Paola Longoria won her 14th consecutive women's pro racquetball match, as she won the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour's (LPRT's) Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas Sunday. Longoria defeated rival Rhonda Rajsich in three straight games, 11-3, 11-2, 11-9.
They were back and forth early in game one, as both players came out drive serving. But after being tied 3-3, Longoria scored eight points in eleven rallies to take the game 11-3.
Longoria carried the momentum over to game two, building a 7-0 lead. Rajsich got a couple of points to make it 7-2, but that was just a minor deviation as Longoria went on to win 11-2.
Game three was by far the longest of the match, although Longoria again got out to a big lead at 5-1. However, Rajsich came back to tie the game at 6-6 and then went ahead 7-6 using lob Z serves to the right side.
They were back and forth after that, tied at 7-7 and 8-8. Rajsich led 9-8, but Longoria served two drive zs to the right side to get her first match point.
Rajsich fought that off with a backhand cross court winner, but off her ensuing half lob to the left, Longoria hit a backhand cross court for a winner to get a second match point.
Longoria made no mistake on that one as she hit a soft down the line shot for the game and match.
The next LPRT event will be at the Southern California Regionals in Reseda, Calif. April 12-14.
8th Winter Classic
Overland Park, Kansas
Final
1 Paola Longoria d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 11-3, 11-2, 11-9
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, February 24, 2013
LPRT Winter Classic - Longoria & Rajsich win semis
The Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) semi-finals of the 8th Annual Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas were early on Sunday morning due to the re-scheduling caused by the weather last week, but the outcomes were expected as the top seeds - Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich - both won and will meet in the final later Sunday.
Top seed Longoria defeated fellow Mexican Susanna Acosta, 11-5, 11-2, 11-4, while second seed Rajsich beat Adrienne Fisher Haynes, 11-1, 11-7, 11-1.
Rather than going for power on the serve, Longoria used a lob tight to the right wall against left handed Acosta, and followed it up with her characteristic hard and low shot during the rallies.
The final match will be streamed live over the internet via the LPRT Network at 1 PM on Sunday.
8th Winter Classic
Overland Park, Kansas
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 4 Susana Acosta, 11-5, 11-2, 11-4
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 6 Adrienne Fisher, 11-1, 11-7, 11-1
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 2 Rhonda Rajsich - 1 PM Sunday
Follow the bouncing ball….
Top seed Longoria defeated fellow Mexican Susanna Acosta, 11-5, 11-2, 11-4, while second seed Rajsich beat Adrienne Fisher Haynes, 11-1, 11-7, 11-1.
Rather than going for power on the serve, Longoria used a lob tight to the right wall against left handed Acosta, and followed it up with her characteristic hard and low shot during the rallies.
The final match will be streamed live over the internet via the LPRT Network at 1 PM on Sunday.
8th Winter Classic
Overland Park, Kansas
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 4 Susana Acosta, 11-5, 11-2, 11-4
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 6 Adrienne Fisher, 11-1, 11-7, 11-1
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 2 Rhonda Rajsich - 1 PM Sunday
Follow the bouncing ball….
LPRT Winter Classic - Quarter final results
Adrienne Fisher Haynes reached the semi-finals in the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) division of the 8th Annual Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas on Saturday, as she upset 3rd seed Cheryl Gudinas in five games, 10-12, 11-3, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6. The other quarter final matches were all won by the higher seed.
Top seed Paola Longoria defeated Jennifer Saunders in three games, 11-2, 11-5, 11-2, and second seed Rhonda Rajsich beat Kerri Wachtel, 11-2, 11-9, 11-3.
The last quarter final of the day went the distance, as despite winning the first two games Susy Acosta needed five games to defeat Krystal Csuk, 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 2-11, 11-8.
Fisher Haynes was up 10-7 in game one against Gudinas, but Gudinas managed to pull it out 12-10. The next three games were lop-sided as Fisher Haynes used her power game to win the second and fourth easily and Gudinas comfortably won game three.
Game five started out even, as they were tied at 2-2. But then Fisher Haynes went out to an 8-2 lead. She maintained that lead to 10-4, but Gudinas cut into at 10-6. However that was as close as Gudinas got, because Fisher Haynes won it 11-6 on what was her third match point.
After losing games one and two to Acosta, Csuk got an 6-0 lead in game three. However, Acosta took a time out at that point, and proceeded to win eight straight points to lead 8-6.
They fought back and forth and were tied at 9-9, when an Acosta serve was called short. She disputed the call, but Csuk got the serve back and served out the game, winning on an Acosta skipped shot.
Game four was all Csuk, as she led start to finish. But in game five, Acosta got the early lead at 4-1 and 8-3, when Csuk called time out.
Acosta got one more point to make it 9-3, and then Csuk started her comeback. She cut the lead to 9-8, at which point Acosta made a weak shot that Csuk seemed to take took long to react to. And she had a chance to put the ball away, but failed to do so.
We thought that was a key shot selection error, and it proved fatal, as Acosta won that rally and then hit two point winning serves to take the game and match.
One semi-final match will be streamed live over the internet via the LPRT Network at 9 AM on Sunday with the final to follow at 1 PM.
8th Winter Classic
Overland Park, Kansas
Quarter finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Jennifer Saunders, 11-2, 11-5, 11-2
4 Susana Acosta d. 5 Krystal Csuk, 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 2-11, 11-8
6 Adrienne Fisher d. 3 Cheryl Gudinas, 10-12, 11-3, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 7 Kerri Wachtel, 11-2, 11-9, 11-3
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 4 Susana Acosta - 9 AM Sunday
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 6 Adrienne Fisher - 9 AM Sunday
Final
1 Paola Longoria or 4 Susana Acosta v. 2 Rhonda Rajsich or 6 Adrienne Fisher - 1 PM Sunday
Follow the bouncing ball….
Top seed Paola Longoria defeated Jennifer Saunders in three games, 11-2, 11-5, 11-2, and second seed Rhonda Rajsich beat Kerri Wachtel, 11-2, 11-9, 11-3.
The last quarter final of the day went the distance, as despite winning the first two games Susy Acosta needed five games to defeat Krystal Csuk, 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 2-11, 11-8.
Fisher Haynes was up 10-7 in game one against Gudinas, but Gudinas managed to pull it out 12-10. The next three games were lop-sided as Fisher Haynes used her power game to win the second and fourth easily and Gudinas comfortably won game three.
Game five started out even, as they were tied at 2-2. But then Fisher Haynes went out to an 8-2 lead. She maintained that lead to 10-4, but Gudinas cut into at 10-6. However that was as close as Gudinas got, because Fisher Haynes won it 11-6 on what was her third match point.
After losing games one and two to Acosta, Csuk got an 6-0 lead in game three. However, Acosta took a time out at that point, and proceeded to win eight straight points to lead 8-6.
They fought back and forth and were tied at 9-9, when an Acosta serve was called short. She disputed the call, but Csuk got the serve back and served out the game, winning on an Acosta skipped shot.
Game four was all Csuk, as she led start to finish. But in game five, Acosta got the early lead at 4-1 and 8-3, when Csuk called time out.
Acosta got one more point to make it 9-3, and then Csuk started her comeback. She cut the lead to 9-8, at which point Acosta made a weak shot that Csuk seemed to take took long to react to. And she had a chance to put the ball away, but failed to do so.
We thought that was a key shot selection error, and it proved fatal, as Acosta won that rally and then hit two point winning serves to take the game and match.
One semi-final match will be streamed live over the internet via the LPRT Network at 9 AM on Sunday with the final to follow at 1 PM.
8th Winter Classic
Overland Park, Kansas
Quarter finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Jennifer Saunders, 11-2, 11-5, 11-2
4 Susana Acosta d. 5 Krystal Csuk, 11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 2-11, 11-8
6 Adrienne Fisher d. 3 Cheryl Gudinas, 10-12, 11-3, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 7 Kerri Wachtel, 11-2, 11-9, 11-3
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 4 Susana Acosta - 9 AM Sunday
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 6 Adrienne Fisher - 9 AM Sunday
Final
1 Paola Longoria or 4 Susana Acosta v. 2 Rhonda Rajsich or 6 Adrienne Fisher - 1 PM Sunday
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, February 23, 2013
LPRT Winter Classic - No upsets in Round of 16
There were no upsets as the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) division of the 8th Annual Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas finally got underway. But there were two five game matches in the 8/9 and 7/10 battles.
Seventh seed Kerri Wachtel scored seven fewer points than Grace Hughes, but still managed to win the match in five games, 5-11, 11-7, 12-10, 0-11, 11-7.
Hughes was up 10-7 in game three and had chances to win it, but the veteran Wachtel, a former US Open champion, managed to pull the game out with five unanswered points.
Yet that momentum didn't carry over to game four, as Hughes blanked Wachtel, 11-0, by having a good mix of drive serves to the right side - Wachtel's forehand - and drive Z serves to the left side - Wachtel's backhand.
Hughes continued the good play in game 5, going out to a 4-0 lead. Wachtel then scored her first point since the end of game 3, and tied the score at 4-4.
Wachtel pulled ahead to 7-5 before Hughes responded with two consecutive points to level the match at 7-7. Hughes's 7th point came as she laid out to get a ball on the right side, and she hit a side wall-front wall shot that rolled off the front wall.
However, that was the last point Hughes got in the match, as Wachtel put together four straight points to win the match. Hughes score seven more points than Wachtel in the match (46 compared to 39), but Wachtel won more games.
The other five game match looked like it wouldn't be five at the start, as Jennifer Saunders got out to big leads in both games one and two against Cristina Amaya, going on to win both 11-4.
But roles were reversed in game three, as Amaya got the early lead at 5-0, and rode that to an 11-5 win. Game four was similar with Amaya building a 8-1 and extending it to 10-4.
However, Saunders made a run, and almost won game four, as she got five points to make it 10-9 before Amaya won it, 11-9.
In game five, Saunders continued the momentum from late in game four and took a 6-1 lead, and extended that to 9-4. Amaya dug in and cut the lead to one point at 9-8.
Then Saunders got the serve back, called a time out and came back in and won the match on the next two rallies. The first was a three shot rally off a drive Z serve to the left side, and the second began with a characteristic kiss lob serve by Saunders.
Saunders will next play LPRT #1 Paola Longoria in the quarter finals, while Wachtel is up against LPRT #2 Rhoda Rajsich.
Matches will be streamed live over the internet via the LPRT Network beginning with the quarter finals on Saturday at 6 PM. The semi-finals will be at 9 AM on Sunday with the final at 1 PM.
8th Winter Classic
Overland Park, Kansas
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria v. 16 BYE
8 Jennifer Saunders d. 9 Cristina Amaya, 11-4, 11-4, 5-11, 9-11, 11-8
5 Krystal Csuk d. 12 T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-6, 11-5, 11-1
4 Susana Acosta d. 17 Jennifer Fenton, 11-0, 11-3, 11-3
3 Cheryl Gudinas d. 14 Lucy Delsarto, 11-3, 11-3, 11-0
6 Adrienne Fisher d. 11 Da'monique Davis, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5
7 Kerri Wachtel d. 10 Grace Hughes, 11-4, 11-4, 5-11, 9-11, 11-8
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. BYE
Quarter finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Jennifer Saunders
4 Susana Acosta v. 5 Krystal Csuk
3 Cheryl Gudinas v. 6 Adrienne Fisher
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 7 Kerri Wachtel
Follow the bouncing ball….
Seventh seed Kerri Wachtel scored seven fewer points than Grace Hughes, but still managed to win the match in five games, 5-11, 11-7, 12-10, 0-11, 11-7.
Hughes was up 10-7 in game three and had chances to win it, but the veteran Wachtel, a former US Open champion, managed to pull the game out with five unanswered points.
Yet that momentum didn't carry over to game four, as Hughes blanked Wachtel, 11-0, by having a good mix of drive serves to the right side - Wachtel's forehand - and drive Z serves to the left side - Wachtel's backhand.
Hughes continued the good play in game 5, going out to a 4-0 lead. Wachtel then scored her first point since the end of game 3, and tied the score at 4-4.
Wachtel pulled ahead to 7-5 before Hughes responded with two consecutive points to level the match at 7-7. Hughes's 7th point came as she laid out to get a ball on the right side, and she hit a side wall-front wall shot that rolled off the front wall.
However, that was the last point Hughes got in the match, as Wachtel put together four straight points to win the match. Hughes score seven more points than Wachtel in the match (46 compared to 39), but Wachtel won more games.
The other five game match looked like it wouldn't be five at the start, as Jennifer Saunders got out to big leads in both games one and two against Cristina Amaya, going on to win both 11-4.
But roles were reversed in game three, as Amaya got the early lead at 5-0, and rode that to an 11-5 win. Game four was similar with Amaya building a 8-1 and extending it to 10-4.
However, Saunders made a run, and almost won game four, as she got five points to make it 10-9 before Amaya won it, 11-9.
In game five, Saunders continued the momentum from late in game four and took a 6-1 lead, and extended that to 9-4. Amaya dug in and cut the lead to one point at 9-8.
Then Saunders got the serve back, called a time out and came back in and won the match on the next two rallies. The first was a three shot rally off a drive Z serve to the left side, and the second began with a characteristic kiss lob serve by Saunders.
Saunders will next play LPRT #1 Paola Longoria in the quarter finals, while Wachtel is up against LPRT #2 Rhoda Rajsich.
Matches will be streamed live over the internet via the LPRT Network beginning with the quarter finals on Saturday at 6 PM. The semi-finals will be at 9 AM on Sunday with the final at 1 PM.
8th Winter Classic
Overland Park, Kansas
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria v. 16 BYE
8 Jennifer Saunders d. 9 Cristina Amaya, 11-4, 11-4, 5-11, 9-11, 11-8
5 Krystal Csuk d. 12 T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-6, 11-5, 11-1
4 Susana Acosta d. 17 Jennifer Fenton, 11-0, 11-3, 11-3
3 Cheryl Gudinas d. 14 Lucy Delsarto, 11-3, 11-3, 11-0
6 Adrienne Fisher d. 11 Da'monique Davis, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5
7 Kerri Wachtel d. 10 Grace Hughes, 11-4, 11-4, 5-11, 9-11, 11-8
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. BYE
Quarter finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Jennifer Saunders
4 Susana Acosta v. 5 Krystal Csuk
3 Cheryl Gudinas v. 6 Adrienne Fisher
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 7 Kerri Wachtel
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, February 22, 2013
LPRT Winter Classic - Preview Update REVISED
Once again the draw was changed for the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) at the 8th Annual Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas, as a storm prevented several players from making to Kansas. This reduced the draw from 19 players to 14.
LPRT #1 Paola Longoria indicated she wasn't going to make it, but that changed late on Friday, and she was put back in the draw. Thus, the winner of 13 consecutive tournaments will be looking to make it 14 this weekend.
In her way are LPRT #2 Rhoda Rajsich and former #1 Cheryl Gudinas, who's the third seed.
Matches are going to begin on Saturday with the semi-finals and final on Sunday.
Matches should still be streamed live over the internet via the LPRT Network, but we're not sure when that will begin on Saturday.
8th Winter Classic
Overland Park, Kansas
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria v. BYE
8 Jennifer Saunders v. 9 Cristina Amaya - 11 AM Saturday
5 Krystal Csuk v. 11 T. J. Baumbaugh - Noon Saturday
4 Susana Acosta v. v. 12 Jennifer Fenton - Noon Saturday
3 Cheryl Gudinas v. 13 Lucy Delsarto - 11 AM Saturday
6 Adrienne Fisher v. 11 Da'monique Davis - 10 AM Saturday
7 Kerri Wachtel v. v. 9 Grace Hughes - 10 AM Saturday
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
LPRT #1 Paola Longoria indicated she wasn't going to make it, but that changed late on Friday, and she was put back in the draw. Thus, the winner of 13 consecutive tournaments will be looking to make it 14 this weekend.
In her way are LPRT #2 Rhoda Rajsich and former #1 Cheryl Gudinas, who's the third seed.
Matches are going to begin on Saturday with the semi-finals and final on Sunday.
Matches should still be streamed live over the internet via the LPRT Network, but we're not sure when that will begin on Saturday.
8th Winter Classic
Overland Park, Kansas
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria v. BYE
8 Jennifer Saunders v. 9 Cristina Amaya - 11 AM Saturday
5 Krystal Csuk v. 11 T. J. Baumbaugh - Noon Saturday
4 Susana Acosta v. v. 12 Jennifer Fenton - Noon Saturday
3 Cheryl Gudinas v. 13 Lucy Delsarto - 11 AM Saturday
6 Adrienne Fisher v. 11 Da'monique Davis - 10 AM Saturday
7 Kerri Wachtel v. v. 9 Grace Hughes - 10 AM Saturday
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
LPRT Winter Classic - Preview
The 8th Annual Winter Classic in Overland Park, Kansas is the main event of the weekend, as the Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) will have their second event of 2013 there. It's a relatively small draw, but the top 13 LRPT players will be in Kansas.
Leading the field is LPRT #1 Paola Longoria, who is looking to win her 14th consecutive tournament.
LPRT #2 Rhoda Rajsich is Longoria's main rival, but Rajsich may have to go through Kerri Wachtel in the quarter finals and Cheryl Gudinas in the semi-finals to get a chance at Longoria. Both Wachtel and Gudinas have defeated Rajsich recently.
Matches will be streamed live over the internet via the LPRT Network beginning with the quarter finals on Saturday at 11 AM.
8th Winter Classic
Overland Park, Kansas
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria v. 32 BYE
16 Carla Munoz v. 17 Jennifer Fenton
9 Jennifer Saunders v. BYE
8 Samantha Salas Solis v. BYE
5 Krystal Csuk v. BYE
12 Da'monique Davis v. BYE
13 T. J. Baumbaugh v. BYE
4 Susana Acosta v. BYE
3 Cheryl Gudinas v. BYE
14 Laura Brandt v. BYE
11 Grace Hughes v. BYE
6 Adrienne Fisher v. BYE
7 Kerri Wachtel v. BYE
10 Cristina Amaya v. BYE
15 Hailey Miller v. 18 Lucy Delsarto
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Leading the field is LPRT #1 Paola Longoria, who is looking to win her 14th consecutive tournament.
LPRT #2 Rhoda Rajsich is Longoria's main rival, but Rajsich may have to go through Kerri Wachtel in the quarter finals and Cheryl Gudinas in the semi-finals to get a chance at Longoria. Both Wachtel and Gudinas have defeated Rajsich recently.
Matches will be streamed live over the internet via the LPRT Network beginning with the quarter finals on Saturday at 11 AM.
8th Winter Classic
Overland Park, Kansas
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria v. 32 BYE
16 Carla Munoz v. 17 Jennifer Fenton
9 Jennifer Saunders v. BYE
8 Samantha Salas Solis v. BYE
5 Krystal Csuk v. BYE
12 Da'monique Davis v. BYE
13 T. J. Baumbaugh v. BYE
4 Susana Acosta v. BYE
3 Cheryl Gudinas v. BYE
14 Laura Brandt v. BYE
11 Grace Hughes v. BYE
6 Adrienne Fisher v. BYE
7 Kerri Wachtel v. BYE
10 Cristina Amaya v. BYE
15 Hailey Miller v. 18 Lucy Delsarto
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, February 16, 2013
46th USA Racquetball Doubles Championships - Three new winners & an 8th
Three first time winners at the 46th USA Racquetball (USAR) National Doubles Championship in Tempe, Arizona, as Jansen Allen and Tony Carson won the men's title and Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger took the women's title on Saturday. Allen, Carson and Tisinger won for the first time, but it was Ruiz's 8th USAR women's doubles title.
Ruiz and Tisinger defeated sisters Danielle and Michelle Key, 15-6, 15-8, in the final. Ruiz and Tisinger had been in the finals four times previously but not on the same side, as Tisinger played with Rhonda Rajsich and Ruiz had partnered with Jackie Paraiso (three times) or Laura Fenton (once). Ruiz's side won all those previous encounters.
On the men's side, 4th seeds Jansen Allen defeated Chris Crowther and Cliff Swain in the final, 15-12, 15-11, to win their first championship in their first finals appearance. Crowther was runner-up for the third year in a row, as he was in the finals with Shane Vanderson the last two years.
Women's final
Ruiz and Tisinger and Key and Key were tied early in game one at 3-3, but then Ruiz and Tisinger ran five points to make it 8-3. Key and Key called time out at 9-4, but were only able to get a couple points back after that, as Ruiz and Tisinger won game one 15-6.
Left-handed Ruiz was using a straight lob serve tight along the left side wall that to right-handed Michelle Key, who had difficulty playing it effectively.
In game two, Ruiz and Tisinger got an early lead at 5-1 and 7-2, but after a time out the Keys closed the difference to one at 7-6. But that was as close as they got as Ruiz and Tisinger opened up the lead to 10-6 and went on to win game two 15-8 and take the match in two straight games.
The Keys seemed to be too focussed on their opponents being a lefty-righty team as early on they served wrap arounds and into the middle, while they had more success in game two when they served directly to whichever opponent was on their side.
Nonetheless, it was an excellent tournament for the sisters, who defeated two veteran teams to get to their first US women's doubles final.
Men's final
In the men's side, veterans Crowther and Swain started well, as they got out to a 9-2 lead in game one. Swain's powerful drive serves had Allen and Carson off balance and they may also have been nervous being in their first US Men's Doubles final.
But Allen and Carson called a time out down 11-5, and proceeded to turn the game around. They served into the middle against the righty-lefty team of Crowther and Swain, who often tried to short hop serve returns. The stategy worked as Allen and Carson cut the lead to 12-11.
Crowther and Swain got the serve back at that point, but they weren't able to add to their point total, as Allen and Carson finished off the game 15-13. Allen had the hot hand later in game one, although Carson won the game with a forehand kill down the left side from deep in the court.
Game two was back and forth, including four straight side outs at 6-5 Crowther and Swain leading.
Then Allen and Carson went up 9-7, only to see the veterans respond with three straight points to lead 10-9. Crowther and Swain went up 11-10, but lost the serve, and Allen and Carson called a time out.
When the match resumed, Allen and Carson finished it off. Five straight points. Match point came after Swain skipped a service return as he was trying to smash it with an overhead shot. On the next rally, Allen hit a flat pinch winner into the front right corner, which was appropriate as he shot many winners during the match.
2013 46th USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's
Final
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. Chris Crowther & Cliff Swain, 15-12, 15-11
3rd Place
Andy Hawthorne & Jeff Stark d. Ben Croft & Rocky Carson, forfeit
Women's
Final
Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger d. Danielle Key & Michelle Key, 15-6, 15-8
3rd Place
Cheryl Gudinas & Kelani Bailey d. Rhonda Rajsich & Kim Russell-Waselenchuk, 15-12, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Ruiz and Tisinger defeated sisters Danielle and Michelle Key, 15-6, 15-8, in the final. Ruiz and Tisinger had been in the finals four times previously but not on the same side, as Tisinger played with Rhonda Rajsich and Ruiz had partnered with Jackie Paraiso (three times) or Laura Fenton (once). Ruiz's side won all those previous encounters.
On the men's side, 4th seeds Jansen Allen defeated Chris Crowther and Cliff Swain in the final, 15-12, 15-11, to win their first championship in their first finals appearance. Crowther was runner-up for the third year in a row, as he was in the finals with Shane Vanderson the last two years.
Women's final
Ruiz and Tisinger and Key and Key were tied early in game one at 3-3, but then Ruiz and Tisinger ran five points to make it 8-3. Key and Key called time out at 9-4, but were only able to get a couple points back after that, as Ruiz and Tisinger won game one 15-6.
Left-handed Ruiz was using a straight lob serve tight along the left side wall that to right-handed Michelle Key, who had difficulty playing it effectively.
In game two, Ruiz and Tisinger got an early lead at 5-1 and 7-2, but after a time out the Keys closed the difference to one at 7-6. But that was as close as they got as Ruiz and Tisinger opened up the lead to 10-6 and went on to win game two 15-8 and take the match in two straight games.
The Keys seemed to be too focussed on their opponents being a lefty-righty team as early on they served wrap arounds and into the middle, while they had more success in game two when they served directly to whichever opponent was on their side.
Nonetheless, it was an excellent tournament for the sisters, who defeated two veteran teams to get to their first US women's doubles final.
Men's final
In the men's side, veterans Crowther and Swain started well, as they got out to a 9-2 lead in game one. Swain's powerful drive serves had Allen and Carson off balance and they may also have been nervous being in their first US Men's Doubles final.
But Allen and Carson called a time out down 11-5, and proceeded to turn the game around. They served into the middle against the righty-lefty team of Crowther and Swain, who often tried to short hop serve returns. The stategy worked as Allen and Carson cut the lead to 12-11.
Crowther and Swain got the serve back at that point, but they weren't able to add to their point total, as Allen and Carson finished off the game 15-13. Allen had the hot hand later in game one, although Carson won the game with a forehand kill down the left side from deep in the court.
Game two was back and forth, including four straight side outs at 6-5 Crowther and Swain leading.
Then Allen and Carson went up 9-7, only to see the veterans respond with three straight points to lead 10-9. Crowther and Swain went up 11-10, but lost the serve, and Allen and Carson called a time out.
When the match resumed, Allen and Carson finished it off. Five straight points. Match point came after Swain skipped a service return as he was trying to smash it with an overhead shot. On the next rally, Allen hit a flat pinch winner into the front right corner, which was appropriate as he shot many winners during the match.
2013 46th USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's
Final
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. Chris Crowther & Cliff Swain, 15-12, 15-11
3rd Place
Andy Hawthorne & Jeff Stark d. Ben Croft & Rocky Carson, forfeit
Women's
Final
Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger d. Danielle Key & Michelle Key, 15-6, 15-8
3rd Place
Cheryl Gudinas & Kelani Bailey d. Rhonda Rajsich & Kim Russell-Waselenchuk, 15-12, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, February 15, 2013
46th USA Racquetball Doubles Championships - Top seeds upset
The men's and women's defending champions and #1 seeds are out at the 46th USA Racquetball National Doubles Championship in Tempe, Arizona. On the women's side, the Key sisters - Danielle and Michelle - were again the giant killers, as they defeated defending champions Rhonda Rajsich and Kim Russell-Waselenchuk in the semi-finals Friday, 9-15, 15-5, 11-8.
The Keys will play 2nd seeds Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger, who defeated Cheryl Gudinas and Kelani Bailey, 15-13, 15-6.
On the men's side, 4th seeds Jansen Allen and Tony Carson ousted the defending champions Rocky Carson and Ben Croft in two straight games, 15-7, 15-14, to advance to Saturday's final.
Allen and Carson will play Chris Crowther and Cliff Swain in the final, as Crowther and Swain beat Andy Hawthorne and Jeff Stark, 15-8, 15-11, in the other semi-final.
Women's Semi-finals
Key and Key were toe to toe with Rajsich and Russell-Waselenchuk in game one, as they were tied at 9-9 before the defending champs went on a run and won it 15-9.
But in game two, the momentum completely reversed as Key and Key took an 11-0 lead, and won comfortably 15-5 to set up the tie-breaker.
The score was close early on in the breaker but after being tied at 3-3, the Keys took the lead up to 7-3 and then 9-4. The champs dug in and cut the lead to 9-6 and momentum seemed to be shifting; Michelle Key especially seemed to be getting a little nervous.
The Keys signalled for timeout but they had used both of their timeouts, so instead they were assessed a technical, which made the score 8-6 with Rajsich and Russell-Waselenchuk serving.
One had to wonder if that technical was going to make a difference in the match, as Rajsich and Russell-Waselenchuk tied the score at 8-8. But then Michelle Key hit a backhand pinch that rolled out to get them the serve back.
They regained the lead at 9-8, but were then sided out. However, the champions couldn't take advantage as they failed to score a point, and gave the serve back when Rajsich hit a three wall serve.
Danielle got one point then Michelle hit a drive Z serve to Rajsich, who skipped the return to give the match to the Keys.
Afterwards, Michelle Key said she was "so excited" and it was "a lot of fun" to play the match. Asked about how they got the big lead in game two, Danielle Key said "we really wanted it," and didn't want to go out in two straight games.
In the tie-breaker, Michelle said they felt "we have nothing to lose," which helped ensure they didn't lose.
In the other women's semi-final, Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger were just too much for the team of veteran Cheryl Gudinas and junior Kelani Bailey. Gudinas and Bailey played them close in game one, losing 15-13, and of course, if they'd won that game the match may have had a different outcome.
However, Ruiz and Tisinger won it, and then took a big lead in game two at 9-3. At that point, Gudinas and Bailey switched sides on the serve return so Tisinger was serving to Gudinas, but they gave up two more points before getting side out at 11-3.
At that point it was really only a matter of time before Ruiz and Tisinger won the game and match.
Men's Semi-finals
On the men's side, Allen and T. Carson started well against the defending champions Croft and R. Carson, getting a 3-0 lead and never relinquished the lead. Croft and R. Carson took a time out at 11-5 down, but couldn't right the ship as Allen and T. Carson took it 15-7.
Croft and R. Carson came out better in game two, and had a lead at 7-3, when Allen and T. Carson called time out. That led to five straight points, as Allen and T. Carson pulled ahead 8-7.
But the defending champs responded with a four point run of their own to retake the lead at 11-8. Again Allen and T. Carson called time out.
The time out proved effective with Allen and T. Carson regaining the lead at 12-11. However, Croft and R. Carson dug in and got to game point first, leading 14-12.
But they couldn't close the deal, leaving the door open for Allen and T. Carson, who were more than happy to walk through it. T. Carson won the match with a forehand kill shot off the back wall that also cracked out of the right side wall.
Tony Carson said their strategy was to "try to control front court, and keep [Croft and R. Carson] in the back court," and "play hard and hope for the best."
When asked about his serving strategy, as T. Carson served several times into the middle, which R. Carson took with his forehand, he said "I don't like serving the same serve over and over" because the returner can get into a groove, especially players as good as R. Carson (Tony Carson and Rocky Carson aren't related).
For his part, Allen said "I was just trying to react as fast as I can." And several rallies required very fast reactions in what was a very entertaining and competitive match.
In the final semi of the night between two righty-lefty teams, Crowther and Swain won game one comfortably, as they went up 5-1 and never trailed, although Hawthorne and Stark did close the gap to one point at 8-7. Yet Crowther and Swain went on to win 15-8.
However, in game two Hawthorne and Stark went up 7-0 and it looked like the match might go to a tie-breaker. However, a time out at 7-0 began the start of a comeback by Crowther and Swain, who tied the game at 9-9, and then held Hawthorne and Stark at 9 while they got the final six points to win the game and match.
Swain hit a variety of drive serves from several different spots in the service box, including having Crowther stand on the left side as he served to Hawthorne on the right. Crowther often lob served to Stark, who as a left hander, was playing on the left side despite Swain being on that side.
2013 46th USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's
Semi-finals
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. Rocky Carson & Ben Croft, 15-7, 15-14
Chris Crowther & Cliff Swain d. Andy Hawthorne & Jeff Stark, 15-8, 15-11
Final
Chris Crowther & Cliff Swain v. Jansen Allen & Tony Carson
Women's
Semi-finals
Danielle Key & Michelle Key d. Rhonda Rajsich & Kim Russell-Waselenchuk, 9-15, 15-5, 11-8
Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger d. Cheryl Gudinas & Kelani Bailey, 15-13, 15-6
Final
Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger v. Danielle Key & Michelle Key
Follow the bouncing ball....
The Keys will play 2nd seeds Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger, who defeated Cheryl Gudinas and Kelani Bailey, 15-13, 15-6.
On the men's side, 4th seeds Jansen Allen and Tony Carson ousted the defending champions Rocky Carson and Ben Croft in two straight games, 15-7, 15-14, to advance to Saturday's final.
Allen and Carson will play Chris Crowther and Cliff Swain in the final, as Crowther and Swain beat Andy Hawthorne and Jeff Stark, 15-8, 15-11, in the other semi-final.
Women's Semi-finals
Key and Key were toe to toe with Rajsich and Russell-Waselenchuk in game one, as they were tied at 9-9 before the defending champs went on a run and won it 15-9.
But in game two, the momentum completely reversed as Key and Key took an 11-0 lead, and won comfortably 15-5 to set up the tie-breaker.
The score was close early on in the breaker but after being tied at 3-3, the Keys took the lead up to 7-3 and then 9-4. The champs dug in and cut the lead to 9-6 and momentum seemed to be shifting; Michelle Key especially seemed to be getting a little nervous.
The Keys signalled for timeout but they had used both of their timeouts, so instead they were assessed a technical, which made the score 8-6 with Rajsich and Russell-Waselenchuk serving.
One had to wonder if that technical was going to make a difference in the match, as Rajsich and Russell-Waselenchuk tied the score at 8-8. But then Michelle Key hit a backhand pinch that rolled out to get them the serve back.
They regained the lead at 9-8, but were then sided out. However, the champions couldn't take advantage as they failed to score a point, and gave the serve back when Rajsich hit a three wall serve.
Danielle got one point then Michelle hit a drive Z serve to Rajsich, who skipped the return to give the match to the Keys.
Afterwards, Michelle Key said she was "so excited" and it was "a lot of fun" to play the match. Asked about how they got the big lead in game two, Danielle Key said "we really wanted it," and didn't want to go out in two straight games.
In the tie-breaker, Michelle said they felt "we have nothing to lose," which helped ensure they didn't lose.
In the other women's semi-final, Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger were just too much for the team of veteran Cheryl Gudinas and junior Kelani Bailey. Gudinas and Bailey played them close in game one, losing 15-13, and of course, if they'd won that game the match may have had a different outcome.
However, Ruiz and Tisinger won it, and then took a big lead in game two at 9-3. At that point, Gudinas and Bailey switched sides on the serve return so Tisinger was serving to Gudinas, but they gave up two more points before getting side out at 11-3.
At that point it was really only a matter of time before Ruiz and Tisinger won the game and match.
Men's Semi-finals
On the men's side, Allen and T. Carson started well against the defending champions Croft and R. Carson, getting a 3-0 lead and never relinquished the lead. Croft and R. Carson took a time out at 11-5 down, but couldn't right the ship as Allen and T. Carson took it 15-7.
Croft and R. Carson came out better in game two, and had a lead at 7-3, when Allen and T. Carson called time out. That led to five straight points, as Allen and T. Carson pulled ahead 8-7.
But the defending champs responded with a four point run of their own to retake the lead at 11-8. Again Allen and T. Carson called time out.
The time out proved effective with Allen and T. Carson regaining the lead at 12-11. However, Croft and R. Carson dug in and got to game point first, leading 14-12.
But they couldn't close the deal, leaving the door open for Allen and T. Carson, who were more than happy to walk through it. T. Carson won the match with a forehand kill shot off the back wall that also cracked out of the right side wall.
Tony Carson said their strategy was to "try to control front court, and keep [Croft and R. Carson] in the back court," and "play hard and hope for the best."
When asked about his serving strategy, as T. Carson served several times into the middle, which R. Carson took with his forehand, he said "I don't like serving the same serve over and over" because the returner can get into a groove, especially players as good as R. Carson (Tony Carson and Rocky Carson aren't related).
For his part, Allen said "I was just trying to react as fast as I can." And several rallies required very fast reactions in what was a very entertaining and competitive match.
In the final semi of the night between two righty-lefty teams, Crowther and Swain won game one comfortably, as they went up 5-1 and never trailed, although Hawthorne and Stark did close the gap to one point at 8-7. Yet Crowther and Swain went on to win 15-8.
However, in game two Hawthorne and Stark went up 7-0 and it looked like the match might go to a tie-breaker. However, a time out at 7-0 began the start of a comeback by Crowther and Swain, who tied the game at 9-9, and then held Hawthorne and Stark at 9 while they got the final six points to win the game and match.
Swain hit a variety of drive serves from several different spots in the service box, including having Crowther stand on the left side as he served to Hawthorne on the right. Crowther often lob served to Stark, who as a left hander, was playing on the left side despite Swain being on that side.
2013 46th USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's
Semi-finals
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. Rocky Carson & Ben Croft, 15-7, 15-14
Chris Crowther & Cliff Swain d. Andy Hawthorne & Jeff Stark, 15-8, 15-11
Final
Chris Crowther & Cliff Swain v. Jansen Allen & Tony Carson
Women's
Semi-finals
Danielle Key & Michelle Key d. Rhonda Rajsich & Kim Russell-Waselenchuk, 9-15, 15-5, 11-8
Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger d. Cheryl Gudinas & Kelani Bailey, 15-13, 15-6
Final
Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger v. Danielle Key & Michelle Key
Follow the bouncing ball....
46th USA Racquetball Double Championships - First round results
The 46th USA Racquetball National Doubles Championship are underway in Tempe, Arizona, and there were some unexpected results on Thursday on the women's side, as the Key sisters - Danielle and Michelle - defeated another pair of sisters former US and World Champions Jacqueline and Joy Paraiso, 15-7, 15-7, in the first round of the Women's US Team Qualifying division.
The Keys will face top seeds and defending champions Rhonda Rajsich and Kim Russell-Waselenchuk in the semi-finals on Friday.
Other women's winners on Thursday were Cheryl Gudinas and Kelani Bailey, who defeated Grace Hughes and Jessica Munoz, 15-12, 15-10, and Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger, 15-12, 15-5, winners over Elaine Albrecht and Kimberly Irons.
There were no upsets on the men's side, including a win by defending champions Rocky Carson and Ben Croft, who beat Bryan Crosser and Jacob Hutkins, 15-8, 15-12.
Chris Crowther and Shane Vanderson were runners-up to Croft and Carson last year, but Vanderson isn't playing this year, so Crowther's teamed up with two time US Open Champion Cliff Swain. They won their first match over Mike Orr and Scott Davis, 15-4, 15-7.
In the other quarter final matches, young guns Jansen Allen and Tony Carson defeated the veteran team of Eric Muller and Jason Mannino, 15-5, 15-6, and Andy Hawthorne and Jeff Stark beat Anthony Herrera and Rafael Filippini, 15-7, 15-2.
The semis will be Croft and R. Carson versus Allen and T. Carson, who's no relation to R. Carson, on the top side with Crowther and Swain versus Hawthorne and Stark on the bottom side.
2013 46th USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's
Quarter finals
Rocky Carson & Ben Croft d. Bryan Crosser & Jacob Hutkins, 15-8, 15-12
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. Eric Muller & Jason Mannino, 15-5, 15-6
Andy Hawthorne & Jeff Stark d. Anthony Herrera & Rafael Filippini, 15-7, 15-2
Chris Crowther & Cliff Swain d. Mike Orr & Scott Davis, 15-4, 15-7
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson & Ben Croft v. Jansen Allen & Tony Carson
Chris Crowther & Cliff Swain v. Andy Hawthorne & Jeff Stark
Women's
Quarter finals
Rhonda Rajsich & Kim Russell-Waselenchuk - BYE
Danielle Key & Michelle Key d. Jacqueline Paraiso & Joy Paraiso, 15-7, 15-7
Cheryl Gudinas & Kelani Bailey d. Grace Hughes & Jessica Munoz, 15-12, 15-10
Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger d. Elaine Albrecht & Kimberly Irons, 15-12, 15-5
Semi-finals
Rhonda Rajsich & Kim Russell-Waselenchuk v. Danielle Key & Michelle Key
Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger v. Cheryl Gudinas & Kelani Bailey
Follow the bouncing ball....
The Keys will face top seeds and defending champions Rhonda Rajsich and Kim Russell-Waselenchuk in the semi-finals on Friday.
Other women's winners on Thursday were Cheryl Gudinas and Kelani Bailey, who defeated Grace Hughes and Jessica Munoz, 15-12, 15-10, and Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger, 15-12, 15-5, winners over Elaine Albrecht and Kimberly Irons.
There were no upsets on the men's side, including a win by defending champions Rocky Carson and Ben Croft, who beat Bryan Crosser and Jacob Hutkins, 15-8, 15-12.
Chris Crowther and Shane Vanderson were runners-up to Croft and Carson last year, but Vanderson isn't playing this year, so Crowther's teamed up with two time US Open Champion Cliff Swain. They won their first match over Mike Orr and Scott Davis, 15-4, 15-7.
In the other quarter final matches, young guns Jansen Allen and Tony Carson defeated the veteran team of Eric Muller and Jason Mannino, 15-5, 15-6, and Andy Hawthorne and Jeff Stark beat Anthony Herrera and Rafael Filippini, 15-7, 15-2.
The semis will be Croft and R. Carson versus Allen and T. Carson, who's no relation to R. Carson, on the top side with Crowther and Swain versus Hawthorne and Stark on the bottom side.
2013 46th USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Division Entries
Men's
Quarter finals
Rocky Carson & Ben Croft d. Bryan Crosser & Jacob Hutkins, 15-8, 15-12
Jansen Allen & Tony Carson d. Eric Muller & Jason Mannino, 15-5, 15-6
Andy Hawthorne & Jeff Stark d. Anthony Herrera & Rafael Filippini, 15-7, 15-2
Chris Crowther & Cliff Swain d. Mike Orr & Scott Davis, 15-4, 15-7
Semi-finals
Rocky Carson & Ben Croft v. Jansen Allen & Tony Carson
Chris Crowther & Cliff Swain v. Andy Hawthorne & Jeff Stark
Women's
Quarter finals
Rhonda Rajsich & Kim Russell-Waselenchuk - BYE
Danielle Key & Michelle Key d. Jacqueline Paraiso & Joy Paraiso, 15-7, 15-7
Cheryl Gudinas & Kelani Bailey d. Grace Hughes & Jessica Munoz, 15-12, 15-10
Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger d. Elaine Albrecht & Kimberly Irons, 15-12, 15-5
Semi-finals
Rhonda Rajsich & Kim Russell-Waselenchuk v. Danielle Key & Michelle Key
Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger v. Cheryl Gudinas & Kelani Bailey
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
IRT Rankings February 12, 2013 - Top 5 the same, T. Carson up to 6th
Tony Carson has reached a career high ranking of 6th in the latest International Racquetball Tour (IRT) rankings, and the five spots above him remain unchanged. Kane Waselenchuk remains #1, Rocky Carson #2, Alvaro Beltran #3, Jose Rojas #4 and Chris Crowther #5.
Tony Carson jumped ahead of Shane Vanderson and Ben Croft, who are now 7th and 8th, respectively.
Rounding out the top 10 are Javier Morneo and Andy Hawthorne, who have flipped places with Moreno in 9th and Hawthorne in 10th.
Alejandro (Alex) Landa is now 11th behind Anthony Herrera in 10th. Daniel De La Rosa and Jose Diaz also moved up and are now 14th and 16th.
Moving into the top 20 are Nick Montalbano in 19th and Marco Rojas in 20th.
The IRT's next Tier 1 event is the Florida Spring Break Pro/Am in Tampa, Florida March 6-10.
IRT Rankings - 12 February 2013
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3560
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3258
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 2940
4 Jose ROJAS (USA) 2156
5 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 2000
6 Tony CARSON (USA) 1698
7 Shane VANDERSON (USA) 1672
8 Ben CROFT (USA) 1559
9 Javier MORENO (Mexico) 1267
10 Andy HAWTHORNE (USA) 1092
11 Anthony HERRERA (USA) 967
12 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 881
13 Charlie PRATT (USA) 799
14 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 753
15 Brad SCHOPIERAY (USA) 725
16 Jose DIAZ (USA) 706
17 Alex ACKERMANN (USA) 680
18 Juan HERRERA (Colombia) 653
19 Nick MONTALBANO (USA) 570
20 Marco ROJAS (USA) 554
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tony Carson jumped ahead of Shane Vanderson and Ben Croft, who are now 7th and 8th, respectively.
Rounding out the top 10 are Javier Morneo and Andy Hawthorne, who have flipped places with Moreno in 9th and Hawthorne in 10th.
Alejandro (Alex) Landa is now 11th behind Anthony Herrera in 10th. Daniel De La Rosa and Jose Diaz also moved up and are now 14th and 16th.
Moving into the top 20 are Nick Montalbano in 19th and Marco Rojas in 20th.
The IRT's next Tier 1 event is the Florida Spring Break Pro/Am in Tampa, Florida March 6-10.
IRT Rankings - 12 February 2013
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3560
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3258
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 2940
4 Jose ROJAS (USA) 2156
5 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 2000
6 Tony CARSON (USA) 1698
7 Shane VANDERSON (USA) 1672
8 Ben CROFT (USA) 1559
9 Javier MORENO (Mexico) 1267
10 Andy HAWTHORNE (USA) 1092
11 Anthony HERRERA (USA) 967
12 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 881
13 Charlie PRATT (USA) 799
14 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 753
15 Brad SCHOPIERAY (USA) 725
16 Jose DIAZ (USA) 706
17 Alex ACKERMANN (USA) 680
18 Juan HERRERA (Colombia) 653
19 Nick MONTALBANO (USA) 570
20 Marco ROJAS (USA) 554
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, February 11, 2013
Weekend Round Up - Landeryou, Hawthorne & Swain win
There were three International Racquetball Tour (IRT) events on the weekend: one Tier 4 event and two Tier 5 events. In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Tim Landeryou won the 39th Keystone Classic Racquetball Tournament, which could be the longest running racquetball tournament in the world and was a Tier 4 IRT event, by defeating Coby Iwaasa, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9, in the final. It was Landeryou's second win in as many weekends, as he won Racquetball Canada's National Team Selection Event last weekend in Brossard, Quebec.
Landeryou advanced to the Keystone final with a win over Kurtis Cullen in the semi-finals, 11-3, 11-4, 6-11, 11-2. In the other semi, Iwaasa defeated James Landeryou - Tim's younger brother, 11-9, 11-8, 4-11, 9-11, 11-9.
Elsewhere, Andy Hawthorne won the 2013 Sweetheart Racquetball Tournament in Columbus, Ohio on the weekend. He defeated Brian Simpson in the final, 11-1, 7-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4. In the semi-finals, Hawthorne beat Kyle Ulliman, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3, and Simpson defeated Filip Vesely, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9.
Finally in Utica, Michigan, Cliff Swain defeated Brad Schopieray, 12-10, 11-5, 11-9, to win the Motor City Rollout. Swain beat Walt Podraza in the semi-finals, 11-4, 11-6, 11-1, while Schopieray defeated Ryan Minto, 11-6, 11-4, 11-1, in the other semi.
39th Annual Keystone Classic, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Final
Tim Landeryou d. Coby Iwaasa, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9
Semi-finals
Tim Landeryou d. Kurtis Cullen, 11-3, 11-4, 6-11, 11-2
Coby Iwaasa d. James Landeryou, 11-9, 11-8, 4-11, 9-11, 11-9
2013 Sweetheart Racquetball Tournament, Columbus, Ohio
Final
Andy Hawthorne d. Brian Simpson, 11-1, 7-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4
Semi-finals
Andy Hawthorne d. Kyle Ulliman, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3
Brian Simpson d. Filip Vesely, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9
Motor City Rollout, Utica, Michigan
Final
Cliff Swain d. Brad Schopieray, 12-10, 11-5, 11-9
Semi-finals
Cliff Swain d. Walt Podraza, 11-4, 11-6, 11-1
Brad Schopieray d. Ryan Minto, 11-6, 11-4, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball….
Landeryou advanced to the Keystone final with a win over Kurtis Cullen in the semi-finals, 11-3, 11-4, 6-11, 11-2. In the other semi, Iwaasa defeated James Landeryou - Tim's younger brother, 11-9, 11-8, 4-11, 9-11, 11-9.
Elsewhere, Andy Hawthorne won the 2013 Sweetheart Racquetball Tournament in Columbus, Ohio on the weekend. He defeated Brian Simpson in the final, 11-1, 7-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4. In the semi-finals, Hawthorne beat Kyle Ulliman, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3, and Simpson defeated Filip Vesely, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9.
Finally in Utica, Michigan, Cliff Swain defeated Brad Schopieray, 12-10, 11-5, 11-9, to win the Motor City Rollout. Swain beat Walt Podraza in the semi-finals, 11-4, 11-6, 11-1, while Schopieray defeated Ryan Minto, 11-6, 11-4, 11-1, in the other semi.
39th Annual Keystone Classic, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Final
Tim Landeryou d. Coby Iwaasa, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9
Semi-finals
Tim Landeryou d. Kurtis Cullen, 11-3, 11-4, 6-11, 11-2
Coby Iwaasa d. James Landeryou, 11-9, 11-8, 4-11, 9-11, 11-9
2013 Sweetheart Racquetball Tournament, Columbus, Ohio
Final
Andy Hawthorne d. Brian Simpson, 11-1, 7-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4
Semi-finals
Andy Hawthorne d. Kyle Ulliman, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3
Brian Simpson d. Filip Vesely, 11-2, 11-6, 11-9
Motor City Rollout, Utica, Michigan
Final
Cliff Swain d. Brad Schopieray, 12-10, 11-5, 11-9
Semi-finals
Cliff Swain d. Walt Podraza, 11-4, 11-6, 11-1
Brad Schopieray d. Ryan Minto, 11-6, 11-4, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, February 8, 2013
LPRT Rankings - Longoria & Rajsich continue on top
Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich continue to be the top ranked player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), at #1 and #2, respectively, but there's plenty of movement below them in the latest LPRT rankings.
Veteran Cheryl Gudinas is back up to #3, and left hander Susy Acosta is #4. Krystal Csuk, who missed the last LPRT tournament in Cincinnati, drops to #5.
Adrienne Fisher is 6th, and Kerri Wachtel, who was 3rd at the end of last season, is now 7th.
Rounding out the top 10 are, Samantha Salas in 8th, Jennifer Saunders 9th, and Cristina Amaya in 10th.
Grace Hughes is the first of the next 10, as she's 11th - her highest ranking ever. Also reaching a career high ranking is Maria Jose Vargas, who is 16th.
The LPRT's next event is the Winter Classic in Overland, Kansas on February 22-24.
LPRT Rankings - January 30, 2013
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1852.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1252.40
3 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 474.50
4 Susy Acosta (Mexico) 464.50
5 Krystal Csuk (USA) 422.20
6 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 411.75
7 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 405.75
8 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 388.50
9 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 297.50
10 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 294.75
11 Grace Hughes (USA) 287.90
12 Da'monique Davis (USA) 250.35
13 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 244.75
14 Jackie Paraiso (USA) 210.00
15 Kristen Bellows (USA) 190.75
16 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 149.75
17 Laura Brandt (USA) 138.75
18 Keely Franks (USA) 124.75
19 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 112.50
20 Linda Scales (USA) 103.50
Follow the bouncing ball....
Veteran Cheryl Gudinas is back up to #3, and left hander Susy Acosta is #4. Krystal Csuk, who missed the last LPRT tournament in Cincinnati, drops to #5.
Adrienne Fisher is 6th, and Kerri Wachtel, who was 3rd at the end of last season, is now 7th.
Rounding out the top 10 are, Samantha Salas in 8th, Jennifer Saunders 9th, and Cristina Amaya in 10th.
Grace Hughes is the first of the next 10, as she's 11th - her highest ranking ever. Also reaching a career high ranking is Maria Jose Vargas, who is 16th.
The LPRT's next event is the Winter Classic in Overland, Kansas on February 22-24.
LPRT Rankings - January 30, 2013
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 1852.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1252.40
3 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 474.50
4 Susy Acosta (Mexico) 464.50
5 Krystal Csuk (USA) 422.20
6 Adrienne Fisher (USA) 411.75
7 Kerri Wachtel (USA) 405.75
8 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 388.50
9 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 297.50
10 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 294.75
11 Grace Hughes (USA) 287.90
12 Da'monique Davis (USA) 250.35
13 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 244.75
14 Jackie Paraiso (USA) 210.00
15 Kristen Bellows (USA) 190.75
16 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 149.75
17 Laura Brandt (USA) 138.75
18 Keely Franks (USA) 124.75
19 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 112.50
20 Linda Scales (USA) 103.50
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Landeryou & Grand'Maître win Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event
Tim Landeryou upset top seed and current Canadian Champion Mike Green, 16-14, 8-15, 11-8, to win Racquetball Canada's National Team Selection Event in Brossard, Quebec. With the win Landeryou sweeps this season's National Team Selection Events, as he won the first one back in November in Kelowna, B. C.
Landeryou had a large lead in the first game at 11-6, but Green came back to tie the game at 14 and force extra points to be played. Racquetball Canada matches are best of three games with the first two to 15 but you must win by two points.
Despite having given up the momentum, Landeryou kept it together and was able to finish game one off.
In game two, Landeryou again had a lead at 6-1. At that point, Green began drive serving, a technique he's well known for. Green rode those serves for 13 unanswered points to lead, 14-6, before Landeryou got a couple back. But Green won the game 15-8 to force a tie-breaker.
The tiebreaker was streaky. Landeryou led early at 3-1. Green then put a streak together and led 6-3. Landeryou responded with six point of his own to go up 9-6.
Green took a time out, and got the serve back but could only score point point before Landeryou make it 10-7, match point.
Green fought off that match point with a dramatic splat shot, and got another point. But then Landeryou got the serve back and finished off the game at 11-8, and defeat Green for the first time in his career.
Indeed, Green hasn't been defeated in Canada since November 2010, when he lost in Edmonton to Francis Guillemette.
Reflecting on the win, Landeryou said that he'd gained a lot of experience from losing to Green over the last few years, and he trained for Green's game style.
"I tried to keep him defensive on the serve return," said Landeryou, who added that he felt like he had a good chance as long as he got rallies going. Landeryou primarily used lob serves, a kiss lob to the left side - Green's backhand, and a straight lob tight to the right side wall - Green's forehand - during the match.
"No one's been able to rally with him," said Landeryou, because Green's drive serve has been so effective. "I was just hoping not to get served off the court."
That happened in game two, but not in games one and three, so Landeryou came out on top.
On the women's side, Josée Grand'Maître was a default winner over Frédérique Lambert, as Lambert was not able to play Sunday due to injury. Lambert was playing her first tournament after shoulder surgery in August, and after playing the semi-finals on Saturday, she felt unable to go on Sunday.
Results from this weekend will be combined with results from the first National Team Selection Event that happened in November in Kelowna, B. C. as well as last year's Canadian National Championships to select the players who will represent Canada at the 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia in March.
Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event
Brossard, Quebec
Results Summary
Men's Open
1st: Tim Landeryou d. Mike Green, 16-14, 8-15, 11-8
3rd: Coby Iwaasa d. Pedro Castro, 15-8, 15-10
5th: Samuel Murray d. Nathaniel Husulak, 15-6, 15-7
7th: Lee Connell d. Hugo Laprise, injury forfeit
Women's Open
1st: Josée Grand'Maître d. Frédérique Lambert, injury forfeit
3rd: Christine Richardson d. Michele Morissette, 10-15, 15-8, 15-4
5th: Valerie Fallu d. Nadia Verilli, 10-15, 18-16, 13-11
Follow the bouncing ball….
Landeryou had a large lead in the first game at 11-6, but Green came back to tie the game at 14 and force extra points to be played. Racquetball Canada matches are best of three games with the first two to 15 but you must win by two points.
Despite having given up the momentum, Landeryou kept it together and was able to finish game one off.
In game two, Landeryou again had a lead at 6-1. At that point, Green began drive serving, a technique he's well known for. Green rode those serves for 13 unanswered points to lead, 14-6, before Landeryou got a couple back. But Green won the game 15-8 to force a tie-breaker.
The tiebreaker was streaky. Landeryou led early at 3-1. Green then put a streak together and led 6-3. Landeryou responded with six point of his own to go up 9-6.
Green took a time out, and got the serve back but could only score point point before Landeryou make it 10-7, match point.
Green fought off that match point with a dramatic splat shot, and got another point. But then Landeryou got the serve back and finished off the game at 11-8, and defeat Green for the first time in his career.
Indeed, Green hasn't been defeated in Canada since November 2010, when he lost in Edmonton to Francis Guillemette.
Reflecting on the win, Landeryou said that he'd gained a lot of experience from losing to Green over the last few years, and he trained for Green's game style.
"I tried to keep him defensive on the serve return," said Landeryou, who added that he felt like he had a good chance as long as he got rallies going. Landeryou primarily used lob serves, a kiss lob to the left side - Green's backhand, and a straight lob tight to the right side wall - Green's forehand - during the match.
"No one's been able to rally with him," said Landeryou, because Green's drive serve has been so effective. "I was just hoping not to get served off the court."
That happened in game two, but not in games one and three, so Landeryou came out on top.
On the women's side, Josée Grand'Maître was a default winner over Frédérique Lambert, as Lambert was not able to play Sunday due to injury. Lambert was playing her first tournament after shoulder surgery in August, and after playing the semi-finals on Saturday, she felt unable to go on Sunday.
Results from this weekend will be combined with results from the first National Team Selection Event that happened in November in Kelowna, B. C. as well as last year's Canadian National Championships to select the players who will represent Canada at the 2013 Pan American Championships in Cali, Colombia in March.
Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event
Brossard, Quebec
Results Summary
Men's Open
1st: Tim Landeryou d. Mike Green, 16-14, 8-15, 11-8
3rd: Coby Iwaasa d. Pedro Castro, 15-8, 15-10
5th: Samuel Murray d. Nathaniel Husulak, 15-6, 15-7
7th: Lee Connell d. Hugo Laprise, injury forfeit
Women's Open
1st: Josée Grand'Maître d. Frédérique Lambert, injury forfeit
3rd: Christine Richardson d. Michele Morissette, 10-15, 15-8, 15-4
5th: Valerie Fallu d. Nadia Verilli, 10-15, 18-16, 13-11
Follow the bouncing ball….
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