Penultimate WPRO Rankings for this season

The Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) 2011-12 season ends this weekend with the SCS Title and Escrow Pro-Am in Herndon, Virginia. After that the season ending rankings will come out, so this will be the last opportunity for players to earn ranking points.

The top three WPRO ranks are assured. Paola Longoria will finish #1, as she's been undefeated this season, winning six WPRO events. Rhonda Rajsich, who has been in every WPRO final this season winning one and losing the others to Longoria, will be #2. Kerri Wachtel with four semi-final finishes - more than any other WPRO player - will be #3.

But after that it gets interesting.

Krystal Csuk is #4, which is a career high for her, but she's only slightly ahead of #5 Adrienne Fisher - a mere 1.75 points, and Jennifer Saunders isn't that far behind them in 6th spot.

Samantha Salas is in 7th, but she hasn't played a WPRO event since the US Open, and as of this writing is not on the list of participants for Herndon. Thus, Salas is unlikely to move up in the season ending rankings. However, Susy Acosta or Cristina Amaya might, as they are both within 100 points of Csuk, and now in 8th and 9th places, respectively.

Kristen Bellows is back in the top 10 for the first time in two years, but she's also not currently registered for Herndon, so she may not finish there.

Cheryl Gudinas will be in Herndon, and will be looking for a good result, so she can continue her streak of finishing in the top 10 every season since 1994. Gudinas is in 12th currently, but 10th on the season to date points.

WPRO Rankings - April 23, 2012 


Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1372.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1125.00
3 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 559.40
4 Krystal Csuk (USA) 394.00
5 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 392.25
6 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 332.00
7 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 319.50
8 Susy Acosta (Mexico) 303.50
9 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 294.25
10 Kristen Bellows (USA) 226.50

11 Da'monique Davis (USA) 224.75
12 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 219.00
13 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 212.50
14 Linda Scales (USA) 129.00
15 Angela Grisar (Chile) 121.00
16 Keely Franks (USA) 110.00
17 Laura Brandt (USA) 107.50
18  Sharon Jackson (USA) 96.10
19 Christie Huczek (Canada) 86.25
20 Grace Hughes (USA) 72.00

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

Iwaasa & Morissette are 2012 Canadian Junior Racquetball Champions

Coby Iwaasa and Michèle Morissette proved themselves to be the best junior racquetball players in Canada on Saturday at the 2012 Canadian Junior Racquetball Championships in Winnipeg, as they won their respective U18 finals as well as the U16 finals.

Iwaasa - the 15th ranked male player in Canada - defeated Sami Harb in the Boys U16 final, 15-11, 15-9.  He then beat Ashton Duda in the Boys U18 final, 15-5, 15-3.

The Boys U18 doubles title went to Samuel Murray and Sébastien Juteau, who defeated Anthony Schonberger and Mitch Brayley, 15-6, 15-10, in the final.

Morissette won Girls U16 with a 15-7, 15-6, victory over Danielle Drury, and took Girls U18 by defeating Brittany Nelson, 15-0, 12-15, 11-4. Nelson did win U18 Girls doubles with Lindsay Swaine, as they beat Zoe Hanson & Teighan Fleming, 15-2, 15-12.

Both Iwaasa and Morissette were competing in their first years of eligibility in U16, so they both have three years of junior eligibility remaining.

Iwaasa and Morissette as well as the other finalists in the U14, U16 and U18 divisions qualified for the Canadian Junior National Racquetball Team that will compete at the 2012 World Junior Racquetball Championships in Los Angeles in November.

2012 Canadian Racquetball Championships - Winnipeg
Results Summary 


Boys Singles Finals

U18 - Coby Iwaasa d. Ashton Duda, 15-5, 15-3
U16 - Coby Iwaasa d. Sami Harb, 15-11, 15-9
U14 - John De Michele d. Trevor Webb, 15-5, 15-3

Boys Doubles Finals

U18 - Samuel Murray & Sébastien Juteau  d. Anthony Schonberger & Mitch Brayley, 15-6, 15-10
U16 - Michael Leduc & Nicolas Bousquet d. Jacob Lickers & Sami Harb, 15-7, 15-7
U14 - Nadav Dinur & Trevor Webb d. Connor Madill & Graham Frattinger, 15-10, 15-10

Girls Singles Finals 

U18 - Michèle Morissette d. Brittany Nelson, 15-0, 12-15, 11-4
U16 - Michèle Morissette d. Danielle Drury, 15-7, 15-6
U14 - Alexis Iwaasa d. Callie Drury, 15-9, 15-17, 11-5

Girls Doubles Finals 

U18 - Brittany Nelson & Lindsay Swaine  d. Zoe Hanson & Teighan Fleming, 15-2, 15-12
U16 - Alexandra Murray & Milana Paddock d. Josephine Choi & Jewel Sauvé, 15-7, 6-15, 11-7
U14 - Josephine Choi & Jewel Sauvé d. Spencer Kushnir & Tate Kushnir,  15-6, 15-1

Follow the bouncing ball....  

Longoria defeats Rajsich once again to win WPRO's Battle of the Alamo

Paola Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich for the 8th consecutive time in a battle of the top two Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) players, as Longoria won the 2012 Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas by the score line of 11-9, 11-8, 11-7.

The Battle of the Alamo title is Longoria's 6th of the WPRO season. She's won every event since the first one: the Texas Open, which was won by Rajsich last August.

The WPRO announced their next event - the SCS Title and Escrow Pro-Am in Herndon, Virginia from May 3-6 - will end their 2011-12 season.

2012 WPRO Battle at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 


Final

Paola Longoria d.  Rhonda Rajsich, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

Waselenchuk wins his 8th tournament of the season

Kane Waselenchuk - the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - won the 2012 Stockton Pro/Am in Stockton, California Sunday by defeating Alvaro Beltran in the final, 7-11, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5. The win is Waselenchuk's 8th of the season. He's only lost by default this season, bowing out of the final of the New York City Pro-Am against Rocky Carson.

The next premier IRT is the Ektelon Nationals in Fullerton, California from May 23 to 27. That event is a Grand Slam and the last tournament of the 2011-12 season.

2012 Stockton Pro-Am - Stockton, California 


Final

Kane Waselenchuk d. Alvaro Beltran, 7-11, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

Waselenchuk dominant in semi-finals of Stockton Pro-Am

Kane Waselenchuk put the hammer down in the semi-finals of the Stockton Pro/Am in Stockton, California, this weekend's Tier 1 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), as the #1 IRT player beat Chris Crowther, 11-2, 11-4, 11-0, to advance to Sunday's final.

After losing game one, it seemed that Crowther had a glimmer of hope as he was up 3-0 in game two. However, Waseelenchuk, the winner of seven IRT events this season, proceeded to win the 22 of the next 23 points to take games two and three with a dominating performance.

Alvaro Beltran will be Waselenchuk's opponent in the final, as Beltran upset IRT #2 Rocky Carson in four games, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 13-11.

The last time Waselenchuk and Beltran played was in the final of the Florida Spring Break event, when Waselenchuk defeated Beltran in four games. But during that match Waselenchuk felt Beltran mocked him as if Beltran didn't believe that Waselenchuk, who was playing his first tournament after sitting out two events due to a back injury, was injured at all.

Waselenchuk had suffered a back injury that led to his withdrawal from the final of the New York City event and then kept him out of the following two IRT events.

Thus, there may be extra incentive for Waselenchuk on Sunday against Beltran, and usually giving the #1 IRT player extra incentive to perform well is not a good thing to do.

The IRT Network will web-cast the Stockton Pro-Am final Sunday beginning at noon PDT.

2012 Stockton Pro-Am - Stockton, California 


Semi-finals 

Kane Waselenchuk d. Chris Crowther, 11-2, 11-4, 11-0
Alvaro Beltran d. Rocky Carson, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 13-11

Final

Kane Waselenchuk v. Alvaro Beltran - Noon Sunday PDT

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

Longoria & Rajsich to meet in final of the WPRO Battle at the Alamo

Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich - the top two Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) players - ended the hopes of Kristen Bellows and Cheryl Gudinas to re-live past glory at the Battle at the Alamo tournament in San Antonio, Texas, as they soundly beat the former top 4 players in the semi-finals Saturday night.

Longoria defeated Gudinas, 11-1, 11-1, 11-3, while Rajsich beat Bellows  11-4, 11-1, 11-1. Longoria's only given up 24 points in nine games (2.67 pts per game) in advancing to the final, while Rajsich has surrendered 33 points in nine games (3.67).

Longoria will be looking to win her 6th title of the WPRO season, and 7th consecutive WPRO win against Rajsich, who last beat Longoria in Stockton in May 2011.

2012 WPRO Battle at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 


Semi-finals 

Paola Longoria d.  Cheryl Gudinas, 11-1, 11-1, 11-3
Rhonda Rajsich d. Kristen Bellows, 11-4, 11-1, 11-1

Final

Paola Longoria v.  Rhonda Rajsich

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

Semis finals set in San Antonio at the WPRO Battle at the Alamo

The semi-finals of the  Battle at the Alamo tournament in San Antonio, Texas on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour is like a blast from the past, as the current top two players - Paola Longoria  (#1) and Rhonda Rajsich (#2) are joined by former top 4 players Kristen Bellows and Cheryl Gudinas. They'll playoff later today.

The top seeds won their quarter final matches in three straight games. Longoria took out Jennifer Saunders, 11-3, 11-4, 11-3, and Rajsich beat Cristina Amaya, 11-8, 11-7, 11-0.

Bellows and Gudinas needed four games each to win their quarter final matches. Bellows upset 3rd seed Kerri Wachtel, 7-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-1, while Gudinas defeated 4th seed Adrienne Fisher, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-1, to reach the semi-finals for the first time since last August.

2012 Battle at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 

Quarter finals 

Paola Longoria d. Jennifer Saunders, 11-3, 11-4, 11-3
Cheryl Gudinas d. Adrienne Fisher, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-1

Kristen Bellows d. Kerri Wachtel, 7-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-1
Rhonda Rajsich d. Cristina Amaya, 11-8, 11-7, 11-0

Semi-finals 

Paola Longoria v.  Cheryl Gudinas
Rhonda Rajsich v. Kristen Bellows

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

Crowther into semis at IRT Stockton Pro-Am

Jose Rojas got his first tournament win on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) earlier this season, but he'll have to wait for his first tournament win at his home club as he fell to Chris Crowther in the quarter finals of the Stockton Pro/Am in Stockton, California, 6-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7. Crowther will play in the semi-finals for the first time since January, when he made the semis in New York City.

Top seed and IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk will be Crowther's opponent in the semi-finals on Saturday, as Waselenchuk beat Tony Carson, 11-0, 11-3, 11-1. In two matches Friday, Waselenchuk gave up 8 points in total. Eight points! That's making a statement.

On the other side of the draw, it will be IRT #2 Rocky Carson versus Alvaro Beltran, as Beltran upset 3rd seed Ben Croft in the quarters, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10. Carson defeated Shane Vanderson in three straight games, 11-4, 11-8, 15-13.

The IRT Network will web-casting the semi-finals of the Stockton Pro-Am Quarter Saturday April 21 beginning at 4 PM PDT.

2012 Stockton Pro-Am - Stockton, California 

Quarter finals 

Kane Waselenchuk d. Tony Carson, 11-0, 11-3, 11-1
Chris Crowther d. Jose Rojas, 6-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7

Alvaro Beltran d. Ben Croft, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10
Rocky Carson d. Shane Vanderson, 11-4, 11-8, 15-13

Semi-finals 

Kane Waselenchuk v. Chris Crowther - 5 PM PDT
Rocky Carson v. Alvaro Beltran - 4 PM PDT

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

Gudinas & Bellows into quarters in WPRO San Antonio tournament

For the first time this Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) season, Kristen Bellows and Cheryl Gudinas have both reached the quarter finals of a Tier 1 event, as they won their Round of 16 matches Friday at the Battle at the Alamo tournament in San Antonio, Texas.

Bellows had the tougher time of it, as she faced Susana Acosta, who always seems to play long matches regardless of her opponent, and this was another one of those matches. It took 92 points to determine the outcome, as Bellows won in five games, 12-10, 11-13, 5-11, 11-7, 12-10.

That result made Gudinas's four game win against Krystal Csuk,  9-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-8, seem pedestrian.

The higher seeds prevailed in all the other matches. Top seed Paola Longoria advanced to the quarters with a comfortable win over Grace Hughes, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4. Second seed Rhonda Rajsich also won in three straight games against Keely Franks, 11-4, 11-2, 11-6.

WPRO Battle at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 

Round of 16

Paola Longoria d. Grace Hughes, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4
Jennifer Saunders d. Da'monique Davis, 11-0, 11-7, 11-7

Cheryl Gudinas d. Krystal Csuk, 9-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-8
Adrienne Fisher d. Linda Scales, 11-5, 11-9, 11-5

Kerri Wachtel d. Laura Brandt, 9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-3
Kristen Bellows d. Susana Acosta, 12-10, 11-13, 5-11, 11-7, 12-10

Cristina Amaya d. T.J. Baumbaugh, 11-5, 11-5, 11-9
Rhonda Rajsich d. Keely Franks, 11-4, 11-2, 11-6

Quarter finals 

Paola Longoria v. Jennifer Saunders
Adrienne Fisher v. Cheryl Gudinas

Kerri Wachtel v. Kristen Bellows
Rhonda Rajsich v. Cristina Amaya

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

Top 8 seeds all advance at IRT Stockton Pro-Am

No upsets in the Round of 16 at the Stockton Pro-Am on International Racquetball Tour (IRT), and only one match lasted more than the minimum three games. Kane Waselenchuk - the top seed and IRT #1 - barely needed more than the minimum 33 points to defeat Marco Rojas, as Waselenchuk won 11-4, 11-0, 11-0.

Only Ben Croft needed more than three games to win his match, and he only needed four games to get past Jose Diaz, 11-6, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9.

The IRT Network is web-casting Stockton Pro-Am Quarter final matches Friday April 20 at 5 PM PDT.

2012 Stockton Pro-Am - Stockton, California 

Main Draw - Round of 16 

Kane Waselenchuk d. Marco Rojas, 11-4, 11-0, 11-0
Tony Carson d. Javier Moreno, 11-5, 11-7, 11-5

Chris Crowther  d. Ruben Gonzalez, 11-2, 11-0, WBF
Jose Rojas d. Jose Serrano

Ben Croft d. Jose Diaz, 11-6, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9
Alvaro Beltran d. Brad Schopieray, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6

Shane Vanderson d. Anthony Herrera, 13-11, 11-4, 11-7
Rocky Carson d. Adam Manilla, 11-4, 11-3, 11-4

Quarter finals

Kane Waselenchuk v. Tony Carson
Jose Rojas v. Chris Crowther

Ben Croft v. Alvaro Beltran
Rocky Carson v. Shane Vanderson

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

WPRO Battle of the Alamo - No surprises in Round 1

No surprises after round one  in San Antonio, Texas the site of this weekend's Battle at the Alamo tournament on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour. In fact, only one match went more than three games, and that was Laura Brandt's victory over Sarah Warhaftig, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9.

The Round of 16 is in progress in San Antonio.

WPRO Battle at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 


Round of 32 

Grace Hughes d. Liz Alvarado, 4-11, 11-3, 11-0, injury forfeit
Cheryl Gudinas d. Heather Olson, 11-2, 11-1, 11-2
Linda Scales d. Bernadette Zimmerman, 11-0, 11-2, 16-14

Laura Brandt d. Sarah Warhaftig, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-9
Keely Franks d. Marie Barron, 11-6, 11-0, 11-1

Round of 16

Paola Longoria v. Grace Hughes
Da'monique Davis v. Jennifer Saunders

Krystal Csuk v. Cheryl Gudinas
Adrienne Fisher v. Linda Scales

Kerri Wachtel v. Laura Brandt
Kristen Bellows v. Susana Acosta

Cristina Amaya v. T.J. Baumbaugh
Rhonda Rajsich v. Keely Franks

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

IRT Stockton Pro-Am Preliminary Results - Young & Old into the 16s

Several young players, as well as a couple of seasoned veterans, made it through qualifying at the Stockton Pro-Am - the penultimate Tier 1 event of the 2011-12 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season - in Stockton, California. One of the young players is Marco Rojas, younger brother of Jose Rojas, who'll face IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the Round of 16 Friday.

Rojas won three matches to reach the 16s; he defeated Alexi David Cocco Hayes, 11-2, 11-0, 11-0, in the first round of qualifying, John Scott by default in round two, and Ryan Meyer,  3-11, 12-10, 11-4, 12-10, in round three.

Joining Rojas in the 16s are US National Junior Team members Jose Diaz and Adam Manilla. Diaz will face IRT #3 Ben Croft Friday, as he defeated  Jason Samora, 11-3, 11-4, 11-1, and Dale Millhollin, 11-0, 11-1, 11-5, Thursday. For his part, Manilla, a left hander who will play IRT #2 Rocky Carson on Friday, defeated Brian Pineda, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5, and Felipe Munoz, 11-5, 11-2, 4-11, 11-6, to reach the 16s.

Representing the old guard are Ruben Gonzalez, who made the Round of 16 with a four game victory over 11-0, 11-3, 12-10, 13-11 [sic], and Javier Moreno, a winner over Tim Prigo, 11-4, 11-2, 11-0. Gonzalez's opponent in the 16s will be Chris Crowther, and Moreno is up against Tony Carson.

The IRT Network is web-casting Stockton Pro-Am Round of 16 matches beginning Friday April 20 at 11 AM PDT.

2012 IRT Stockton Pro-Am - Stockton, California 


Round 3

Q8: Marco Rojas d. Ryan Meyer, 3-11, 12-10, 11-4, 12-10
Q1: Javier Moreno d. Tim Prigo, 11-4, 11-2, 11-0

Q4: Ruben Gonzalez d. Andrew Gale, 11-0, 11-3, 12-10, 13-11 [sic]
Q5: Jose Serrano d. Adam Karp, 4-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8

Q6: Jose Diaz d. Dale Millhollin, 11-0, 11-1, 11-5
Q3:  Brad Schopieray d. Richard Eisemann, 11-6, 11-3, 6-11, 11-2

Q2: Anthony Herrera d. Ernesto Ruiz, 11-6, 11-9, 13-11
Q7: Adam Manilla d. Felipe Munoz, 11-5, 11-2, 4-11, 11-6

Main Draw - Round of 16 

Kane Waselenchuk v. Marco Rojas
Tony Carson v. Javier Moreno

Chris Crowther  v. Ruben Gonzalez
Jose Rojas v. Jose Serrano

Ben Croft v. Jose Diaz
Alvaro Beltran v. Brad Schopieray

Shane Vanderson v. Anthony Herrera
Rocky Carson v. Adam Manilla

Round 1

Marco Rojas d. Alexi David Cocco Hayes, 11-2, 11-0, 11-0
Luis Pesqueira d. Enrique Ainslie, WBF

Adam Karp d. Sawyer Lloyd, 11-2, 13-11, 11-5
Jason Samora d. Victor Koliczew, 11-8, 11-1, 11-4
James Swift d. Toby Devore, 11-5, 11-9, 11-7

Round 2

Marco Rojas d. John Scott, WBF
Ryan Meyer d. Luis Pesqueira, 11-5, 11-7, 11-6

Tim Prigo d. Hank Minardo, 11-2, 11-3, 11-2
Andrew Gale d. Francisco Troncoso, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9

Adam Karp d. Arthur Schmeiser, 2-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7
Jose Serrano d. Kevin Kringle, 11-8, 11-3, 11-4

Dale Millhollin d. Armando Bermudez, 11-4, 11-1, 11-6
Jose Diaz d. Jason Samora, 11-3, 11-4, 11-1

Richard Eisemann d. Matthew Majxner, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5, 3-11, 11-6
Ernesto Ruiz d. Mike Orr, 1-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-1

Felipe Munoz d. James Swift, 3-11, 13-11, 11-3, 13-15, 13-11
Adam Manilla d. Brian Pineda, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

Stockton Pro-Am Preview - 2nd last event of the IRT season

The penultimate Tier 1 event of the 2011-12 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season starts today in Stockton, California, as the Stockton Pro-Am gets underway with three rounds of qualifying matches. Most of the big names are in Stockon but Andy Hawthorne and Charlie Pratt are missing. Hawthorne is likely still recovering from having his appendix out last month.

Back from injury is young Marco Rojas, younger brother of Jose Rojas. He's been out of action for almost a year due to a leg injury. If he makes it through qualifying he'll face IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk, which would be a fine welcome back to tournament play.

An interesting potential 3rd round qualifying match is Anthony Herrera versus Mike Orr with the winner to face Shane Vanderson in the round of 16 on Friday.

The 8-9 match in the 16s, could feature Javier Moreno versus Tony Carson, which could be a good one.

The IRT Network will be web-casting Stockton Pro-Am matches beginning Thursday April 19 at 8 PM PDT with the 3rd round of qualifying.

IRT 2012 Stockton Pro-Am - Stockton, California 

Qualifying Round 1

Marco Rojas v. Alexi David Cocco Hayes
Luis Pesqueira v. Enrique Ainslie

Sawyer Lloyd v. Adam Karp
Jason Samora v. Victor Koliczew
James Swift v. Toby Devore

Round 2

John Scott v. Marco Rojas or Alexi David Cocco Hayes
Ryan Meyer v. Luis Pesqueira or Enrique Ainslie

Tim Prigo v. Hank Minardo
Andrew Gale v. Francisco Troncoso

Arthur Schmeiser v. Sawyer Lloyd or Adam Karp
Jose Serrano v. Kevin Kringle

Armando Bermudez v. Dale Millhollin
Jose Diaz v. Jason Samora or Victor Koliczew

Matthew Majxner v. Richard Eisemann
Mike Orr v. Ernesto Ruiz

Felipe Munoz v. James Swift or Toby Devore
Brian Pineda v. Adam Manilla

Round 3

Q8: John Scott / Marco Rojas / Alexi David Cocco Hayes v. Ryan Meyer / Luis Pesqueira / Enrique Ainslie
Q1: Javier Moreno  v. Tim Prigo / Hank Minardo

Q4: Ruben Gonzalez v. Andrew Gale / Francisco Troncoso
Q5: Arthur Schmeiser / Sawyer Lloyd / Adam Karp v. Jose Serrano / Kevin Kringle

Q6: Armando Bermudez / Dale Millhollin v. Jose Diaz / Jason Samora / Victor Koliczew
Q3:  Brad Schopieray v. Matthew Majxner / Richard Eisemann

Q2: Anthony Herrera v. Mike Orr / Ernesto Ruiz
Q7: Felipe Munoz / James Swift / Toby Devore v. Brian Pineda / Adam Manilla

Main Draw - Round of 16 

Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Tony Carson v. Q1

Chris Crowther  v. Q4
Jose Rojas v. Q5

Ben Croft v. Q6
Alvaro Beltran v. Q3

Shane Vanderson v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

2012 Battle of the Alamo - PREVIEW

The Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) is back in action this weekend with the Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. Most of the top players are there, but Samantha Salas - 4th on the latest WPRO rankings - is again missing, although she did play earlier this month at the Pan American Championships in Chile, where she and Paola Longoria won women's doubles.

Longoria - the #1 WPRO player and gold medalist in Chile - is in San Antonio, as is Rhonda Rajsich, #2 on the WPRO.

Rajsich could face Cristina Amaya in the quarter finals, and Amaya had a good chance to beat Rajsich in Chile at the Pan Am Championships. Rajsich didn't have her A game in Chile, and it will be interesting to see how she plays this weekend.

Battle at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas 


Round of 32 

Grace Hughes v. Liz Alvarado
Cheryl Gudinas v. Heather Olson
Linda Scales v. Bernadette Zimmerman

Laura Brandt v. Sarah Warhaftig
Keely Franks v. Marie Barron

Round of 16

Paola Longoria v. Grace Hughes or Liz Alvarado
Da'monique Davis v. Jennifer Saunders

Krystal Csuk v. Cheryl Gudinas or Heather Olson
Adrienne Fisher v. Linda Scales or Bernadette Zimmerman

Kerri Wachtel v. Laura Brandt or Sarah Warhaftig
Kristen Bellows v. Susana Acosta

Cristina Amaya v. T.J. Baumbaugh
Rhonda Rajsich v. Keely Franks or Marie Barron

Follow the bouncing ball.... 

Longoria continues to be #1 on WPRO rankings

Paola Longoria leads the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) rankings ahead of the 2012 Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas that will begin on Friday. In fact, there's only one change in the top 10 after the Mile High Pro/Am in Denver last month.

Susy Acosta has switched spots with Cristina Amaya, and is now in the 7th spot with Amaya in 8th.

Similarly, the next 10 players are the same as previously, but the order has changed slightly. T.J. Baumabugh is up to 10th with Kristen Bellows dropping to 11th. Cheryl Gudinas also moved up after a slide due to injury; she sits in 14th now.

WPRO Rankings - March 12, 2012

Rank - Name - Country - Points

1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1526.00

2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1338.40

3 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 559.40

4 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 460.30

5 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 452.25

6 Krystal Csuk (USA) 416.00

7 Susy Acosta (Mexico) 374.50

8 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 362.65

9 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 334.00

10 Da'monique Davis (USA) 228.75

11 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 212.50

12 Kristen Bellows (USA) 200.90

13 Angela Grisar (Chile) 193.00

14 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 179.00

15 Christie Huczek (Canada) 150.25

16 Linda Scales (USA) 140.00

17 Aimee Ruiz (USA) 100.00

18 Laura Brandt (USA) 96.50

19 Sharon Jackson (USA) 96.10

20 Keely Franks (USA) 90.00

Follow the bouncing ball....

2012 Pan American Championships - Summary

Eight countries reached the podium at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile. Mexico led the way as they did last year with five medals led by Paola Longoria, who won gold in both singles and doubles with partner Samantha Salas. Salas was playing her first competition since last year's Pan American Games, as she's been out with an arm injury.

In men's play, it was almost like 2010 all over again, but with a twist, as both Canadian Mike Green and Bolivian Ricardo Monroy won gold, but in the other division than they did in two years ago.

Green won in men's singles this year and Monroy in doubles (with partner Roland Keller) but in 2010 it was Green taking gold in doubles (with Tim Landeryou) and Monroy winning singles.

This year marked a few firsts. Monroy and Keller were the first Bolivians to win men's doubles, and Monroy is the first South American player to be a multiple gold medalist. Also, Fernando Rios was the first Ecuador player to get a silver medal in men's singles.

Americans, where art thou?

The absence of American players in the men's draw likely contributed to the success of the other countries. The USA only had one player in the competition: Rhonda Rajsich, who's going home with a bronze medal in women's singles.

This isn't the first time that the USA hasn't fielded a complete team for this competition, as they sent no one to the 2010 Pan American Championship in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. USA Racquetball needs to explain why they aren't sending players to this competition, and whether this trend will continue in the future.

You want to have your best players at your international competitions. But there can be conflicts of interest between playing for your country and playing for yourself on the pro tour. This is seen in other sports as well as racquetball (in soccer this is discussed as a club v. country conflict), but in racquetball it has been American men who haven't always seemed interested in playing for their country.

Certainly, when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) considers sports for inclusion in the Olympic Games they look at whether the best players would be playing in Games. Looking at a men's draw like there was in Temuco - one man from the top 15 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) players (Daniel De La Rosa) and only three from the top 40 (Juan Martinez III and Tim Landeryou at 35 and 40, respectively) - you'd be hard pressed to argue that to the IOC that the best players would be in the Olympics.

Of course, USA Racquetball could say that they always send their best players to the World Championships. However, one of their best players declined to play at last year's Pan American Games, which several people talk about as being racquetball's Olympics as it's the largest multi-sport event that includes racquetball (though the Pan Am Games are limited geographically to the Americas, most of the best racquetball countries are in the Americas).

When one of your countries doesn't participate in a competition, it's a concern, regardless of the country in question. When that country is one of your strongest countries, it's more than a concern.

XXV Pan American Championships

Temuco, Chile

Men's Singles

GOLD: Mike Green (Canada)

SILVER: Fernando Rios (Ecuador)

BRONZE: Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) and Vincent Gagnon (Canada)

Women's Singles

GOLD: Paola Longoria (Mexico)

SILVER: Frédérique Lambert (Canada)

BRONZE: Carola Loma (Bolivia) and Rhonda Rajsich (USA)

Women's Doubles

GOLD: Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico)

SILVER: Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia)

BRONZE: Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) and Christine Richardson & Jennifer Saunders (Canada)

Men's Doubles

GOLD: Roland Keller & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia)

SILVER: Alejandro Cardona & Edson Martinez (Mexico)

BRONZE: Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) and Cesar Castillo & Roberto Santander (Venezuela)

TEAM MEDALS

Mexico - 5 Total = 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze

Canada - 4 Total = 1 G, 1 S, 2 B

Bolivia - 3 Total = 1 G, 1 S, 1 B

Ecuador - 1 Total = 0 G, 1 S, 0 B

USA - 1 Total = 0 G, 0 S, 1 B

Colombia - 1 Total = 0 G, 0 S, 1 B

Argentina - 1 Total = 0 G, 0 S, 1 B

Venezuela - 1 Total = 0 G, 0 S, 1 B

Follow the bouncing ball....

Bolivia wins men's doubles at 2012 Pan American Championships

Bolivians Roland Keller and Ricardo Monroy are the first South American team to win men's doubles at the Pan American Championships, as they defeated the Mexican team of Alejandro Cardona and Edson Martinez, 15-11, 5-15, 11-7, in the men's doubles final at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile.

Bolivia started well, jumping out to a 10-0 lead in game one. They pushed it to 13-3, but Mexico didn't roll over, as they came back to 14-10 before Bolivia was able to finish it off.

Mexico used that momentum to roll to a relatively easy victory in game two, winning 15-5. In the tie-breaker, Bolivia again took the early lead at 4-0. But Mexico then ran six straight points to lead 6-4.

Bolivia took back the momentum and got to game point at 10-6. But they couldn't finish it, as the Mexicans got the serve back. Yet they were only able to score one point to make it 10-7.

Again Mexico fought off two match points to regain the serve. But it was Bolivia's turn to hold their opponents scoreless as they kept Mexico at 7 and regained the serve and ended the match. The end came on a Mexico skipped shot on a ball along the left wall. A Bolivian player was on the left wall close to the Mexican shooter and after he skipped it the Mexican appealed for a hinder, but the appeal was denied.

With the victory, Monroy becomes first South American player to win multiple Pan American Championships, as he won men's singles in 2010.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Men's Doubles - Final

Roland Keller & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) d. Alejandro Cardona & Edson Martinez (Mexico), 15-11, 5-15, 11-7

Follow the bouncing ball....

Mexico wins women's doubles at 2012 Pan American Championships

Mexicans Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas successfully defended their women's doubles title at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile by defeating Bolivians Jenny Daza and Carola Loma, 15-6, 9-15, 11-7, in Saturday's final. The win is Salas's third Pan Am Championship in women's doubles as she also won in 2010 with Susana Acosta.

After losing game one, the Bolivians found themselves down in game two 6-2 and 9-7. But then they went on a run and scored eight straight points to force a tie-breaker. Loma was using her backhand to serve high z lobs to Longoria while Daza served lobs right along the right wall to Salas.

The tie-breaker was close, and Bolivia stuck with the same serving strategy. They got the first two points, but Mexico got the next four to make it 4-2. Then they were tied at 4-4 and again at 7-7, before Mexico put a few points together and held Bolivia at 7 to win 11-7.

Longoria's wins in doubles and singles in Temuco put her in a tie for second most Pan American titles by a woman with American Michelle Gould (4 singles & 2 doubles). Jackie Paraiso (USA) has 10 Pan Am titles (1 singles & 9 doubles).

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Women's Doubles - Final

Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia), 15-6, 9-15, 11-7

Follow the bouncing ball....

Green means Go(ld) - Green wins 2012 Pan American Championships

Thirteen years after he won his first Pan American Championship, Canadian Mike Green won a second Pan Am Championship as he defeated Fernando Rios of Ecuador, 15-12, 15-6, in the final of the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile. Green won the title in 1999.

Green began game one with his powerful drive serves, but quickly changed to lob serves to the left side and used that throughout the match. He seemed to be in control for the most part in game one, although his shot making wasn't his best and Rios threw himself all over the court to keep rallies going. They were close throughout game one with the biggest advantage coming late, when Green led 13-9.

But Rios continued to make shots and it got nervy for Green late as Rios closed it to 13-12. Green though got the last two points, winning it on a flat kill shot down the right side.

Game two was also close early, and Rios had a slight lead at 5-3. But Green held Rios at 5 as he slowly added up the points, making it 7-5, then 9-5, and 11-5. At 13-5, the end was in sight and a few rallies later it was over as Green hit a winning pinch shot to the front left corner.

The win makes Green the fifth man with multiple Pan Am Championship singles titles, joining fellow Canadian Sherman Greenfeld (1990, 1994, 1998), Mexican Alvaro Beltran (2007-2009) and Americans Jack Huczek (2003, 2005) and Chris Cole (1992, 1993).

Rios was undefeated in the tournament prior to the final. He began the event seeded 9th but won his preliminary group, which earned him the 6th seed for the elimination round. Rios then proceeded to upset the 3rd seed Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) in the quarter finals and the 2nd seed Vincent Gagnon (Canada) in the semi-final.

Those wins made Rios the first Ecuador man to reach the final of an international racquetball event.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Men's Singles - Final

Mike Green (Canada) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-6

Follow the bouncing ball....

Longoria wins her 4th Pan American Championship

Mexican Paola Longoria won her fourth Pan American Championship title in what was an anti-climactic final at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile. The anti-climax came about because Frédérique Lambert - Longoria's opponent in the final - withdrew due to injury in game one with Longoria ahead 12-0.

Longoria won the chance to serve first, and using lob serves only got out to a 5-0 lead before Lambert served. But Longoria got the serve right back and scored another five points before Lambert got a second chance to serve.

Again Longoria got the serve back, and scored a couple more points.

At that point, Lambert who hadn't looked especially distressed or especially energetic took a time out and decided to go no further.

Lambert has had chronic issue with her right shoulder and that appeared to be reason for her withdrawal.

Longoria's won the women's singles title at the Pan American Championships in each even numbered year since 2006. Her fourth title ties her for most all time by a woman with Americans Cheryl Gudinas (1994, 1997, 2001, 2009) and Michelle Gould (1988, 1990, 1991, 1998).

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Women's Singles - Final

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Frédérique Lambert (Canada), 12-0, injury forfeit

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - Mexico v. Bolivia in Men's doubles final at 2012 Pan American Championships

As on the women's side, the men's doubles final will be a Mexico-Bolivia showdown as they won their respective semi-finals Friday at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile.

The #1 seeded Mexicans Alejandro Cardona and Edson Martinez defeated the Argentine team of Daniel Maggi and Fernando Kurzbard, 15-7, 1-1 injury forfeit in one semi-final while the Bolivians Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller took out the Venezuela team of Cesar Castillo and Roberto Santander (Ven), 15-6, 15-6, in the other semi-final.

Bolivia wins it would the first men's doubles title for a South American team, while Mexico is the defending country, and has won the Pan American Championships three times perviously.

The final will be Saturday at 1:30 PM Chile time, and will be streamed live via the Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Men's Doubles - Semi-finals

Alejandro Cardona & Edson Martinez (Mexico) d. Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-7, 1-1, fft injury

Roland Keller & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) d. Cesar Castillo & Roberto Santander (Ven), 15-6, 15-6

Men's Doubles - Final

Alejandro Cardona & Edson Martinez (Mexico) v. Roland Keller & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - Mexico & Bolivia in women's doubles final at 2012 Pan American Championships

Mexico and Bolivia will face off in the women's doubles final at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile. Mexicans Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas - top seeds and defending chmapions defeated Colombians Cristina Amaya and Carolina Gomez, 15-0, 15-3 in the semi-finals.

In the other semi-final, the Bolivian team of Jenny Daza and Carola Loma beat Canadians Christine Richardson and Jennifer Saunders, 15-12, 15-11. The Canadians served everything to Daza - on the right side, and the Bolivians to Richardson - also on the right side, but they switched to serving to both Canadians, and found the strategy to be effective enough to produce the victory.

The final will be Saturday at noon (Chile time) and will streamed live via the Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Women's Doubles - Semi-finals

Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-0, 15-3

Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Christine Richardson & Jennifer Saunders (Canada), 15-12, 15-11

Women's Doubles - Final

Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Longoria & Lambert in Women's final

Canadian Frédérique Lambert reached the final of an international event for the first time Friday as she defeated American Rhonda Rajsich, 15-13, 15-10, in the semi-finals of women's singles at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile. Lambert's opponent in the final will be Paola Longoria of Mexico - the 2nd seed, as Longoria defeated Carola Loma (Bolivia), 15-9, 15-11, in the other semi on Friday.

Lambert used a variety of serves against Rajsich, the #1 seed and defending champion, though never drive serves and did serve to both sides. Rajsich also used several different serves including drive z serves to the left side, but as with her match yesterday against Cristina Amaya (Colombia), Rajsich made several unforced errors.

It looked like Rajsich might force a tie-breaker, as she had an early lead in game two at 3-0 and they were tied at 7-7. But Lambert led all the way after that, although Rajsich did close the gap to one at 11-10. Lambert was able to finish off with four straight points.

Longoria's win over Loma was also two straight and more comfortable. After winning the first game 15-9, Longoria had a 8-2 advantage in game two. Credit Loma for not quitting though, and she cut the deficit to two points at 13-11 before Longoria finished it off.

Longoria will be going for her 4th Pan American Championship. She's won in each of the even numbered years since 2006. Lambert will be trying to become the third Canadian woman to win a Pan American Championship (formerly Tournament of the Americas) after Lori Jane Powell in 2004 and Heather Stupp in 1987. Longoria's the only Mexican woman to win a Pan Am title.

The women's singles final will be Saturday at 10 AM and will be streamed live via the Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Women's Singles - Semi-finals

Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Rhonda Rajsich (USA), 15-13, 15-10

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Carola Loma (Bolivia), 15-9, 15-11

Women's Singles - Final

Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Frédérique Lambert (Canada)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Green v. Rios in Men's singles final

Upsets were the order of the day in the men's singles semi-finals at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile, as Canadian Mike Green and Ecuadoran Fernando Rios advanced to Saturday's final. It's the first final for any Ecuador men's player, let alone Rios, and the first Pan Am Championship final for Green since 1999, when he won it defeating fellow Canadian Sherman Greenfeld.

In the semi-finals, Green knocked off top seed and defending Pan Am Champion Daniel De La Rosa of Mexico in a long match where the players fought the court conditions as well as each other before Green came out on top 15-11, 14-15, 11-7.

In game one, they were close all the way, with Green holding a slight advantage until they got to doubles digits, when De La Rosa went ahead 11-10. But that was all Green let him have as the veteran got the last five points to end the game and go up 1-0 in the match.

Green drove serve in game one but in game two he switched to lob serving. Again it was close early in game two, but then Green opened up a lead at 9-4, and 12-7. But De La Rosa dug in and fought his way back and took the lead late in the game at 14-12.

It appeared that De La Rosa had won the game at 15-12, but Green successfully appealed a call - we believe it was for a wet ball, as the court conditions were quite poor with both players slipping on several occasions in the match - and got the serve back.

De La Rosa had more tries to win game two, but Green fought them off and leveled the score at 14-14, when De La Rosa got the serve back. The ensuing rally ended with De La Rosa hitting a ball to the front left corner that the referee called a skip, but this time it was De La Rosa's turn to make an appeal, which was successful and forced game three.

In game three, Green took a big lead right off the hop at 5-0, and then pushed it further to 9-0, as De La Rosa seemed to have used so much energy - physical and psychological - to win game two that he hadn't recovered enough between games.

But the defending champ did fight back and certainly made Green nervous as the score closed to 10-7. At that point Green played a pinch shot into the front left corner that shot over to the right side. De La Rosa tried to go for it from his center court position, but slipped and went down hard on his right elbow.

After several minutes and some medical attention, De La Rosa was able to continue, but Green finished it off with a lob z serve to the right side - his first of the match - that led to a winning pinch shot into the front left corner.

There was the possibility of an all Canadian final in men's singles, as Green's team-mate Vincent Gagnon was playing Rios in the other semi-final, but Rios had other ideas, defeating Gagnon 15-12, 15-12.

Though Rios had a slight advantage for most of game one, they were tied at 8-8 and Gagnon did go ahead 10-9, but that was his only lead late in the game, as Rios came back to win 15-12.

Gagnon led early in game two at 4-0, as well as 8-4 and 12-8. But Rios worked his way back into the game and didn't allow Gagnon to score another point as he went on to win the match in two straight games.

The men's singles finals will be Saturday at 11 AM, which is one hour ahead of EDT. The final will streamed live by the Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Men's Singles - Semi-finals

Mike Green (Canada) d. Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico), 15-11, 14-15, 11-7

Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Vincent Gagnon (Canada), 15-12, 15-12

Men's Singles - Final

Mike Green (Canada) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Men's Doubles QFs

Venezuela didn't have a man in the Round of 16 in singles, but their men's doubles team reached the semi-finals Thursday at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile, as Cesar Castillo and Roberto Santander upset the 2nd seeded Costa Rican team of Ivan Villegas and Bruno Casalvolone, 15-12, 15-11.

The Venezuelans will face Bolivians Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller in the semi-finals on Friday, as Monroy and Keller defeated Luis Perez and Junior Rodriguez of the Dominican Republic, 15-3, 15-4.

The other semi-final will be the #1 seeded Mexicans Alejandro Cardona and Edson Martinez versus the Argentine team of Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard. In the quarter finals, the Mexicans defeated Canadians Nathaniel Husulak and Tim Landeryou, 15-12, 15-9, while the Argentinians beat Sebastian Roessler and Santiago Canedo of Chile, 15-5, 15-11.

The elimination rounds continue Thursday in Temuco with the 16s and quarter finals. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) is streaming matches live via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Men's Doubles - Quarter finals

Alejandro Cardona & Edson Martinez (Mexico) d. Nathaniel Husulak & Tim Landeryou (Canada), 15-12, 15-9

Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Sebastian Roessler and Santiago Canedo (Chile), 15-5, 15-11

Roland Keller & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) d. Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 15-4

Cesar Castillo & Roberto Santander (Ven) d. Ivan Villegas & Bruno Casalvolone (Costa Rica), 15-12, 15-11

Men's Doubles - Semi-finals

Alejandro Cardona & Edson Martinez (Mexico) v. Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)

Roland Keller & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) v. Cesar Castillo & Roberto Santander (Ven)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Women's Doubles QFs

The top four seeds are all in the semi-finals of women's doubles at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile, and those seeded teams all won in two straight games. Top seed Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas of Mexico defeated Chileans Carla Muñoz and Maria Paz Riquelme, 15-1, 15-5.

The 2nd seeded Canadians had a more difficult time of it, but Christine Richardson and Jennifer Saunders did win in two straight over Venezuelans Mariana Paredes and Mariana Tobon, 15-10, 15-14. The Venezuelans trailed the whole way in game two but then went ahead late at 14-12.

However, the Canadians regained the serve and Richardson, who was playing the right and had been serving hard Zs switched to a half lob Z and that led to three straight points to finish off the match denying the Venezuelans a tie-breaker.

The semi-finals go on Friday with the final on Saturday. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) is streaming matches live via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Women's Doubles - Quarter finals

Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) d. Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-1, 15-5

Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Col) d. Maria Cespedes & Claudine Garcia (Dom), 15-2, 15-5

Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Cristina Ana Velez & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-10, 15-0

Christine Richardson & Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Mariana Paredes & Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-10, 15-14

Women's Doubles - Semi-finals

Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Col)

Christine Richardson & Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Men's QFs

Three of the top four seeds in men's singles have reached the semi-finals at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile, including Mexican Daniel De La Rosa, who is the #1 seed and defending champion. De La Rosa beat Colombian Sebastian Franco, 15-8, 15-8, in the quarter-finals Thursday.

But 2nd seed Vincent Gagnon of Canada had a more difficult time of it as he needed a tie-breaker to defeat Bolivian Kadim Carrasco, 10-15, 15-11, 11-6.

The anticipated match between current Junior World U18 Champion Carlos Keller of Bolivia (the 5th seed) and Canadian Champion Mike Green did not disappoint, as both players made some great shots and played it close. But the veteran Green - the 1999 Pan American Champion - won 15-11, 15-11, to set up a semi-final showdown with De La Rosa.

Fernando Rios of Ecuador will be Gagnon's semi-final opponent, as Rios ended 3rd seeded Luis Perez's (Dominican Republic) fine run of results in Temuco with a 15-7, 15-9 victory.

The men's singles semi-finals will be on Friday in Temuco with the final on Saturday. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) is streaming matches live via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Men's Singles - Quarter finals

Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) d. Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 15-8, 15-8

Mike Green (Canada) d. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-11

Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 15-7, 15-9

Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia), 10-15, 15-11, 11-6

Men's Singles - Semi-finals

Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) v. Mike Green (Canada)

Vincent Gagnon (Canada) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Women's QFs

The two top seeds in women's singles have reached the semi-finals, but the 3rd and 4th seeds were upset in the quarter-finals at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile, as three of the four quarter matches went tie-breaker.

Included in that was #1 seed and defending champion Rhonda Rajsich's (USA) match against Cristina Amaya (Colombia), as she won 15-13, 10-15, 11-7. However, Rajsich wasn't playing like a champion, as she made several unforced errors, and Amaya chances to win the match. In fact, Amaya could have won the first game, as she was up 8-2 and 11-5, but Rajsich managed to pull out game one. Rajsich led all the way in the tie-breaker, but it was close when Amaya got the difference to one at 7-6.

Paola Longoria of Mexico - the 2nd seed - did play like a champion Thursday as she defeated Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador, 15-5, 15-12. However, credit to Muñoz for not quitting in game two when she was down 13-4, as she came back to 13-10, at which point Longoria called time out. Muñoz then got a couple more points before Longoria was able to finish it off.

The two upsets both involved Canadians, but they weren't both wins for Canada. Frédérique Lambert, the current Girls U18 World Junior Champion, defeated veteran lefthander Susana Acosta of Mexico, 12-15, 15-6, 11-8, but Jennifer Saunders lost to Carola Loma of Bolivia, 15-5, 12-15, 11-6.

This sets up a Rajsich-Lambert semi-final on the top side of the draw and Longoria-Loma on the bottom side.

The women's singles semi-finals will be on Friday and final on Saturday. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) is streaming matches live via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Women's Singles - Quarter finals

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Amaya (Col), 15-13, 10-15, 11-7

Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Susana Acosta (Mexico), 12-15, 15-6, 11-8

Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Jennifer Saunders (Canada), 15-5, 12-15, 11-6

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-12

Women's Singles - Semi-finals

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Frédérique Lambert (Canada)

Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Carola Loma (Bolivia)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Women's QFs

The two top seeds in women's singles have reached the semi-finals, but the 3rd and 4th seeds were upset in the quarter-finals at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile, as three of the four quarter matches went tie-breaker.

Included in that was #1 seed and defending champion Rhonda Rajsich's (USA) match against Cristina Amaya (Colombia), as she won 15-13, 10-15, 11-7. However, Rajsich wasn't playing like a champion, as she made several unforced errors, and Amaya chances to win the match. In fact, Amaya could have won the first game, as she was up 8-2 and 11-5, but Rajsich managed to pull out game one. Rajsich led all the way in the tie-breaker, but it was close when Amaya got the difference to one at 7-6.

Paola Longoria of Mexico - the 2nd seed - did play like a champion Thursday as she defeated Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador, 15-5, 15-12. However, credit to Muñoz for not quitting in game two when she was down 13-4, as she came back to 13-10, at which point Longoria called time out. Muñoz then got a couple more points before Longoria was able to finish it off.

The two upsets both involved Canadians, but they weren't both wins for Canada. Frédérique Lambert, the current Girls U18 World Junior Champion, defeated veteran lefthander Susana Acosta of Mexico, 12-15, 15-6, 11-8, but Jennifer Saunders lost to Carola Loma of Bolivia, 15-5, 12-15, 11-6.

This sets up a Rajsich-Lambert semi-final on the top side of the draw and Longoria-Loma on the bottom side.

The women's singles semi-finals will be on Friday and final on Saturday. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) is streaming matches live via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Women's Singles - Quarter finals

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Amaya (Col), 15-13, 10-15, 11-7

Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Susana Acosta (Mexico), 12-15, 15-6, 11-8

Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Jennifer Saunders (Canada), 15-5, 12-15, 11-6

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-12

Women's Singles - Semi-finals

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Frédérique Lambert (Canada)

Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Carola Loma (Bolivia)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Men's 16s

The top seeds in men's singles all successfully reached the quarter finals at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile. Defending champion and #1 seed Daniel De La Rosa of Mexico defeated Teobaldo Fumero Adams of Costa Rica, 15-5, 15-4 in the Round of 16 early on Thursday, while on the other side of the draw Canadian Vincent Gagnon beat Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-4, 15-12.

The anticipated match between current Junior World U18 Champion Carlos Keller of Bolivia (the 5th seed) and a Canadian Champion Mike Green (4th seed) is on, as they won their Round of 16 matches. Keller defeated Mexican Misael Leija, 15-5, 15-2, and Green beat Honduran Servin Cruz, 15-3, 15-2.

The men's singles quarter finals will be later on Thursday in Temuco with the semi-finals on Friday and final Saturday. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) is streaming matches live via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Men's Singles - Round of 16

Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) d. Teobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica), 15-5, 15-4

Daniel Maggi (Argentina) d. Sebastian Franco (Colombia), 15-10, 15-3

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Misael Leija (Mexico), 15-5, 15-2

Mike Green (Canada) d. Servin Cruz (Hon), 15-3, 15-2

Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecu), 15-9, 15-8

Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Andres Acuña (Costa Rica), 15-7, 15-7

Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) v. Francisco Gomez (Colombia)

Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Junior Rodriguez (Dom), 15-4, 15-12

Men's Singles - Quarter finals

Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) v. Sebastian Franco (Colombia)

Mike Green (Canada) v. Carlos Keller (Bolivia)

Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)

Vincent Gagnon (Canada) v. Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) or Francisco Gomez (Colombia)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Men's Doubles Round of 16

Again it was Luis Perez who made the biggest victory at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile on Wednesday but this time it was in men's doubles. Perez and his Dominican Republic team-mate Junior Rodriguez were seeded 11th but they upset the 6th seeds Sebastian Franco and Juan Carlos Torres of Colombia, 15-14, 7-15, 11-8.

Perez and Rodriguez will next play Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller of Bolivia in the quarter finals on Thursday.

The elimination rounds continue Thursday in Temuco with the 16s and quarter finals. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) is streaming matches live via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Men's Doubles - Round of 16

Alejandro Cardona & Edson Martinez (Mexico) BYE

Nathaniel Husulak & Tim Landeryou (Canada) d. Sevrin Cruz & Sergio Baires (Honduras), 15-5, 15-1

Sebastian Roessler and Santiago Canedo (Chile) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde & Ismael Zhindon (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-7

Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Gua), 15-10, 15-8

Roland Keller & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) BYE

Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) d. Sebastian Franco & Juan Carlos Torres (Colombia), 15-14, 7-15, 11-8

Cesar Castillo & Roberto Santander (Ven) v. Juan Martinez III & Ward Myers (Pur), 15-4, 15-9

Ivan Villegas & Bruno Casalvolone (Costa Rica) BYE

Men's Doubles - Quarter finals

Alejandro Cardona & Edson Martinez (Mexico) v. Nathaniel Husulak & Tim Landeryou (Canada)

Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) v. Sebastian Roessler and Santiago Canedo (Chile)

Roland Keller & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) v. Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)

Ivan Villegas & Bruno Casalvolone (Costa Rica) v. Cesar Castillo & Roberto Santander (Ven)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Women's Doubles Round of 16

There were only three matches in the Round of 16 for women's doubles on Wednesday at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile, and the higher seeded teams won all of them.

But one match did go to a tie-breaker as the home team of Chileans Carla Muñoz and Maria Paz Riquelme needed three games to defeat the Guatemala team of Marie Gomar and Maria Rene Rodriguez, 7-15, 15-9, 11-5. The Chileans will play the top seeded Mexican team of Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas on Thursday in the quarter finals.

The elimination round runs through Saturday in Temuco and runs through Saturday. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) is streaming matches live via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Women's Doubles - Round of 16

Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) BYE

Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile) d. Marie Gomar & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Gua), 7-15, 15-9, 11-5

Maria Cespedes & Claudine Garcia (Dom) BYE

Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Col) BYE

Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) BYE

Cristina Ana Velez & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Natalia Corti & Véronique Guillemette (Arg), 15-11, 15-9

Mariana Paredes & Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) d. Johan Collazo & Lisa Lopezcepero (Pur), fft

Christine Richardson & Jennifer Saunders (Canada) BYE

Women's Doubles - Quarter finals

Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) v. Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile)

Maria Cespedes & Claudine Garcia (Dom) v. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Col)

Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) v. Cristina Ana Velez & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)

Christine Richardson & Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Mariana Paredes & Mariana Tobon (Venezuela)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Men's Round of 32

The men's singles round of 32 is over at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile. Only one match went to a tie-breaker, and in that match Jose Daniel Ugalde of Ecuador defeated Cesar Castillo of Venezuela, 15-12, 5-15, 11-5. Castillo's team-mate Gregorio Machado also lost to Honduran Servin Cruz, 15-5, 15-11, which could be the first time a Venezuelan has not reached at least the Round of 16 in this event.

The men's singles elimination round continues Thursday in Temuco with the 16s and quarter finals. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) is streaming matches live via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Men's Singles - Round of 32

Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) BYE

Teobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica) d. Miguel Santiago (Pur), 15-11, 15-12

Daniel Maggi (Argentina) d. Santiago Ugalde (Argentina), fft

Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Gua), 15-13, 15-6

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) BYE

Misael Leija (Mexico) d. Christian Wer (Gua), 15-11, 15-12

Servin Cruz (Hon) d. Gregorio Machado (Venezuela), 15-5, 15-11

Mike Green (Canada) BYE

Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) BYE

Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecu) d. Cesar Castillo (Ven), 15-12, 5-15, 11-5

Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Sergio Baires (Hon), 15-12, 15-9

Fernando Rios (Ecuador) BYE

Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-6, 15-9

Francisco Gomez (Colombia) d. Sebastian Roessler (Chile), 15-5, 15-11

Junior Rodriguez (Dom) d. Abraham Mercado (Pur), 15-3, 15-8

Vincent Gagnon (Canada) BYE

Men's Singles - Round of 16 - Thursday

Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) v. Teobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica)

Daniel Maggi (Argentina) v. Sebastian Franco (Colombia)

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Misael Leija (Mexico)

Mike Green (Canada) v. Servin Cruz (Hon)

Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecu)

Fernando Rios (Ecuador) v. Andres Acuña (Costa Rica)

Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) v. Francisco Gomez (Colombia)

Vincent Gagnon (Canada) v. Junior Rodriguez (Dom)

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Women's 16s

The women are into the Round of 16 at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile, and there have been no surprises so far.

In early results, Canadians Frédérique Lambert and Jennifer Saunders both won their matches in the 16s. Lambert beat Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic), 15-12, 15-10, coming back in the second game from 8-3 down to win it in two straight. Saunders had an easier time, as she defeated Maria Cespedes (Dom), 15-5, 15-0.

The elimination round continues Wednesday in Temuco and runs through Saturday. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) is streaming matches live via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Women's Singles - Round of 16

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Maria Rene Rodriguez (Gua), 15-0, 15-1

Cristina Amaya (Col) d. Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia), 15-3, 15-2

Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Claudine Garcia (Dom), 15-12, 15-10

Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Véronique Guillemette (Arg), 15-6, 15-2

Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Maria Cespedes (Dom), 15-5, 15-0

Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Maria Cristina Cordova (Ecuador), 15-6, 15-6

Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Marie Gomar (Gua), 15-8, 15-7

Paola Longoria (Mexico) d. Mariana Paredes (Venezuela), 15-4, 15-0

Women's Singles - Quarter finals

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Cristina Amaya (Col)

Susana Acosta (Mexico) v. Frédérique Lambert (Canada)

Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Carola Loma (Bolivia)

Paola Longoria (Mexico) v. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)

Women's Singles - Round of 32

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) BYE

Maria Rene Rodriguez (Gua) d. Carolina Gomez (Col), 15-6, 15-11

Cristina Amaya (Col) d. Pamela Sierra (Hon), 15-6, 15-9

Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) BYE

Frédérique Lambert (Canada) BYE

Claudine Garcia (Dom) d. Natalia Corti (Arg), fft

Véronique Guillemette (Arg) d. Lisa Lopezcepero (Pur), 15-1, 15-1

Susana Acosta (Mexico) BYE

Jennifer Saunders (Canada) BYE

Maria Cespedes (Dom) d. Johan Collazo (Pur), 15-1, 4-0, fft injury

Maria Cristina Cordova (Ecuador) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-9, 15-6

Carola Loma (Bolivia) BYE

Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) BYE

Marie Gomar (Gua) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-5, 15-8

Mariana Paredes (Venezuela) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela)

Paola Longoria (Mexico) BYE

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Men's Draws

Luis Perez's fine performances so far at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile have earned the Dominican Republic player the 3rd seed in the men's singles elimination draw. Defending champion Daniel De La Rosa of Mexico is #1 seed and Canadians Vincent Gagnon and Michael Green are seeded 2nd and 4th, respectively.

Current World Junior Boys U18 Champion Carlos Keller of Bolivia is the 5th seed and a potential Keller-Green quarter final match could be one of the best of the draw.

In doubles, Mexicans Alejandro Cardona and Edson Martinez are top seeds with Costa Ricans Ivan Villegas and Bruno Casalvolone are 2nd seeds, despite losing a dramatic match to Canadians Nathaniel Husulak and Tim Landeryou on Monday.

The Canadians had earlier lost to Chileans Sebastian Roessler and Santiago Canedo and find themselves seeded 8th which will put them against Mexico in the quarter finals if they are able to win their Round of 16 match against Hondurans Sevrin Cruz and Sergio Baires.

The elimination round begins Wednesday in Temuco and runs through Saturday. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) is streaming matches live via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Men's Singles - Round of 32

Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico) BYE

Miguel Santiago (Pur) v. Teobaldo Fumero Adams (Costa Rica)

Daniel Maggi (Argentina) v. Santiago Ugalde (Argentina)

Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Gua)

Carlos Keller (Bolivia) BYE

Misael Leija (Mexico) v. Christian Wer (Gua)

Gregorio Machado (Venezuela) v. Servin Cruz (Hon)

Mike Green (Canada) BYE

Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) BYE

Cesar Castillo (Ven) v. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecu)

Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) v. Sergio Baires (Hon)

Fernando Rios (Ecuador) BYE

Kadim Carrasco (Bolivia) v. Francisco Troncoso (Chile)

Francisco Gomez (Colombia) v. Sebastian Roessler (Chile)

Abraham Mercado (Pur) v. Junior Rodriguez (Dom)

Vincent Gagnon (Canada) BYE

Men's Doubles - Round of 16

Alejandro Cardona & Edson Martinez (Mexico) BYE

Nathaniel Husulak & Tim Landeryou (Canada) v. Sevrin Cruz & Sergio Baires (Honduras)

Jose Daniel Ugalde & Ismael Zhindon (Ecuador) v. Sebastian Roessler and Santiago Canedo (Chile)

Daniel Maggi & Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) v. Edwin Galicia & Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Gua)

Roland Keller & Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia) BYE

Sebastian Franco & Juan Carlos Torres (Colombia) v. Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)

Cesar Castillo & Roberto Santander (Ven) v. Juan Martinez III & Ward Myers (Pur)

Ivan Villegas & Bruno Casalvolone (Costa Rica) BYE

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Women's Draws

Below are the women's draws for the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile based on the results from the preliminary round action.

One of the interesting potential singles matches will be Cristina Amaya of Colombia - a top 10 player on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) rankings - versus Maria Jose Vargas of Bolivia, who was runner up in Girls U18 at last year's Junior World Championships.

The winner of that match would face top seed and defending champion Rhonda Rajsich (USA), who seeded #1.

Frédérique Lambert of Canada defeated Vargas in that U18 final last year, and she could have a couple interesting matches this week, as she could face veteran Claudine Garcia (Dominican Republic) in the Round of 16 and possible left-hander Susana Acosta of Mexico in the quarter finals.

Paola Longoria of Mexico is seeded #2, so would meet Rajsich in the final if they both get that far. Canadian Jennifer Saunders is the #3 seed and she'll be trying to prevent Longoria from getting to the final, but first will likely have to take on Bolivian Carola Loma, the silver medalist from the 2009 Pan American Championships.

Loma and Saunders could face each other in doubles as well, as Loma and Jenny Daza are seeded 3rd with Saunders and Christine Richardson seeded 2nd. Mexicans Longoria and Samantha Salas are the top seeds.

The elimination round begins Wednesday in Temuco and runs through Saturday. The Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) is streaming matches live via their website.

XXV Pan American Championships

April 2012 - Temuco, Chile

Women's Singles

Rhonda Rajsich (USA) BYE

Carolina Gomez (Col) v. Maria Rene Rodriguez (Gua)

Cristina Amaya (Col) v. Pamela Sierra (Hon)

Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) BYE

Frédérique Lambert (Canada) BYE

Claudine Garcia (Dom) v. Natalia Corti (Arg)

Véronique Guillemette (Arg) v. Lisa Lopezcepero (Pur)

Susana Acosta (Mexico) BYE

Jennifer Saunders (Canada) BYE

Maria Cespedes (Dom) v. Johan Collazo (Pur)

Maria Cristina Cordova (Ecuador) v. Carla Muñoz (Chile)

Carola Loma (Bolivia) BYE

Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) BYE

Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile) v. Marie Gomar (Gua)

Mariana Paredes (Venezuela) v. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela)

Paola Longoria (Mexico) BYE

Women's Doubles

Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas (Mexico) BYE

Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile) v. Marie Gomar & Maria Rene Rodriguez (Gua)

Maria Cespedes & Claudine Garcia (Dom) BYE

Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Col) BYE

Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) BYE

Cristina Ana Velez & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Natalia Corti & Véronique Guillemette (Arg)

Mariana Paredes & Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) v. Johan Collazo & Lisa Lopezcepero (Pur)

Christine Richardson & Jennifer Saunders (Canada) BYE

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Perez wins Group C

The preliminary round ended Monday at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile, and there were few surprises except in men's singles where Luis Perez of the Dominican Republic, who won Group C despite being seeded third in the group and 17th overall. Perez finished off the group stage with a 15-14, 15-6 win over Francisco Troncoso of Chile on Monday.

Also of note, Fernando Rios of Ecuador won Group F ahead of Francisco Gomez of Colombia, who Rios beat 15-10, 15-10 on Monday. Gomez had been seeded ahead of Rios.

Nothing that dramatic happened in the other divisions, as the higher seeded players generally won their matches.

For the complete results from the preliminary rounds in Temuco go to the PARC website. Tuesday is an off day, but we'll have the elimination round draws up for you shortly.

Follow the bouncing ball....

PARC - 2012 Pan American Championships - Day 2

Still no surprises through two days of competition at the XXV Pan American Championships in Temuco, Chile, as the higher seeds continue to win their matches.

But Monday could bring some interesting matches as the highest seeds in the pools will be playing off against each other to see who wins the group and thus gets a better seeding for the elimination round that begins Wednesday.

The top women's seeds all won Sunday, including #1 seed and defending champion Rhonda Rajsich (USA) and #2 seed Mexican Paola Longoria, winner of the last five Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) events, as well as Susana Acosta (Mexico), Jennifer Saunders (Canada), Frédérique Lambert (Canada) and Carol Loma (Bolivia) .

Some intriguing Monday matches will be Loma versus Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador with the winner winning the group (Loma is seeded 6th overall and Muñoz 7th) and Lambert and Maria Jose Vargas of Bolivia, as they are the 5th and 8th seeds, respectively.

One surprise on Sunday came in men's singles as Luis Perez of the Dominican Republic defeated Mexican Misael Leija, 11-15, 15-8, 11-10, and now has a chance to win Group C, if he can beat Chilean Francisco Troncoso on Monday; Troncoso lost his first two matches, which suggests Perez has a good chance to win the group.

But the other higher seeds all won in two straight games, including last year's champion Daniel De La Rosa of Mexico, Canadians Vincent Gagnon and Mike Green, and Bolivians Kadim Carrasco and Carlos Keller.

There was a surprise in men's doubles as the home side of Chileans Sebastian Roessler and Santiago Canedo upset the 2nd seeded Canadian team of Nathaniel Husulak and Tim Landeryou, 15-11, 10-15, 11-10. Husulak and Landeryou are now in danger of finishing third in their group if they don't beat the Costa Rican side of Ivan Villegas and Bruno Casalvolne, who defeated Roessler and Canedo on Saturday.

No surprises in women's doubles. Samantha Salas played her first tournament match since the Pan American Games last October, and she and Longoria defeated the beat the Venezuelan team of Mariana Paredes and Mariana Tobon of Venezuela, 15-1, 15-10.

Pool play action continues in Temuco Sunday and Monday, and PARC is streaming some of it live via the internet through their website.

Follow the bouncing ball....