Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), kept her unbeaten streak alive Saturday night with a win over Sofia Rascon, 11-2, 11-0, 11-3, in the semi-finals of the Stockton Pro-Am in Stockton, California. Longoria is unbeaten since May 2011, when she lost in the final of an event in Stockton.
In the Sunday's final, Longoria will face Veronica Sotomayor, who defeated Maria Jose Vargas in the other semi-final, 11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 12-10. Vargas will be playing in her first women's pro final Sunday.
Sotomayor is the first South American woman to reach a women's pro final since Angela Grisr did so in early 2008.
The Stockton Pro-Am final will be 12:20 PM Sunday. The action is being webcast over the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2013 Stockton Pro-Am, Stockton, Calif.
Semi-finals
Paola Longoria d. Sofia Rascon, 11-2, 11-0, 11-3
Veronica Sotomayor d. Maria Jose Vargas, 11-6, 7-11, 11-5, 12-10
Final
Paola Longoria v. Veronica Sotomayor
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, August 31, 2013
LPRT - 2013 Stockton Pro-Am - Rajsich out in the quarter-finals
Another round, another big upset at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Stockton Pro-Am. This time it was LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajsich who went out, losing to Veronica Sotomayor, 11-3, 11-8, 7-11, 11-0, in the quarter-finals.
Sotomayor will play Maria Jose Vargas in the semis, as Vargas defeated Maria Paz Muñoz in the quarters, 11-9, 11-6, 11-3, to reach her first career LPRT semi-final.
On the other side of the draw, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria beat Da'monique Davis, 11-3, 11-2, 11-7, in one quarter final with Sofia Rascon getting past an injured Aubrey Kirch, 13-11, 11-3, 11-4, in the other. Kirch hurt her ankle in mixed doubles on Friday.
The semi-finals were slated for Saturday afternoon. The final will be 12:20 PM Sunday. The action is being webcast over the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2013 Stockton Pro-Am, Stockton, Calif.
Quarter finals
Paola Longoria d. Da'monique Davis, 11-3, 11-2, 11-7
Sofia Rascon d. Aubrey Kirch, 13-11, 11-3, 11-4
Maria Jose Vargas d. Maria Paz Muñoz, 11-9, 11-6, 11-3
Veronica Sotomayor d. Rhonda Rajsich, 11-3, 11-8, 7-11, 11-0
Semi-finals - Saturday
Paola Longoria v. Sofia Rascon - 5:45 PM PDT
Maria Jose Vargas v. Veronica Sotomayor - 4:40 PM PDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sotomayor will play Maria Jose Vargas in the semis, as Vargas defeated Maria Paz Muñoz in the quarters, 11-9, 11-6, 11-3, to reach her first career LPRT semi-final.
On the other side of the draw, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria beat Da'monique Davis, 11-3, 11-2, 11-7, in one quarter final with Sofia Rascon getting past an injured Aubrey Kirch, 13-11, 11-3, 11-4, in the other. Kirch hurt her ankle in mixed doubles on Friday.
The semi-finals were slated for Saturday afternoon. The final will be 12:20 PM Sunday. The action is being webcast over the LPRT Network.
LPRT 2013 Stockton Pro-Am, Stockton, Calif.
Quarter finals
Paola Longoria d. Da'monique Davis, 11-3, 11-2, 11-7
Sofia Rascon d. Aubrey Kirch, 13-11, 11-3, 11-4
Maria Jose Vargas d. Maria Paz Muñoz, 11-9, 11-6, 11-3
Veronica Sotomayor d. Rhonda Rajsich, 11-3, 11-8, 7-11, 11-0
Semi-finals - Saturday
Paola Longoria v. Sofia Rascon - 5:45 PM PDT
Maria Jose Vargas v. Veronica Sotomayor - 4:40 PM PDT
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, August 30, 2013
LPRT - 2013 Stockton Pro-Am - Young players causing upsets
You could excuse people in northern California for thinking that a seismic event occurred Friday night, because some young women caused some shock waves on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) in the Stockton Pro-Am. They beat the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th seeds in the Round of 16.
Maria Paz Muñoz defeated the 3rd seed Susana Acosta, 11-9, 11-7, 11-5, to reach the quarter finals for only the second time in her career. She'll face another Maria in the quarters, as Maria Jose Vargas defeated Hailey Miller, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4, in the 16s.
Sofia Rascon and Aubrey Kirch took out the 4th and 5th seeds after they both were upset winners in the Round of 32 earlier on Friday. Rascon defeated Adrienne Haynes, 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9, and Kirch beat Cristina Amaya, 11-2, 11-1, 11-3.
Both Rascon and Kirch only played in one event last season: the season ending Ektelon Nationals, and each lost in the Round of 32. We believe it's the first quarter final appearances for both players and one of them will get to their first semi-final on Saturday.
In the bottom bracket, 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich defeated Carla Muñoz, 11-6, 11-6, 2-11, 11-7, in the 16s, and she'll play Veronica Sotomayor in the quarters, as Sotomayor defeated 7th seed Krystal Csuk, 11-0, 11-1, 11-5.
Finally, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria and Frédérique Lambert, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4, and will play Da'monique Davis in the quarters Saturday, as Davis beat T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8.
How significant are these results? Consider that Rajsich is the only quarter finalist under 30 years old. That's certainly different from almost every other women's tournament in several years.
The quarter finals begin Saturday at 9:05 AM PDT, and the will be webcast over the LPRT channel on the IRT Network.
LPRT 2013 Stockton Pro-Am, Stockton, Calif.
Round of 16
Paola Longoria d. Frédérique Lambert, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4
Da'monique Davis d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8
Aubrey Kirch d. Cristina Amaya, 11-2, 11-1, 11-3
Sofia Rascon d. Adrienne Haynes, 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9
Maria Paz Muñoz d. Susana Acosta, 11-9, 11-7, 11-5
Maria Jose Vargas d. Hailey Miller, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4
Veronica Sotomayor d. Krystal Csuk, 11-0, 11-1, 11-5
Rhonda Rajsich d. Carla Muñoz, 11-6, 11-6, 2-11, 11-7
Quarter finals
Paola Longoria v. Da'monique Davis
Aubrey Kirch v. Sofia Rascon
Maria Jose Vargas v. Maria Paz Muñoz
Rhonda Rajsich v. Veronica Sotomayor
Follow the bouncing ball....
Maria Paz Muñoz defeated the 3rd seed Susana Acosta, 11-9, 11-7, 11-5, to reach the quarter finals for only the second time in her career. She'll face another Maria in the quarters, as Maria Jose Vargas defeated Hailey Miller, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4, in the 16s.
Sofia Rascon and Aubrey Kirch took out the 4th and 5th seeds after they both were upset winners in the Round of 32 earlier on Friday. Rascon defeated Adrienne Haynes, 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9, and Kirch beat Cristina Amaya, 11-2, 11-1, 11-3.
Both Rascon and Kirch only played in one event last season: the season ending Ektelon Nationals, and each lost in the Round of 32. We believe it's the first quarter final appearances for both players and one of them will get to their first semi-final on Saturday.
In the bottom bracket, 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich defeated Carla Muñoz, 11-6, 11-6, 2-11, 11-7, in the 16s, and she'll play Veronica Sotomayor in the quarters, as Sotomayor defeated 7th seed Krystal Csuk, 11-0, 11-1, 11-5.
Finally, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria and Frédérique Lambert, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4, and will play Da'monique Davis in the quarters Saturday, as Davis beat T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8.
How significant are these results? Consider that Rajsich is the only quarter finalist under 30 years old. That's certainly different from almost every other women's tournament in several years.
The quarter finals begin Saturday at 9:05 AM PDT, and the will be webcast over the LPRT channel on the IRT Network.
LPRT 2013 Stockton Pro-Am, Stockton, Calif.
Round of 16
Paola Longoria d. Frédérique Lambert, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4
Da'monique Davis d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8
Aubrey Kirch d. Cristina Amaya, 11-2, 11-1, 11-3
Sofia Rascon d. Adrienne Haynes, 11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9
Maria Paz Muñoz d. Susana Acosta, 11-9, 11-7, 11-5
Maria Jose Vargas d. Hailey Miller, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4
Veronica Sotomayor d. Krystal Csuk, 11-0, 11-1, 11-5
Rhonda Rajsich d. Carla Muñoz, 11-6, 11-6, 2-11, 11-7
Quarter finals
Paola Longoria v. Da'monique Davis
Aubrey Kirch v. Sofia Rascon
Maria Jose Vargas v. Maria Paz Muñoz
Rhonda Rajsich v. Veronica Sotomayor
Follow the bouncing ball....
LPRT - 2013 Stockton Pro-Am Round of 32
Interesting results right off the hop at the Stockton Pro-Am - the first event of the 2013-14 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season, as Aubrey Kirch - seeded 21st - defeated Sheryl Lotts, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8, in the Round of 32.
Sofia Rascon, 20th seed, caused the other upset in the 32s, as she came back from two games down to defeat 13th seed Linda Scales, 9-11, 7-11, 11-1, 11-6, 11-2.
There were two other five game matches in the 32s. Hailey Miller needed five games to beat Korean Nawoo Kim, 11-6, 4-11, 13-11, 8-11, 11-5, and in the 16/17 game, Frédérique Lambert defeated Sharon Jackson, 3-11, 11-8, 11-7, 0-11, 11-9.
The Round of 16 goes later on Friday night.
You can watch some of the action from Stockton, as LPRT continues to be streamed over the web via the LPRT Network - part of the IRT Network.
LPRT 2013 Stockton Pro-Am, Stockton, Calif.
Round of 32
Paola Longoria BYE
Frédérique Lambert d. Sharon Jackson, 3-11, 11-8, 11-7, 0-11, 11-9
T. J. Baumbaugh BYE
Da'monique Davis BYE
Cristina Amaya BYE
Aubrey Kirch d. Sheryl Lotts, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8
Sofia Rascon d. Linda Scales, 9-11, 7-11, 11-1, 11-6, 11-2
Adrienne Haynes BYE
Susana Acosta BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz d. Youngock Lee, 11-5, 11-2, 11-2
Hailey Miller d. Nawoo Kim, 11-6, 4-11, 13-11, 8-11, 11-5
Maria Jose Vargas BYE
Krystal Csuk BYE
Veronica Sotomayor d. Michelle Key, 11-7, 11-2, 11-3
Carla Muñoz d. Cecilia Orozco, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3
Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Round of 16
Paola Longoria v. Frédérique Lambert
Da'monique Davis v. T. J. Baumbaugh
Cristina Amaya v. Aubrey Kirch
Adrienne Haynes v. Sofia Rascon
Susana Acosta v. Maria Paz Muñoz
Maria Jose Vargas v. Hailey Miller
Krystal Csuk v. Veronicq Sotomayor
Rhonda Rajsich v. Carla Muñoz
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sofia Rascon, 20th seed, caused the other upset in the 32s, as she came back from two games down to defeat 13th seed Linda Scales, 9-11, 7-11, 11-1, 11-6, 11-2.
There were two other five game matches in the 32s. Hailey Miller needed five games to beat Korean Nawoo Kim, 11-6, 4-11, 13-11, 8-11, 11-5, and in the 16/17 game, Frédérique Lambert defeated Sharon Jackson, 3-11, 11-8, 11-7, 0-11, 11-9.
The Round of 16 goes later on Friday night.
You can watch some of the action from Stockton, as LPRT continues to be streamed over the web via the LPRT Network - part of the IRT Network.
LPRT 2013 Stockton Pro-Am, Stockton, Calif.
Round of 32
Paola Longoria BYE
Frédérique Lambert d. Sharon Jackson, 3-11, 11-8, 11-7, 0-11, 11-9
T. J. Baumbaugh BYE
Da'monique Davis BYE
Cristina Amaya BYE
Aubrey Kirch d. Sheryl Lotts, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8
Sofia Rascon d. Linda Scales, 9-11, 7-11, 11-1, 11-6, 11-2
Adrienne Haynes BYE
Susana Acosta BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz d. Youngock Lee, 11-5, 11-2, 11-2
Hailey Miller d. Nawoo Kim, 11-6, 4-11, 13-11, 8-11, 11-5
Maria Jose Vargas BYE
Krystal Csuk BYE
Veronica Sotomayor d. Michelle Key, 11-7, 11-2, 11-3
Carla Muñoz d. Cecilia Orozco, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3
Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Round of 16
Paola Longoria v. Frédérique Lambert
Da'monique Davis v. T. J. Baumbaugh
Cristina Amaya v. Aubrey Kirch
Adrienne Haynes v. Sofia Rascon
Susana Acosta v. Maria Paz Muñoz
Maria Jose Vargas v. Hailey Miller
Krystal Csuk v. Veronicq Sotomayor
Rhonda Rajsich v. Carla Muñoz
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, August 29, 2013
2013 Stockton Pro-Am Preview
The 2013-14 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season kicks off tomorrow in Stockton, California, and there will be 23 players in action. The top two players - Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich - will be there, but after them there are several top players who are absent, including Samantha Salas, Cheryl Gudinas, Kerri Wachtel, Grace Hughes and Jennifer Saunders.
But taking their places are a host of young players, including four of the six LPRT Scholarship players - Sharon Jackson, Michelle Key, Aubrey Kirch O'Brien and Cecilia Orozco - as well as Frédérique Lambert and Veronica Sotomayor.
How much has the field changed? Consider there were 26 players in the 2012 Texas Open, which was the first LPRT event of last season. Only 11 of them are playing in Stockton this weekend.
Those who aren't in Stockton will be in future events. Gudinas is missing with a stress fracture to her foot, which will also cause her to miss the next event in Mexico, but plans to be in Minneapolis for the US Open.
Saunders also plans to play most of the season, including the Albierto Mexicano next month. Hughes has moved to Japan, but hopes to play some events in the second part of the season.
A draw with all those veterans as well as the young shooters should be very exciting. That prospect makes for an exciting 2013-14 LPRT season.
You can watch some of the action from Stockton, as LPRT continues to be streamed over the web via the LPRT Network - part of the IRT Network.
LPRT 2013 Stockton Pro-Am, Stockton, Calif.
Round of 32
Paola Longoria BYE
Sharon Jackson v. Frédérique Lambert
T. J. Baumbaugh BYE
Da'monique Davis BYE
Cristina Amaya BYE
Sheryl Lotts v. Aubrey Kirch
Linda Scales v. Sofia Rascon
Adrienne Haynes BYE
Susana Acosta BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz v. Youngock Lee
Hailey Miller v. Nawoo Kim
Maria Jose Vargas BYE
Krystal Csuk BYE
Veronicq Sotomayor v. Michelle Key
Carla Muñoz v. Cecilia Orozco
Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
But taking their places are a host of young players, including four of the six LPRT Scholarship players - Sharon Jackson, Michelle Key, Aubrey Kirch O'Brien and Cecilia Orozco - as well as Frédérique Lambert and Veronica Sotomayor.
How much has the field changed? Consider there were 26 players in the 2012 Texas Open, which was the first LPRT event of last season. Only 11 of them are playing in Stockton this weekend.
Those who aren't in Stockton will be in future events. Gudinas is missing with a stress fracture to her foot, which will also cause her to miss the next event in Mexico, but plans to be in Minneapolis for the US Open.
Saunders also plans to play most of the season, including the Albierto Mexicano next month. Hughes has moved to Japan, but hopes to play some events in the second part of the season.
A draw with all those veterans as well as the young shooters should be very exciting. That prospect makes for an exciting 2013-14 LPRT season.
You can watch some of the action from Stockton, as LPRT continues to be streamed over the web via the LPRT Network - part of the IRT Network.
LPRT 2013 Stockton Pro-Am, Stockton, Calif.
Round of 32
Paola Longoria BYE
Sharon Jackson v. Frédérique Lambert
T. J. Baumbaugh BYE
Da'monique Davis BYE
Cristina Amaya BYE
Sheryl Lotts v. Aubrey Kirch
Linda Scales v. Sofia Rascon
Adrienne Haynes BYE
Susana Acosta BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz v. Youngock Lee
Hailey Miller v. Nawoo Kim
Maria Jose Vargas BYE
Krystal Csuk BYE
Veronicq Sotomayor v. Michelle Key
Carla Muñoz v. Cecilia Orozco
Rhonda Rajsich BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
LPRT 2013-14 Season Preview
The professional racquetball season begins this weekend with the first Ladies Pro Racquetball Tour (LPRT) event of the season: the Stockton Pro-Am in Stockton, California. Thus, it's a good time to review what happened last season.
2012-13 LPRT Season (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)
LPRT Rank - Player - Wins - 2nds - Semi-finals - Quarter-finals
1) Paola Longoria, 11 wins
2) Rhonda Rajsich, 8 seconds, 2 semi-finals, 1 quarter-final
3) Samantha Salas, 2 second, 3 semis, 4 quarters
4) Susy Acosta, 5 semis, 3 quarters
5) Cheryl Gudinas, 4 semis, 4 quarters
6) Adrienne Fisher, 1 second, 1 semi, 2 quarters
7) Grace Hughes, 2 semis, 4 quarters
8) Kerri Wachtel, 1 semi, 3 quarters
9) Cristina Amaya, 4 quarters
10) Maria Jose Varga, 1 semi, 4 quarters
11) Krystal Csuk, 1 semi, 3 quarters
12) Da'monique Davis, 3 quarters
13) Jennifer Saunders, 4 quarters
14) T. J. Baumbaugh, 1 quarter
15) Jackie Paraiso, 1 semi, 1 quarter
16) Veronica Sotomayor, 1 semi
20) Maria Paz Muñoz, 1 quarter
24) Masiel Rivera, 1 quarter
27) Kristen Bellows, 1 quarter
2012-2013 (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)
Event - Final - Semi Finalists
Ektelon Texas Open Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Csuk, Wachtel
US Open Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Sotomayor, Salas
Albierto Mexicano Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Paraiso
Puget Sound Challenge - Longoria d. Fisher, Semis: Hughes, Gudinas
Christmas Classic Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Acosta, Gudinas
Wilson Tour for Hope Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Hughes, Acosta
Winter Classic Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Acosta, Fisher
Southern California Regionals Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Vargas, Acosta
Battle of the Alamo Final - Longoria d. Salas, Semis: Gudinas, Rajsich
SCS Title & Escrow Pro-Am Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Acosta
Ektelon Nationals Final - Longoria d. Salas, Semis: Gudinas, Rajsich
Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT)
2012-13 Statistical Abstract
Matches going 3 games: 149 (59.8)
Matches going 4 games: 63 (25.3%)
Matches going 5 games: 25 (12.9%)
Total matches: 249 171 (3 results were forfeits & 2 matches have missing data)
Most Points in a match: 99 by Grace Hughes & Cristina Amaya at Reseda, Calif., where Hughes won 9-11, 10-12, 15-13, 11-3, 11-4
2nd Most Points in a match: (i) 98 by Cheryl Gudinas & Maria Jose Vargas at Christmas Classic, where Gudinas won 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9, & (ii) Marian Tobon & Hailey Miller at Cincinnati, where Tobon won 13-11, 11-3, 11-13, 3-11, 12-10
Fewest points in a match: 34 in (i) Samantha Salas's victory over Cecilia Orozco, 11-0, 11-0, 11-1 in the Albierto Mexicano, & (ii) Cristina Amaya's victory over Heather Olson, 11-0, 11-0, 11-1, in the Texas Open
Most Points in a win: 56 by Grace Hughes v. Cristina Amaya at Reseda, Calif.
2nd Most Points in a win: 55 by Cheryl Gudinas v. Grace Hughes at Christmas Classic
Most Points in a loss: 50 by (i) Da'monique Davis v. Grace Hughes in Fullerton, Calif., and (ii) Maria Jose Vargas v. Samantha Salas in San Antonio
Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -12 when Samantha Salas d. Maria Jose Vargas, 0-11, 13-11, 11-6, 2-11, 13-11, in San Antonia
2nd smallest difference in total points: -9 when Adrienne Fisher d. Frédérique Lambert, 0-11, 11-7, 11-8, 4-11, 13-11, in Reseda, Calif.
Longoria most dominant player on tour
Prior to last season, we wrote "it's difficult to see a reason why" Paola Longoria wouldn't continue to be the dominant LPRT player, and that's even truer this season, as Longoria swept the table last season, winning all 11 events.
If she does that again this season, Longoria will have 44 career wins, which would put her behind only Lynn Adams on the all-time women's pro racquetball list (according to our stats, which could be incomplete). She currently sits 4th on that list with 33 wins behind Adams (45), Michelle Gould (41) and Cheryl Gudinas (39).
This begs the question: ts there anyone who can defeat Longoria, who hasn't lost since May 2011?
Rhonda Rajsich is the #2 LPRT player, but she never forced Longoria to five games in any of their finals last season and only got to a fourth game three times in eight matches. Thus, Rajsich seems to be significantly behind Longoria.
Rajsich is 35 and Longoria 24, so time isn't on Rajsich's side. However, we still think it's possible for Rajsich to defeat Longoria, although she'll need to be re-doubling her efforts from last season.
Although Longoria was the dominant player last season, there were more semi-finalists and more quarter finalists than in 2011-12. There were 12 different semi-finalists in 2012-13 (Longoria, Rajsich, Salas, Acosta, Gudinas, Fisher, Hughes, Wachtel, Vargas, Csuk, Paraiso & Sotomayor) up from eight in 2011-12 (Longoria, Rajsich, Wachtel, Csuk, Fisher, Acosta, Bellows & Gudinas).
Moreover, 19 players reached the quarter finals last season, which was six more than the season before.
Thus, although there's a dominant player on the LPRT there also seems to be greater depth in the field. Add to that the creation of the LPRT Scholarship, which will be help six young players - Carolina Luque, Sharon Jackson, Michelle Key, Maria Renee Rodriguez, Aubrey Kirch O'Brien & Ceci Orozco - play on tour this season, and it's possible that the 2013-14 season could be the most competitive in some time.
And it begins Friday in Stockon, California.
Follow the bouncing ball....
2012-13 LPRT Season (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)
LPRT Rank - Player - Wins - 2nds - Semi-finals - Quarter-finals
1) Paola Longoria, 11 wins
2) Rhonda Rajsich, 8 seconds, 2 semi-finals, 1 quarter-final
3) Samantha Salas, 2 second, 3 semis, 4 quarters
4) Susy Acosta, 5 semis, 3 quarters
5) Cheryl Gudinas, 4 semis, 4 quarters
6) Adrienne Fisher, 1 second, 1 semi, 2 quarters
7) Grace Hughes, 2 semis, 4 quarters
8) Kerri Wachtel, 1 semi, 3 quarters
9) Cristina Amaya, 4 quarters
10) Maria Jose Varga, 1 semi, 4 quarters
11) Krystal Csuk, 1 semi, 3 quarters
12) Da'monique Davis, 3 quarters
13) Jennifer Saunders, 4 quarters
14) T. J. Baumbaugh, 1 quarter
15) Jackie Paraiso, 1 semi, 1 quarter
16) Veronica Sotomayor, 1 semi
20) Maria Paz Muñoz, 1 quarter
24) Masiel Rivera, 1 quarter
27) Kristen Bellows, 1 quarter
2012-2013 (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events)
Event - Final - Semi Finalists
Ektelon Texas Open Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Csuk, Wachtel
US Open Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Sotomayor, Salas
Albierto Mexicano Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Paraiso
Puget Sound Challenge - Longoria d. Fisher, Semis: Hughes, Gudinas
Christmas Classic Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Acosta, Gudinas
Wilson Tour for Hope Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Hughes, Acosta
Winter Classic Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Acosta, Fisher
Southern California Regionals Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Vargas, Acosta
Battle of the Alamo Final - Longoria d. Salas, Semis: Gudinas, Rajsich
SCS Title & Escrow Pro-Am Final - Longoria d. Rajsich, Semis: Salas, Acosta
Ektelon Nationals Final - Longoria d. Salas, Semis: Gudinas, Rajsich
Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT)
2012-13 Statistical Abstract
Matches going 3 games: 149 (59.8)
Matches going 4 games: 63 (25.3%)
Matches going 5 games: 25 (12.9%)
Total matches: 249 171 (3 results were forfeits & 2 matches have missing data)
Most Points in a match: 99 by Grace Hughes & Cristina Amaya at Reseda, Calif., where Hughes won 9-11, 10-12, 15-13, 11-3, 11-4
2nd Most Points in a match: (i) 98 by Cheryl Gudinas & Maria Jose Vargas at Christmas Classic, where Gudinas won 8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 12-10, 11-9, & (ii) Marian Tobon & Hailey Miller at Cincinnati, where Tobon won 13-11, 11-3, 11-13, 3-11, 12-10
Fewest points in a match: 34 in (i) Samantha Salas's victory over Cecilia Orozco, 11-0, 11-0, 11-1 in the Albierto Mexicano, & (ii) Cristina Amaya's victory over Heather Olson, 11-0, 11-0, 11-1, in the Texas Open
Most Points in a win: 56 by Grace Hughes v. Cristina Amaya at Reseda, Calif.
2nd Most Points in a win: 55 by Cheryl Gudinas v. Grace Hughes at Christmas Classic
Most Points in a loss: 50 by (i) Da'monique Davis v. Grace Hughes in Fullerton, Calif., and (ii) Maria Jose Vargas v. Samantha Salas in San Antonio
Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -12 when Samantha Salas d. Maria Jose Vargas, 0-11, 13-11, 11-6, 2-11, 13-11, in San Antonia
2nd smallest difference in total points: -9 when Adrienne Fisher d. Frédérique Lambert, 0-11, 11-7, 11-8, 4-11, 13-11, in Reseda, Calif.
Longoria most dominant player on tour
Prior to last season, we wrote "it's difficult to see a reason why" Paola Longoria wouldn't continue to be the dominant LPRT player, and that's even truer this season, as Longoria swept the table last season, winning all 11 events.
If she does that again this season, Longoria will have 44 career wins, which would put her behind only Lynn Adams on the all-time women's pro racquetball list (according to our stats, which could be incomplete). She currently sits 4th on that list with 33 wins behind Adams (45), Michelle Gould (41) and Cheryl Gudinas (39).
This begs the question: ts there anyone who can defeat Longoria, who hasn't lost since May 2011?
Rhonda Rajsich is the #2 LPRT player, but she never forced Longoria to five games in any of their finals last season and only got to a fourth game three times in eight matches. Thus, Rajsich seems to be significantly behind Longoria.
Rajsich is 35 and Longoria 24, so time isn't on Rajsich's side. However, we still think it's possible for Rajsich to defeat Longoria, although she'll need to be re-doubling her efforts from last season.
Although Longoria was the dominant player last season, there were more semi-finalists and more quarter finalists than in 2011-12. There were 12 different semi-finalists in 2012-13 (Longoria, Rajsich, Salas, Acosta, Gudinas, Fisher, Hughes, Wachtel, Vargas, Csuk, Paraiso & Sotomayor) up from eight in 2011-12 (Longoria, Rajsich, Wachtel, Csuk, Fisher, Acosta, Bellows & Gudinas).
Moreover, 19 players reached the quarter finals last season, which was six more than the season before.
Thus, although there's a dominant player on the LPRT there also seems to be greater depth in the field. Add to that the creation of the LPRT Scholarship, which will be help six young players - Carolina Luque, Sharon Jackson, Michelle Key, Maria Renee Rodriguez, Aubrey Kirch O'Brien & Ceci Orozco - play on tour this season, and it's possible that the 2013-14 season could be the most competitive in some time.
And it begins Friday in Stockon, California.
Follow the bouncing ball....
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