks are Christie Huczek (nee Van Hees) with 5, Shannon Wright 5, and Peggy Steding and Caryn McKinney with 4 each. Interestingly, Heather McKay, who some might argue was the best women's player of all time, only ever won three tournaments in a row, which speaks to the quality of her opponents as she was often battling with Wright and especially Adams.
When will it end?
We don't advise betting against Longoria for the near future. We don't know if Vegas will even give you odds on beating her; ok, they probably will, but we're not suggesting you take them.
Longoria's only 23, so time is clearly on her side. But there are players coming up who could challenge her, including Vargas and Parrilla.
We still think Rajsich could defeat Longoria. Twice during the streak Rajsich has been up 2-0 against her, but both times Longoria came back to win.
Longoria is human, so she can be beaten. But she's a human who's very, very good at racquetball, so it will take something special to do it.
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, December 10, 2012
Weekend round-up - Amaya, Croft win in singles but lose in doubles
Cristina Amaya won the Women's Open division at the 2012 Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia on the weekend. She defeated Maria Jose Vargas in the final, 8-15, 15-8, 11-7.
In the semi-finals, Amaya beat Sheryl Lotts, 15-14, 15-5, and Vargas took out Susana Acosta, 15-7, 15-2.
Amaya and Vargas teamed up to play doubles in Arlington, but they didn't win the event, as young Americans Kelani Bailey and Samantha Simmons beat them in the final, 15-7, 15-8.
Bailey and Simmons defeated Da'Monique Davis and T. J. Baumbaugh in one semi-final, 15-12, 15-5, while Amaya and Vargas were winners over Candi Hostovich and Kristen Junkin in the other, 15-1, 15-10.
Croft wins Minot Open
Ben Croft won the Minot Open - a Tier 4 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event in Minot, North Dakota on the weekend. He defeated Mitch Williams in the final, 10, 12, 11-5, 11-4, 11-1.
Croft advanced to the final with a semi-final win over Woody Clouse, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9, while Williams beat Lee Connell, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 15-13.
The Minot Open doubles event was won by Connell and Kurtis Cullen who defeated Croft and Steve Knowles in the final, 15-10, 12-15, 11-4.
In the semis, Connell and Cullen beat Andrew Allen and Brian Knowles, 15-11, 15-12, while Croft and Knowles defeated Williams and Mitch Kost, 15-3, 15-8.
2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Women's Open
Cristina Amaya d. Maria Jose Vargas, 8-15, 15-8, 11-7.
Semi-final
Christa Amaya d. Sheryl Lotts, 15-14, 15-5
Maria Jose Vargas d. Susana Acosta, 15-7, 15-2
Women's Open Doubles
Kelani Bailey and Samantha Simmons d. Cristina Amaya & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-7, 15-8
Semi-finals
Kllani Bailey & Simmons d. Da'Monique Davis & T. J. Baumbaugh, 15-12, 15-5
Cristina Amaya & Maria Jose Vargas d. Candi Hostovich & Kristen Junkin, 15-1, 15-10
2012 Minot Open
Minot, North Dakota
Men's Open - Final
Ben Croft d. Mitch Williams, 10, 12, 11-5, 11-4, 11-1.
Semi-finals
Ben Croft d. Woody Clouse, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9
Mitch Williams d. Lee Connell, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 15-13
Men's Open - Doubles
Lee Connell & Kurtis Cullen d. Ben Croft & Steve Knowles, 15-10, 12-15, 11-4
Semi-finals
Lee Connell & Kurtis Cullen d. Andrew Allen & Brian Knowles, 15-11, 15-12
Ben Croft & Steve Knowles d. Mitch Williams & Mitch Kost, 15-3, 15-8
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the semi-finals, Amaya beat Sheryl Lotts, 15-14, 15-5, and Vargas took out Susana Acosta, 15-7, 15-2.
Amaya and Vargas teamed up to play doubles in Arlington, but they didn't win the event, as young Americans Kelani Bailey and Samantha Simmons beat them in the final, 15-7, 15-8.
Bailey and Simmons defeated Da'Monique Davis and T. J. Baumbaugh in one semi-final, 15-12, 15-5, while Amaya and Vargas were winners over Candi Hostovich and Kristen Junkin in the other, 15-1, 15-10.
Croft wins Minot Open
Ben Croft won the Minot Open - a Tier 4 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event in Minot, North Dakota on the weekend. He defeated Mitch Williams in the final, 10, 12, 11-5, 11-4, 11-1.
Croft advanced to the final with a semi-final win over Woody Clouse, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9, while Williams beat Lee Connell, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 15-13.
The Minot Open doubles event was won by Connell and Kurtis Cullen who defeated Croft and Steve Knowles in the final, 15-10, 12-15, 11-4.
In the semis, Connell and Cullen beat Andrew Allen and Brian Knowles, 15-11, 15-12, while Croft and Knowles defeated Williams and Mitch Kost, 15-3, 15-8.
2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Women's Open
Cristina Amaya d. Maria Jose Vargas, 8-15, 15-8, 11-7.
Semi-final
Christa Amaya d. Sheryl Lotts, 15-14, 15-5
Maria Jose Vargas d. Susana Acosta, 15-7, 15-2
Women's Open Doubles
Kelani Bailey and Samantha Simmons d. Cristina Amaya & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-7, 15-8
Semi-finals
Kllani Bailey & Simmons d. Da'Monique Davis & T. J. Baumbaugh, 15-12, 15-5
Cristina Amaya & Maria Jose Vargas d. Candi Hostovich & Kristen Junkin, 15-1, 15-10
2012 Minot Open
Minot, North Dakota
Men's Open - Final
Ben Croft d. Mitch Williams, 10, 12, 11-5, 11-4, 11-1.
Semi-finals
Ben Croft d. Woody Clouse, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9
Mitch Williams d. Lee Connell, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6, 15-13
Men's Open - Doubles
Lee Connell & Kurtis Cullen d. Ben Croft & Steve Knowles, 15-10, 12-15, 11-4
Semi-finals
Lee Connell & Kurtis Cullen d. Andrew Allen & Brian Knowles, 15-11, 15-12
Ben Croft & Steve Knowles d. Mitch Williams & Mitch Kost, 15-3, 15-8
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Longoria wins 2012 LPRT Christmas Classic
Paola Longoria has won her 61st match in a row, as she won the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour's (LPRT's) 2012 Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia Sunday defeating Rhonda Rajsich in the final, 11-9, 11-5, 11-4. Longoria's won 15 women's pro tournaments in a row dating back to May 2011.
Rajsich began the match well, and had a lead in game one at 5-3, as she hit five aces off drive serves early in that game. Longoria fought back, winning the next six points to take a 9-5 lead.
Rajsich then dug in herself and closed the difference to one, trailing 10-9. She held off Longoria for several game points, but couldn't get a 10th herself, and eventually succumbed to Longoria.
In both games two and three, they were tied early at 3-3, but Longoria made more shots and few errors from there in each. She generally drove serve, and usually to the left but mixed in drive serves to the right and drive Zs to the right along with a few lobs.
Rajsich also used a variety of serves: drives to the left and right as well as back hand half lobs and lobs Zs to the left.
The next LPRT event is the Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio January 25-27, 2013. To view matches from Arlington as well as pervious LPRT events go to the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Final
1 Paola Longoria d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 11-9, 11-5, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Rajsich began the match well, and had a lead in game one at 5-3, as she hit five aces off drive serves early in that game. Longoria fought back, winning the next six points to take a 9-5 lead.
Rajsich then dug in herself and closed the difference to one, trailing 10-9. She held off Longoria for several game points, but couldn't get a 10th herself, and eventually succumbed to Longoria.
In both games two and three, they were tied early at 3-3, but Longoria made more shots and few errors from there in each. She generally drove serve, and usually to the left but mixed in drive serves to the right and drive Zs to the right along with a few lobs.
Rajsich also used a variety of serves: drives to the left and right as well as back hand half lobs and lobs Zs to the left.
The next LPRT event is the Wilson Tour for Hope in Cincinnati, Ohio January 25-27, 2013. To view matches from Arlington as well as pervious LPRT events go to the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Final
1 Paola Longoria d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 11-9, 11-5, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, December 8, 2012
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic - Longoria wins #60
The Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour's (LPRT's) top two players will face off once again as #1 Paola Longoria will play #2 Rhonda Rajsich in the final of the at 2012 Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia on Sunday. Each player won her respective semi-final in three straight games on Saturday.
Longoria defeated Susana Acosta, 11-4, 11-3, 11-5, and Rajsich beat Cheryl Gudinas, 11-3, 11-2, 11-4.
Longoria and Acosta were close at the beginning of each of their games, but Longoria took control in each game and didn't let Acosta threaten her at all.
Rajsich benefitted from Gudinas's tough matches in the quarters and 16s, which both went five games, including a two and half hour battle with Maria Jose Vargas that ended only a few hours before she faced Rajsich. Thus, it was a match between a player who'd played ten tough games in the last 24 hours and one who'd played six not so tough games. Clearly, one player had the advantage.
Also, Gudinas initially seemed to be favouring her left leg. Perhaps it was a reoccurrence of her left knee trouble that led to her having surgery last fall. That might have resulted in her guessing on some of Rajsich's drive serves, making anticipatory moves to the left only to see the ball driven to the right.
LPRT Awards
The LPRT gave out its awards for the 2011-12 season, which technically wasn't a LPRT season; it was a Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) season. But nevertheless the same players were involved, and on Saturday a few of them were honoured.
Paola Longoria was selected as the Athlete of the Year, as she went throughout the season undefeated.
Krystal Csuk was named Most Improved Player, as she rose to finish 4th in the season ending rankings, which was a personal best up from 10th the season before in only her second year as a top 10 player.
The Rookie of the Year Award went to Grace Hughes, and the Janet Myers Sportsmanship Award was given to Laura Brandt.
The Christmas Classic final will be at noon EST on Sunday, and live streamed from Arlington via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 5 Susana Acosta, 11-4, 11-3, 11-5
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 6 Cheryl Gudinas, 11-3, 11-2, 11-4
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 2 Rhonda Rajsich - Noon EST
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria defeated Susana Acosta, 11-4, 11-3, 11-5, and Rajsich beat Cheryl Gudinas, 11-3, 11-2, 11-4.
Longoria and Acosta were close at the beginning of each of their games, but Longoria took control in each game and didn't let Acosta threaten her at all.
Rajsich benefitted from Gudinas's tough matches in the quarters and 16s, which both went five games, including a two and half hour battle with Maria Jose Vargas that ended only a few hours before she faced Rajsich. Thus, it was a match between a player who'd played ten tough games in the last 24 hours and one who'd played six not so tough games. Clearly, one player had the advantage.
Also, Gudinas initially seemed to be favouring her left leg. Perhaps it was a reoccurrence of her left knee trouble that led to her having surgery last fall. That might have resulted in her guessing on some of Rajsich's drive serves, making anticipatory moves to the left only to see the ball driven to the right.
LPRT Awards
The LPRT gave out its awards for the 2011-12 season, which technically wasn't a LPRT season; it was a Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) season. But nevertheless the same players were involved, and on Saturday a few of them were honoured.
Paola Longoria was selected as the Athlete of the Year, as she went throughout the season undefeated.
Krystal Csuk was named Most Improved Player, as she rose to finish 4th in the season ending rankings, which was a personal best up from 10th the season before in only her second year as a top 10 player.
The Rookie of the Year Award went to Grace Hughes, and the Janet Myers Sportsmanship Award was given to Laura Brandt.
The Christmas Classic final will be at noon EST on Sunday, and live streamed from Arlington via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 5 Susana Acosta, 11-4, 11-3, 11-5
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 6 Cheryl Gudinas, 11-3, 11-2, 11-4
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 2 Rhonda Rajsich - Noon EST
Follow the bouncing ball….
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic - Quarter finals
Top seeds Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich are into the semi-finals at the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2012 Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia, as both won their quarter final matches with relative ease. Longoria defeated Samantha Salas Solis, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6, while Rajsich beat Cristina Amaya, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8.
The other quarter final matches were much closer. Fifth seed Susana Acosta upset 4th seed Adrienne Fisher in three close games, 13-11, 11-9, 11-9.
And in a match that lasted over two hours, former #1 Cheryl Gudinas managed to fend off Maria Jose Vargas, the current U18 World Champion, in five games, 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9.
The semi-finals are set for 5 and 6 PM EST Saturday and final at noon EST on Sunday, and there will be live streaming from Arlington via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Quarter finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Samantha Salas Solis, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6
5 Susana Acosta d. 4 Adrienne Fisher, 13-11, 11-9, 11-9
6 Cheryl Gudinas d. 14 Maria Jose Vargas, 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 7 Cristina Amaya, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 5 Susana Acosta - 6 PM EST
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 6 Cheryl Gudinas - 5 PM EST
Follow the bouncing ball….
The other quarter final matches were much closer. Fifth seed Susana Acosta upset 4th seed Adrienne Fisher in three close games, 13-11, 11-9, 11-9.
And in a match that lasted over two hours, former #1 Cheryl Gudinas managed to fend off Maria Jose Vargas, the current U18 World Champion, in five games, 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9.
The semi-finals are set for 5 and 6 PM EST Saturday and final at noon EST on Sunday, and there will be live streaming from Arlington via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Quarter finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Samantha Salas Solis, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6
5 Susana Acosta d. 4 Adrienne Fisher, 13-11, 11-9, 11-9
6 Cheryl Gudinas d. 14 Maria Jose Vargas, 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 7 Cristina Amaya, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 5 Susana Acosta - 6 PM EST
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 6 Cheryl Gudinas - 5 PM EST
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, December 7, 2012
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic - Round of 16
Seven of the top eight seeds have made it to the quarter finals of the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2012 Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia. But 3rd seed Krystal Csuk fell to 14th seed Maria Jose Vargas, 11-3, 12-10, 11-3, in the Round of 16.
Vargas, the current U18 World Champion, will face Cheryl Gudinas in the quarters, as Gudinas won a five game match against Grace Hughes, "(11), 5, 11, 8, 1" [sic].
Both top seeds won their Friday matches in three straight games. Number 1 seed Paola Longoria only gave up three points to 17th seed Marian Tobon, 11-3, 11-0, 11-0, while 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich had a closer match with Sheryl Lotts, winning 12-10, 11-8, 11-6.
The first two matches were three straight game wins for the 4th and 5th seeds, Adrienne Fisher and Susana Acosta, respectively. Fisher beat Masiel Rivera, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5, while Acosta took out Laura Brandt, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5. Fisher and Acosta will face off in the quarter finals Saturday morning.
The quarter finals and semi-finals will go on Saturday and final on Sunday, and there will be live streaming from Arlington via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Marian Tobon, 11-3, 11-0, 11-0
8 Samantha Salas Solis d. 9 T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-8, 11-0, 11-2
5 Susana Acosta d. 14 Laura Brandt, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5
4 Adrienne Fisher d. 20 Masiel Rivera, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5
14 Maria Jose Vargas d. 3 Krystal Csuk, 11-3, 12-10, 11-3
6 Cheryl Gudinas d. 11 Grace Hughes, "(11), 5, 11, 8, 1" [sic]
7 Cristina Amaya d. 10 Da'monique Davis, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-4
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 15 Sheryl Lotts, 12-10, 11-8, 11-6
Quarter finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Samantha Salas Solis
4 Adrienne Fisher v. 5 Susana Acosta
6 Cheryl Gudinas v. 14 Maria Jose Vargas
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 7 Cristina Amaya
Follow the bouncing ball….
Vargas, the current U18 World Champion, will face Cheryl Gudinas in the quarters, as Gudinas won a five game match against Grace Hughes, "(11), 5, 11, 8, 1" [sic].
Both top seeds won their Friday matches in three straight games. Number 1 seed Paola Longoria only gave up three points to 17th seed Marian Tobon, 11-3, 11-0, 11-0, while 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich had a closer match with Sheryl Lotts, winning 12-10, 11-8, 11-6.
The first two matches were three straight game wins for the 4th and 5th seeds, Adrienne Fisher and Susana Acosta, respectively. Fisher beat Masiel Rivera, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5, while Acosta took out Laura Brandt, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5. Fisher and Acosta will face off in the quarter finals Saturday morning.
The quarter finals and semi-finals will go on Saturday and final on Sunday, and there will be live streaming from Arlington via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Marian Tobon, 11-3, 11-0, 11-0
8 Samantha Salas Solis d. 9 T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-8, 11-0, 11-2
5 Susana Acosta d. 14 Laura Brandt, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5
4 Adrienne Fisher d. 20 Masiel Rivera, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5
14 Maria Jose Vargas d. 3 Krystal Csuk, 11-3, 12-10, 11-3
6 Cheryl Gudinas d. 11 Grace Hughes, "(11), 5, 11, 8, 1" [sic]
7 Cristina Amaya d. 10 Da'monique Davis, 6-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-4
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 15 Sheryl Lotts, 12-10, 11-8, 11-6
Quarter finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Samantha Salas Solis
4 Adrienne Fisher v. 5 Susana Acosta
6 Cheryl Gudinas v. 14 Maria Jose Vargas
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 7 Cristina Amaya
Follow the bouncing ball….
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic - 16a & 32s
The Round of 16 has begun at the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2012 Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia. The first two matches were three straight game wins for the 4th and 5th seeds, Adrienne Fisher and Susana Acosta, respectively.
Fisher beat Masiel Rivera, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5, while Acosta took out Laura Brandt, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5. Fisher and Acosta will face off in the quarter finals Saturday morning.
There were two minor upsets in the first round. Rivera caused one of them as she defeated Hailey Miller, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5. The other was the 16/17 game that was an all Venezuela battle between 17th seed Marian Tobon and 16th seed Ishley Paede Guillen that went Tobon's way, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9.
Play continues Friday evening with the Round of 16 matches. The quarter finals and semi-finals will go on Saturday and final on Sunday. There will be live streaming from Seattle via the LPRT Network on Saturday and Sunday.
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria BYE
17 Marian Tobon d. 16 Ishley Paede Guillen, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9
9 T. J. Baumbaugh BYE
8 Samantha Salas Solis BYE
5 Susana Acosta BYE
14 Laura Brandt BYE
20 Masiel Rivera d. 13 Hailey Miller, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5
4 Adrienne Fisher BYE
3 Krystal Csuk BYE
14 Maria Jose Vargas d. 19 Ana Paola Nunez, 11-3, 11-1, 11-1
11 Grace Hughes BYE
6 Cheryl Gudinas BYE
7 Cristina Amaya BYE
10 Da'monique Davis BYE
15 Sheryl Lotts d. 18 Claudia Andrade, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2
2 Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria v. 17 Marian Tobon
8 Samantha Salas Solis v. 9 T. J. Baumbaugh
5 Susana Acosta v. 14 Laura Brandt, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5
4 Adrienne Fisher v. 20 Masiel Rivera, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5
3 Krystal Csuk v. 14 Maria Jose Vargas
6 Cheryl Gudinas v. 11 Grace Hughes
7 Cristina Amaya v. 10 Da'monique Davis
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 15 Sheryl Lotts
Follow the bouncing ball….
Fisher beat Masiel Rivera, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5, while Acosta took out Laura Brandt, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5. Fisher and Acosta will face off in the quarter finals Saturday morning.
There were two minor upsets in the first round. Rivera caused one of them as she defeated Hailey Miller, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5. The other was the 16/17 game that was an all Venezuela battle between 17th seed Marian Tobon and 16th seed Ishley Paede Guillen that went Tobon's way, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9.
Play continues Friday evening with the Round of 16 matches. The quarter finals and semi-finals will go on Saturday and final on Sunday. There will be live streaming from Seattle via the LPRT Network on Saturday and Sunday.
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria BYE
17 Marian Tobon d. 16 Ishley Paede Guillen, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9
9 T. J. Baumbaugh BYE
8 Samantha Salas Solis BYE
5 Susana Acosta BYE
14 Laura Brandt BYE
20 Masiel Rivera d. 13 Hailey Miller, 11-4, 11-4, 11-5
4 Adrienne Fisher BYE
3 Krystal Csuk BYE
14 Maria Jose Vargas d. 19 Ana Paola Nunez, 11-3, 11-1, 11-1
11 Grace Hughes BYE
6 Cheryl Gudinas BYE
7 Cristina Amaya BYE
10 Da'monique Davis BYE
15 Sheryl Lotts d. 18 Claudia Andrade, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2
2 Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria v. 17 Marian Tobon
8 Samantha Salas Solis v. 9 T. J. Baumbaugh
5 Susana Acosta v. 14 Laura Brandt, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5
4 Adrienne Fisher v. 20 Masiel Rivera, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5
3 Krystal Csuk v. 14 Maria Jose Vargas
6 Cheryl Gudinas v. 11 Grace Hughes
7 Cristina Amaya v. 10 Da'monique Davis
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 15 Sheryl Lotts
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
LPRT - 2012 Christmas Classic Preview
The Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) is back in action this weekend with the 2012 Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia. A couple of the top 10 players are missing. LPRT #4 Kerri Wachtel and #8 Jennifer Saunders are not in Virginia, so the other players move up in seeding and Adrienne Fisher is the 4th seed.
Paola Longoria, the LPRT's top player, will again be looking to extend her winning streak, but she may have to go through her doubles team-mate Samantha Salas Solis in the quarter finals - although Salas Solis needs to defeat 9th seed T. J. Baumbaugh in the 16s to create that match up.
Other interesting matches to look for include 3rd seed Krystal Csuk versus Maria Jose Vargas, who won gold in U18 at last month's World Junior Championships, with the winner of that to face veteran Cheryl Gudinas. Also, Cristina Amaya versus Da'monique Davis will face off in the 16s.
Play begins on Friday morning with the Round of 32 matches. The Round of 16 matches will be Friday afternoon and evening, then the quarter finals and semi-finals will go on Saturday and final on Sunday. There will be live streaming from Seattle via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria BYE
16 Ishley Paede Guillen v. 17 Marian Tobon
9 T. J. Baumbaugh BYE
8 Samantha Salas Solis BYE
5 Susana Acosta BYE
14 Laura Brandt BYE
13 Hailey Miller v. 20 Masiel Rivera
4 Adrienne Fisher BYE
3 Krystal Csuk BYE
14 Maria Jose Vargas v. 19 Ana Paola Nunez
11 Grace Hughes BYE
6 Cheryl Gudinas BYE
7 Cristina Amaya BYE
10 Da'monique Davis BYE
15 Sheryl Lotts v. Claudia Andrade
2 Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria v. 16 Ishley Paede Guillen or 17 Marian Tobon
8 Samantha Salas Solis v. 9 T. J. Baumbaugh
5 Susana Acosta v. 14 Laura Brandt
4 Adrienne Fisher v. 13 Hailey Miller or 20 Masiel Rivera
3 Krystal Csuk v. 14 Maria Jose Vargas or 19 Ana Paola Nunez
6 Cheryl Gudinas v. 11 Grace Hughes
7 Cristina Amaya v. 10 Da'monique Davis
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 15 Sheryl Lotts or Claudia Andrade
Follow the bouncing ball….
Paola Longoria, the LPRT's top player, will again be looking to extend her winning streak, but she may have to go through her doubles team-mate Samantha Salas Solis in the quarter finals - although Salas Solis needs to defeat 9th seed T. J. Baumbaugh in the 16s to create that match up.
Other interesting matches to look for include 3rd seed Krystal Csuk versus Maria Jose Vargas, who won gold in U18 at last month's World Junior Championships, with the winner of that to face veteran Cheryl Gudinas. Also, Cristina Amaya versus Da'monique Davis will face off in the 16s.
Play begins on Friday morning with the Round of 32 matches. The Round of 16 matches will be Friday afternoon and evening, then the quarter finals and semi-finals will go on Saturday and final on Sunday. There will be live streaming from Seattle via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria BYE
16 Ishley Paede Guillen v. 17 Marian Tobon
9 T. J. Baumbaugh BYE
8 Samantha Salas Solis BYE
5 Susana Acosta BYE
14 Laura Brandt BYE
13 Hailey Miller v. 20 Masiel Rivera
4 Adrienne Fisher BYE
3 Krystal Csuk BYE
14 Maria Jose Vargas v. 19 Ana Paola Nunez
11 Grace Hughes BYE
6 Cheryl Gudinas BYE
7 Cristina Amaya BYE
10 Da'monique Davis BYE
15 Sheryl Lotts v. Claudia Andrade
2 Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria v. 16 Ishley Paede Guillen or 17 Marian Tobon
8 Samantha Salas Solis v. 9 T. J. Baumbaugh
5 Susana Acosta v. 14 Laura Brandt
4 Adrienne Fisher v. 13 Hailey Miller or 20 Masiel Rivera
3 Krystal Csuk v. 14 Maria Jose Vargas or 19 Ana Paola Nunez
6 Cheryl Gudinas v. 11 Grace Hughes
7 Cristina Amaya v. 10 Da'monique Davis
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 15 Sheryl Lotts or Claudia Andrade
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, November 26, 2012
Landeryou & Saunders winners at Racquetball Canada's National Team Selection Event
Tim Landeryou and Jennifer Saunders were the winners of the men's and women's divisions at the Racquetball Canada's National Team Selection Event in Kelowna, B.C. at the Globe Fitness Centre on the weekend. Landeryou, the 2nd seed, defeated Eric Desrochers in the final, 15-13, 11-15, 11-7, for his first Selection Event win.
But Landeryou almost didn't get out of his first match, as Coby Iwaasa - current World Junior Boys U16 Champion - won the first game of their match 15-7. In game two, it seemed Landeryou had righted the ship as he took an 8-2 lead.
But Iwaasa came back and won the next 12 of 13 points to lead 13-9, and then went one better with a 14-10 lead. But despite having three match point opportunities, Iwaasa couldn't finish Landeryou off. The veteran Landeryou took advantage and won game two 16-14 and then took the tie-breaker 11-4.
In the semi-finals, Landeryou beat one of his training partners in Nathaniel Husulak, 9-15, 15-9, 11-5, while Desrochers, the 4th seed, won the other semi-final by upsetting the top seed Kris Odegard, 15-11, 12-15, 11-8.
Saunders won the women's division going undefeated through a five player round robin, including a win over Christine Richardson, 16-14, 15-12, in what was a see-saw match that saw Richardson take leads of 12-5 and 14-7 in game one before Saunders used all of her veteran savvy to come back and win the game.
In game two, it was Saunders who took the big early lead, as she went up 11-0. But once again the other player came back, as Richardson closed the gap to 14-12, but couldn't quite force the tie-breaker.
Nonetheless, it's Richardson's best finish at a Racquetball Canada National Team event. For her part, Saunders - the 2012 Canadian Racquetball Champion - remains unbeaten in Canada this calendar year.
Results from this weekend will be combined with results from the National Team Selection Event in February 2013 in Brossard, Que. and the 2012 Canadian National Championships last May in Brossard, Que. to select the players who will represent Canada at the 2013 Pan American Championships next Easter.
Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event
Kelowna, B.C.
Men's Open
Final
Tim Landeryou d. Eric Desrochers, 15-13, 11-15, 11-7
Semi-finals
Eric Desrochers d. Kris Odegard, 15-11, 12-15, 11-8
Tim Landeryou d. Nathaniel Husulak, 9-15, 15-9, 11-5
3rd: Nathaniel Husulak d. Kris Odegard - Default
5th: Coby Iwaasa d. Kurtis Cullen, 7-15, 17-15, 11-3
7th: Pedro Castro d. Lee Connell, 12-15, 15-11, 11-8
9th: Mitch Brayley d. Troy Brooks, 15-3, 15-12
11th: Anthony Schonberger d. Eric Urteaga, 16-14, 15-13
Women's Open
Final: Jennifer Saunders d. Christine Richardson, 16-14, 15-12
Women's Placings
1st: Jennifer Saunders
2nd: Christine Richardson
3rd: Nadia Verilli
4th: Michèle Morissette
5th: Valerie Fallu
Follow the bouncing ball….
But Landeryou almost didn't get out of his first match, as Coby Iwaasa - current World Junior Boys U16 Champion - won the first game of their match 15-7. In game two, it seemed Landeryou had righted the ship as he took an 8-2 lead.
But Iwaasa came back and won the next 12 of 13 points to lead 13-9, and then went one better with a 14-10 lead. But despite having three match point opportunities, Iwaasa couldn't finish Landeryou off. The veteran Landeryou took advantage and won game two 16-14 and then took the tie-breaker 11-4.
In the semi-finals, Landeryou beat one of his training partners in Nathaniel Husulak, 9-15, 15-9, 11-5, while Desrochers, the 4th seed, won the other semi-final by upsetting the top seed Kris Odegard, 15-11, 12-15, 11-8.
Saunders won the women's division going undefeated through a five player round robin, including a win over Christine Richardson, 16-14, 15-12, in what was a see-saw match that saw Richardson take leads of 12-5 and 14-7 in game one before Saunders used all of her veteran savvy to come back and win the game.
In game two, it was Saunders who took the big early lead, as she went up 11-0. But once again the other player came back, as Richardson closed the gap to 14-12, but couldn't quite force the tie-breaker.
Nonetheless, it's Richardson's best finish at a Racquetball Canada National Team event. For her part, Saunders - the 2012 Canadian Racquetball Champion - remains unbeaten in Canada this calendar year.
Results from this weekend will be combined with results from the National Team Selection Event in February 2013 in Brossard, Que. and the 2012 Canadian National Championships last May in Brossard, Que. to select the players who will represent Canada at the 2013 Pan American Championships next Easter.
Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event
Kelowna, B.C.
Men's Open
Final
Tim Landeryou d. Eric Desrochers, 15-13, 11-15, 11-7
Semi-finals
Eric Desrochers d. Kris Odegard, 15-11, 12-15, 11-8
Tim Landeryou d. Nathaniel Husulak, 9-15, 15-9, 11-5
3rd: Nathaniel Husulak d. Kris Odegard - Default
5th: Coby Iwaasa d. Kurtis Cullen, 7-15, 17-15, 11-3
7th: Pedro Castro d. Lee Connell, 12-15, 15-11, 11-8
9th: Mitch Brayley d. Troy Brooks, 15-3, 15-12
11th: Anthony Schonberger d. Eric Urteaga, 16-14, 15-13
Women's Open
Final: Jennifer Saunders d. Christine Richardson, 16-14, 15-12
Women's Placings
1st: Jennifer Saunders
2nd: Christine Richardson
3rd: Nadia Verilli
4th: Michèle Morissette
5th: Valerie Fallu
Follow the bouncing ball….
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
LPRT Rankings - November 19, 2012
It's part way through the 2012-13 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season, and some of the results been a little weird.
There's nothing weird with Paola Longoria's results, as the LPRT #1 continues to win tournament after tournament, keeping her winning streak intact since May 2011. But everyone else has been somewhat inconsistent.
Even Rhonda Rajsich, the LPRT's #2 player, who has been generally good, lost a match in the quarter finals last weekend in Seattle. And earlier this month she was taken to five games in the semi-finals in Toluca, Mexico.
Krystal Csuk moved up to 3rd after reaching the Texas Open semis and US Open quarters, which put her ahead of Kerri Wachtel, who lost in the 32 of the US Open. But since Minneapolis, both Csuk and Wachtel have lost in the 16s and quarters in the last two tournaments.
Adrienne Fisher has moved up to 5th with her first career final appearance in Seattle, but that result was all the more strange because prior to Seattle, Fisher hadn't won a match this season.
We've got a Racquetball Blog staff member tracking player performances this season (LPRT rankings are calculated over 12 months so their rankings include some of last season's results), and awarding points to players based on what round they lose in. If a player loses in the 16s, then the player is given 16 points. Here's what that system produces for this season.
Rank - Player - Mean Points - Events
1 Paola Longoria - 1 point from 4 events
2 Rhonda Rajsich - 3.5 points from 4 events
3 Jackie Paraiso - 6 - 2
4 Samantha Salas - 8 - 4
5 Cheryl Gudinas - 9 - 4
5 Krystal Csuk - 9 - 4
7 Susy Acosta - 12 - 4 -
8 Jennifer Saunders - 13.33 - 3
9 Kerri Wachtel - 15 - 4
10 Cristina Amaya - 16 - 4
10 Jessica Parrilla - 16 - 2
10 Linda Scales - 16 - 3
13 Adrienne Fisher - 16.5 - 4
14 Grace Hughes - 17 - 4
15 Da'monique Davis - 18 - 4
15 Kristen Bellows - 18 - 2
15 T.J. Baumbaugh - 18 - 4
Fisher is 13th here despite her final appearance (giving her 2 points in this system), because her other losses happened in the 16s (twice) and the 32s (US Open).
The other rankings aren't that different from the LPRT rankings aside from Jackie Paraiso, who has only played two tournaments in the past 12 months, so despite doing well in them (a quarter final and a semi-final), she's only 15th.
Of course, the weird or inconsistent results make for an even more interesting LPRT season, because there's less certainty about what's going to happen next (who saw Grace Hughes's semi-final result coming? not us).
The LPRT's next chance to get weird will be the Christmas Classic, December 7-9, in Arlington, Virgina. We're looking forward to it.
LPRT Rankings - November 19, 2012
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1884.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1269.40
3 Krystal Csuk (USA) 517.20
4 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 510.15
5 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 469.75
6 Susy Acosta (Mexico) 422.50
7 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 410.50
8 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 340.50
9 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 312.75
10 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 302.50
11 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 257.75
12 Da'monique Davis (USA) 252.35
13 Kristen Bellows (USA) 232.75
14 Grace Hughes (USA) 223.90
15 Jackie Paraiso (USA) 210.00
16 Linda Scales (USA) 127.50
17 Laura Brandt (USA) 126.75
18 Keely Franks (USA) 124.75
19 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 112.50
20 Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) 83.50
Follow the bouncing ball....
There's nothing weird with Paola Longoria's results, as the LPRT #1 continues to win tournament after tournament, keeping her winning streak intact since May 2011. But everyone else has been somewhat inconsistent.
Even Rhonda Rajsich, the LPRT's #2 player, who has been generally good, lost a match in the quarter finals last weekend in Seattle. And earlier this month she was taken to five games in the semi-finals in Toluca, Mexico.
Krystal Csuk moved up to 3rd after reaching the Texas Open semis and US Open quarters, which put her ahead of Kerri Wachtel, who lost in the 32 of the US Open. But since Minneapolis, both Csuk and Wachtel have lost in the 16s and quarters in the last two tournaments.
Adrienne Fisher has moved up to 5th with her first career final appearance in Seattle, but that result was all the more strange because prior to Seattle, Fisher hadn't won a match this season.
We've got a Racquetball Blog staff member tracking player performances this season (LPRT rankings are calculated over 12 months so their rankings include some of last season's results), and awarding points to players based on what round they lose in. If a player loses in the 16s, then the player is given 16 points. Here's what that system produces for this season.
Rank - Player - Mean Points - Events
1 Paola Longoria - 1 point from 4 events
2 Rhonda Rajsich - 3.5 points from 4 events
3 Jackie Paraiso - 6 - 2
4 Samantha Salas - 8 - 4
5 Cheryl Gudinas - 9 - 4
5 Krystal Csuk - 9 - 4
7 Susy Acosta - 12 - 4 -
8 Jennifer Saunders - 13.33 - 3
9 Kerri Wachtel - 15 - 4
10 Cristina Amaya - 16 - 4
10 Jessica Parrilla - 16 - 2
10 Linda Scales - 16 - 3
13 Adrienne Fisher - 16.5 - 4
14 Grace Hughes - 17 - 4
15 Da'monique Davis - 18 - 4
15 Kristen Bellows - 18 - 2
15 T.J. Baumbaugh - 18 - 4
Fisher is 13th here despite her final appearance (giving her 2 points in this system), because her other losses happened in the 16s (twice) and the 32s (US Open).
The other rankings aren't that different from the LPRT rankings aside from Jackie Paraiso, who has only played two tournaments in the past 12 months, so despite doing well in them (a quarter final and a semi-final), she's only 15th.
Of course, the weird or inconsistent results make for an even more interesting LPRT season, because there's less certainty about what's going to happen next (who saw Grace Hughes's semi-final result coming? not us).
The LPRT's next chance to get weird will be the Christmas Classic, December 7-9, in Arlington, Virgina. We're looking forward to it.
LPRT Rankings - November 19, 2012
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1884.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1269.40
3 Krystal Csuk (USA) 517.20
4 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 510.15
5 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 469.75
6 Susy Acosta (Mexico) 422.50
7 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 410.50
8 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 340.50
9 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 312.75
10 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 302.50
11 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 257.75
12 Da'monique Davis (USA) 252.35
13 Kristen Bellows (USA) 232.75
14 Grace Hughes (USA) 223.90
15 Jackie Paraiso (USA) 210.00
16 Linda Scales (USA) 127.50
17 Laura Brandt (USA) 126.75
18 Keely Franks (USA) 124.75
19 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 112.50
20 Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) 83.50
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, November 19, 2012
IRF - World Junior Championship - Competition Summary
Below is the medal summary from the 24th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships that happened last week in Canoga Park, California. Bolivia came out on top of the team points competition, although they were not the country with the most medals. Bolivia had 10 medals - four gold, four silver and two bronze. Both the USA and Mexico had 11 medals.
Mexico medalled in all but one of the World Cup divisions (Girl's U18 was the exception), but they had only two gold medals. The USA medalled in all by two World Cup divisions but they only got one silver medal on the girl's side and two of their three gold medals were from Boy's U18 (Marco Rojas and Jose Diaz).
Guatemala and Costa Rica had break-through years, as they picked up gold medals for the first time ever (Guatemala in Girl's U16 doubles and Costa Rica in Girl's U14 doubles) and Costa Rica had maybe its best ever medal count, as medals went to Costa Rica in six divisions. Three Costa Ricans were double medalists: Andres Acuña (Boy's U16), Jose Ubilla (Boy's U14) and Melania Sauma (Girl's U14).
If one country is getting more medals, then other countries must be getting fewer. The countries with fewer medals this year than past years are the USA and Ecuador. The USA had 11 medals this year, which was up one from last year, but they had 15 in 2010, 15 in 2009 and 16 in 2008, so they are off from their totals of a few years ago.
Ecuador has been shut out of the medals this year and last after having two medals in 2010, three in 2009 and two in 2008.
Bolivia's, Mexico's and Canada's medal totals have fluctuated slightly over the last few years but have generally been about the same. Bolivia's averaged 9.4 medals in the last five years, Mexico 11.6, and Canada 5.2.
We're a bit confused by the awarding of two bronze medals in the doubles divisions that were round robin competitions, as it should be clear who's 3rd and who's 4th in a round robin (there are rules for breaking ties when a teams' wins and losses are the same). But nevertheless, according to the IRF website, there were two bronze medalists in all doubles divisions.
This led to Aisling Hickey being the first ever double medalist from Ireland, as she got bronze in singles and doubles (with Katie Kenny). Ireland has medalled in each of the last four World Junior competitions.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
MEDAL SUMMARY - Singles
Boy's U18
GOLD Marco Rojas (USA)
SILVER Jose Diaz (USA)
BRONZE Salvador Ortiz (Mexico)
BRONZE Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Boy's U16
GOLD Coby Iwaasa (Canada)
SILVER Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica)
BRONZE Adam Manilla (USA)
BRONZE Erik Garcia (Mexico)
Boy's U14
GOLD Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia)
SILVER Cristhian Mina (Bolivia)
BRONZE Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica)
BRONZE Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico)
Girl's U18
GOLD Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia)
SILVER Adriana Riveros (Bolivia)
BRONZE Aisling Hickey (Ireland)
BRONZE Kelani Bailey (USA)
Girl's U16
GOLD Natalia Mendez (Bolivia)
SILVER Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico)
BRONZE Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
BRONZE Michèle Morissette (Canada)
Girl's U14
GOLD Diana Aguilar (Mexico)
SILVER Natalia Mendez (Bolivia)
BRONZE Erika Manilla (USA)
BRONZE Melania Sauma (Costa Rica)
MEDAL SUMMARY - Doubles
Boy's U18
GOLD Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (USA)
SILVER Danilo Torrico & Vladimir Sona (Bolivia)
BRONZE Salvador Ortiz & Missael Leija (Mexico)
BRONZE Ashton Duda & Samuel Murray (Canada)
Boy's U16
GOLD Rodrigo Montoya & Francisco Javier Mar Garcia (Mexico)
SILVER Coby Iwaasa & Sami Harb (Canada)
BRONZE Andres Acuña & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica)
BRONZE Adam Manilla & Sawyer Lloyd (USA)
Boy's U14
GOLD Jordan Barth & Justus Benson (USA)
SILVER Jose Ubilla & Alexander Pirie (Costa Rica)
BRONZE Victor Camacho & Jordy Alonso (Mexico)
BRONZE Rodrigo Mendoza & Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia)
Girl's U18
GOLD Adriana Riveros & Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia)
SILVER Alexandra Herrera & Natalia Villagomez (Mexico)
BRONZE Kelani Bailey & Samantha Simmons (USA)
BRONZE Aisling Hickey & Katie Kenny (Ireland)
Girl's U16
GOLD Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
SILVER Ximena Gonzalez & Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico)
BRONZE Kaitlin Simmons & Lexi York (USA)
BRONZE Veronica Dotty & Mariana Lopez (Bolivia)
Girl's U14
GOLD Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica)
SILVER Diana Aguilar & Mariel Morales (Mexico)
BRONZE Jordan Cooperrider & Erika Manilla (USA)
BRONZE Callie Drury & Alexis Iwaasa (Canada)
MEDAL SUMMARY
Boy's
USA - 6 = 3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze
Mexico - 6 = 1, 0, 5
Bolivia - 4 = 1, 2, 1
Costa Rica - 4 = 0, 2, 2
Canada - 3 = 1, 1, 1
Colombia - 1 = 0, 0, 1
Girl's
Bolivia - 6 = 3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze
Mexico - 5 = 1, 3, 1
USA - 5 = 0, 1, 4
Guatemala - 2 = 1, 0, 1
Costa Rica - 2 = 1, 0, 1
Canada - 2 = 0, 0, 2
Ireland - 2 = 0, 0, 2
Combined
USA - 11 = 3 gold, 2 silver, 6 bronze
Mexico - 11 = 2, 3, 6
Bolivia - 10 = 4, 4, 2
Costa Rica - 6 = 1, 2, 3
Canada - 5 = 1, 1, 3
Guatemala - 2 = 1, 0, 1
Ireland - 2 = 0, 0, 2
Colombia - 1 = 0, 0, 1
TEAM COMPETITION - Boy's
GOLD USA
SILVER Mexico
BRONZE Bolivia
4. Canada
5. Costa Rica
6. Colombia
7. Guatemala
8. Ecuador
9. Dominican Republic
10. Nicaragua
11. Venezuela
12. Chile
12. Ireland
14. South Korea
15. Argentina
16. Puerto Rico
TEAM COMPETITION - Girl's
GOLD Bolivia
SILVER Mexico
BRONZE USA
4. Canada
5. Guatemala
6. Costa Rica
7. Ireland
8. Ecuador
9. Nicaragua
10. Dominican Republic
10. Venezuela
12. Honduras
13. South Korea
13. Argentina
TEAM COMPETITION - Overall
GOLD Bolivia
SILVER USA
BRONZE Mexico
4. Canada
5. Costa Rica
6. Guatemala
7. Ecuador
8. Ireland
9. Dominican Republic
10. Colombia
11. Nicaragua
12. Venezuela
13. Chile
14. South Korea
15. Honduras
16. Argentina
17. Puerto Rico
Follow the bouncing ball….
Mexico medalled in all but one of the World Cup divisions (Girl's U18 was the exception), but they had only two gold medals. The USA medalled in all by two World Cup divisions but they only got one silver medal on the girl's side and two of their three gold medals were from Boy's U18 (Marco Rojas and Jose Diaz).
Guatemala and Costa Rica had break-through years, as they picked up gold medals for the first time ever (Guatemala in Girl's U16 doubles and Costa Rica in Girl's U14 doubles) and Costa Rica had maybe its best ever medal count, as medals went to Costa Rica in six divisions. Three Costa Ricans were double medalists: Andres Acuña (Boy's U16), Jose Ubilla (Boy's U14) and Melania Sauma (Girl's U14).
If one country is getting more medals, then other countries must be getting fewer. The countries with fewer medals this year than past years are the USA and Ecuador. The USA had 11 medals this year, which was up one from last year, but they had 15 in 2010, 15 in 2009 and 16 in 2008, so they are off from their totals of a few years ago.
Ecuador has been shut out of the medals this year and last after having two medals in 2010, three in 2009 and two in 2008.
Bolivia's, Mexico's and Canada's medal totals have fluctuated slightly over the last few years but have generally been about the same. Bolivia's averaged 9.4 medals in the last five years, Mexico 11.6, and Canada 5.2.
We're a bit confused by the awarding of two bronze medals in the doubles divisions that were round robin competitions, as it should be clear who's 3rd and who's 4th in a round robin (there are rules for breaking ties when a teams' wins and losses are the same). But nevertheless, according to the IRF website, there were two bronze medalists in all doubles divisions.
This led to Aisling Hickey being the first ever double medalist from Ireland, as she got bronze in singles and doubles (with Katie Kenny). Ireland has medalled in each of the last four World Junior competitions.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
MEDAL SUMMARY - Singles
Boy's U18
GOLD Marco Rojas (USA)
SILVER Jose Diaz (USA)
BRONZE Salvador Ortiz (Mexico)
BRONZE Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Boy's U16
GOLD Coby Iwaasa (Canada)
SILVER Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica)
BRONZE Adam Manilla (USA)
BRONZE Erik Garcia (Mexico)
Boy's U14
GOLD Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia)
SILVER Cristhian Mina (Bolivia)
BRONZE Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica)
BRONZE Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico)
Girl's U18
GOLD Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia)
SILVER Adriana Riveros (Bolivia)
BRONZE Aisling Hickey (Ireland)
BRONZE Kelani Bailey (USA)
Girl's U16
GOLD Natalia Mendez (Bolivia)
SILVER Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico)
BRONZE Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
BRONZE Michèle Morissette (Canada)
Girl's U14
GOLD Diana Aguilar (Mexico)
SILVER Natalia Mendez (Bolivia)
BRONZE Erika Manilla (USA)
BRONZE Melania Sauma (Costa Rica)
MEDAL SUMMARY - Doubles
Boy's U18
GOLD Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (USA)
SILVER Danilo Torrico & Vladimir Sona (Bolivia)
BRONZE Salvador Ortiz & Missael Leija (Mexico)
BRONZE Ashton Duda & Samuel Murray (Canada)
Boy's U16
GOLD Rodrigo Montoya & Francisco Javier Mar Garcia (Mexico)
SILVER Coby Iwaasa & Sami Harb (Canada)
BRONZE Andres Acuña & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica)
BRONZE Adam Manilla & Sawyer Lloyd (USA)
Boy's U14
GOLD Jordan Barth & Justus Benson (USA)
SILVER Jose Ubilla & Alexander Pirie (Costa Rica)
BRONZE Victor Camacho & Jordy Alonso (Mexico)
BRONZE Rodrigo Mendoza & Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia)
Girl's U18
GOLD Adriana Riveros & Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia)
SILVER Alexandra Herrera & Natalia Villagomez (Mexico)
BRONZE Kelani Bailey & Samantha Simmons (USA)
BRONZE Aisling Hickey & Katie Kenny (Ireland)
Girl's U16
GOLD Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
SILVER Ximena Gonzalez & Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico)
BRONZE Kaitlin Simmons & Lexi York (USA)
BRONZE Veronica Dotty & Mariana Lopez (Bolivia)
Girl's U14
GOLD Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica)
SILVER Diana Aguilar & Mariel Morales (Mexico)
BRONZE Jordan Cooperrider & Erika Manilla (USA)
BRONZE Callie Drury & Alexis Iwaasa (Canada)
MEDAL SUMMARY
Boy's
USA - 6 = 3 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze
Mexico - 6 = 1, 0, 5
Bolivia - 4 = 1, 2, 1
Costa Rica - 4 = 0, 2, 2
Canada - 3 = 1, 1, 1
Colombia - 1 = 0, 0, 1
Girl's
Bolivia - 6 = 3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze
Mexico - 5 = 1, 3, 1
USA - 5 = 0, 1, 4
Guatemala - 2 = 1, 0, 1
Costa Rica - 2 = 1, 0, 1
Canada - 2 = 0, 0, 2
Ireland - 2 = 0, 0, 2
Combined
USA - 11 = 3 gold, 2 silver, 6 bronze
Mexico - 11 = 2, 3, 6
Bolivia - 10 = 4, 4, 2
Costa Rica - 6 = 1, 2, 3
Canada - 5 = 1, 1, 3
Guatemala - 2 = 1, 0, 1
Ireland - 2 = 0, 0, 2
Colombia - 1 = 0, 0, 1
TEAM COMPETITION - Boy's
GOLD USA
SILVER Mexico
BRONZE Bolivia
4. Canada
5. Costa Rica
6. Colombia
7. Guatemala
8. Ecuador
9. Dominican Republic
10. Nicaragua
11. Venezuela
12. Chile
12. Ireland
14. South Korea
15. Argentina
16. Puerto Rico
TEAM COMPETITION - Girl's
GOLD Bolivia
SILVER Mexico
BRONZE USA
4. Canada
5. Guatemala
6. Costa Rica
7. Ireland
8. Ecuador
9. Nicaragua
10. Dominican Republic
10. Venezuela
12. Honduras
13. South Korea
13. Argentina
TEAM COMPETITION - Overall
GOLD Bolivia
SILVER USA
BRONZE Mexico
4. Canada
5. Costa Rica
6. Guatemala
7. Ecuador
8. Ireland
9. Dominican Republic
10. Colombia
11. Nicaragua
12. Venezuela
13. Chile
14. South Korea
15. Honduras
16. Argentina
17. Puerto Rico
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRF - World Juniors - Doubles finals
In the final day of doubles at the 24th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in Canoga Park, California, saw one 11-10 tie-breaker, as Americans Jordan Barth and Justus Benson defeated Costa Ricans Jose Ubila and Alexander Pirie, 14-15, 15-10, 11-10, in the Boy's U14 final on Saturday.
Also on Saturday in Boy's U16, Mexicans Rodrigo Montoya and Francisco Javier Mar Garcia defeated Canadians Coby Iwaasa and Sami Harb, 15-8, 15-12.
In the last round of Girl's U16 doubles, Mexicans Ximena Gonzalez and Lucia Gonzalez defeated Americans Kaitlin Simmons and Lexi York, 15-7, 15-6, to win the silver medal. The gold medal went to Guatemalans Gabriela Martinez and Maria Renee Rodriguez, who were undefeated in their six matches.
The other divisions wrapped up on Friday.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 Doubles
1. USA 5-0
2. Bolivia 4-1
3. Mexico 3-2
4. Canada 1-4
5. Costa Rica 1-4
6. Guatemala 1-4
Boy's U16 - Final
Mexico d. Canada, 15-8, 15-12
Boy's U14 - Final
USA d. Costa Rica, 14-15, 15-10, 11-10
Girl's U18 Doubles
1. Bolivia 4-0
2. USA 3-1
3. Mexico 2-2
4. Ireland 1-3
5. Canada 0-4
Girl's U16 Doubles
1. Guatemala 6-0
2. Mexico 5-1
2. USA 4-2
3. Bolivia 3-3
4. Canada 2-4
5. Dominican Republic 1-5
6. Ecuador 0-6
Girl's U14 Doubles
1. Costa Rica 4-1
2. Mexico 4-1
3. USA 4-1
4. Canada 2-3
5. Nicaragua 1-4
6. Bolivia 0-5
Follow the bouncing ball....
Also on Saturday in Boy's U16, Mexicans Rodrigo Montoya and Francisco Javier Mar Garcia defeated Canadians Coby Iwaasa and Sami Harb, 15-8, 15-12.
In the last round of Girl's U16 doubles, Mexicans Ximena Gonzalez and Lucia Gonzalez defeated Americans Kaitlin Simmons and Lexi York, 15-7, 15-6, to win the silver medal. The gold medal went to Guatemalans Gabriela Martinez and Maria Renee Rodriguez, who were undefeated in their six matches.
The other divisions wrapped up on Friday.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 Doubles
1. USA 5-0
2. Bolivia 4-1
3. Mexico 3-2
4. Canada 1-4
5. Costa Rica 1-4
6. Guatemala 1-4
Boy's U16 - Final
Mexico d. Canada, 15-8, 15-12
Boy's U14 - Final
USA d. Costa Rica, 14-15, 15-10, 11-10
Girl's U18 Doubles
1. Bolivia 4-0
2. USA 3-1
3. Mexico 2-2
4. Ireland 1-3
5. Canada 0-4
Girl's U16 Doubles
1. Guatemala 6-0
2. Mexico 5-1
2. USA 4-2
3. Bolivia 3-3
4. Canada 2-4
5. Dominican Republic 1-5
6. Ecuador 0-6
Girl's U14 Doubles
1. Costa Rica 4-1
2. Mexico 4-1
3. USA 4-1
4. Canada 2-3
5. Nicaragua 1-4
6. Bolivia 0-5
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, November 18, 2012
LPRT - Longoria wins Puget Sound Challenge
Paola Longoria won her 26th women's professional racquetball tournament, defeating surprise finalist Adrienne Fisher in the final of the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Puget Sound Challenge in Seattle by the scores of 11-2, 11-9, 11-0. The win puts Longoria fourth all time in women's pro racquetball history behind Lynn Adams, who won 45 events, Michelle Gould (41) and Cheryl Gudinas (39), and one ahead of Rhonda Rajich, who's won 25 women's pro events.*
Longoria also kept her winning streak intact. She has not lost a women's pro match since May 2011.
Fisher was in her first final at the pro level. She'd been in seven semi-finals previously, but hadn't won any of them until yesterday, when she defeated Gudinas.
The next LPRT event is the World Professional Racquetball Championships in Cali, Colombia, November 30-December 2.
LPRT 2012 Puget Sound Challenge
Seattle, Washington
Final
1 Paola Longoria d. 6 Adrienne Fisher, 11-2, 11-9, 11-0
*NOTE - The Racquetball Blog acknowledges its records of women's pro tournament results are incomplete.
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria also kept her winning streak intact. She has not lost a women's pro match since May 2011.
Fisher was in her first final at the pro level. She'd been in seven semi-finals previously, but hadn't won any of them until yesterday, when she defeated Gudinas.
The next LPRT event is the World Professional Racquetball Championships in Cali, Colombia, November 30-December 2.
LPRT 2012 Puget Sound Challenge
Seattle, Washington
Final
1 Paola Longoria d. 6 Adrienne Fisher, 11-2, 11-9, 11-0
*NOTE - The Racquetball Blog acknowledges its records of women's pro tournament results are incomplete.
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRF - World Juniors - Rojas wins Boy's U18
Marco Rojas defeated fellow American Jose Diaz in the Boy's U18 final at the 24th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in Canoga Park, California. It was the 3rd time they had met in a World Junior final in the past five years, and they had split the previous meetings. Saturday, Rojas won the tie-breaker, defeating Diaz, 15-14, 15-9.
In Boy's U16, top seed Coby Iwaasa of Canada defeated 2nd seed Andreas Acuña of Costa Rica, 15-11, 15-13. Iwaasa is the first Canadian boy to win a World Junior title since 2000 when Eric Desrochers won in the 14 & under category.
Second seed Gonzalo Paco of Bolivia won Boy's U14, defeating 4th seed Bolivian Cristhian Mina, 15-4, 15-7.
It's the first time since 2001 that a Mexican player has not won one of the boy's World Cup divisions: U14, U16, U18.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 - Final
4. Marco Rojas (USA) v. 6. Jose Diaz (USA), 15-14, 15-9
Boy's U16 - Final
1. Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. 2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica), 15-11, 15-13
Boy's U14 - Final
2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) d. 4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
In Boy's U16, top seed Coby Iwaasa of Canada defeated 2nd seed Andreas Acuña of Costa Rica, 15-11, 15-13. Iwaasa is the first Canadian boy to win a World Junior title since 2000 when Eric Desrochers won in the 14 & under category.
Second seed Gonzalo Paco of Bolivia won Boy's U14, defeating 4th seed Bolivian Cristhian Mina, 15-4, 15-7.
It's the first time since 2001 that a Mexican player has not won one of the boy's World Cup divisions: U14, U16, U18.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 - Final
4. Marco Rojas (USA) v. 6. Jose Diaz (USA), 15-14, 15-9
Boy's U16 - Final
1. Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. 2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica), 15-11, 15-13
Boy's U14 - Final
2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) d. 4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, November 17, 2012
IRF World Juniors - Bolivia wins 2 of 3 girl's gold medals
Bolivia took two of the three gold medals in girl's singles at the 24th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in Canoga Park, California. Maria Jose Vargas won U18 and Natalia Mendez won U16. Mendez had a chance to win U14, but lost the final to Mexican Diana Aguilar.
Vargas's finish was one better than last year, when she was the U18 silver medalist, as she beat her team-mate Adriana Riveros on Saturday, 15-10, 15-5.
Vargas is only the 2nd Bolivian to win Girl's U18 after Yazmine Sabja, who won the title in 2009.
Mendez was the 6th seed in Girl's U16 and she beat the #1 seed, Ximena Gonzalez of Mexico, 15-11, 15-12. Mendez could have been a double gold medalist, but she lost the U14 final, despite being the top seed. But 2nd seed Diana Aguilar of Mexico beat Mendez, 14-15, 15-13, 11-3, to take the U14 gold.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Girl's U18 - Final
4. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) d. 2. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-5
Girl's U16 - Final
6. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. 1. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico), 15-11, 15-12
Girl's U14 - Final
2. Diana Aguilar (Mexico) d. 1. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia), 14-15, 15-13, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball....
Vargas's finish was one better than last year, when she was the U18 silver medalist, as she beat her team-mate Adriana Riveros on Saturday, 15-10, 15-5.
Vargas is only the 2nd Bolivian to win Girl's U18 after Yazmine Sabja, who won the title in 2009.
Mendez was the 6th seed in Girl's U16 and she beat the #1 seed, Ximena Gonzalez of Mexico, 15-11, 15-12. Mendez could have been a double gold medalist, but she lost the U14 final, despite being the top seed. But 2nd seed Diana Aguilar of Mexico beat Mendez, 14-15, 15-13, 11-3, to take the U14 gold.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Girl's U18 - Final
4. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) d. 2. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-5
Girl's U16 - Final
6. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. 1. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico), 15-11, 15-12
Girl's U14 - Final
2. Diana Aguilar (Mexico) d. 1. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia), 14-15, 15-13, 11-3
Follow the bouncing ball....
LPRT - Puget Sound Challenge - Fisher makes 1st career final
Adrirenne Fisher has reached the final of a women's pro racquetball event for the first time in her career, as she'll be in the final of the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Puget Sound Challenge in Seattle. It was generally a day of upsets in Seattle on Saturday. The lower seeded player won four of the six matches in the quarter finals and semi-finals.
LPRT #1 Paola Longoria was the only higher ranked player to win her matches against lower seeded competition, as she defeated 8th seed Cristina Amaya in the quarter finals and then Grace Hughes in the semi-finals, 11-2, 11-2, 11-2.
Hughes, the 12th seed, was an upset winner against 4th seed Kerri Wachtel, winning 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9, in the quarter finals.
On the other side of the draw, Adrienne Fisher's road to the final Saturday began with a win over 3rd seed Krystal Csuk, 11-1, 11-1, 5-11, 11-1, in the quarter finals, and then she defeated Cheryl Gudinas in the semi-finals, 12-10, 5-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-1.
Gudinas defeated 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich in the quarter finals, 11-7, 14-12, 4-11, 11-6.
The final is at noon Pacific time on Sunday, and it should be viewable live via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Puget Sound Challenge
Seattle, Washington
Quarter finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Cristina Amaya
12 Grace Hughes d. 4 Kerri Wachtel, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9
6 Adrienne Fisher d. 3 Krystal Csuk, 11-1, 11-1, 5-11, 11-1
7 Cheryl Gudinas d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 11-7, 14-12, 4-11, 11-6
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 12 Grace Hughes, 11-2, 11-2, 11-2
6 Adrienne Fisher d. 7 Cheryl Gudinas, 12-10, 5-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-1
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 6 Adrienne Fisher
Follow the bouncing ball….
LPRT #1 Paola Longoria was the only higher ranked player to win her matches against lower seeded competition, as she defeated 8th seed Cristina Amaya in the quarter finals and then Grace Hughes in the semi-finals, 11-2, 11-2, 11-2.
Hughes, the 12th seed, was an upset winner against 4th seed Kerri Wachtel, winning 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9, in the quarter finals.
On the other side of the draw, Adrienne Fisher's road to the final Saturday began with a win over 3rd seed Krystal Csuk, 11-1, 11-1, 5-11, 11-1, in the quarter finals, and then she defeated Cheryl Gudinas in the semi-finals, 12-10, 5-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-1.
Gudinas defeated 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich in the quarter finals, 11-7, 14-12, 4-11, 11-6.
The final is at noon Pacific time on Sunday, and it should be viewable live via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Puget Sound Challenge
Seattle, Washington
Quarter finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Cristina Amaya
12 Grace Hughes d. 4 Kerri Wachtel, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9
6 Adrienne Fisher d. 3 Krystal Csuk, 11-1, 11-1, 5-11, 11-1
7 Cheryl Gudinas d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 11-7, 14-12, 4-11, 11-6
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 12 Grace Hughes, 11-2, 11-2, 11-2
6 Adrienne Fisher d. 7 Cheryl Gudinas, 12-10, 5-11, 1-11, 11-8, 11-1
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 6 Adrienne Fisher
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRF World Juniors - Doubles results: Guatemala & Costa Rica with 1st gold ever
A couple of firsts in the doubles competition at the 24th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in Canoga Park, California, as Guatemala and Costa Rica win gold for the first time in international racquetball. Guatemala won gold in Girl's U16 and Costa Rica in Girl's U14.
Girl's Divisions
Adriana Riveros and Maria Jose Vargas are the winners of Girl's U18 doubles, as they defeated Mexicans Alexandra Herrera and Natalia Villagomez on Friday, 13-15, 15-12, 11-0, to finish the five team round robin undefeated. The Mexicans finished 3rd with a 2-2 record, and the USA (Kelani Bailey & Samantha Simmons) was 2nd at 3-1. Rounding out the standings were Ireland (Aisling Hickey & Katie Kenny) at 1-3 and Canada (Zoe Hanson & Brittany Nelson) at 0-4.
There's one round left in the Girl's U16 doubles round robin, but the gold medalists have already been decided as Guatemalans Gabriela Martinez and Maria Renee Rodriguez were undefeated in their six matches, including a win over Mexico, 15-14, 15-8. It's the first gold medal for Guatemala at any level of international racquetball competition.
The Mexicans - Ximena Gonzalez and Lucia Gonzalez - will play USA (Kaitlin Simmons & Lexi York) for silver on Saturday.
There was a 3-way tie Girl's U14 with Mexico, Costa Rica and the USA all finishing with 4-1 win-loss records after the round robin was complete. But it seems Costa Ricans Melania Sauma and Sofia Soley came out on top with Mexicans Diana Aguilar and Mariel Morales second and Americans Jordan Cooperrider and Erika Manilla third.
Rounding out the Girl's U14 doubles standings were Canada at 2-3, Nicaragua (1-4) and Bolivia (0-5).
Boy's divisions
Americans Jose Diaz and Marco Rojas won Boy's U18 doubles going undefeated through the round robin competition, including a win on Friday over Bolivians Danilo Torrico and Vladimir Sona, 15-3, 15-7. That was the Bolivian's only loss, so they are the silver medalists. The bronze goes to Mexicans Salvador Ortiz and Missael Leija, who 3-2 after defeat Costa Rica (Daniel Homberger & Andres Fabian) on Friday, 15-6, 15-3.
The other teams - Canada (Ashton Duda & Samuel Murray), Guatemala (Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Haroldo Galicia) and Costa Rica - all finished at 1-4.
In Boy's U16, it'll be Mexico versus Canada in the final, as the top seeded Mexicans (Rodrigo Montoya & Francisco Javier Mar Garcia) defeated 4th seeds Costa Rica (Andres Acuña & Pablo Sauma) in a tie-breaker, 15-3, 14-15, 11-3. Canadians Coby Iwaasa and Sami Harb had an injury default win over the American team of Adam Manilla and Sawyer Lloyd, as Manilla was injured during his singles match against Iwaasa and could not play doubles.
Upsets in both semi-finals of Boy's U14 doubles, as 5th seed Costa Rica (Jose Ubila & Alexander Pirie) defeated #1 seed Mexico (Victor Camacho & Jordy Alonso), 15-14, 10-15, 11-9, and 3rd seed USA (Jordan Barth & Justus Benson) beat #2 seed Bolivia (Rodrigo Mendoza & Gonzalo Paco), 15-4, 7-15, 11-6.
Play concludes Saturday and there is live streaming of matches from California via the IRF website.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 Doubles
1. USA 5-0
2. Bolivia 4-1
3. Mexico 3-2
4. Canada 1-4
5. Costa Rica 1-4
6. Guatemala 1-4
Boy's U16 - Semi-finals
Mexico d. Costa Rica, 15-3, 14-15, 11-3
Canada d. USA, injury forfeit
Boy's U16 - Final
Mexico v. Canada
Boy's U14 Doubles - Semi-finals
Costa Rica d. Mexica, 15-14, 10-15, 11-9
USA d. Bolivia, 15-4, 7-15, 11-6
Boy's U14 - Final
USA v. Costa Rica
Girl's U18 Doubles
1.Bolivia 4-0
2. USA 3-1
3. Mexico 2-2
4. Ireland 1-3
5. Canada 0-3
Girl's U16 Doubles
1. Guatemala 6-0
2. Mexico 4-1
2. USA 4-1
3. Bolivia 2-3
4. Canada 1-4
4. Dominican Republic 1-4
6. Ecuador 0-5
Girl's U14 Doubles
1. Costa Rica 4-1
2. Mexico 4-1
3. USA 4-1
4. Canada 2-2
5. Nicaragua 1-3
6. Bolivia 0-4
Follow the bouncing ball....
Girl's Divisions
Adriana Riveros and Maria Jose Vargas are the winners of Girl's U18 doubles, as they defeated Mexicans Alexandra Herrera and Natalia Villagomez on Friday, 13-15, 15-12, 11-0, to finish the five team round robin undefeated. The Mexicans finished 3rd with a 2-2 record, and the USA (Kelani Bailey & Samantha Simmons) was 2nd at 3-1. Rounding out the standings were Ireland (Aisling Hickey & Katie Kenny) at 1-3 and Canada (Zoe Hanson & Brittany Nelson) at 0-4.
There's one round left in the Girl's U16 doubles round robin, but the gold medalists have already been decided as Guatemalans Gabriela Martinez and Maria Renee Rodriguez were undefeated in their six matches, including a win over Mexico, 15-14, 15-8. It's the first gold medal for Guatemala at any level of international racquetball competition.
The Mexicans - Ximena Gonzalez and Lucia Gonzalez - will play USA (Kaitlin Simmons & Lexi York) for silver on Saturday.
There was a 3-way tie Girl's U14 with Mexico, Costa Rica and the USA all finishing with 4-1 win-loss records after the round robin was complete. But it seems Costa Ricans Melania Sauma and Sofia Soley came out on top with Mexicans Diana Aguilar and Mariel Morales second and Americans Jordan Cooperrider and Erika Manilla third.
Rounding out the Girl's U14 doubles standings were Canada at 2-3, Nicaragua (1-4) and Bolivia (0-5).
Boy's divisions
Americans Jose Diaz and Marco Rojas won Boy's U18 doubles going undefeated through the round robin competition, including a win on Friday over Bolivians Danilo Torrico and Vladimir Sona, 15-3, 15-7. That was the Bolivian's only loss, so they are the silver medalists. The bronze goes to Mexicans Salvador Ortiz and Missael Leija, who 3-2 after defeat Costa Rica (Daniel Homberger & Andres Fabian) on Friday, 15-6, 15-3.
The other teams - Canada (Ashton Duda & Samuel Murray), Guatemala (Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Haroldo Galicia) and Costa Rica - all finished at 1-4.
In Boy's U16, it'll be Mexico versus Canada in the final, as the top seeded Mexicans (Rodrigo Montoya & Francisco Javier Mar Garcia) defeated 4th seeds Costa Rica (Andres Acuña & Pablo Sauma) in a tie-breaker, 15-3, 14-15, 11-3. Canadians Coby Iwaasa and Sami Harb had an injury default win over the American team of Adam Manilla and Sawyer Lloyd, as Manilla was injured during his singles match against Iwaasa and could not play doubles.
Upsets in both semi-finals of Boy's U14 doubles, as 5th seed Costa Rica (Jose Ubila & Alexander Pirie) defeated #1 seed Mexico (Victor Camacho & Jordy Alonso), 15-14, 10-15, 11-9, and 3rd seed USA (Jordan Barth & Justus Benson) beat #2 seed Bolivia (Rodrigo Mendoza & Gonzalo Paco), 15-4, 7-15, 11-6.
Play concludes Saturday and there is live streaming of matches from California via the IRF website.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 Doubles
1. USA 5-0
2. Bolivia 4-1
3. Mexico 3-2
4. Canada 1-4
5. Costa Rica 1-4
6. Guatemala 1-4
Boy's U16 - Semi-finals
Mexico d. Costa Rica, 15-3, 14-15, 11-3
Canada d. USA, injury forfeit
Boy's U16 - Final
Mexico v. Canada
Boy's U14 Doubles - Semi-finals
Costa Rica d. Mexica, 15-14, 10-15, 11-9
USA d. Bolivia, 15-4, 7-15, 11-6
Boy's U14 - Final
USA v. Costa Rica
Girl's U18 Doubles
1.Bolivia 4-0
2. USA 3-1
3. Mexico 2-2
4. Ireland 1-3
5. Canada 0-3
Girl's U16 Doubles
1. Guatemala 6-0
2. Mexico 4-1
2. USA 4-1
3. Bolivia 2-3
4. Canada 1-4
4. Dominican Republic 1-4
6. Ecuador 0-5
Girl's U14 Doubles
1. Costa Rica 4-1
2. Mexico 4-1
3. USA 4-1
4. Canada 2-2
5. Nicaragua 1-3
6. Bolivia 0-4
Follow the bouncing ball....
LPRT - Puget Sound Challenge - Hughes wins in 16s
Grace Hughes was the big winner in the Round of 16 at the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) the Puget Sound Challenge in Seattle, as she upset 5th seed Susana Acosta, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5. Hughes will face 4th seed Kerri Wachtel in the quarter finals, as Wachtel defeated Linda Scales, 11-7, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8.
Cristina Amaya also had a good win on Friday in the 16, as she defeated Samantha Salas Solis in five games, 2-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3. It wasn't an upset by the seedings, as Amaya was 8th seed and Salas Solis 9th, but Salas Solis has been as high as #3 on the women's pro tour, so it seems like an upset.
Amaya will play top seed Paola Longoria in the quarters. Longoria defeated Sheryl Lotts, 11-8, 11-8, 11-2, in the 16s.
The quarter finals and semi-finals will go on Saturday and final on Sunday. There will be live streaming from Seattle via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Puget Sound Challenge
Seattle, Washington
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Sheryl Lotts, 11-8, 11-8, 11-2
8 Cristina Amaya d. 9 Samantha Salas Solis, 2-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3
12 Grace Hughes d. 5 Susana Acosta, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5
4 Kerri Wachtel d. 13 Linda Scales, 11-7, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8
3 Krystal Csuk d. 14 Laura Brandt, 11-7, 11-3, 11-4
6 Adrienne Fisher d. 11 Da'monique Davis, 11-4, 11-3, 7-11, 11-7
7 Cheryl Gudinas d. 10 T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-1, 11-4, 11-8
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 15 Hailey Miller, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1
Quarter finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Cristina Amaya
4 Kerri Wachtel v. 12 Grace Hughes
3 Krystal Csuk v. 6 Adrienne Fisher
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 7 Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball….
Cristina Amaya also had a good win on Friday in the 16, as she defeated Samantha Salas Solis in five games, 2-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3. It wasn't an upset by the seedings, as Amaya was 8th seed and Salas Solis 9th, but Salas Solis has been as high as #3 on the women's pro tour, so it seems like an upset.
Amaya will play top seed Paola Longoria in the quarters. Longoria defeated Sheryl Lotts, 11-8, 11-8, 11-2, in the 16s.
The quarter finals and semi-finals will go on Saturday and final on Sunday. There will be live streaming from Seattle via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Puget Sound Challenge
Seattle, Washington
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Sheryl Lotts, 11-8, 11-8, 11-2
8 Cristina Amaya d. 9 Samantha Salas Solis, 2-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3
12 Grace Hughes d. 5 Susana Acosta, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5
4 Kerri Wachtel d. 13 Linda Scales, 11-7, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8
3 Krystal Csuk d. 14 Laura Brandt, 11-7, 11-3, 11-4
6 Adrienne Fisher d. 11 Da'monique Davis, 11-4, 11-3, 7-11, 11-7
7 Cheryl Gudinas d. 10 T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-1, 11-4, 11-8
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 15 Hailey Miller, 11-3, 11-2, 11-1
Quarter finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Cristina Amaya
4 Kerri Wachtel v. 12 Grace Hughes
3 Krystal Csuk v. 6 Adrienne Fisher
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 7 Cheryl Gudinas
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRF - World Junior Championships - Girl's Semi-finals
Could Bolivia sweep the gold medals in girl's singles at the 24th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in Canoga Park, California? They have a chance to do so Saturday, and are assured of one gold, as both girls in the U18 final are Bolivian.
One of those Bolivian players has been there before, as Maria Jose Vargas was the U18 silver medalist last year. She's assured of at least silver this year, as she defeated Aisling Hickey of Ireland in the semi-finals, 15-7, 15-8.
Vargas will play her team-mate Adriana Riveros in the U18 final, as Riveros defeated American Kelani Bailey in the other semi, 12-15, 15-3, 11-5.
If Bolivia do sweep the gold medals, then Natalia Mendez will have two gold medals, as she's in both the U14 and U16 finals.
The Girl's U16 final will be between top seed Ximena Gonzalez of Mexico and 6th seeded Mendez. Gonzalez had the tougher semi-final though, as she needed a tie-breaker to defeat Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala, and even then only won by a single point, 15-12, 11-15, 11-10. In the other semi, Mendez defeated Canadian Michèle Morissette, 15-11, 15-4.
In Girl's U14, Mendez is the top seed, and she defeated American Erika Manilla, 15-5, 15-4, in one semi-final, and second seed Diana Aguilar of Mexico beat Costa Rican Melania Sauma, 15-1, 15-2, in the other.
The finals are Saturday morning and some of them will be viewable on line via the IRF website.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Girl's U18 - Semi-finals
4. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) d. 8. Aisling Hickey (Ireland), 15-7, 15-8
2. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) d. 3. Kelani Bailey (USA), 12-15, 15-3, 11-5
Girl's U18 - Final
2. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) v. 4. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia)
Girl's U16 - Semi-finals
1. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico) d. 5. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-12, 11-15, 11-10
6. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. 10. Michèle Morissette (Canada), 15-11, 15-4
Girl's U16 - Final
1. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico) v. 6. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia)
Girl's U14 - Semi-finals
1. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. 4. Erika Manilla (USA), 15-5, 15-4
2. Diana Aguilar (Mexico) d. 3. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-1, 15-2
Girl's U14 - Final
1. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) v. 2. Diana Aguilar (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
One of those Bolivian players has been there before, as Maria Jose Vargas was the U18 silver medalist last year. She's assured of at least silver this year, as she defeated Aisling Hickey of Ireland in the semi-finals, 15-7, 15-8.
Vargas will play her team-mate Adriana Riveros in the U18 final, as Riveros defeated American Kelani Bailey in the other semi, 12-15, 15-3, 11-5.
If Bolivia do sweep the gold medals, then Natalia Mendez will have two gold medals, as she's in both the U14 and U16 finals.
The Girl's U16 final will be between top seed Ximena Gonzalez of Mexico and 6th seeded Mendez. Gonzalez had the tougher semi-final though, as she needed a tie-breaker to defeat Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala, and even then only won by a single point, 15-12, 11-15, 11-10. In the other semi, Mendez defeated Canadian Michèle Morissette, 15-11, 15-4.
In Girl's U14, Mendez is the top seed, and she defeated American Erika Manilla, 15-5, 15-4, in one semi-final, and second seed Diana Aguilar of Mexico beat Costa Rican Melania Sauma, 15-1, 15-2, in the other.
The finals are Saturday morning and some of them will be viewable on line via the IRF website.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Girl's U18 - Semi-finals
4. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) d. 8. Aisling Hickey (Ireland), 15-7, 15-8
2. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) d. 3. Kelani Bailey (USA), 12-15, 15-3, 11-5
Girl's U18 - Final
2. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) v. 4. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia)
Girl's U16 - Semi-finals
1. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico) d. 5. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-12, 11-15, 11-10
6. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. 10. Michèle Morissette (Canada), 15-11, 15-4
Girl's U16 - Final
1. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico) v. 6. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia)
Girl's U14 - Semi-finals
1. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. 4. Erika Manilla (USA), 15-5, 15-4
2. Diana Aguilar (Mexico) d. 3. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-1, 15-2
Girl's U14 - Final
1. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) v. 2. Diana Aguilar (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
IRF World Junior Champions - Boy's Semi-finals
After Friday's boy's semi-finals at the 24th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in Canoga Park, California, it was clear that there would be one American gold medalist and one Bolivian gold medalist and a medalist from neither of those two countries. And that third gold isn't going to a Mexican, which could be the first time in several years that a Mexican boy has not won gold at World Juniors (at least one Mexican boy won gold in the past four World Juniors).
The Boy's U18 semi-finals had two upsets by the rankings, but that's the only way they were upsets as the two players most - including The Racquetball Blog - would have picked to be in the final will be in the final, as it's going to be an All-American showdown between Jose Diaz and Marco Rojas.
A Diaz-Rojas final is a bit of history repeating, as four years ago they met in the U14 final with Diaz winning. Then two years ago they met in the U16 final, when Rojas won. Saturday will be the rubber match in what will be their final match as juniors.
In Friday's semi-finals, Diaz defeated Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 15-7, 15-8, while Rojas beat Salvador Ortiz (Mexico), 15-8, 15-4.
In Boy's U16, the top two seeds are in the final, but they took different routes to getting there from the semis. Top seed Coby Iwaasa of Canada got by American Adam Manilla by injury default after Manilla was hurt when he held an 11-10 lead in the semis.
On other hand 2nd seed Andreas Acuña of Costa Rica narrowly defeated Erik Garcia (Mexico), 15-7, 7-15, 11-10.
One upset in Boy's U14, and it was the #1 seed who went out, as 9th seed Jose Ubilla of Costa Rica defeated #1 seed Jordy Alonso of Mexico, 12-15, 15-13, 11-8. Ubilla will play 4th seed Bolivian Cristhian Mina in the semi-finals, as Mina beat 5th seed John De Michele of Canada, 15-5, 15-7.
On the other side, it'll be 2nd seed Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) versus 3rd seed Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico) on Friday, as Paco beat 10th seed Alejandro Santos (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-3, and Felix defeated 6th Jordan Barth (USA), 15-12, 15-14.
Finally, there will be an all-Bolivia in Boy's U14, as Cristhian Mina defeated Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica), 15-9, 15-8, and Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) beat Alejandro Almade Felix of Mexico, 15-9, 7-15, 11-8.
The elimination round continues Thursday with the quarter finals leading up to the finals on Saturday. There is live streaming of some of the matches from California via the IRF website.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 - Semi-finals
4. Marco Rojas (USA) d. 1. Salvador Ortiz (Mexico), 15-8, 15-4
6. Jose Diaz (USA) d. 2. Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 15-7, 15-8
Boy's U18 - Final
4. Marco Rojas (USA) v. 6. Jose Diaz (USA)
Boy's U16 - Semi-finals
1. Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. 5. Adam Manilla (USA), 10-11, injury forfeit
2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica) d. 3. Erik Garcia (Mexico), 15-7, 7-15, 11-10
Boy's U16 - Final
1. Coby Iwaasa (Canada) v. 2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica)
Boy's U14 - Semi-finals
4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia) d. 9. Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica), 15-9, 15-5
2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) d. 3. Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico), 15-9, 7-15, 11-8
Boy's U14 - Final
4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia) v. 2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia)
Follow the bouncing ball....
The Boy's U18 semi-finals had two upsets by the rankings, but that's the only way they were upsets as the two players most - including The Racquetball Blog - would have picked to be in the final will be in the final, as it's going to be an All-American showdown between Jose Diaz and Marco Rojas.
A Diaz-Rojas final is a bit of history repeating, as four years ago they met in the U14 final with Diaz winning. Then two years ago they met in the U16 final, when Rojas won. Saturday will be the rubber match in what will be their final match as juniors.
In Friday's semi-finals, Diaz defeated Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 15-7, 15-8, while Rojas beat Salvador Ortiz (Mexico), 15-8, 15-4.
In Boy's U16, the top two seeds are in the final, but they took different routes to getting there from the semis. Top seed Coby Iwaasa of Canada got by American Adam Manilla by injury default after Manilla was hurt when he held an 11-10 lead in the semis.
On other hand 2nd seed Andreas Acuña of Costa Rica narrowly defeated Erik Garcia (Mexico), 15-7, 7-15, 11-10.
One upset in Boy's U14, and it was the #1 seed who went out, as 9th seed Jose Ubilla of Costa Rica defeated #1 seed Jordy Alonso of Mexico, 12-15, 15-13, 11-8. Ubilla will play 4th seed Bolivian Cristhian Mina in the semi-finals, as Mina beat 5th seed John De Michele of Canada, 15-5, 15-7.
On the other side, it'll be 2nd seed Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) versus 3rd seed Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico) on Friday, as Paco beat 10th seed Alejandro Santos (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-3, and Felix defeated 6th Jordan Barth (USA), 15-12, 15-14.
Finally, there will be an all-Bolivia in Boy's U14, as Cristhian Mina defeated Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica), 15-9, 15-8, and Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) beat Alejandro Almade Felix of Mexico, 15-9, 7-15, 11-8.
The elimination round continues Thursday with the quarter finals leading up to the finals on Saturday. There is live streaming of some of the matches from California via the IRF website.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 - Semi-finals
4. Marco Rojas (USA) d. 1. Salvador Ortiz (Mexico), 15-8, 15-4
6. Jose Diaz (USA) d. 2. Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 15-7, 15-8
Boy's U18 - Final
4. Marco Rojas (USA) v. 6. Jose Diaz (USA)
Boy's U16 - Semi-finals
1. Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. 5. Adam Manilla (USA), 10-11, injury forfeit
2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica) d. 3. Erik Garcia (Mexico), 15-7, 7-15, 11-10
Boy's U16 - Final
1. Coby Iwaasa (Canada) v. 2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica)
Boy's U14 - Semi-finals
4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia) d. 9. Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica), 15-9, 15-5
2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) d. 3. Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico), 15-9, 7-15, 11-8
Boy's U14 - Final
4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia) v. 2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, November 16, 2012
IRF World Junior Championships - Doubles
They are also playing doubles at the 24th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in Canoga Park, California, and the results so far are mostly as expected.
On the boy's side, they are playing a round robin in U18 as there were six teams entered. But there will be an effective final match as in the last round of the round robin the USA will play Bolivia and both teams are undefeated so far. Americans Jose Diaz and Marco Rojas will face off against Bolivians Danilo Torrico and Vladimir Sona on Friday.
Among the other four teams, three of them could finish with the same record: 2 wins and 3 losses, if Canadians Ashton Duda and Samuel Murray (now 1 & 3) defeat winless Guatemala (Pedro Manolo Sandoval and Edwin Haroldo Galicia) and Costa Ricans Daniel Homberger and Andres Fabian (1 & 3) beat Mexicans Salvador Ortiz and Missael Leija (2 & 2). A tie-breaker would be needed to determine the bronze medalists.
The final four countries in Boy's U16 and U14 almost the same, as USA, Mexico and Costa Rica are semi-finalists in both divisions. But in Boy's U16 Canada will play the USA and in U14 Bolivia plays the USA. Mexico and Costa Rica face each other in both divisions.
Girl's Divisions
Girl's U18 doubles is a five team round robin, and there could be a three team tie, if Mexico defeats Bolivia in the final round of matches on Friday. Currently, Mexico is 2-1, Bolivia 3-0 and the USA 3-1.
There are two rounds left in the Girl's U16 doubles round robin, which involves seven teams. Leading the group now is Guatemala, who are undefeated at 5-0, but they play another undefeated team in Mexico (4-0) on Friday, and that could determine the gold medalist.
"Could determine" because Mexico will have to play USA on Saturday, and the Americans are currently at 3-1, so if they win on Friday against Bolivia (2-2) and beat the Mexicans on Saturday, then the USA could be in a three way tie with Guatemala and Mexico, if Mexico defeats Guatemala on Friday.
The situation in Girl's U14 is also tricky, as there's a potential three way tie for first between Mexico, Costa Rica and the USA, who all have 3 and 1 records going into the last round of matches. In that last round, each of those teams plays one of the other three teams in the six team round robin. Mexico faces Canada (2-2); Costa Rica plays Nicaragua (1-3); and the USA will be up against Bolivia (0-4).
Play continues Friday and concludes Saturday. There is live streaming of matches from California via the IRF website.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 Doubles
USA 4-0
Bolivia 4-0
Mexico 2-2
Canada 1-3
Costa Rica 1-3
Guatemala 0-4
Boy's U16 - Quarter finals
Mexico d. Ecuador, 15-5, 15-7
Costa Rica d. Dominican Republic, 14-15, 15-1, 11-2
USA d. Bolivia, 15-14, 15-5
Canada d. Guatemala, 15-8, 15-6
Boy's U16 - Semi-finals
Mexico v. Costa Rica
Canada v. USA
Boy's U14 Doubles - Quarter finals
Mexico d. Ecuador, 15-10, 15-5
Costa Rica d. Canada, 15-12, 15-3
USA d. Colombia, 15-6, 15-11
Bolivia d. Ireland, 15-1, 15-8
Boy's U14 Doubles - Semi-finals
Mexica v. Costa Rica
Bolivia v. USA
Girl's U18 Doubles
Bolivia 3-0
USA 3-1
Mexico 2-1
Canada 0-3
Ireland 0-3
Girl's U16 Doubles
Guatemala 5-0
Mexico 4-0
USA 3-1
Bolivia 2-2
Canada 1-4
Dominican Republic 0-4
Ecuador 0-4
Girl's U14 Doubles
Mexico 3-1
Costa Rica 3-1
USA 3-1
Canada 2-2
Nicaragua 1-3
Bolivia 0-4
Follow the bouncing ball....
On the boy's side, they are playing a round robin in U18 as there were six teams entered. But there will be an effective final match as in the last round of the round robin the USA will play Bolivia and both teams are undefeated so far. Americans Jose Diaz and Marco Rojas will face off against Bolivians Danilo Torrico and Vladimir Sona on Friday.
Among the other four teams, three of them could finish with the same record: 2 wins and 3 losses, if Canadians Ashton Duda and Samuel Murray (now 1 & 3) defeat winless Guatemala (Pedro Manolo Sandoval and Edwin Haroldo Galicia) and Costa Ricans Daniel Homberger and Andres Fabian (1 & 3) beat Mexicans Salvador Ortiz and Missael Leija (2 & 2). A tie-breaker would be needed to determine the bronze medalists.
The final four countries in Boy's U16 and U14 almost the same, as USA, Mexico and Costa Rica are semi-finalists in both divisions. But in Boy's U16 Canada will play the USA and in U14 Bolivia plays the USA. Mexico and Costa Rica face each other in both divisions.
Girl's Divisions
Girl's U18 doubles is a five team round robin, and there could be a three team tie, if Mexico defeats Bolivia in the final round of matches on Friday. Currently, Mexico is 2-1, Bolivia 3-0 and the USA 3-1.
There are two rounds left in the Girl's U16 doubles round robin, which involves seven teams. Leading the group now is Guatemala, who are undefeated at 5-0, but they play another undefeated team in Mexico (4-0) on Friday, and that could determine the gold medalist.
"Could determine" because Mexico will have to play USA on Saturday, and the Americans are currently at 3-1, so if they win on Friday against Bolivia (2-2) and beat the Mexicans on Saturday, then the USA could be in a three way tie with Guatemala and Mexico, if Mexico defeats Guatemala on Friday.
The situation in Girl's U14 is also tricky, as there's a potential three way tie for first between Mexico, Costa Rica and the USA, who all have 3 and 1 records going into the last round of matches. In that last round, each of those teams plays one of the other three teams in the six team round robin. Mexico faces Canada (2-2); Costa Rica plays Nicaragua (1-3); and the USA will be up against Bolivia (0-4).
Play continues Friday and concludes Saturday. There is live streaming of matches from California via the IRF website.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 Doubles
USA 4-0
Bolivia 4-0
Mexico 2-2
Canada 1-3
Costa Rica 1-3
Guatemala 0-4
Boy's U16 - Quarter finals
Mexico d. Ecuador, 15-5, 15-7
Costa Rica d. Dominican Republic, 14-15, 15-1, 11-2
USA d. Bolivia, 15-14, 15-5
Canada d. Guatemala, 15-8, 15-6
Boy's U16 - Semi-finals
Mexico v. Costa Rica
Canada v. USA
Boy's U14 Doubles - Quarter finals
Mexico d. Ecuador, 15-10, 15-5
Costa Rica d. Canada, 15-12, 15-3
USA d. Colombia, 15-6, 15-11
Bolivia d. Ireland, 15-1, 15-8
Boy's U14 Doubles - Semi-finals
Mexica v. Costa Rica
Bolivia v. USA
Girl's U18 Doubles
Bolivia 3-0
USA 3-1
Mexico 2-1
Canada 0-3
Ireland 0-3
Girl's U16 Doubles
Guatemala 5-0
Mexico 4-0
USA 3-1
Bolivia 2-2
Canada 1-4
Dominican Republic 0-4
Ecuador 0-4
Girl's U14 Doubles
Mexico 3-1
Costa Rica 3-1
USA 3-1
Canada 2-2
Nicaragua 1-3
Bolivia 0-4
Follow the bouncing ball....
LPRT Puget Sound Challenge - 32s
The early results from the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) the Puget Sound Challenge in Seattle has produced no upsets so far, as the bottom three seeds have all lost.
Twelfth seed Grace Hughes defeated 21st seed Leah Redwine, 11-2, 11-2, 12-10. Thirteenth seed Linda Scales beat 20th seed Mara Delay, 11-8, 11-1, 12-10, and eleventh seed Da'monique Davis was a winner against 22nd seed Shannon Henley, 11-0, 11-6, 11-1.
Play begins on Friday morning with the Round of 32 matches. The Round of 16 matches will be Friday afternoon and evening, then the quarter finals and semi-finals will go on Saturday and final on Sunday. There will be live streaming from Seattle via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Puget Sound Challenge
Seattle, Washington
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria BYE
17 Sheryl Lotts d. 16 Cheyenne Hayes, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6
9 Samantha Salas Solis BYE
8 Cristina Amaya BYE
5 Susana Acosta BYE
12 Grace Hughes d. 21 Leah Redwine, 11-2, 11-2, 12-10
13 Linda Scales d. 20 Mara Delay, 11-8, 11-1, 12-10
4 Kerri Wachtel BYE
3 Krystal Csuk BYE
14 Laura Brandt d. 19 Wanda Collins
6 Adrienne Fisher BYE
11 Da'monique Davis d. 22 Shannon Henley, 11-0, 11-6, 11-1
7 Cheryl Gudinas BYE
10 T. J. Baumbaugh BYE
15 Hailey Miller d. 18 Jessica Munoz, 4-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-3
2 Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria v. 17 Sheryl Lotts
8 Cristina Amaya v. 9 Samantha Salas Solis
5 Susana Acosta v. 12 Grace Hughes
4 Kerri Wachtel v. 13 Linda Scales
3 Krystal Csuk v. 14 Laura Brandt
6 Adrienne Fisher v. 11 Da'monique Davis
7 Cheryl Gudinas v. 10 T. J. Baumbaugh
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 15 Hailey Miller
Follow the bouncing ball….
Twelfth seed Grace Hughes defeated 21st seed Leah Redwine, 11-2, 11-2, 12-10. Thirteenth seed Linda Scales beat 20th seed Mara Delay, 11-8, 11-1, 12-10, and eleventh seed Da'monique Davis was a winner against 22nd seed Shannon Henley, 11-0, 11-6, 11-1.
Play begins on Friday morning with the Round of 32 matches. The Round of 16 matches will be Friday afternoon and evening, then the quarter finals and semi-finals will go on Saturday and final on Sunday. There will be live streaming from Seattle via the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2012 Puget Sound Challenge
Seattle, Washington
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria BYE
17 Sheryl Lotts d. 16 Cheyenne Hayes, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6
9 Samantha Salas Solis BYE
8 Cristina Amaya BYE
5 Susana Acosta BYE
12 Grace Hughes d. 21 Leah Redwine, 11-2, 11-2, 12-10
13 Linda Scales d. 20 Mara Delay, 11-8, 11-1, 12-10
4 Kerri Wachtel BYE
3 Krystal Csuk BYE
14 Laura Brandt d. 19 Wanda Collins
6 Adrienne Fisher BYE
11 Da'monique Davis d. 22 Shannon Henley, 11-0, 11-6, 11-1
7 Cheryl Gudinas BYE
10 T. J. Baumbaugh BYE
15 Hailey Miller d. 18 Jessica Munoz, 4-11, 12-10, 11-3, 11-3
2 Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria v. 17 Sheryl Lotts
8 Cristina Amaya v. 9 Samantha Salas Solis
5 Susana Acosta v. 12 Grace Hughes
4 Kerri Wachtel v. 13 Linda Scales
3 Krystal Csuk v. 14 Laura Brandt
6 Adrienne Fisher v. 11 Da'monique Davis
7 Cheryl Gudinas v. 10 T. J. Baumbaugh
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 15 Hailey Miller
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, November 15, 2012
IRF World Junior Championships - Boy's Draws
On small upset in the Boy's U16 at the 24th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in Canoga Park, California, as American Adam Manilla - the 5th seed - won a tie-breaker against the 4th seeded Costa Rican Paulo Sauma, 9-15, 15-7, 11-5.
The three top seeds all won, including #1 seed Coby Iwaasa of Canada, who defeated Mario Mercado of Bolivia, 15-11, 15-11. Iwaasa will play Manilla on Friday in the semi-finals.
The other semi will be between 2nd seed Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica) and 3rd seed Erik Garcia (Mexico). Acuña defeated 10th seed David Tamayo (Ecuador), 15-2, 15-2, while Garcia was a winner against Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-12.
There was also an upset in Boy's U18 but the winner was 6th seed Jose Diaz (USA), who is ranked 19th on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - the highest junior player competing in Los Angeles this week. Diaz defeated 3rd seed Missael Leija (Mexico), 15-7, 15-9.
Diaz will next play 2nd seed Sebastian Franco (Colombia), who beat Canadian Samuel Murray, 15-6, 15-10, in the quarters.
An all American Boy's U18 final remains a possibility as Marco Rojas (USA) beat Edwin Haroldo Galicia Lutin (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-0, on the top side of the draw. Rojas will play Mexican Salvador Ortiz, who was a winner over Ashton Duda (Canada), 15-11, 15-11, in the other semi-final on Friday.
One upset in Boy's U14, and it was the #1 seed who went out, as 9th seed Jose Ubilla of Costa Rica defeated #1 seed Jordy Alonso of Mexico, 12-15, 15-13, 11-8. Ubilla will play 4th seed Bolivian Cristhian Mina in the semi-finals, as Mina beat 5th seed John De Michele of Canada, 15-5, 15-7.
On the other side, it'll be 2nd seed Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) versus 3rd seed Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico) on Friday, as Paco beat 10th seed Alejandro Santos (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-3, and Felix defeated 6th Jordan Barth (USA), 15-12, 15-14.
The elimination round continues Thursday with the U18 quarter finals then the semi-finals will be Friday and the finals on Saturday. There is live streaming of some of the matches from California via the IRF website.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 - Quarter finals
1. Salvador Ortiz (Mexico) d. 8. Ashton Duda (Canada), 15-11, 15-11
4. Marco Rojas (USA) d. 5. Edwin Haroldo Galicia Lutin (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-0
6. Jose Diaz (USA) d. 3. Missael Leija (Mexico), 15-7, 15-9
2. Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. 7. Samuel Murray (Canada), 15-6, 15-10
Boy's U18 - Semi-finals
1. Salvador Ortiz (Mexico) v. 4. Marco Rojas (USA)
2. Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. 6. Jose Diaz (USA)
Boy's U16 - Quarter finals
1. Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. 8. Mario Mercado (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-11
5. Adam Manilla (USA) d. 4. Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica), 9-15, 15-7, 11-5
3. Erik Garcia (Mexico) d. 6. Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-12
2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica) d. 10. David Tamayo (Ecuador), 15-2, 15-2
Boy's U16 - Semi-finals
1. Coby Iwaasa (Canada) v. 5. Adam Manilla (USA)
2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica) v. 3. Erik Garcia (Mexico)
Boy's U14 - Quarter finals
9. Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica) d. 1. Jordy Alonso (Mexico), 12-15, 15-13, 11-8
4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia) d. 5. John De Michele (Mississauga, Ont.), 15-5, 15-7
3. Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico) d. 6. Jordan Barth (USA), 15-12, 15-14
2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) d. 10. Alejandro Santos (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-3
Boy's U14 - Semi-finals
4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia) v. 9. Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica)
2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) v. 3. Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
The three top seeds all won, including #1 seed Coby Iwaasa of Canada, who defeated Mario Mercado of Bolivia, 15-11, 15-11. Iwaasa will play Manilla on Friday in the semi-finals.
The other semi will be between 2nd seed Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica) and 3rd seed Erik Garcia (Mexico). Acuña defeated 10th seed David Tamayo (Ecuador), 15-2, 15-2, while Garcia was a winner against Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-12.
There was also an upset in Boy's U18 but the winner was 6th seed Jose Diaz (USA), who is ranked 19th on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - the highest junior player competing in Los Angeles this week. Diaz defeated 3rd seed Missael Leija (Mexico), 15-7, 15-9.
Diaz will next play 2nd seed Sebastian Franco (Colombia), who beat Canadian Samuel Murray, 15-6, 15-10, in the quarters.
An all American Boy's U18 final remains a possibility as Marco Rojas (USA) beat Edwin Haroldo Galicia Lutin (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-0, on the top side of the draw. Rojas will play Mexican Salvador Ortiz, who was a winner over Ashton Duda (Canada), 15-11, 15-11, in the other semi-final on Friday.
One upset in Boy's U14, and it was the #1 seed who went out, as 9th seed Jose Ubilla of Costa Rica defeated #1 seed Jordy Alonso of Mexico, 12-15, 15-13, 11-8. Ubilla will play 4th seed Bolivian Cristhian Mina in the semi-finals, as Mina beat 5th seed John De Michele of Canada, 15-5, 15-7.
On the other side, it'll be 2nd seed Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) versus 3rd seed Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico) on Friday, as Paco beat 10th seed Alejandro Santos (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-3, and Felix defeated 6th Jordan Barth (USA), 15-12, 15-14.
The elimination round continues Thursday with the U18 quarter finals then the semi-finals will be Friday and the finals on Saturday. There is live streaming of some of the matches from California via the IRF website.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 - Quarter finals
1. Salvador Ortiz (Mexico) d. 8. Ashton Duda (Canada), 15-11, 15-11
4. Marco Rojas (USA) d. 5. Edwin Haroldo Galicia Lutin (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-0
6. Jose Diaz (USA) d. 3. Missael Leija (Mexico), 15-7, 15-9
2. Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. 7. Samuel Murray (Canada), 15-6, 15-10
Boy's U18 - Semi-finals
1. Salvador Ortiz (Mexico) v. 4. Marco Rojas (USA)
2. Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. 6. Jose Diaz (USA)
Boy's U16 - Quarter finals
1. Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. 8. Mario Mercado (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-11
5. Adam Manilla (USA) d. 4. Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica), 9-15, 15-7, 11-5
3. Erik Garcia (Mexico) d. 6. Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-12
2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica) d. 10. David Tamayo (Ecuador), 15-2, 15-2
Boy's U16 - Semi-finals
1. Coby Iwaasa (Canada) v. 5. Adam Manilla (USA)
2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica) v. 3. Erik Garcia (Mexico)
Boy's U14 - Quarter finals
9. Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica) d. 1. Jordy Alonso (Mexico), 12-15, 15-13, 11-8
4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia) d. 5. John De Michele (Mississauga, Ont.), 15-5, 15-7
3. Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico) d. 6. Jordan Barth (USA), 15-12, 15-14
2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) d. 10. Alejandro Santos (Venezuela), 15-7, 15-3
Boy's U14 - Semi-finals
4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia) v. 9. Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica)
2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) v. 3. Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
IRF World Junior Championships - Girl's Quarter finals
Aisling Hickey of Ireland was the big winner of the girl's quarter final matches at the 24th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in Canoga Park, California Thursday, as she defeated the #1 seed in Girl's U18 American Samantha Simmons, 15-4, 15-4. This means Hickey will be getting at least a bronze medal, and The Racquetball Blog believes she's the first Irish player to medal in singles at World Juniors.
Irish players have got bronze medals in doubles the last three World Junior tournaments, and twice Hickey was involved, getting bronze in Girl's U16 doubles in 2010 (with Katie Kenny) and 2009 (with Ciara Mcmanamon).
But to get to the final this year Hickey will have to defeat last year's U18 silver medalist Maria Jose Vargas of Bolivia, as Vargas defeated Mariana Tobon of Venezuela, 15-2, 15-6, on Thursday.
In the other U18 quarter final matches, American Kelani Bailey beat Ana Cristina Velez of Ecuador, 15-5, 15-5, and Bolivian Adriana Riveros Alexandra Herrera of Mexico, 15-8, 15-2.
There were three upsets in the Girl's U16 quarter finals, and the home country players were victims in two of those matches.
Canadian Michèle Morissette defeated 2nd seeded American Rebecca Nielsen, 15-13, 15-10, while 4/5 match went to 5th seed Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala over 4th seed Kaitlin Simmons (USA), 15-2, 15-9.
Rodriguez will play top seed Ximena Gonzalez of Mexico, who defeated Bolivian Mariana Lopez, 15-4, 15-10, in one semi-final on Friday, while Morissette will play 6th seed Natalia Mendez of Bolivia, who defeated 3rd seed Lucia Gonzalez of Mexico, 15-13, 15-12.
The top four seeds in Girl's U14 all won their respective quarter final matches Thursday, and they all did it in two straight games.
Top seed Natalia Mendez of Bolivia defeated American Lexi York, 15-0, 15-7, but York's team-mate Erika Manilla (USA) won her match against Andrea Martinez of Guatemala, 15-5, 15-13. Mendez and Manilla will play each other in the semi-finals on Friday.
The other semi-final will be between Costa Rican Melina Sauma and Mexican Diana Aguilar after they won their respective quarter finals. Sauma was a winner against Mexican Ana Gasca, 15-5, 15-14, while Aguilar defeated Sofia Soley of Costa Rica, 15-3, 15-12.
The players in the other girl's divisions are still to play on Thursday.
The elimination round continues Thursday with the finals on Saturday. There is live streaming of some of the matches from California via the IRF website.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Girl's U18 - Quarter finals
8. Aisling Hickey (Ireland) d. 1. Samantha Simmons (USA), 15-4, 15-4
4. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) d. 5. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-6
3. Kelani Bailey (USA) d. 6. Ana Cristina Velez (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-5
2. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) v. 7. Alexandra Herrera (Mexico), 15-8, 15-2
Girl's U18 - Semi-finals
4. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) v. 8. Aisling Hickey (Ireland)
2. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) v. 3. Kelani Bailey (USA)
Girl's U16 - Quarter finals
1. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico) d. 8. Mariana Lopez (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-10
5. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. 4. Kaitlin Simmons (USA), 15-2, 15-9
6. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. 3. Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico), 15-13, 15-12
10. Michèle Morissette (Canada) d. 2. Rebecca Nielsen (USA), 15-13, 15-10
Girl's U16 - Semi-finals
1. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico) v. 5. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
6. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) v. 10. Michèle Morissette (Canada)
Girl's U14 - Quarter finals
1. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. 9. Lexi York (USA), 15-0, 15-7
4. Erika Manilla (USA) d. 12. Andrea Martinez (Guatemala), 15-5, 15-13
3. Melina Sauma (Costa Rica) d. 6. Ana Gasca (Mexico), 15-5, 15-14
2. Diana Aguilar (Mexico) d. 7. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-3, 15-12
Girl's U14 - Semi-finals
1. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) v. 4. Erika Manilla (USA)
2. Diana Aguilar (Mexico) v. 3. Melina Sauma (Costa Rica)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Irish players have got bronze medals in doubles the last three World Junior tournaments, and twice Hickey was involved, getting bronze in Girl's U16 doubles in 2010 (with Katie Kenny) and 2009 (with Ciara Mcmanamon).
But to get to the final this year Hickey will have to defeat last year's U18 silver medalist Maria Jose Vargas of Bolivia, as Vargas defeated Mariana Tobon of Venezuela, 15-2, 15-6, on Thursday.
In the other U18 quarter final matches, American Kelani Bailey beat Ana Cristina Velez of Ecuador, 15-5, 15-5, and Bolivian Adriana Riveros Alexandra Herrera of Mexico, 15-8, 15-2.
There were three upsets in the Girl's U16 quarter finals, and the home country players were victims in two of those matches.
Canadian Michèle Morissette defeated 2nd seeded American Rebecca Nielsen, 15-13, 15-10, while 4/5 match went to 5th seed Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala over 4th seed Kaitlin Simmons (USA), 15-2, 15-9.
Rodriguez will play top seed Ximena Gonzalez of Mexico, who defeated Bolivian Mariana Lopez, 15-4, 15-10, in one semi-final on Friday, while Morissette will play 6th seed Natalia Mendez of Bolivia, who defeated 3rd seed Lucia Gonzalez of Mexico, 15-13, 15-12.
The top four seeds in Girl's U14 all won their respective quarter final matches Thursday, and they all did it in two straight games.
Top seed Natalia Mendez of Bolivia defeated American Lexi York, 15-0, 15-7, but York's team-mate Erika Manilla (USA) won her match against Andrea Martinez of Guatemala, 15-5, 15-13. Mendez and Manilla will play each other in the semi-finals on Friday.
The other semi-final will be between Costa Rican Melina Sauma and Mexican Diana Aguilar after they won their respective quarter finals. Sauma was a winner against Mexican Ana Gasca, 15-5, 15-14, while Aguilar defeated Sofia Soley of Costa Rica, 15-3, 15-12.
The players in the other girl's divisions are still to play on Thursday.
The elimination round continues Thursday with the finals on Saturday. There is live streaming of some of the matches from California via the IRF website.
24th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Girl's U18 - Quarter finals
8. Aisling Hickey (Ireland) d. 1. Samantha Simmons (USA), 15-4, 15-4
4. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) d. 5. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-6
3. Kelani Bailey (USA) d. 6. Ana Cristina Velez (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-5
2. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) v. 7. Alexandra Herrera (Mexico), 15-8, 15-2
Girl's U18 - Semi-finals
4. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) v. 8. Aisling Hickey (Ireland)
2. Adriana Riveros (Bolivia) v. 3. Kelani Bailey (USA)
Girl's U16 - Quarter finals
1. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico) d. 8. Mariana Lopez (Bolivia), 15-4, 15-10
5. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. 4. Kaitlin Simmons (USA), 15-2, 15-9
6. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. 3. Lucia Gonzalez (Mexico), 15-13, 15-12
10. Michèle Morissette (Canada) d. 2. Rebecca Nielsen (USA), 15-13, 15-10
Girl's U16 - Semi-finals
1. Ximena Gonzalez (Mexico) v. 5. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
6. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) v. 10. Michèle Morissette (Canada)
Girl's U14 - Quarter finals
1. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. 9. Lexi York (USA), 15-0, 15-7
4. Erika Manilla (USA) d. 12. Andrea Martinez (Guatemala), 15-5, 15-13
3. Melina Sauma (Costa Rica) d. 6. Ana Gasca (Mexico), 15-5, 15-14
2. Diana Aguilar (Mexico) d. 7. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-3, 15-12
Girl's U14 - Semi-finals
1. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) v. 4. Erika Manilla (USA)
2. Diana Aguilar (Mexico) v. 3. Melina Sauma (Costa Rica)
Follow the bouncing ball....
LPRT - Puget Sound Challenge Preview
The Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) is in action in Seattle with the Puget Sound Challenge this weekend. Twenty two players are in the draw, and twenty one of them will be trying to stop Paola Longoria's winning streak that is goes back to May 2011. But Longoria, the LPRT's #1 player, is certainly the one to beat.
The first best chance to beat Longoria could go to Samantha Salas Solis in the quarter finals in what would be a Mexican showdown between World Champion doubles players.
Another interesting potential quarter final match could be LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajsich versus Cheryl Gudinas, which would be a battle former #1 players.
Also of interest will be the performance of Krystal Csuk and Kerri Wachtel, as they are separated by only a few points in the rankings at #3 and #4 respectively, so if Wachtel goes further in the draw than Csuk, she could take back the #3 spot.
Play begins on Friday morning with the Round of 32 matches. The Round of 16 matches will be Friday afternoon and evening, then the quarter finals and semi-finals will go on Saturday and final on Sunday. There will be live streaming from Seattle via the LPRT Network.
2012 Puget Sound Challenge
Seattle, Washington
LPRT Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria BYE
16 Cheyenne Hayes v. 17 Sheryl Lotts
9 Samantha Salas Solis BYE
8 Cristina Amaya BYE
5 Susana Acosta BYE
12 Grace Hughes v. 21 Leah Redwine
13 Linda Scales v. 20 Mara Delay
4 Kerri Wachtel BYE
3 Krystal Csuk BYE
14 Laura Brandt v. 19 Wanda Collins
6 Adrienne Fisher BYE
11 Da'monique Davis v. 22 Shannon Henley
7 Cheryl Gudinas BYE
10 T. J. Baumbaugh BYE
15 Hailey Miller v. 18 Jessica Munoz
2 Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
The first best chance to beat Longoria could go to Samantha Salas Solis in the quarter finals in what would be a Mexican showdown between World Champion doubles players.
Another interesting potential quarter final match could be LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajsich versus Cheryl Gudinas, which would be a battle former #1 players.
Also of interest will be the performance of Krystal Csuk and Kerri Wachtel, as they are separated by only a few points in the rankings at #3 and #4 respectively, so if Wachtel goes further in the draw than Csuk, she could take back the #3 spot.
Play begins on Friday morning with the Round of 32 matches. The Round of 16 matches will be Friday afternoon and evening, then the quarter finals and semi-finals will go on Saturday and final on Sunday. There will be live streaming from Seattle via the LPRT Network.
2012 Puget Sound Challenge
Seattle, Washington
LPRT Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria BYE
16 Cheyenne Hayes v. 17 Sheryl Lotts
9 Samantha Salas Solis BYE
8 Cristina Amaya BYE
5 Susana Acosta BYE
12 Grace Hughes v. 21 Leah Redwine
13 Linda Scales v. 20 Mara Delay
4 Kerri Wachtel BYE
3 Krystal Csuk BYE
14 Laura Brandt v. 19 Wanda Collins
6 Adrienne Fisher BYE
11 Da'monique Davis v. 22 Shannon Henley
7 Cheryl Gudinas BYE
10 T. J. Baumbaugh BYE
15 Hailey Miller v. 18 Jessica Munoz
2 Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRF World Junior Championships - Boy's 16s
In the Boy's World Cup divisions - U14, U16, U18 - at the 24th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in Canoga Park, California, the first day of elimination play only produced a few upsets in the Round of 16.
None of those happened in Boy's U18. But there was one in U16, as 10th seed David Tamayo of Ecuador defeated 7th seed Connor Laffey (USA), 15-14, 4-15, 11-5.
And there were two upsets in Boy's U14. Tenth seed Alejandro Santos of Venezuela defeated 7th seed Trevor Webb (Canada), 15-7, 15-6, and 9th seed Jose Ubilla of Costa Rica beat 8th seed Daniel Rojas of the USA, 15-11, 15-14.
The elimination round continues Thursday with the quarter finals leading up to the finals on Saturday. There is live streaming of some of the matches from California via the IRF website.
24rd IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 - Round of 16
1. Salvador Ortiz (Mexico) d. 17. Padraic Ryder (Ireland), 15-1, 15-0
8. Ashton Duda (Regina) d. 9. Andres Fabian (Costa Rica), 15-11, 15-3
5. Edwin Haroldo Galicia Lutin (Guatemala) d. 12. Fracisco Troncoso (Chile), 12-15, 15-14, 11-6
4. Marco Rojas (USA) d. 13. Fabian Gutierrez (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-5
3. Missael Leija (Mexico) d. 14. Fraco Capandegui (Argentina), 15-5, 15-8
6. Jose Diaz (USA) d. 11. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-7, 15-2
7. Samuel Murray (Baie Comeau, Que.) d. 10. Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica), 15-14, 15-7
2. Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. 15. Esteban Reque (Bolivia), 15-1, 15-8
Boy's U18 - Quarter finals
1. Salvador Ortiz (Mexico) v. 8. Ashton Duda (Regina)
4. Marco Rojas (USA) v. 5. Edwin Haroldo Galicia Lutin (Guatemala)
3. Missael Leija (Mexico) v. 6. Jose Diaz (USA)
2. Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. 7. Samuel Murray (Baie Comeau, Que.)
Boy's U16 Seeding - Round of 16
1. Coby Iwaasa (Lethbridge, Alta.) d. 16. Juan Jose Salvatierra Mayen (Guatemala), 15-5, 15-2
8. Mario Mercado (Bolivia) d. 9. Sami Harb (Burlington, Ont.), 15-6, 15-14
5. Adam Manilla (USA) d. 12. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-13, 11-15, 11-4
4. Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica) d. 13 Luciano Garcia (Nicaragua), 0-15, 15-11, 11-6
3. Erik Garcia (Mexico) d. 14. Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic), 15-0, 15-7
6. Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. 11. Francisco Javier Garcia Mar (Mexico), 15-14, 15-14
10. David Tamayo (Ecuador) d. 7. Connor Laffey (USA), 15-14, 4-15, 11-5
2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica) d. 15. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-0, 15-0
Boy's U16 Seeding - Quarter finals
1. Coby Iwaasa (Lethbridge, Alta.) v. 8. Mario Mercado (Bolivia)
4. Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica) v. 5. Adam Manilla (USA)
3. Erik Garcia (Mexico) v. 6. Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica) v. 10. David Tamayo (Ecuador)
Boy's U14 - Round of 16
1. Jordy Alonso (Mexico) d. 16. Set Cubillos (Colombia), 15-0, 15-6
9. Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica) d. 8. Daniel Rojas (USA), 15-11, 15-14
5. John De Michele (Mississauga, Ont.) d. 21. Diego Silva (Chile), 15-12, 15-5
4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia) d. 20. Alexander Pirie (Costa Rica), 15-7, 15-13
3. Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico) d. 14. Christian Chavez (Ecuador), 15-7, 15-6
6. Jordan Barth (USA) d. 22. Sebastian Barrios (Nicaragua), 15-0, 15-2
10. Alejandro Santos (Venezuela) d. 7. Trevor Webb (Cambridge, Ont.), 15-7, 15-6
2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) d. 18. Kim Kunwoo (South Korea), 15-3, 15-0
Boy's U14 - Quarter finals
1. Jordy Alonso (Mexico) v. 9. Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica)
4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia) v. 5. John De Michele (Mississauga, Ont.)
3. Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico) v. 6. Jordan Barth (USA)
2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) v. 10. Alejandro Santos (Venezuela)
Follow the bouncing ball....
None of those happened in Boy's U18. But there was one in U16, as 10th seed David Tamayo of Ecuador defeated 7th seed Connor Laffey (USA), 15-14, 4-15, 11-5.
And there were two upsets in Boy's U14. Tenth seed Alejandro Santos of Venezuela defeated 7th seed Trevor Webb (Canada), 15-7, 15-6, and 9th seed Jose Ubilla of Costa Rica beat 8th seed Daniel Rojas of the USA, 15-11, 15-14.
The elimination round continues Thursday with the quarter finals leading up to the finals on Saturday. There is live streaming of some of the matches from California via the IRF website.
24rd IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Canoga Park, California
Boy's U18 - Round of 16
1. Salvador Ortiz (Mexico) d. 17. Padraic Ryder (Ireland), 15-1, 15-0
8. Ashton Duda (Regina) d. 9. Andres Fabian (Costa Rica), 15-11, 15-3
5. Edwin Haroldo Galicia Lutin (Guatemala) d. 12. Fracisco Troncoso (Chile), 12-15, 15-14, 11-6
4. Marco Rojas (USA) d. 13. Fabian Gutierrez (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-5
3. Missael Leija (Mexico) d. 14. Fraco Capandegui (Argentina), 15-5, 15-8
6. Jose Diaz (USA) d. 11. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-7, 15-2
7. Samuel Murray (Baie Comeau, Que.) d. 10. Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica), 15-14, 15-7
2. Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. 15. Esteban Reque (Bolivia), 15-1, 15-8
Boy's U18 - Quarter finals
1. Salvador Ortiz (Mexico) v. 8. Ashton Duda (Regina)
4. Marco Rojas (USA) v. 5. Edwin Haroldo Galicia Lutin (Guatemala)
3. Missael Leija (Mexico) v. 6. Jose Diaz (USA)
2. Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. 7. Samuel Murray (Baie Comeau, Que.)
Boy's U16 Seeding - Round of 16
1. Coby Iwaasa (Lethbridge, Alta.) d. 16. Juan Jose Salvatierra Mayen (Guatemala), 15-5, 15-2
8. Mario Mercado (Bolivia) d. 9. Sami Harb (Burlington, Ont.), 15-6, 15-14
5. Adam Manilla (USA) d. 12. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-13, 11-15, 11-4
4. Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica) d. 13 Luciano Garcia (Nicaragua), 0-15, 15-11, 11-6
3. Erik Garcia (Mexico) d. 14. Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic), 15-0, 15-7
6. Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. 11. Francisco Javier Garcia Mar (Mexico), 15-14, 15-14
10. David Tamayo (Ecuador) d. 7. Connor Laffey (USA), 15-14, 4-15, 11-5
2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica) d. 15. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-0, 15-0
Boy's U16 Seeding - Quarter finals
1. Coby Iwaasa (Lethbridge, Alta.) v. 8. Mario Mercado (Bolivia)
4. Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica) v. 5. Adam Manilla (USA)
3. Erik Garcia (Mexico) v. 6. Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
2. Andreas Acuña (Costa Rica) v. 10. David Tamayo (Ecuador)
Boy's U14 - Round of 16
1. Jordy Alonso (Mexico) d. 16. Set Cubillos (Colombia), 15-0, 15-6
9. Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica) d. 8. Daniel Rojas (USA), 15-11, 15-14
5. John De Michele (Mississauga, Ont.) d. 21. Diego Silva (Chile), 15-12, 15-5
4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia) d. 20. Alexander Pirie (Costa Rica), 15-7, 15-13
3. Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico) d. 14. Christian Chavez (Ecuador), 15-7, 15-6
6. Jordan Barth (USA) d. 22. Sebastian Barrios (Nicaragua), 15-0, 15-2
10. Alejandro Santos (Venezuela) d. 7. Trevor Webb (Cambridge, Ont.), 15-7, 15-6
2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) d. 18. Kim Kunwoo (South Korea), 15-3, 15-0
Boy's U14 - Quarter finals
1. Jordy Alonso (Mexico) v. 9. Jose Ubilla (Costa Rica)
4. Cristhian Mina (Bolivia) v. 5. John De Michele (Mississauga, Ont.)
3. Alejandro Almada Felix (Mexico) v. 6. Jordan Barth (USA)
2. Gonzalo Paco (Bolivia) v. 10. Alejandro Santos (Venezuela)
Follow the bouncing ball....
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