The 2014 Canadian Junior National Racquetball Championships happened last week in Grande Prairie, Alberta. The Boy's and Girl's U18 champions repeated from 2013, as Coby Iwaasa won the Boy's title and Michele Morissette the Girl's title.
Iwaasa and Morissette also won their respective U18 doubles titles. Iwaasa won with Matthew Swaine and Morissette won with Danielle Drury.
The top two finishers in the singles divisions are named to the Canadian Junior National Team that will compete at Junior Worlds in Cali, Colombia in October. Six of the players on the 2014 team were on the 2013 team that competed in Sucre, Bolivia, including Iwaasa, Morissette and Drury.
Also back for another year are Alexis Iwaasa, Coby's cousin, Annie Fisher and Nicolas Bousquet.
The new team members are Trevor Webb, Graham Frattinger, Chris Culhane, Simon Comeau, Jewel Sauvé and Alexandra Murray.
Racquetball Canada's annual awards for sportsmanship went to Ryan Bateman, as the Sherman Greenfeld Award winner and Callie Hunter as the Heather Stupp Award winner.
Also, Evan Pritchard was named the Marc Caoette Award winner for his contributions to junior racquetball development in Canada.
Racquetball Canada's next major event will be the Canadian Championships in Brossard, Que. May 18-24, 2014.
2014 Canadian Racquetball Championships - Grande Prairie, Alta.
Boy's U18 Singles
1st - Coby Iwaasa
2nd - Nicolas Bousquet
3rd - Sami Harb
Boy's U16 Singles
1st - Trevor Webb
2nd - Graham Frattinger
3rd - Devin Halko
Boy's U14 Singles
1st - Chris Culhane
2nd - Simon Comeau
3rd - Ethan Frigon
Girl's U18 Singles
1st - Michele Morissette
2nd - Danielle Drury
3rd - McKenzie Brayley
Girl's U16 Singles
1st - Jewel Sauvé
2nd - Alexandra Murray
3rd - Jessica Leduc
Girl's U14 Singles
1st - Alexis Iwaasa
2nd - Annie Fisher
3rd - Cassie Prentice
Boy's U18 Doubles
1st - Coby Iwaasa & Matthew Swaine
2nd - Nicolas Bousquet & Michael Leduc
3rd - Tanner Prentice & Graham Frattinger
Boy's U16 Doubles
1st - Beau Doricki & Mark Nelson
2nd - Michael Melnychuk & Jacob Mack
3rd - Ryan Bateman & Chris Thompason
Boy's U14 Doubles
1st - Jared Gudereit & Ian Frattinger
2nd - Chris Culhane & Josh Killins
3rd - Simon Comeau & Sean Sauvé
Girl's U18 Doubles
1st - Danielle Drury & Michele Morissette
2nd - McKenzie Brayley & Alexis Iwaasa
3rd - Callie Hunter & Annie Fisher
Girl's U16 Doubles
1st - Jewel Sauve & Jessica Leduc
Girl's U14 Doubles
1st - Juliette Parent & Marjolaine Parent
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Kirch breaks into top 10 in latest LPRT rankings
Aubrey Kirch has cracked the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) top 10 rankings for the first time as she's 8th in their latest rankings after the Battle of the Alamo on the weekend.
The 1-7 rankings haven't changed, however, as Paola Longoria continues to be #1, Rhonda Rajsich #2, Maria Jose Vargas #3, Samantha Salas Solis #4, Cristina Amaya #5, Frédérique Lambert #6, and Susana Acosta #7.
Veteran Cheryl Gudinas 9th, but in danger of ending her streak of top 10 seasons as she's 11th in the season points to date behind Da'monique Davis with one tournament to go. Davis's advantage is 28.25 points, so if Gudinas and finish better than Davis in the Ektelon Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia next month, she could finish ahead of Davis and in the top ten for yet another season.
Gudinas and Davis could play each other in Herndon, as they will likely be seeded 8th and 9th, respectively, because Lambert will not likely be in Herndon as the dates conflict with the Canadian National Championships in Brossard, Quebec.
Lambert's absence would promote Gudinas and Davis from 9th and 10th seeds to 8th and 9th, and that seeding would mean they'd meet in the Round of 16 - assuming they win their Round of 32 matches (if any).
Gudinas was first in the top 10 on the women's pro tour in 1993-94.
The 2014 Ektelon LPRT Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia from May 16-18 is the last LPRT event of the 2013-14 season.
LPRT Rankings - April 28, 2014
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 2860.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1483.00
3 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 1106.50
4 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 868.50
5 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 760.00
6 Frédérique Lambert (Canada) 602.00
7 Susana Acosta (Mexico) 559.50
8 Aubrey Kirch (USA) 472.50
9 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 455.00
10 Da'monique Davis (USA) 447.25
11 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 425.00
12 Adrienne Haynes (USA) 333.50
13 Sofia Rascon (Mexico) 295.75
14 Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) 294.50
15 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 271.25
16 Carla Muñoz (Chile) 235.50
16 Sharon Jackson (USA) 235.50
18 Hailey Miller (USA) 232.25
19 Michelle Key (USA) 209.69
20 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 191.75
Follow the bouncing ball....
The 1-7 rankings haven't changed, however, as Paola Longoria continues to be #1, Rhonda Rajsich #2, Maria Jose Vargas #3, Samantha Salas Solis #4, Cristina Amaya #5, Frédérique Lambert #6, and Susana Acosta #7.
Veteran Cheryl Gudinas 9th, but in danger of ending her streak of top 10 seasons as she's 11th in the season points to date behind Da'monique Davis with one tournament to go. Davis's advantage is 28.25 points, so if Gudinas and finish better than Davis in the Ektelon Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia next month, she could finish ahead of Davis and in the top ten for yet another season.
Gudinas and Davis could play each other in Herndon, as they will likely be seeded 8th and 9th, respectively, because Lambert will not likely be in Herndon as the dates conflict with the Canadian National Championships in Brossard, Quebec.
Lambert's absence would promote Gudinas and Davis from 9th and 10th seeds to 8th and 9th, and that seeding would mean they'd meet in the Round of 16 - assuming they win their Round of 32 matches (if any).
Gudinas was first in the top 10 on the women's pro tour in 1993-94.
The 2014 Ektelon LPRT Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia from May 16-18 is the last LPRT event of the 2013-14 season.
LPRT Rankings - April 28, 2014
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 2860.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1483.00
3 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 1106.50
4 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 868.50
5 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 760.00
6 Frédérique Lambert (Canada) 602.00
7 Susana Acosta (Mexico) 559.50
8 Aubrey Kirch (USA) 472.50
9 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 455.00
10 Da'monique Davis (USA) 447.25
11 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 425.00
12 Adrienne Haynes (USA) 333.50
13 Sofia Rascon (Mexico) 295.75
14 Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) 294.50
15 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 271.25
16 Carla Muñoz (Chile) 235.50
16 Sharon Jackson (USA) 235.50
18 Hailey Miller (USA) 232.25
19 Michelle Key (USA) 209.69
20 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 191.75
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Longoria comes back to win LPRT's 2014 Battle of the Alamo
Paola Longoria came back from two games down to defeat Rhonda Rajsich, 6-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-7, and win the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Battle of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday. The win extends Longoria's tournament winning streak to 30 Tier 1 or Grand Slam events.
But for two games it looked like that streak was going to end, as Longoria was not sharp early in Sunday's final. Rajsich played well - though not outstandingly - and had a nice mix of serves against Longoria, including a drive serve ace to the right side that ended game two.
However, in game three Longoria began to look like the LPRT's #1 player, as she went out to a 8-0 lead against the #2 LPRT player, and went on to win that comfortably at 11-3.
With the momentum shifted, game four almost seemed to have more importance for Rajsich than Longoria, despite the face that Longoria needed to win it to extend the match to five games. Yet one had the sense that if Longoria won game four, she'd almost certainly take game five.
And again Longoria took the early lead at 5-1. Rajsich did close the gap at 6-3, but she may have been distracted by some calls that did not go her way despite appealing the referee's decisions (the LPRT does use line judges in their finals), as she never got closer than that with Longoria winning 11-5.
They were close early on in the tie-breaker, but Longoria proved her mettle once again as she took it 11-7.
It's the third time during Longoria's streak that she's comeback from 0-2 to win, and all have been against Rajsich. Also, Longoria's lost the first game of four of the last seven LPRT finals - three times to Rajsich and once to Maria Jose Vargas.
That's not a good pattern to be developing, but simultaneously Longoria is still winning, which is what matters in the end.
The 2013-14 LPRT season concludes next month in Herndon, Virginia with the 2014 Ektelon LPRT Pro Nationals on May 16-18.
The Battle of the Alamo - San Antonio, Texas
April 25-27, 2014 (with seeding)
Final
1 Paola Longoria d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 6-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
But for two games it looked like that streak was going to end, as Longoria was not sharp early in Sunday's final. Rajsich played well - though not outstandingly - and had a nice mix of serves against Longoria, including a drive serve ace to the right side that ended game two.
However, in game three Longoria began to look like the LPRT's #1 player, as she went out to a 8-0 lead against the #2 LPRT player, and went on to win that comfortably at 11-3.
With the momentum shifted, game four almost seemed to have more importance for Rajsich than Longoria, despite the face that Longoria needed to win it to extend the match to five games. Yet one had the sense that if Longoria won game four, she'd almost certainly take game five.
And again Longoria took the early lead at 5-1. Rajsich did close the gap at 6-3, but she may have been distracted by some calls that did not go her way despite appealing the referee's decisions (the LPRT does use line judges in their finals), as she never got closer than that with Longoria winning 11-5.
They were close early on in the tie-breaker, but Longoria proved her mettle once again as she took it 11-7.
It's the third time during Longoria's streak that she's comeback from 0-2 to win, and all have been against Rajsich. Also, Longoria's lost the first game of four of the last seven LPRT finals - three times to Rajsich and once to Maria Jose Vargas.
That's not a good pattern to be developing, but simultaneously Longoria is still winning, which is what matters in the end.
The 2013-14 LPRT season concludes next month in Herndon, Virginia with the 2014 Ektelon LPRT Pro Nationals on May 16-18.
The Battle of the Alamo - San Antonio, Texas
April 25-27, 2014 (with seeding)
Final
1 Paola Longoria d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 6-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Longoria & Rajsich in LPRT Battle of the Alamo final
Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich, the top two seeds, have advanced to the final of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Battle of the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas.
Longoria, the LPRT's #1 player, reached the final with wins over Aubrey Kirch in the quarterfinals, 11-4, 12-10, 11-2, and Samantha Salas Solis, 11-1, 11-3, 11-7, in the semi-finals.
Rajsich, LPRT #2, is in the final after beating Lucia Gonzalez in the quarterfinals, 8-11, 11-6, 11-1, 11-2, and Maria Jose Vargas in the semi-final, 6-11, 11-9, 11-4, 1-11, 11-5.
The LPRT Network will be webcast the final live at noon CDT Sunday.
The Battle of the Alamo - San Antonio, Texas
April 25-27, 2014 (with seeding)
Quarterfinals
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Aubrey Kirch, 11-4, 12-10 11-2
4 Samantha Salas d. 5 Cristina Amaya, 11-4, 11-2, 11-4
3 Maria Jose Vargas d. 6 Cheryl Gudinas, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 23 Lucia Gonzalez, 8-11, 11-6, 11-1, 11-2
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 4 Samantha Salas, 11-1, 11-3, 11-7
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 3 Maria Jose Vargas, 6-11, 11-9, 11-4, 1-11, 11-5
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 2 Rhonda Rajsich
Follow the bouncing ball....
Longoria, the LPRT's #1 player, reached the final with wins over Aubrey Kirch in the quarterfinals, 11-4, 12-10, 11-2, and Samantha Salas Solis, 11-1, 11-3, 11-7, in the semi-finals.
Rajsich, LPRT #2, is in the final after beating Lucia Gonzalez in the quarterfinals, 8-11, 11-6, 11-1, 11-2, and Maria Jose Vargas in the semi-final, 6-11, 11-9, 11-4, 1-11, 11-5.
The LPRT Network will be webcast the final live at noon CDT Sunday.
The Battle of the Alamo - San Antonio, Texas
April 25-27, 2014 (with seeding)
Quarterfinals
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Aubrey Kirch, 11-4, 12-10 11-2
4 Samantha Salas d. 5 Cristina Amaya, 11-4, 11-2, 11-4
3 Maria Jose Vargas d. 6 Cheryl Gudinas, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 23 Lucia Gonzalez, 8-11, 11-6, 11-1, 11-2
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 4 Samantha Salas, 11-1, 11-3, 11-7
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 3 Maria Jose Vargas, 6-11, 11-9, 11-4, 1-11, 11-5
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 2 Rhonda Rajsich
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, April 25, 2014
LPRT Battle of the Alamo underway in San Antonio
The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Battle of the Alamo is underway in San Antonio, Texas, and through two rounds the top seeds are all still alive, but there have been some upsets outside of the top five.
LPRT #1 Paola Longoria advanced to the quarter finals Friday with a win over fellow Mexican Alexandra Herrera, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8. In the quarters Longoria will face Aubrey Kirch who defeated Ximena Gonzalez in the Round of 16, 11-6, 5-11, 11-3, 11-2.
Gonzalez was a surprise winner in round one as she defeated 9th seed and tour veteran Adrienne Haynes, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5.
Lucia Gonzalez is a greater surprise in San Antonio, as she's got herself into the quarterfinals with wins over Sofia Rascon, 9-11, 14-12, 11-7, 11-5, and 7th seed Da'monique Davis, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6.
Lucia Gonzalez will face LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajsich in the quarters, as Rajsich beat Diana Aguilar, 11-4, 11-6, 11-4.
The LPRT Network will be webcasting matches live from San Antonio.
The Battle of the Alamo - San Antonio, Texas
April 25-27, 2014 (with seeding)
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
17 Alexandra Herrera d. 16 Cecilia Orozco, 11-0, 11-1, 11-2
24 - Ximena Gonzalez d. 9 Adrienne Haynes, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5
8 Aubrey Kirch - BYE
5 Cristina Amaya - BYE
12 Michelle Key d. 21 Ana Laura Flores, 11-4, 11-3, 11-7
13 Jessica Parilla d. 18 Laura Brandt, 5-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-3
4 Samantha Salas - BYE
3 Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
14 Carolina Luque d. 19 Kelly Gremley, 11-5, 11-8, 11-2
11 Sharon Jackson d. 22 Luisa Santillan, 11-5, 11-4, 11-0
6 Cheryl Gudinas - BYE
7 Da'monique Davis - BYE
23 Lucia Gonzalez d. 10 Sofia Rascon, 9-11, 14-12, 11-7, 11-5
15 Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 18 Diana Acquilar, 12-10, 15-13, 11-4
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Alexandra Herrera, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8
8 Aubrey Kirch d. 24 - Ximena Gonzalez, 11-6, 5-11, 11-3, 11-2
5 Cristina Amaya d. 12 Michelle Key, 11-2, 11-4, 2-11, 6-11, 11-7
4 Samantha Salas d. 13 Jessica Parilla, 11-0, 11-13, 11-0, 11-7
3 Maria Jose Vargas d. 14 Carolina Luque, 11-2, 11-1, 11-0
6 Cheryl Gudinas d. 11 Sharon Jackson, 11-3, 11-3, 11-8
7 Da'monique Davis d. 23 Lucia Gonzalez, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 18 Diana Acquilar, 11-4, 11-6, 11-4
Quarterfinals
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Aubrey Kirch
4 Samantha Salas v. 5 Cristina Amaya
3 Maria Jose Vargas v. 6 Cheryl Gudinas
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 23 Lucia Gonzalez
Follow the bouncing ball....
LPRT #1 Paola Longoria advanced to the quarter finals Friday with a win over fellow Mexican Alexandra Herrera, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8. In the quarters Longoria will face Aubrey Kirch who defeated Ximena Gonzalez in the Round of 16, 11-6, 5-11, 11-3, 11-2.
Gonzalez was a surprise winner in round one as she defeated 9th seed and tour veteran Adrienne Haynes, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5.
Lucia Gonzalez is a greater surprise in San Antonio, as she's got herself into the quarterfinals with wins over Sofia Rascon, 9-11, 14-12, 11-7, 11-5, and 7th seed Da'monique Davis, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6.
Lucia Gonzalez will face LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajsich in the quarters, as Rajsich beat Diana Aguilar, 11-4, 11-6, 11-4.
The LPRT Network will be webcasting matches live from San Antonio.
The Battle of the Alamo - San Antonio, Texas
April 25-27, 2014 (with seeding)
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
17 Alexandra Herrera d. 16 Cecilia Orozco, 11-0, 11-1, 11-2
24 - Ximena Gonzalez d. 9 Adrienne Haynes, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5
8 Aubrey Kirch - BYE
5 Cristina Amaya - BYE
12 Michelle Key d. 21 Ana Laura Flores, 11-4, 11-3, 11-7
13 Jessica Parilla d. 18 Laura Brandt, 5-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-3
4 Samantha Salas - BYE
3 Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
14 Carolina Luque d. 19 Kelly Gremley, 11-5, 11-8, 11-2
11 Sharon Jackson d. 22 Luisa Santillan, 11-5, 11-4, 11-0
6 Cheryl Gudinas - BYE
7 Da'monique Davis - BYE
23 Lucia Gonzalez d. 10 Sofia Rascon, 9-11, 14-12, 11-7, 11-5
15 Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 18 Diana Acquilar, 12-10, 15-13, 11-4
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Alexandra Herrera, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8
8 Aubrey Kirch d. 24 - Ximena Gonzalez, 11-6, 5-11, 11-3, 11-2
5 Cristina Amaya d. 12 Michelle Key, 11-2, 11-4, 2-11, 6-11, 11-7
4 Samantha Salas d. 13 Jessica Parilla, 11-0, 11-13, 11-0, 11-7
3 Maria Jose Vargas d. 14 Carolina Luque, 11-2, 11-1, 11-0
6 Cheryl Gudinas d. 11 Sharon Jackson, 11-3, 11-3, 11-8
7 Da'monique Davis d. 23 Lucia Gonzalez, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 18 Diana Acquilar, 11-4, 11-6, 11-4
Quarterfinals
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Aubrey Kirch
4 Samantha Salas v. 5 Cristina Amaya
3 Maria Jose Vargas v. 6 Cheryl Gudinas
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 23 Lucia Gonzalez
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Mexico wins team title at 2014 Pan Am Championships
Mexico finished on top of the overall standings at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, as they were first in both men's and women's competitions winning a total of six medals: gold in both men's and women's doubles and silver and bronze in both men's and women's singles.
Coming second overall was the USA, who had a gold medal performance in men's singles from Jose Rojas and a silver in men's doubles.
Argentina made their best ever showing, finishing third overall with a gold in women's singles from Maria Jose Vargas, a silver in women's doubles and a bronze in men's doubles.
Canada came fourth overall with two bronze medals, and then Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia had one bronze medal each.
The results reinforce the strength of Mexican racquetball, and came without the current women's World Champion Paola Longoria.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles
GOLD - Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina)
SILVER - Susana Acosta (Mexico)
BRONZE - Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) and Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Women's Doubles
GOLD - Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico)
SILVER - Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina)
BRONZE - Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) and Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
Men's Singles
GOLD - Jose Rojas (USA)
SILVER - Andree Parrilla (Mexico)
BRONZE - Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) and Vincent Gagnon (Canada)
Men's Doubles
GOLD - Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico)
SILVER - Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA)
BRONZE - Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) and Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina)
Women's Team
GOLD - Mexico
SILVER - Argentina
BRONZE - Canada
4th - Ecuador
Men's Team
GOLD - Mexico
SILVER - USA
BRONZE - Bolivia
4th - Canada
Combined Team
GOLD - Mexico
SILVER - USA
BRONZE - Argentina
4th - Canada
Follow the bouncing ball....
Coming second overall was the USA, who had a gold medal performance in men's singles from Jose Rojas and a silver in men's doubles.
Argentina made their best ever showing, finishing third overall with a gold in women's singles from Maria Jose Vargas, a silver in women's doubles and a bronze in men's doubles.
Canada came fourth overall with two bronze medals, and then Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia had one bronze medal each.
The results reinforce the strength of Mexican racquetball, and came without the current women's World Champion Paola Longoria.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles
GOLD - Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina)
SILVER - Susana Acosta (Mexico)
BRONZE - Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) and Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Women's Doubles
GOLD - Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico)
SILVER - Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina)
BRONZE - Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) and Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
Men's Singles
GOLD - Jose Rojas (USA)
SILVER - Andree Parrilla (Mexico)
BRONZE - Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) and Vincent Gagnon (Canada)
Men's Doubles
GOLD - Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico)
SILVER - Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA)
BRONZE - Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) and Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina)
Women's Team
GOLD - Mexico
SILVER - Argentina
BRONZE - Canada
4th - Ecuador
Men's Team
GOLD - Mexico
SILVER - USA
BRONZE - Bolivia
4th - Canada
Combined Team
GOLD - Mexico
SILVER - USA
BRONZE - Argentina
4th - Canada
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Rojas wins men's singles, Mexico men's doubles at Pan Am Championships
American Jose Rojas won men's singles but lost men's doubles Saturday at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, as Mexico and the USA split the men's gold medals. Rojas defeated Andree Parrilla, 15-4, 15-11, in the singles final to earn his first individual gold medal in international competition.
Rojas had a chance to sweep up the gold medals in Santa Cruz, as he and David Horn were in the men's doubles final, but they lost to Mexicans Daniel De La Rosa and Edson Martinez, 14-15, 15-12, 11-1.
With the win, De La Rosa becomes the fifth player to win Pan Am Championship gold in both singles and doubles, joining Canadian Mike Green, American Bill Sell, Mexican Polo Gutierrez and Bolivian Ricardo Monroy. De La Rosa won the Pan Am Championships singles title in 2011.
The next international event will be the International Racquetball Federation (IRT) World Championships June 14-21 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Men's Singles - Final
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Andree Parrilla (Mexico), 15-4, 15-11
Men's Doubles - Final
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) d. Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA), 14-15, 15-12, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball....
Rojas had a chance to sweep up the gold medals in Santa Cruz, as he and David Horn were in the men's doubles final, but they lost to Mexicans Daniel De La Rosa and Edson Martinez, 14-15, 15-12, 11-1.
With the win, De La Rosa becomes the fifth player to win Pan Am Championship gold in both singles and doubles, joining Canadian Mike Green, American Bill Sell, Mexican Polo Gutierrez and Bolivian Ricardo Monroy. De La Rosa won the Pan Am Championships singles title in 2011.
The next international event will be the International Racquetball Federation (IRT) World Championships June 14-21 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Men's Singles - Final
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Andree Parrilla (Mexico), 15-4, 15-11
Men's Doubles - Final
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) d. Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA), 14-15, 15-12, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball....
Vargas & Mexico win gold at Pan Am Championships
Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina and Susana Acosta of Mexico split the women's finals at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia with Vargas winning the singles gold and Acosta the doubles gold with Samantha Salas Solis.
Vargas defeated Acosta in two straight games to take the singles title, 15-4, 15-8. The win is a first gold medal for Argentina or any South American women at the Pan Am Championships.
But in doubles the Mexican team of Acosta and Salas Solis took out the Argentine team of Vargas and Véronique Guillemette in three games, 10-15, 15-8, 11-7.
The win is Acosta's and Salas Solis's fourth Pan Am Championship title in doubles and second that they have won together. Their other win was in 2010.
The next international event will be the International Racquetball Federation (IRT) World Championships June 14-21 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles - Final
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. Susana Acosta (Mexico), 15-4, 15-8
Women's Doubles - Final
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina), 10-15, 15-8, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Vargas defeated Acosta in two straight games to take the singles title, 15-4, 15-8. The win is a first gold medal for Argentina or any South American women at the Pan Am Championships.
But in doubles the Mexican team of Acosta and Salas Solis took out the Argentine team of Vargas and Véronique Guillemette in three games, 10-15, 15-8, 11-7.
The win is Acosta's and Salas Solis's fourth Pan Am Championship title in doubles and second that they have won together. Their other win was in 2010.
The next international event will be the International Racquetball Federation (IRT) World Championships June 14-21 in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles - Final
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. Susana Acosta (Mexico), 15-4, 15-8
Women's Doubles - Final
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina), 10-15, 15-8, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, April 18, 2014
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Mexico & Argentina win women's doubles SFs
Mexico and Argentina will face off in the women's doubles final at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, after they won their respective semi-finals.
Mexicans Susana Acosta and Samantha Salas Solis - the #1 seeds - beat Canadians Frédérique Lambert and Josée Grand'Maître in two straight games, 15-13, 15-12, in one semi-final, and Maria Jose Vargas and Véronique Guillemette of Argentina defeated Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador, 6-15, 15-11, 11-9, in the other semi.
Both Acosta and Vargas are also in the women's singles final, so each has a a chance to win gold in singles and doubles at the Pan Am Championship in the same year. Only Paola Longoria (Mexico) has done that; she won both in 2012.
The final will be 1 PM EDT Saturday and will be live via the IRF Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada), 15-13, 15-12
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) d. Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 6-15, 15-11, 11-9
Women's Doubles - Final
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) v. Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Mexicans Susana Acosta and Samantha Salas Solis - the #1 seeds - beat Canadians Frédérique Lambert and Josée Grand'Maître in two straight games, 15-13, 15-12, in one semi-final, and Maria Jose Vargas and Véronique Guillemette of Argentina defeated Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador, 6-15, 15-11, 11-9, in the other semi.
Both Acosta and Vargas are also in the women's singles final, so each has a a chance to win gold in singles and doubles at the Pan Am Championship in the same year. Only Paola Longoria (Mexico) has done that; she won both in 2012.
The final will be 1 PM EDT Saturday and will be live via the IRF Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada), 15-13, 15-12
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) d. Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 6-15, 15-11, 11-9
Women's Doubles - Final
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) v. Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina)
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Mexico & USA into men's doubles final
The seedings continued to hold true in the men's doubles division at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, as the Mexican and American teams won their respective semi-finals. But it wasn't easy for either team.
The top seeded Mexican team of Daniel De La Rosa and Edson Martinez needed a tie-breaker to defeat the 4th seeded Bolivian team of Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller, 9-15, 15-5, 11-4.
The Mexicans got off to a good start in the match, going up 6-0 in game one. But the Bolivians scored twelve straight points to lead 12-6, and then pushed on to win 15-9. The game point came from an encroachment call against De La Rosa, who was trying to return a lob serve from Monroy. Mexico appealed the call, but it wasn't overturned.
The teams were close in game two, but then in the middle of that game, both Mexicans began serving kiss or nick lobs to Monroy, who was playing the left (backhand) side. It was a curious strategy as Monroy is the veteran of the Bolivian team, and a two time Pan American Champion: once in singles (2010) and once in doubles (2012). But it proved to be effective, as Monroy didn't have a good return for that serve.
In the other semi, Americans Jose Rojas and David Horn defeated Daniel Maggi and Shai Manzuri of Argentina, 15-7, 15-14.
After winning the first game relatively comfortably, the American found themselves down 9-0 in game two, as Maggi - playing the right side - was hitting drive Z serves to Horn, who was having trouble returning them.
At 11-2, Rojas went over to the right side to return Maggi's serve and promptly skipped the first return to make it 12-2. But then there was a hideout and the Americans began their comeback.
The USA cut the lead to 12-6, and the Argentines called a timeout. That seemed to work as they got the serve back and scored a point to make it 13-6. However, the USA then regained serve and ran five points to make the score 13-11 prompting another Argentina timeout.
But the Americans tied the game at 13-13 before Argentina got the serve back. The South American team reached game point at 14-13 after a Maggi forehand kill shot, but they couldn't finish the game.
The lack of finishing allowed the American team back in and they won it 15-14 (no win by two rule in international events) on a Rojas backhand down the line shot.
The win gives Rojas a chance at two gold medals on Saturday, as he's in the singles final as well. Also, Horn has a chance to win gold in his first team on Team USA. The last person to do that was Ben Croft, who won men's doubles with Mitch Williams at the 2010 Pan American Championships.
If De La Rosa wins the doubles title, then he'll join Canadian Mike Green, American Bill Sell, Mexican Polo Gutierrez and Monroy as players to win Pan American Championships in both singles and doubles. De La Rosa won the Pan Am Championships singles title in 2011.
The final will be 2:30 PM Saturday and will be live via the IRF Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) d. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia), 9-15, 15-5, 11-4
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) d. Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina), 15-7, 15-14
Men's Doubles - Final
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) v. Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA)
Follow the bouncing ball....
The top seeded Mexican team of Daniel De La Rosa and Edson Martinez needed a tie-breaker to defeat the 4th seeded Bolivian team of Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller, 9-15, 15-5, 11-4.
The Mexicans got off to a good start in the match, going up 6-0 in game one. But the Bolivians scored twelve straight points to lead 12-6, and then pushed on to win 15-9. The game point came from an encroachment call against De La Rosa, who was trying to return a lob serve from Monroy. Mexico appealed the call, but it wasn't overturned.
The teams were close in game two, but then in the middle of that game, both Mexicans began serving kiss or nick lobs to Monroy, who was playing the left (backhand) side. It was a curious strategy as Monroy is the veteran of the Bolivian team, and a two time Pan American Champion: once in singles (2010) and once in doubles (2012). But it proved to be effective, as Monroy didn't have a good return for that serve.
In the other semi, Americans Jose Rojas and David Horn defeated Daniel Maggi and Shai Manzuri of Argentina, 15-7, 15-14.
After winning the first game relatively comfortably, the American found themselves down 9-0 in game two, as Maggi - playing the right side - was hitting drive Z serves to Horn, who was having trouble returning them.
At 11-2, Rojas went over to the right side to return Maggi's serve and promptly skipped the first return to make it 12-2. But then there was a hideout and the Americans began their comeback.
The USA cut the lead to 12-6, and the Argentines called a timeout. That seemed to work as they got the serve back and scored a point to make it 13-6. However, the USA then regained serve and ran five points to make the score 13-11 prompting another Argentina timeout.
But the Americans tied the game at 13-13 before Argentina got the serve back. The South American team reached game point at 14-13 after a Maggi forehand kill shot, but they couldn't finish the game.
The lack of finishing allowed the American team back in and they won it 15-14 (no win by two rule in international events) on a Rojas backhand down the line shot.
The win gives Rojas a chance at two gold medals on Saturday, as he's in the singles final as well. Also, Horn has a chance to win gold in his first team on Team USA. The last person to do that was Ben Croft, who won men's doubles with Mitch Williams at the 2010 Pan American Championships.
If De La Rosa wins the doubles title, then he'll join Canadian Mike Green, American Bill Sell, Mexican Polo Gutierrez and Monroy as players to win Pan American Championships in both singles and doubles. De La Rosa won the Pan Am Championships singles title in 2011.
The final will be 2:30 PM Saturday and will be live via the IRF Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) d. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia), 9-15, 15-5, 11-4
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) d. Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina), 15-7, 15-14
Men's Doubles - Final
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) v. Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA)
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Rojas & Parrilla win semis
American Jose Rojas proved his mettle Friday in the men's singles semi-finals at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, as he came back in game two to force a tie-breaker and then won the tie-breaker to defeat defending champion Polo Gutierrez of Mexico, 6-15, 15-13, 11-5.
Gutierrez was in complete control in game one, which he won comfortably. In game two, Rojas took early leads at 4-0 and 8-4, but Gutierrez tied at 8-8 and 10-10.
Then Gutierrez went ahead 13-10 and was two points from winning the match. But a skip gave Rojas back the serve, and he served it out with Z serves to both the left and right sides.
In the tie-breaker, Gutierrez had the early lead at 3-0, but Rojas caught him at 5-5 and held Gutierrez at five while going on to win 11-5 on the third match point.
In the other semi, young Mexican Andree Parrilla took out veteran Canadian Vincent Gagnon, 15-10, 15-9, to advance to his first international final in his first appearance on Team Mexico. The current Boy's U16 Junior World Champion will try to win the first gold by a junior at the Pan Am Championships since Daniel De La Rosa won it in 2011.
The final will be noon EDT Saturday and will be live via the IRF Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico), 6-15, 15-13, 11-5
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Vincent Gagnon (Canada), 15-10, 15-9
Men's Singles - Final
Jose Rojas (USA) v. Andree Parrilla (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Gutierrez was in complete control in game one, which he won comfortably. In game two, Rojas took early leads at 4-0 and 8-4, but Gutierrez tied at 8-8 and 10-10.
Then Gutierrez went ahead 13-10 and was two points from winning the match. But a skip gave Rojas back the serve, and he served it out with Z serves to both the left and right sides.
In the tie-breaker, Gutierrez had the early lead at 3-0, but Rojas caught him at 5-5 and held Gutierrez at five while going on to win 11-5 on the third match point.
In the other semi, young Mexican Andree Parrilla took out veteran Canadian Vincent Gagnon, 15-10, 15-9, to advance to his first international final in his first appearance on Team Mexico. The current Boy's U16 Junior World Champion will try to win the first gold by a junior at the Pan Am Championships since Daniel De La Rosa won it in 2011.
The final will be noon EDT Saturday and will be live via the IRF Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Polo Gutierrez (Mexico), 6-15, 15-13, 11-5
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Vincent Gagnon (Canada), 15-10, 15-9
Men's Singles - Final
Jose Rojas (USA) v. Andree Parrilla (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC XXVII Pan American Championships - Vargas & Acosta win semi-finals
Maria Jose Vargas of Bolivia and Susana Acosta of Mexico will play for gold in women's singles at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and both won their respective semi-finals in three games on Friday.
Vargas defeated top seed Samantha Salas Solis of Mexico, 15-7, 8-15, 11-2. Vargas was in control throughout game one, but the tables were reversed in game two as Acosta went out to a 9-2 lead.
However, Vargas made a game of it, as she closed the gap to 10-8, but wasn't able to get any closer as Salas Solis forced a tie-breaker. The tide turned back to Vargas in the breaker as she won it comfortably 11-2.
Veteran Acosta defeated Cristina Amaya of Colombia, 15-10, 14-15, 11-7.
If Acosta wins Saturday, it'll be her fourth Pan American title, but the first in singles. She won doubles with Rosy Torres in 2004 and 2005 and with Salas Solis in 2010.
A Vargas victory will be the first Pan American Championship for a South American woman and just the third for a South American country overall. Ricardo Monroy won men's singles in 2010 and doubles in 2012 with Roland Keller.
The final will be 11 AM EDT Saturday and will be live via the IRF Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico), 15-7, 8-15, 11-2
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 15-10, 14-15, 11-7
Women's Singles - Final
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. Susana Acosta (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Vargas defeated top seed Samantha Salas Solis of Mexico, 15-7, 8-15, 11-2. Vargas was in control throughout game one, but the tables were reversed in game two as Acosta went out to a 9-2 lead.
However, Vargas made a game of it, as she closed the gap to 10-8, but wasn't able to get any closer as Salas Solis forced a tie-breaker. The tide turned back to Vargas in the breaker as she won it comfortably 11-2.
Veteran Acosta defeated Cristina Amaya of Colombia, 15-10, 14-15, 11-7.
If Acosta wins Saturday, it'll be her fourth Pan American title, but the first in singles. She won doubles with Rosy Torres in 2004 and 2005 and with Salas Solis in 2010.
A Vargas victory will be the first Pan American Championship for a South American woman and just the third for a South American country overall. Ricardo Monroy won men's singles in 2010 and doubles in 2012 with Roland Keller.
The final will be 11 AM EDT Saturday and will be live via the IRF Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico), 15-7, 8-15, 11-2
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 15-10, 14-15, 11-7
Women's Singles - Final
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. Susana Acosta (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, April 17, 2014
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Men's doubles quarterfinals
The seedings have held in the men's doubles quarterfinals at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Mexico and the USA remain on track for a showdown in the final.
Mexicans Daniel De La Rosa and Edson Martinez, the #1 seeds, defeated Costa Ricans Joaquin Solera and Pablo Sauma in two straight games, 15-12, 15-3.
They will face Bolivian fourth seeds Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller of Bolivia, as they beat Canadians Tim Landeryou and Pedro Castro in the quarters, 15-13, 15-12.
On the bottom of the draw, there were two tie-breakers. Americans Jose Rojas and David Horn needed a tie-breaker to fend off the young team of Guatemalans Pedro Manolo Sandoval and Edwin Garcia, 10-15, 15-6, 11-6, and Argentines Daniel Maggi and Shai Mazuri beat Colombians Sebastian Franco and Alejandro Herrera, 15-13, 7-15, 11-6.
None of the remaining players have won the Pan Am Championship in doubles, although Daniel La Rosa won the singles title in 2011. If De La Rosa wins the doubles title, then he'll join Canadian Mike Green, American Bill Sell, Mexican Polo Gutierrez and Monroy as players to win Pan American Championships in both singles and doubles.
The semi-finals will be 4 PM Friday and will be live via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Men's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) d. Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-12, 15-3
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) d. Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada), 15-13, 15-12
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) d. Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-13, 7-15, 11-6
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala), 10-15, 15-6, 11-6
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) v. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia)
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) v. Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Mexicans Daniel De La Rosa and Edson Martinez, the #1 seeds, defeated Costa Ricans Joaquin Solera and Pablo Sauma in two straight games, 15-12, 15-3.
They will face Bolivian fourth seeds Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller of Bolivia, as they beat Canadians Tim Landeryou and Pedro Castro in the quarters, 15-13, 15-12.
On the bottom of the draw, there were two tie-breakers. Americans Jose Rojas and David Horn needed a tie-breaker to fend off the young team of Guatemalans Pedro Manolo Sandoval and Edwin Garcia, 10-15, 15-6, 11-6, and Argentines Daniel Maggi and Shai Mazuri beat Colombians Sebastian Franco and Alejandro Herrera, 15-13, 7-15, 11-6.
None of the remaining players have won the Pan Am Championship in doubles, although Daniel La Rosa won the singles title in 2011. If De La Rosa wins the doubles title, then he'll join Canadian Mike Green, American Bill Sell, Mexican Polo Gutierrez and Monroy as players to win Pan American Championships in both singles and doubles.
The semi-finals will be 4 PM Friday and will be live via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Men's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) d. Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-12, 15-3
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) d. Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada), 15-13, 15-12
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) d. Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-13, 7-15, 11-6
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala), 10-15, 15-6, 11-6
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) v. Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia)
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) v. Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina)
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Women's doubles quarterfinals
Two upsets on the bottom of the women's doubles draw at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, although the outcomes aren't too surprising given those involved.
But it is surprising whenever the USA loses a racquetball match, especially when Rhonda Rajsich - one of the best ever players - is involved. Yet that's what happened Thursday, as Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador defeated Rajsich and Janel Tisinger, 15-8, 7-15, 11-6, in the quarterfinals.
Ecuador will play the Argentine team of Maria Jose Vargas and Véronique Guillemette, who were winners over Bolivians Jenny Daza and Carola Loma, 15-8, 15-10, in the semi-finals on Friday.
Mexicans Susana Acosta and Samantha Salas Solis - the #1 seeds - defeated Melania Sauma and Sofia Soley of Costa Rica, 15-2, 15-7, in their quarterfinal, and will face Canadians Frédérique Lambert and Josée Grand'Maître in the other semi-finals, as Canada beat Cristina Amaya and Carolina Gomez of Colombia, 12-15, 15-5, 11-7.
Of the players remaining, only the Mexicans have won the Pan Am Championship before. Acosta and Salas Solis have each won gold in women's doubles three times, but only once did they win together. That was in 2010.
Argentina and Ecuador haven't ever won women's doubles at the Pan Am Championships, and Canada hasn't won it since 2002, when Lori-Jane Powell and Karina Odegard won gold.
The semi-finals will be 3 PM Friday and will be live via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-2, 15-7
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 12-15, 15-5, 11-7
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) d. Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-10
Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA), 15-8, 7-15, 11-6
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) v. Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada)
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) v. Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
Follow the bouncing ball....
But it is surprising whenever the USA loses a racquetball match, especially when Rhonda Rajsich - one of the best ever players - is involved. Yet that's what happened Thursday, as Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador defeated Rajsich and Janel Tisinger, 15-8, 7-15, 11-6, in the quarterfinals.
Ecuador will play the Argentine team of Maria Jose Vargas and Véronique Guillemette, who were winners over Bolivians Jenny Daza and Carola Loma, 15-8, 15-10, in the semi-finals on Friday.
Mexicans Susana Acosta and Samantha Salas Solis - the #1 seeds - defeated Melania Sauma and Sofia Soley of Costa Rica, 15-2, 15-7, in their quarterfinal, and will face Canadians Frédérique Lambert and Josée Grand'Maître in the other semi-finals, as Canada beat Cristina Amaya and Carolina Gomez of Colombia, 12-15, 15-5, 11-7.
Of the players remaining, only the Mexicans have won the Pan Am Championship before. Acosta and Salas Solis have each won gold in women's doubles three times, but only once did they win together. That was in 2010.
Argentina and Ecuador haven't ever won women's doubles at the Pan Am Championships, and Canada hasn't won it since 2002, when Lori-Jane Powell and Karina Odegard won gold.
The semi-finals will be 3 PM Friday and will be live via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-2, 15-7
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 12-15, 15-5, 11-7
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) d. Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia), 15-8, 15-10
Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA), 15-8, 7-15, 11-6
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) v. Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada)
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) v. Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Men's singles quarterfinals
The top three seeds in men's singles all won in the quarterfinals of the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and the last spot in the semi-finals was taken by the player who perhaps should be the #1 seed, as Jose Rojas of the USA is the highest ranked International Racquetball Tour (IRT) player in the draw.
Despite Rojas's ranking, he was pushed to a tie-breaker by Luis Perez of the Dominican Republic, as Perez won the first game before succumbing in three to Rojas, 14-15, 15-3, 11-1.
Polo Gutierrez of Mexico is the top seed, and defending Pan American Champion, and he'll face Rojas in the semis on Friday, as he defeated American David Horn in the quarters, 15-5, 15-10.
On the bottom of the draw, Mexican Andree Parrilla's win over Bolivian Carlos Keller, 7-15, 15-11, 11-6, is perhaps surprising - although Parrilla was the 3rd seed and Keller the 6th - as Parrilla is the current Junior World Champion in U16 while Keller was the Junior World Champion in U18 in 2011.
Vincent Gagnon of Canada also needed a tie-breaker to win his quarterfinal match with Fernando Rios of Ecuador, winning 12-15, 15-8, 11-7.
Gagnon's the second seed and is trying to become the fifth man to win Pan American Championships in both singles and doubles. Already in that club are fellow Canadian Mike Green, Bolivan Ricardo Monroy, American Bill Sell and Gutierrez.
Gagnon won the 2007 Pan Am Championship in men's doubles with François Viens.
The semi-finals will be noon Friday and will be live via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Men's Singles - Quarterfinals
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. David Horn (USA), 15-5, 15-10
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 14-15, 15-3, 11-1
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 7-15, 15-11, 11-6
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 12-15, 15-8, 11-7
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v.Jose Rojas (USA)
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) v. Andree Parrilla (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Despite Rojas's ranking, he was pushed to a tie-breaker by Luis Perez of the Dominican Republic, as Perez won the first game before succumbing in three to Rojas, 14-15, 15-3, 11-1.
Polo Gutierrez of Mexico is the top seed, and defending Pan American Champion, and he'll face Rojas in the semis on Friday, as he defeated American David Horn in the quarters, 15-5, 15-10.
On the bottom of the draw, Mexican Andree Parrilla's win over Bolivian Carlos Keller, 7-15, 15-11, 11-6, is perhaps surprising - although Parrilla was the 3rd seed and Keller the 6th - as Parrilla is the current Junior World Champion in U16 while Keller was the Junior World Champion in U18 in 2011.
Vincent Gagnon of Canada also needed a tie-breaker to win his quarterfinal match with Fernando Rios of Ecuador, winning 12-15, 15-8, 11-7.
Gagnon's the second seed and is trying to become the fifth man to win Pan American Championships in both singles and doubles. Already in that club are fellow Canadian Mike Green, Bolivan Ricardo Monroy, American Bill Sell and Gutierrez.
Gagnon won the 2007 Pan Am Championship in men's doubles with François Viens.
The semi-finals will be noon Friday and will be live via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Men's Singles - Quarterfinals
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. David Horn (USA), 15-5, 15-10
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 14-15, 15-3, 11-1
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Carlos Keller (Bolivia), 7-15, 15-11, 11-6
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 12-15, 15-8, 11-7
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v.Jose Rojas (USA)
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) v. Andree Parrilla (Mexico)
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Women's Quarterfinals
Colombian Cristina Amaya upset American Rhonda Rajsich in the quarterfinals of women's singles at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, 2-15, 15-7, 11-9. The result means Amaya will medal at an international event for just the second time in her career. She was the silver medalist at last year's World Games.
Veteran left-hander Susana Acosta will be Amaya's opponent in the semi-finals on Friday, as Acosta defeated Bolivian Jenny Daza, 15-13, 9-15, 11-3, in the quarters.
The other semi-final will feature top seed Samantha Salas Solis of Mexico versus Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina. Salas Solis beat Canadian Frédérique Lambert, 15-7, 15-13, and Vargas defeated Veronica Sotomayor of Ecuador, 15-13, 15-1, in their respective quarterfinals.
Salas Solis is seeded 1st, but on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Vargas is ranked 3rd and Salas Solis 4th, so a Vargas victory wouldn't really be an upset. They have played once on the LPRT this season with Vargas winning in three straight games at the Christmas Classic last December.
Similarily, Acosta and Amaya have played just once on the LPRT this season, and Amaya won in five games back in September in Toluca, Mexico.
Previous Pan American Champions in women's singles have been either American or Canadian or named Paola Longoria.
That will change this year.
The semi-finals will be 11 AM Friday and will be live via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles - Quarterfinals
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Frédérique Lambert (Canada), 15-7, 15-13
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador), 15-13, 15-1
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 15-13, 9-15, 11-3
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 2-15, 15-7, 11-9
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) v. Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina)
Susana Acosta (Mexico) v. Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Veteran left-hander Susana Acosta will be Amaya's opponent in the semi-finals on Friday, as Acosta defeated Bolivian Jenny Daza, 15-13, 9-15, 11-3, in the quarters.
The other semi-final will feature top seed Samantha Salas Solis of Mexico versus Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina. Salas Solis beat Canadian Frédérique Lambert, 15-7, 15-13, and Vargas defeated Veronica Sotomayor of Ecuador, 15-13, 15-1, in their respective quarterfinals.
Salas Solis is seeded 1st, but on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Vargas is ranked 3rd and Salas Solis 4th, so a Vargas victory wouldn't really be an upset. They have played once on the LPRT this season with Vargas winning in three straight games at the Christmas Classic last December.
Similarily, Acosta and Amaya have played just once on the LPRT this season, and Amaya won in five games back in September in Toluca, Mexico.
Previous Pan American Champions in women's singles have been either American or Canadian or named Paola Longoria.
That will change this year.
The semi-finals will be 11 AM Friday and will be live via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles - Quarterfinals
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Frédérique Lambert (Canada), 15-7, 15-13
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador), 15-13, 15-1
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 15-13, 9-15, 11-3
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Cristina Amaya (Colombia), 2-15, 15-7, 11-9
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) v. Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina)
Susana Acosta (Mexico) v. Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Doubles Round of 16
There's been no upsets in the women's doubles draw at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, but not all teams has easy matches.
However, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seeds - USA, Bolivia and Canada - all won in two straight, while the lower seeded teams went tie-breaker with one exception. Seventh seeds Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz from Ecuador defeated Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme of Chile in two straight games, 15-4, 15-6.
But Costa Rica, Colombia and Argentina all needed a third game to advance. Argentina's struggle was the most surprising, as the 3rd ranked women's pro player - Maria Jose Vargas - is playing for them with Véronique Guillemette. However, the young Venezuelan team of Mariana Tobon and Mariana Parades forced a tie-breaker before losing, 15-5, 14-15, 11-7.
The closest match was between two other young teams: Melania Sauma and Sofia Soley of Costa Rica and Maria Renee Rodriguez and Gabriella Martinez of Guatemala with the Costa Ricans coming out on top by the slimmest of margins: 15-12, 6-15, 11-10.
Only partial results in for the men's doubles, and no surprises so far. Fourth seeds Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller of Bolivia defeated Gustavo Farrel & Diego Vognione of Uruguay, 15-0, 15-1, and 3rd seeds Daniel Maggi and Shai Mazuri of Argentina beat Miguel Santiago and Jayson Jordan of Puerto Rico, 15-6, 15-7.
The quarter finals will be Thursday will the semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday, respectively. There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday - April 18 and 19 - via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles - Round of 16
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) - BYE
Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 15-12, 6-15, 11-10
Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) d. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 14-15, 15-12, 11-4
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) d. Irene Caballero & Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-4, 15-0
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Pamela Sierra & Paula Padilla (Honduras) 15-2, 15-3
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) d. Mariana Tobon & Mariana Parades (Venezuela), 15-5, 14-15, 11-7
Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-4, 15-6
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Raquel Perez & Johan Martin (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-3
Women's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) v. Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica)
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) v. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia)
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) v. Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina)
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA) v. Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) - BYE
Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica) d. Francisco Troncoso & Mauricio Suarez (Chile), 15-2, 15-13
Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada) d. Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-13, 15-13
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) d. Gustavo Farrel & Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-0, 15-1
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) d. Miguel Santiago & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico), 15-6, 15-7
Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador), 14-15, 15-10, 11-7
Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala) d. Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castro (Venezuela), 15-10, 0-15, 11-5
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) d. Selvin Cruz & Sergio Baires (Honduras), 15-1, 15-4
Men's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) v. Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica)
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) v. Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada)
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) v. Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia)
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) v. Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala)
Follow the bouncing ball....
However, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seeds - USA, Bolivia and Canada - all won in two straight, while the lower seeded teams went tie-breaker with one exception. Seventh seeds Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz from Ecuador defeated Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme of Chile in two straight games, 15-4, 15-6.
But Costa Rica, Colombia and Argentina all needed a third game to advance. Argentina's struggle was the most surprising, as the 3rd ranked women's pro player - Maria Jose Vargas - is playing for them with Véronique Guillemette. However, the young Venezuelan team of Mariana Tobon and Mariana Parades forced a tie-breaker before losing, 15-5, 14-15, 11-7.
The closest match was between two other young teams: Melania Sauma and Sofia Soley of Costa Rica and Maria Renee Rodriguez and Gabriella Martinez of Guatemala with the Costa Ricans coming out on top by the slimmest of margins: 15-12, 6-15, 11-10.
Only partial results in for the men's doubles, and no surprises so far. Fourth seeds Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller of Bolivia defeated Gustavo Farrel & Diego Vognione of Uruguay, 15-0, 15-1, and 3rd seeds Daniel Maggi and Shai Mazuri of Argentina beat Miguel Santiago and Jayson Jordan of Puerto Rico, 15-6, 15-7.
The quarter finals will be Thursday will the semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday, respectively. There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday - April 18 and 19 - via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles - Round of 16
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) - BYE
Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 15-12, 6-15, 11-10
Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) d. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 14-15, 15-12, 11-4
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) d. Irene Caballero & Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-4, 15-0
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Pamela Sierra & Paula Padilla (Honduras) 15-2, 15-3
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) d. Mariana Tobon & Mariana Parades (Venezuela), 15-5, 14-15, 11-7
Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-4, 15-6
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Raquel Perez & Johan Martin (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-3
Women's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) v. Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica)
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) v. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia)
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) v. Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina)
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA) v. Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
Men's Doubles - Round of 16
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) - BYE
Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica) d. Francisco Troncoso & Mauricio Suarez (Chile), 15-2, 15-13
Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada) d. Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-13, 15-13
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) d. Gustavo Farrel & Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-0, 15-1
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) d. Miguel Santiago & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico), 15-6, 15-7
Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador), 14-15, 15-10, 11-7
Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala) d. Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castro (Venezuela), 15-10, 0-15, 11-5
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) d. Selvin Cruz & Sergio Baires (Honduras), 15-1, 15-4
Men's Doubles - Quarterfinals
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) v. Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica)
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) v. Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada)
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) v. Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia)
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) v. Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala)
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Singles 32s & 16s
The elimination rounds have begun at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia and there aren't any big upsets so far. The Round of 32 and 16 are being played in both women's and men's singles on Wednesday.
On the women's side, Jenny Daza of Bolivia upset the 6th seed Jennifer Saunders of Canada, 15-10, 15-4, in the Round of 16. Daza will play Mexican Susana Acosta in the quarterfinals, as Acosta beat American Janel Tisinger in three games, 13-15, 15-7, 11-4.
On the top half of the draw, Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina and Veronica Sotomayor of Ecuador won their Round of 32 and 16 matches comfortably and will face off in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Canadian Frédérique Lambert is also into the quarters, although she had a tougher time in the Round of 16, as she needed a tie-breaker to defeat Bolivian Natalia Mendez, 15-8, 12-15, 11-1. She'll face top seed Samantha Salas Solis of Mexico in the quarters, as Salas Solis beat Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador, 15-13, 15-10.
Only one upsets in the men's Round of 32, but that was in the 16/17 match, where Ezequiel Paez of Venezela beat Fernando Kurbard of Argentina, 15-4, 14-15, 11-6. (note: correction from what was previously posted: Cesar Castillo of Venezuela defeated Pablo Kurzbard of Argentina, 15-6, 15-8; apologies; the error was at source).
Only one other tie-breaker, as Colombian Sebastian Franco, seeded 7th, needed three games to defeat 26th seed Selvin Cruz of Honduras, 15-10, 14-15, 11-2.
But there were upsets and some other interesting results in the men's Round of 16. Veteran Luis Perez of Dominican Republic defeated 4th seed Coby Iwaasa of Canada in a tie-breaker, 14-15, 15-12, 11-2. Iwaasa was playing his first international tournament for Canada, and the wily veteran got the better of him.
American David Horn, another international rookie, won a close match with Bolivian Conrado Moscoso, 15-14, 15-9, which was a small upset by the seedings as Horn was seeded 9th and Moscoso 8th.
Two tie-breakers of note: 10th seed Fernando Rios of Ecuador defeated 7th seed Sebastian Franco, 12-15, 15-7, 11-8, and 6th seed Carlos Keller of Bolivia squeaked out a win against 11th seed Alejandro Herrera of Colombia, 15-2, 12-15, 11-10.
The quarterfinals are set for Thursday with the semi-finals on Friday and finals on Saturday. There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday - April 18 and 19 - via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) - BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 15-4, 15-9
Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-1, 15-1
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Pamela Padilla (Honduras), 15-5, 15-2
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Mary Diaz (Puerto Rico), 15-5, 15-1
Melania Sauma (Costa Rica) d. Cecilia Ceruetti (Argentina), 15-7, 15-10
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-13, 15-14
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) d. Irene Caballero (Panama), 15-0, 15-0
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-2, 15-3
Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-12
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-7, 15-8
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Paula Sierra (Honduras), 15-0, 15-5
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-3
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-0, 15-8
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Mariana Parades (Venezuela), 15-9, 15-5
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - BYE
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-13, 15-10
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia), 15-8, 12-15, 11-1
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-5, 15-0
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) d. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-1
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Janel Tisinger (USA), 13-15, 15-7, 11-4
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Jennifer Saunders (Canada), 15-10, 15-4
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-10, 11-15, 11-8
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-5
Women's Singles - Quarterfinals
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) v. Frédérique Lambert (Canada)
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) v. Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina)
Susana Acosta (Mexico) v. Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) - BYE
Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela) d. Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-4, 14-15, 11-6
David Horn (USA) d. Edwin Garcia (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-6
Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-3, 15-5
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Miguel Flores (Honduras), 15-4, 15-9
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-9, 15-6
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Andrés Solera (Costa Rica), 15-14, 15-13
Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-3, 15-4
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Gustavo Farrel (Uruguay), 15-3, 15-1
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) d. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-12, 15-12
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-14, 15-3
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Fernando Rivera (Puerto Rico), 15-3, 15-7
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Selvin Cruz (Honduras), 15-10, 14-15, 11-2
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Jared Torres (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-6
Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-8
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) - BYE
Men's Singles - Round of 16
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-5
David Horn (USA) d. Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-14, 15-9
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-3, 15-2
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Coby Iwaasa (Canada), 14-15, 15-12, 11-2
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 15-9, 15-11
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-2, 12-15, 11-10
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 12-15, 15-7, 11-8
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-6, 15-11
Men's Singles - Quarterfinals
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. David Horn (USA)
Jose Rojas (USA) v. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic)
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) v. Carlos Keller (Bolivia)
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Follow the bouncing ball....
On the women's side, Jenny Daza of Bolivia upset the 6th seed Jennifer Saunders of Canada, 15-10, 15-4, in the Round of 16. Daza will play Mexican Susana Acosta in the quarterfinals, as Acosta beat American Janel Tisinger in three games, 13-15, 15-7, 11-4.
On the top half of the draw, Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina and Veronica Sotomayor of Ecuador won their Round of 32 and 16 matches comfortably and will face off in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Canadian Frédérique Lambert is also into the quarters, although she had a tougher time in the Round of 16, as she needed a tie-breaker to defeat Bolivian Natalia Mendez, 15-8, 12-15, 11-1. She'll face top seed Samantha Salas Solis of Mexico in the quarters, as Salas Solis beat Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador, 15-13, 15-10.
Only one upsets in the men's Round of 32, but that was in the 16/17 match, where Ezequiel Paez of Venezela beat Fernando Kurbard of Argentina, 15-4, 14-15, 11-6. (note: correction from what was previously posted: Cesar Castillo of Venezuela defeated Pablo Kurzbard of Argentina, 15-6, 15-8; apologies; the error was at source).
Only one other tie-breaker, as Colombian Sebastian Franco, seeded 7th, needed three games to defeat 26th seed Selvin Cruz of Honduras, 15-10, 14-15, 11-2.
But there were upsets and some other interesting results in the men's Round of 16. Veteran Luis Perez of Dominican Republic defeated 4th seed Coby Iwaasa of Canada in a tie-breaker, 14-15, 15-12, 11-2. Iwaasa was playing his first international tournament for Canada, and the wily veteran got the better of him.
American David Horn, another international rookie, won a close match with Bolivian Conrado Moscoso, 15-14, 15-9, which was a small upset by the seedings as Horn was seeded 9th and Moscoso 8th.
Two tie-breakers of note: 10th seed Fernando Rios of Ecuador defeated 7th seed Sebastian Franco, 12-15, 15-7, 11-8, and 6th seed Carlos Keller of Bolivia squeaked out a win against 11th seed Alejandro Herrera of Colombia, 15-2, 12-15, 11-10.
The quarterfinals are set for Thursday with the semi-finals on Friday and finals on Saturday. There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday - April 18 and 19 - via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) - BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 15-4, 15-9
Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-1, 15-1
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Pamela Padilla (Honduras), 15-5, 15-2
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Mary Diaz (Puerto Rico), 15-5, 15-1
Melania Sauma (Costa Rica) d. Cecilia Ceruetti (Argentina), 15-7, 15-10
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-13, 15-14
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) d. Irene Caballero (Panama), 15-0, 15-0
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-2, 15-3
Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-12
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-7, 15-8
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Paula Sierra (Honduras), 15-0, 15-5
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-1, 15-3
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-0, 15-8
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Mariana Parades (Venezuela), 15-9, 15-5
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - BYE
Women's Singles - Round of 16
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-13, 15-10
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia), 15-8, 12-15, 11-1
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-5, 15-0
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) d. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-1
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Janel Tisinger (USA), 13-15, 15-7, 11-4
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Jennifer Saunders (Canada), 15-10, 15-4
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-10, 11-15, 11-8
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-5
Women's Singles - Quarterfinals
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) v. Frédérique Lambert (Canada)
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) v. Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina)
Susana Acosta (Mexico) v. Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) v. Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) - BYE
Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela) d. Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-4, 14-15, 11-6
David Horn (USA) d. Edwin Garcia (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-6
Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-3, 15-5
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Miguel Flores (Honduras), 15-4, 15-9
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-9, 15-6
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Andrés Solera (Costa Rica), 15-14, 15-13
Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-3, 15-4
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Gustavo Farrel (Uruguay), 15-3, 15-1
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) d. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-12, 15-12
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-14, 15-3
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Fernando Rivera (Puerto Rico), 15-3, 15-7
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Selvin Cruz (Honduras), 15-10, 14-15, 11-2
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Jared Torres (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-6
Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-8
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) - BYE
Men's Singles - Round of 16
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-5
David Horn (USA) d. Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia), 15-14, 15-9
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-3, 15-2
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Coby Iwaasa (Canada), 14-15, 15-12, 11-2
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 15-9, 15-11
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-2, 12-15, 11-10
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 12-15, 15-7, 11-8
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-6, 15-11
Men's Singles - Quarterfinals
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) v. David Horn (USA)
Jose Rojas (USA) v. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic)
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) v. Carlos Keller (Bolivia)
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) v. Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Singles Preview
The draws are out for the men's and women's singles elimination rounds at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. On the women's side there were a few matches of well known players Monday, but no real surprises in the outcomes, but a couple of upsets on the men's side.
On the women's side, the top half of the draw looks stronger with top seed Samantha Salas Solis of Mexico, Canadian Frédérique Lambert, Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina, and Ecuadorans Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz, while on the bottom half of the draw are Americans Rhonda Rajsich and Janel Tisinger as well as Canadian Jennifer Saunders and Colombian Cristina Amaya.
In the men's draw, defending champion Polo Gutierrez of Mexico and American Jose Rojas - #3 on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - are both on the top half of the draw, as is the rising Canadian star Coby Iwaasa. On the bottom of the draw are Vincent Gagnon, as the second seed, Carlos Keller of Bolivia, and Andree Parrilla of Mexico, who's the Junior World Boy's U16 champion.
The elimination round begins Wednesday after a rest day on Tuesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday - April 18 and 19 - via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) - BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala)
Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) v. Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile)
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) v. Pamela Padilla (Honduras)
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. Mary Diaz (Puerto Rico)
Melania Sauma (Costa Rica) v. Cecilia Ceruetti (Argentina)
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) v. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela)
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) v. Irene Caballero (Panama)
Susana Acosta (Mexico) v. Giulia Barboni (Panama)
Janel Tisinger (USA) v. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic)
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) v. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Paula Sierra (Honduras)
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) v. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico)
Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Carolina Gomez (Colombia)
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Mariana Parades (Venezuela)
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - BYE
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) - BYE
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) v. Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela)
David Horn (USA) v. Edwin Garcia (Guatemala)
Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile)
Jose Rojas (USA) v. Miguel Flores (Honduras)
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) v. Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) v. Andrés Solera (Costa Rica)
Coby Iwaasa (Canada) v. Diego Vognione (Uruguay)
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) v. Gustavo Farrel (Uruguay)
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) v. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) v. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala)
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Fernando Rivera (Puerto Rico)
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Selvin Cruz (Honduras)
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) v. Jared Torres (Puerto Rico)
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) v. Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina)
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
On the women's side, the top half of the draw looks stronger with top seed Samantha Salas Solis of Mexico, Canadian Frédérique Lambert, Maria Jose Vargas of Argentina, and Ecuadorans Veronica Sotomayor and Maria Paz Muñoz, while on the bottom half of the draw are Americans Rhonda Rajsich and Janel Tisinger as well as Canadian Jennifer Saunders and Colombian Cristina Amaya.
In the men's draw, defending champion Polo Gutierrez of Mexico and American Jose Rojas - #3 on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - are both on the top half of the draw, as is the rising Canadian star Coby Iwaasa. On the bottom of the draw are Vincent Gagnon, as the second seed, Carlos Keller of Bolivia, and Andree Parrilla of Mexico, who's the Junior World Boy's U16 champion.
The elimination round begins Wednesday after a rest day on Tuesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday - April 18 and 19 - via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles - Round of 32
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) - BYE
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala)
Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) v. Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile)
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) v. Pamela Padilla (Honduras)
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. Mary Diaz (Puerto Rico)
Melania Sauma (Costa Rica) v. Cecilia Ceruetti (Argentina)
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) v. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela)
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) v. Irene Caballero (Panama)
Susana Acosta (Mexico) v. Giulia Barboni (Panama)
Janel Tisinger (USA) v. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic)
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) v. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) v. Paula Sierra (Honduras)
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) v. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico)
Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. Carolina Gomez (Colombia)
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) v. Mariana Parades (Venezuela)
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - BYE
Men's Singles - Round of 32
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) - BYE
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) v. Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela)
David Horn (USA) v. Edwin Garcia (Guatemala)
Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia) v. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile)
Jose Rojas (USA) v. Miguel Flores (Honduras)
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) v. Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) v. Andrés Solera (Costa Rica)
Coby Iwaasa (Canada) v. Diego Vognione (Uruguay)
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) v. Gustavo Farrel (Uruguay)
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) v. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) v. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala)
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) v. Fernando Rivera (Puerto Rico)
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) v. Selvin Cruz (Honduras)
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) v. Jared Torres (Puerto Rico)
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) v. Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina)
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Doubles Preview
The doubles draws are out for the elimination round of the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and Mexico and the USA are the #1 and #2 seeds, respectively, on the both the men's and women's draws.
That the USA is 2nd seed on the men's side was a surprise, as they lost to the Dominican Republic in one of their preliminary matches. But in that group there was a tie between three teams - USA, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica - and by points the USA came first, Costa Rica second and the Dominican third.
The ultimate loser from that could be Canada, as they will face the Dominicans in the first round of the elimination draw. Also, as 2nd seed the USA is on the bottom of the draw, which looks weaker to our eyes, as Mexico, Bolivia, Canada and that solid Dominican team of veteran Luis Perez and young gun Junior Rodriguez, are all on the top half of the draw.
In the women's draw, the situation is reversed as the lower half of the draw looks stronger with the USA, Bolivia, Ecuador and Argentina all on the bottom and Mexico, Canada and Colombia on the top.
The elimination rounds will begin Wednesday after a rest day on Tuesday.
In last year's Pan Am Championships, Mexicans Polo Gutierrez and Javier Moreno won the men's title, and American Rhonda Rajsich and Sharon Jackson won the women's title. Neither Mexican is playing doubles this year, although Gutierrez is in singles, but Rajsich is in doubles. Janel Tisinger is her partner this year, but they also won women's doubles gold in 2007.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday - April 18 and 19 - via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) - BYE
Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) v. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala)
Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) v. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic)
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) v. Irene Caballero & Giulia Barboni (Panama)
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) v. Pamela Sierra & Paula Padilla (Honduras)
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) v. Mariana Tobon & Mariana Parades (Venezuela)
Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile)
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA) v. Raquel Perez & Johan Martin (Puerto Rico)
Men's Doubles
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) - BYE
Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica) v. Francisco Troncoso & Mauricio Suarez (Chile)
Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada) v. Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) v. Gustavo Farrel & Diego Vognione (Uruguay)
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) v. Miguel Santiago & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico)
Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) v. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador)
Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castro (Venezuela) v. Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala)
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) v. Selvin Cruz & Sergio Baires (Honduras)
Follow the bouncing ball....
That the USA is 2nd seed on the men's side was a surprise, as they lost to the Dominican Republic in one of their preliminary matches. But in that group there was a tie between three teams - USA, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica - and by points the USA came first, Costa Rica second and the Dominican third.
The ultimate loser from that could be Canada, as they will face the Dominicans in the first round of the elimination draw. Also, as 2nd seed the USA is on the bottom of the draw, which looks weaker to our eyes, as Mexico, Bolivia, Canada and that solid Dominican team of veteran Luis Perez and young gun Junior Rodriguez, are all on the top half of the draw.
In the women's draw, the situation is reversed as the lower half of the draw looks stronger with the USA, Bolivia, Ecuador and Argentina all on the bottom and Mexico, Canada and Colombia on the top.
The elimination rounds will begin Wednesday after a rest day on Tuesday.
In last year's Pan Am Championships, Mexicans Polo Gutierrez and Javier Moreno won the men's title, and American Rhonda Rajsich and Sharon Jackson won the women's title. Neither Mexican is playing doubles this year, although Gutierrez is in singles, but Rajsich is in doubles. Janel Tisinger is her partner this year, but they also won women's doubles gold in 2007.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday - April 18 and 19 - via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) - BYE
Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) v. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala)
Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) v. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic)
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) v. Irene Caballero & Giulia Barboni (Panama)
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) v. Pamela Sierra & Paula Padilla (Honduras)
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) v. Mariana Tobon & Mariana Parades (Venezuela)
Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) v. Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile)
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA) v. Raquel Perez & Johan Martin (Puerto Rico)
Men's Doubles
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) - BYE
Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica) v. Francisco Troncoso & Mauricio Suarez (Chile)
Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada) v. Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) v. Gustavo Farrel & Diego Vognione (Uruguay)
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) v. Miguel Santiago & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico)
Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) v. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador)
Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castro (Venezuela) v. Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala)
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) v. Selvin Cruz & Sergio Baires (Honduras)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, April 14, 2014
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Day 3 Doubles
Partial doubles results in from the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and there have been no surprises, and few close matches.
On women's match went tie-breaker, as Bolivians Jenny Daza and Carola Loma defeated Colombians Cristina Amaya and Carolina Gomez, 9-15, 15-5, 11-7.
Those two countries also faced off on the men's side with a similar result, as Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller of Bolivia beat Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera of Colombia, 15-12, 15-12.
Tuesday will be an off day, and then the elimination round that will begin Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on April 18 and 19 via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles
Group A
Mariana Tobon & Mariana Parades (Venezuela) - BYE
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-14
Group B
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 15-1, 15-2
Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Irene Caballero & Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-0, 15-0, NS
Group C
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 9-15, 15-5, 11-7
Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala) d. Pamela Sierra & Paula Padilla (Honduras), 15-3, 15-4
Group D
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) d. Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-5, 15-11
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) d. Raquel Perez & Johan Martin (Puerto Rico), 15-0, 15-0
Men's Doubles
Group A
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) d. Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castro (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-9
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador) - BYE
Group B
Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) d. Gustavo Farrel & Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-1, 15-9
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) d. Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-6, 15-11
Group C
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) d. Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada), 15-7, 2-15, 11-7
Francisco Troncoso & Mauricio Suarez (Chile) d. Miguel Santiago & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico), 15-5, 15-2
Group D
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) d. Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-12, 15-12
Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala) d. Selvin Cruz & Sergio Baires (Honduras), 15-5, 15-8
Follow the bouncing ball....
On women's match went tie-breaker, as Bolivians Jenny Daza and Carola Loma defeated Colombians Cristina Amaya and Carolina Gomez, 9-15, 15-5, 11-7.
Those two countries also faced off on the men's side with a similar result, as Ricardo Monroy and Roland Keller of Bolivia beat Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera of Colombia, 15-12, 15-12.
Tuesday will be an off day, and then the elimination round that will begin Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on April 18 and 19 via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles
Group A
Mariana Tobon & Mariana Parades (Venezuela) - BYE
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-14
Group B
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 15-1, 15-2
Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Irene Caballero & Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-0, 15-0, NS
Group C
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 9-15, 15-5, 11-7
Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala) d. Pamela Sierra & Paula Padilla (Honduras), 15-3, 15-4
Group D
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) d. Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-5, 15-11
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) d. Raquel Perez & Johan Martin (Puerto Rico), 15-0, 15-0
Men's Doubles
Group A
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) d. Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castro (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-9
Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador) - BYE
Group B
Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) d. Gustavo Farrel & Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-1, 15-9
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) d. Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-6, 15-11
Group C
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) d. Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada), 15-7, 2-15, 11-7
Francisco Troncoso & Mauricio Suarez (Chile) d. Miguel Santiago & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico), 15-5, 15-2
Group D
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) d. Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-12, 15-12
Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala) d. Selvin Cruz & Sergio Baires (Honduras), 15-5, 15-8
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Day 3 Singles
The singles competition is complete at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. On the women's side there were a few matches of well known players Monday, but no real surprises in the outcomes, but a couple of upsets on the men's side.
American Rhonda Rajsich defeated Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador, 15-13, 15-7, but Rajsich's team-mate Janel Tisinger lost to Muñoz's team-mate Veronica Sotomayor, 15-4, 15-8. (note: seeding in the group stage are by country results in previous events, so it's common for players from two countries to be seeded in the same groups)
Also, Canadian Frédérique Lambert beat Chilean Carla Muñoz, 15-11, 12-15, 11-3.
In men's action, the top three seeds all won. Polo Gutierrez of Mexico, Vincent Gagnon of Canada and Jose Rojas of the USA all won in two straight games.
But American David Horn lost to Colombian Sebastian Franco in a tie-breaker, 12-15, 15-4, 11-9.
And shout out to the two Guatemalans who both won on Monday, although they both needed tie-breakers to do so. Edwin Garcia defeated Selvin Cruz of Honduras, 15-11, 12-15, 11-3, and Pedro Manolo Sandoval beat Miguel Flores of Honduras, 15-6, 12-15, 11-4.
Tuesday will be an off day, and then the elimination round that will begin Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday - April 18 and 19 - via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles
Group A
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 15-1, 15-4
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
Group B
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-13, 15-7
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) - BYE
Group C
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic), 15-9, 15-11
Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala) d. Irene Caballero (Panama), 15-0, 15-0, NS
Group D
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) d. Janel Tisinger (USA), 15-4, 15-8
Mariana Parades (Venezuela) d. Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-5, 15-5
Group E
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Pamela Padilla (Honduras), 15-0, 15-0
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-6, 15-9
Group F
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-4, 15-2
Melania Sauma (Costa Rica) d. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-5
Group G
Cecilia Ceruetti (Argentina) d. Paula Sierra (Honduras), 15-11, 14-15, 11-5
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-9, 11-5
Group H
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-11, 12-15, 11-3
Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Mary Diaz (Puerto Rico), 15-4, 15-6
Men's Singles
Group A
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 15-5
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) - BYE
Group B
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Andrés Solera (Costa Rica), 15-4, 15-13
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) - BYE
Group C
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 15-13, 14-15, 11-9
Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela) d. Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-0, 15-4
Group D
Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 15-10, 10-15, 11-5
Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Gustavo Farrel (Uruguay), 15-2, 15-11
Group E
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-2, 15-8
Jared Torres (Puerto Rico) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-3, 15-8
Group F
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-3
Edwin Garcia (Guatemala) d. Selvin Cruz (Honduras), 15-11, 12-15, 11-3
Group G
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. David Horn (USA), 12-15, 15-4, 11-9
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Fernando Rivera (Puerto Rico), 15-8, 15-11
Group H
Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 15-10, 15-4
Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) d. Miguel Flores (Honduras), 15-6, 12-15, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball....
American Rhonda Rajsich defeated Maria Paz Muñoz of Ecuador, 15-13, 15-7, but Rajsich's team-mate Janel Tisinger lost to Muñoz's team-mate Veronica Sotomayor, 15-4, 15-8. (note: seeding in the group stage are by country results in previous events, so it's common for players from two countries to be seeded in the same groups)
Also, Canadian Frédérique Lambert beat Chilean Carla Muñoz, 15-11, 12-15, 11-3.
In men's action, the top three seeds all won. Polo Gutierrez of Mexico, Vincent Gagnon of Canada and Jose Rojas of the USA all won in two straight games.
But American David Horn lost to Colombian Sebastian Franco in a tie-breaker, 12-15, 15-4, 11-9.
And shout out to the two Guatemalans who both won on Monday, although they both needed tie-breakers to do so. Edwin Garcia defeated Selvin Cruz of Honduras, 15-11, 12-15, 11-3, and Pedro Manolo Sandoval beat Miguel Flores of Honduras, 15-6, 12-15, 11-4.
Tuesday will be an off day, and then the elimination round that will begin Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday - April 18 and 19 - via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles
Group A
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 15-1, 15-4
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) - BYE
Group B
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-13, 15-7
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela) - BYE
Group C
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic), 15-9, 15-11
Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala) d. Irene Caballero (Panama), 15-0, 15-0, NS
Group D
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) d. Janel Tisinger (USA), 15-4, 15-8
Mariana Parades (Venezuela) d. Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-5, 15-5
Group E
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Pamela Padilla (Honduras), 15-0, 15-0
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-6, 15-9
Group F
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-4, 15-2
Melania Sauma (Costa Rica) d. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-5
Group G
Cecilia Ceruetti (Argentina) d. Paula Sierra (Honduras), 15-11, 14-15, 11-5
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-9, 11-5
Group H
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 15-11, 12-15, 11-3
Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Mary Diaz (Puerto Rico), 15-4, 15-6
Men's Singles
Group A
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-3, 15-5
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) - BYE
Group B
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Andrés Solera (Costa Rica), 15-4, 15-13
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) - BYE
Group C
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Luis Perez (Dominican Republic), 15-13, 14-15, 11-9
Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela) d. Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-0, 15-4
Group D
Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica), 15-10, 10-15, 11-5
Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Gustavo Farrel (Uruguay), 15-2, 15-11
Group E
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Alejandro Herrera (Colombia), 15-2, 15-8
Jared Torres (Puerto Rico) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-3, 15-8
Group F
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-3
Edwin Garcia (Guatemala) d. Selvin Cruz (Honduras), 15-11, 12-15, 11-3
Group G
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. David Horn (USA), 12-15, 15-4, 11-9
Francisco Troncoso (Chile) d. Fernando Rivera (Puerto Rico), 15-8, 15-11
Group H
Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Fernando Rios (Ecuador), 15-10, 15-4
Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala) d. Miguel Flores (Honduras), 15-6, 12-15, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, April 13, 2014
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Doubles Day 2
We'd been looking for our first big upset at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and it came late Sunday in men's doubles, as the Dominican Republic team of Luis Perez and Junior Rodriguez took out Americans Jose Rojas and David Horn, 15-10, 15-13.
If the Dominicans win their last preliminary match on Monday, which is against the winless team from Uruguay, they will be the 2nd seeds in the elimination draw and in good position to leave Santa Cruz with medals round their necks.
On the women's side, a big shout out to two strong performances by Guatemalans Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriella Martinez, who've lost their first two matches in tie-breakers, including a a loss to Bolivian veterans Jenny Daza and Carola Loma, who defeated them 9-15, 15-7, 11-8, on Sunday.
The Guatemalan team players are both juniors, although quite good ones, as Martinez is the current Junior World Champion in Girl's U14. Still being a good player at 14 is different from being a good player at, say, 24.
Another women's doubles match of note, Canadians Frédérique Lambert and Josée Grand'Maître defeated the Argentine team of Maria Jose Vargas and Véronique Guillemette, 15-8, 15-4. The match is notable not simply because it features two players in the top 6 on the women's pro tour (Vargas is 3rd and Lambert 6th), but because Guillemette used to play for Canada, and was a silver medalist in doubles at the 2008 World Championships wearing red and white.
In fact both Argentine doubles players were born outside Argentina, as Vargas grew up in Bolivia.
Monday will be the last day of the preliminary round, and there could be some real upsets that day as the highest seeds in the groups will be playing off. The preliminary round results will determine the seeding for the elimination round that will begin Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on April 18 and 19 via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles
Group A
Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Mariana Tobon &
Mariana Parades (Venezuela), 15-9, 15-7
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) - BYE
Group B
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-11, 15-6
Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Irene Caballero & Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-11, 15-9
Group C
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 9-15, 15-7, 11-8
Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) d. Pamela Sierra & Paula Padilla (Honduras), 15-10, 15-5
Group D
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) d. Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina), 15-8, 15-4
Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile) d. Raquel Perez & Johan Martin (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-4
Men's Doubles
Group A
Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castro (Venezuela) d. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador), 15-9, 15-13
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) - BYE
Group B
Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) d. Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA), 15-10, 15-13
Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica) d. Gustavo Farrel & Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-4, 15-6
Group C
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) d. Francisco Troncoso & Mauricio Suarez (Chile), 15-2, 15-4
Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada) d. Miguel Santiago & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico), 15-4, 15-4
Group D
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala), 15-5, 13-15, 11-4
Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Selvin Cruz & Sergio Baires (Honduras), 15-8, 15-12
Follow the bouncing ball....
If the Dominicans win their last preliminary match on Monday, which is against the winless team from Uruguay, they will be the 2nd seeds in the elimination draw and in good position to leave Santa Cruz with medals round their necks.
On the women's side, a big shout out to two strong performances by Guatemalans Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriella Martinez, who've lost their first two matches in tie-breakers, including a a loss to Bolivian veterans Jenny Daza and Carola Loma, who defeated them 9-15, 15-7, 11-8, on Sunday.
The Guatemalan team players are both juniors, although quite good ones, as Martinez is the current Junior World Champion in Girl's U14. Still being a good player at 14 is different from being a good player at, say, 24.
Another women's doubles match of note, Canadians Frédérique Lambert and Josée Grand'Maître defeated the Argentine team of Maria Jose Vargas and Véronique Guillemette, 15-8, 15-4. The match is notable not simply because it features two players in the top 6 on the women's pro tour (Vargas is 3rd and Lambert 6th), but because Guillemette used to play for Canada, and was a silver medalist in doubles at the 2008 World Championships wearing red and white.
In fact both Argentine doubles players were born outside Argentina, as Vargas grew up in Bolivia.
Monday will be the last day of the preliminary round, and there could be some real upsets that day as the highest seeds in the groups will be playing off. The preliminary round results will determine the seeding for the elimination round that will begin Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on April 18 and 19 via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles
Group A
Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Mariana Tobon &
Mariana Parades (Venezuela), 15-9, 15-7
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) - BYE
Group B
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-11, 15-6
Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Irene Caballero & Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-11, 15-9
Group C
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 9-15, 15-7, 11-8
Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) d. Pamela Sierra & Paula Padilla (Honduras), 15-10, 15-5
Group D
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) d. Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina), 15-8, 15-4
Carla Muñoz & Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile) d. Raquel Perez & Johan Martin (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-4
Men's Doubles
Group A
Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castro (Venezuela) d. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador), 15-9, 15-13
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) - BYE
Group B
Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) d. Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA), 15-10, 15-13
Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica) d. Gustavo Farrel & Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-4, 15-6
Group C
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) d. Francisco Troncoso & Mauricio Suarez (Chile), 15-2, 15-4
Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada) d. Miguel Santiago & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico), 15-4, 15-4
Group D
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala), 15-5, 13-15, 11-4
Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Selvin Cruz & Sergio Baires (Honduras), 15-8, 15-12
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Day 2 Singles
There through two days of singles competition at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and still no surprises, as you'll see in the results below.
No surprises, but the wins by Maria Jose Vargas are upsets by the seeding, as she is playing for Argentina, which has not done well at previous competitions. Initial seeding into the preliminary groups is based on how well countries have done in previous events.
But Vargas, who was born in Bolivia and played for that country as a junior, is the 3rd ranked women's pro player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), so she should be expected to defeat all opponents in Santa Cruz save American Rhonda Rajsich, who's the 2nd ranked LPRT player.
Monday will be the last day of the preliminary round, and there could be some real upsets that day as the highest seeds in the groups will be playing off. The preliminary round results will determine the seeding for the elimination round that will begin Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday - April 18 and 19 - via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles
Group A
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 15-12, 15-3
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) - BYE
Group B
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-4, 15-7
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - BYE
Group C
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 15-6, 14-4
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) d. Irene Caballero (Panama), 15-7, 15-6
Group D
Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Mariana Parades (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-4
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) d. Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-0, 15-0
Group E
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 15-2, 15-7
Carolina Gomez (Colombia) d. Pamela Padilla (Honduras), 15-2, 15-13
Group F
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-4, 15-7
Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile) d. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-5, 15-7
Group G
Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. Cecilia Ceruetti (Argentina), 15-5, 15-6
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Paula Sierra (Honduras), 15-11, 15-12
Group H
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-13, 15-5
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Mary Diaz (Puerto Rico), 15-0, 15-2
Men's Singles
Group A
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) d. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-1, 15-14
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) - BYE
Group B
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Andrés Solera (Costa Rica), 10-15, 15-8, 11-7
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) - BYE
Group C
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela), 15-4, 15--12
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-2, 15-1
Group D
Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-7, 15-6
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) d. Gustavo Farrel (Uruguay), 15-9, 15-0
Group E
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Jared Torres (Puerto Rico), 15-8, 15-8
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-3, 15-5
Group F
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Selvin Cruz (Honduras), 15-0, 15-5
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Edwin Garcia (Guatemala). 15-13, 15-11
Group G
David Horn (USA) d. Fernando Rivera (Puerto Rico), 15-3, 15-5
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-10, 15-9
Group H
Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Miguel Flores (Honduras), 15-6, 15-4
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-7, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball....
No surprises, but the wins by Maria Jose Vargas are upsets by the seeding, as she is playing for Argentina, which has not done well at previous competitions. Initial seeding into the preliminary groups is based on how well countries have done in previous events.
But Vargas, who was born in Bolivia and played for that country as a junior, is the 3rd ranked women's pro player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), so she should be expected to defeat all opponents in Santa Cruz save American Rhonda Rajsich, who's the 2nd ranked LPRT player.
Monday will be the last day of the preliminary round, and there could be some real upsets that day as the highest seeds in the groups will be playing off. The preliminary round results will determine the seeding for the elimination round that will begin Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on Friday and Saturday - April 18 and 19 - via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles
Group A
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) d. Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 15-12, 15-3
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) - BYE
Group B
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-4, 15-7
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) - BYE
Group C
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 15-6, 14-4
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) d. Irene Caballero (Panama), 15-7, 15-6
Group D
Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Mariana Parades (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-4
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) d. Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-0, 15-0
Group E
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Jenny Daza (Bolivia), 15-2, 15-7
Carolina Gomez (Colombia) d. Pamela Padilla (Honduras), 15-2, 15-13
Group F
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Melania Sauma (Costa Rica), 15-4, 15-7
Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile) d. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-5, 15-7
Group G
Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. Cecilia Ceruetti (Argentina), 15-5, 15-6
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Paula Sierra (Honduras), 15-11, 15-12
Group H
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-13, 15-5
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Mary Diaz (Puerto Rico), 15-0, 15-2
Men's Singles
Group A
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela) d. Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-1, 15-14
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) - BYE
Group B
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina) d. Andrés Solera (Costa Rica), 10-15, 15-8, 11-7
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) - BYE
Group C
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela), 15-4, 15--12
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-2, 15-1
Group D
Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-7, 15-6
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) d. Gustavo Farrel (Uruguay), 15-9, 15-0
Group E
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Jared Torres (Puerto Rico), 15-8, 15-8
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-3, 15-5
Group F
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Selvin Cruz (Honduras), 15-0, 15-5
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Edwin Garcia (Guatemala). 15-13, 15-11
Group G
David Horn (USA) d. Fernando Rivera (Puerto Rico), 15-3, 15-5
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-10, 15-9
Group H
Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Miguel Flores (Honduras), 15-6, 15-4
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-7, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, April 12, 2014
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Day 1 Doubles
No surprises on day one of the doubles competition at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships begin Saturday in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. We've got the results so far for you below.
The Pan American Championships have two parts. A preliminary round will be played first to determine seeding for an elimination round, similar to the FIFA World Cup. The preliminary round will be played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with the elimination round beginning Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on April 18 and 19 via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles
Group A
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Mariana Tobon &
Mariana Parades (Venezuela), 15-4, 15-6
Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Group B
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Irene Caballero & Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-1, 15-1
Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 15-4, 15-5
Group C
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) v. Pamela Sierra & Paula Padilla (Honduras), 15-0, 15-3
Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 3-15, 15-7, 11-7
Group D
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) d. Raquel Perez & Johan Martin (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-1
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) d. Carla Muñoz &
Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-13, 15-1
Men's Doubles
Group A
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) d. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador), 15-2 15-4
Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castro (Venezuela) - BYE
Group B
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) d. Gustavo Farrel & Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-7, 15-8
Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica) d. Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-5, 15-8
Group C
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) d. Miguel Santiago & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico), 15-0, 15-2
Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada) v. Francisco Troncoso & Mauricio Suarez (Chile), 15-5, 15-3
Group D
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) d. Selvin Cruz & Sergio Baires (Honduras), 15-2, 15-2
Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball....
The Pan American Championships have two parts. A preliminary round will be played first to determine seeding for an elimination round, similar to the FIFA World Cup. The preliminary round will be played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with the elimination round beginning Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on April 18 and 19 via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Doubles
Group A
Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Mariana Tobon &
Mariana Parades (Venezuela), 15-4, 15-6
Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Group B
Rhonda Rajsich & Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Irene Caballero & Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-1, 15-1
Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 15-4, 15-5
Group C
Jenny Daza & Carola Loma (Bolivia) v. Pamela Sierra & Paula Padilla (Honduras), 15-0, 15-3
Cristina Amaya & Carolina Gomez (Colombia) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 3-15, 15-7, 11-7
Group D
Frédérique Lambert & Josée Grand'Maître (Canada) d. Raquel Perez & Johan Martin (Puerto Rico), 15-2, 15-1
Maria Jose Vargas & Véronique Guillemette (Argentina) d. Carla Muñoz &
Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-13, 15-1
Men's Doubles
Group A
Daniel De La Rosa & Edson Martinez (Mexico) d. Fernando Rios & Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador), 15-2 15-4
Cesar Castillo & Cesar Castro (Venezuela) - BYE
Group B
Jose Rojas & David Horn (USA) d. Gustavo Farrel & Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-7, 15-8
Joaquin Solera & Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica) d. Luis Perez & Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic), 15-5, 15-8
Group C
Daniel Maggi & Shai Mazuri (Argentina) d. Miguel Santiago & Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico), 15-0, 15-2
Tim Landeryou & Pedro Castro (Canada) v. Francisco Troncoso & Mauricio Suarez (Chile), 15-5, 15-3
Group D
Ricardo Monroy & Roland Keller (Bolivia) d. Selvin Cruz & Sergio Baires (Honduras), 15-2, 15-2
Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval & Edwin Garcia (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC XXVII Pan American Championships - Day 1 Singles
No surprise outcomes so far in singles play at the XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. We've got a rundown of the results for you below.
The Pan American Championships have two parts. A preliminary round will be played first to determine seeding for an elimination round, similar to the FIFA World Cup. The preliminary round will be played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with the elimination round beginning Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on April 18 and 19 via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles
Group A
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-4, 15-2
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Group B
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-10
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Group C
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Irene Caballero (Panama), 15-1, 15-6
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) d. Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 14-15, 15-9, 11-8
Group D
Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-6, 15-3
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) d. Mariana Parades (Venezuela), 15-0, 15-4
Group E
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Pamela Padilla (Honduras), 15-0, 15-3
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-3, 15-4
Group F
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-0, 15-1
Melania Sauma (Costa Rica) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-3, 15-4
Group G
Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. Paula Sierra (Honduras), 15-0, 15-2
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Cecilia Ceruetti (Argentina), 15-6, 15-3
Group H
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Mary Diaz (Puerto Rico), 15-10, 15-6
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-4, 7-15, 11-5
Men's Singles
Group A
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 12-15, 15-3, 11-1
Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Group B
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-12, 15-4
Andrés Solera (Costa Rica) - BYE
Group C
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-3, 15-0
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela), 15-9, 15-3
Group D
Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. Gustavo Farrel (Uruguay), 15-0, 15-9
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) d. Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-4, 15-9
Group E
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-2, 15-0
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Jared Torres (Puerto Rico), 14-15, 15-7, 11-4
Group F
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Edwin Garcia (Guatemala). 15-7, 15-9
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Selvin Cruz (Honduras), 15-9, 13-15, 11-2
Group G
David Horn (USA) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-9, 15-4
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Fernando Rivera (Puerto Rico), 15-9, 15-2
Group H
Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-4, 13-15, 11-3
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Miguel Flores (Honduras), 15-1, 15-2
Follow the bouncing ball....
The Pan American Championships have two parts. A preliminary round will be played first to determine seeding for an elimination round, similar to the FIFA World Cup. The preliminary round will be played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with the elimination round beginning Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on April 18 and 19 via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Singles
Group A
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico) d. Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala), 15-4, 15-2
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Group B
Rhonda Rajsich (USA) d. Mariana Tobon (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-10
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) - BYE
Group C
Susana Acosta (Mexico) d. Irene Caballero (Panama), 15-1, 15-6
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) d. Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala), 14-15, 15-9, 11-8
Group D
Janel Tisinger (USA) d. Giulia Barboni (Panama), 15-6, 15-3
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) d. Mariana Parades (Venezuela), 15-0, 15-4
Group E
Jenny Daza (Bolivia) d. Pamela Padilla (Honduras), 15-0, 15-3
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Carolina Gomez (Colombia), 15-3, 15-4
Group F
Jennifer Saunders (Canada) d. Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico), 15-0, 15-1
Melania Sauma (Costa Rica) d. Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile), 15-3, 15-4
Group G
Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. Paula Sierra (Honduras), 15-0, 15-2
Cristina Amaya (Colombia) d. Cecilia Ceruetti (Argentina), 15-6, 15-3
Group H
Frédérique Lambert (Canada) d. Mary Diaz (Puerto Rico), 15-10, 15-6
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Sofia Soley (Costa Rica), 15-4, 7-15, 11-5
Men's Singles
Group A
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico) d. Cesar Castillo (Venezuela), 12-15, 15-3, 11-1
Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) - BYE
Group B
Vincent Gagnon (Canada) d. Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-12, 15-4
Andrés Solera (Costa Rica) - BYE
Group C
Andree Parrilla (Mexico) d. Diego Vognione (Uruguay), 15-3, 15-0
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic) d. Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela), 15-9, 15-3
Group D
Coby Iwaasa (Canada) d. Gustavo Farrel (Uruguay), 15-0, 15-9
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica) d. Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina), 15-4, 15-9
Group E
Jose Rojas (USA) d. Rodrigo Salgado (Chile), 15-2, 15-0
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia) d. Jared Torres (Puerto Rico), 14-15, 15-7, 11-4
Group F
Carlos Keller (Bolivia) d. Edwin Garcia (Guatemala). 15-7, 15-9
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador) d. Selvin Cruz (Honduras), 15-9, 13-15, 11-2
Group G
David Horn (USA) d. Francisco Troncoso (Chile), 15-9, 15-4
Sebastian Franco (Colombia) d. Fernando Rivera (Puerto Rico), 15-9, 15-2
Group H
Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia) d. Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala), 15-4, 13-15, 11-3
Fernando Rios (Ecuador) d. Miguel Flores (Honduras), 15-1, 15-2
Follow the bouncing ball....
PARC XXVII Pan Am Championships - Preview
The XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships begin Saturday in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and there's a large field of competitors going for gold. But one player who is not there is last year's defending gold medalist in women's singles: Paola Longoria of Mexico. No word on why she's absent.
Longoria's absence means the gold medal is completely up for grabs, and several players have a good chance at winning, including Mexico's Samantha Salas Solis and Susana Acosta, as well as Americans Rhonda Rajsich and Janel Tisinger, Maria Jose Vargas, who's representing Argentina, Veronica Sotomayor of Ecuador, Cristina Amaya of Colombia, and Canadians Frédérique Lambert and Jennifer Saunders.
There are 30 women in the women's singles field, which is certainly one of the biggest Pan Am Championship women's entries ever, if not the biggest. It means there are 15 doubles teams, which is certainly the largest doubles field ever.
There are also 30 competitors on the men's side in singles and 15 doubles teams. We believe this is the first time that the women's and men's competition have the same number of competitors.
Polo Gutierrez of Mexico is back to defend the gold medal he won last year in Cali, Colombia. But Jose Rojas of the USA is likely the favourite to win gold, as Rojas is ranked 4th on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT).
Other strong players in the field include Fernando Rios of Ecuador - silver medalist in 2012 - Canadian Vincent Gagnon, Bolivian Carlos Keller and Colombian Alejandro Herrera.
The full roster of men's countries is Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, USA, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Puerto Rico, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras. The women's countries are the same except there are women from Panama and not Uruguay.
The Pan American Championships has two parts. A preliminary round will be played first to determine seeding for an elimination round, similar to the FIFA World Cup. The preliminary round will be played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with the elimination round beginning Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on April 18 and 19 via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Competitors
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina)
Véronique Guillemette (Argentina)
Cecilia Ceruetti (Argentina)
Frédérique Lambert (Canada)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada)
Josée Grand'Maître (Canada)
Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile)
Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Carolina Gomez (Colombia)
Melania Sauma (Costa Rica)
Sofia Soley (Costa Rica)
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic)
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic)
Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
Carola Loma (Bolivia)
Natalia Mendez (Bolivia)
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador)
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala)
Pamela Sierra (Honduras)
Paula Padilla (Honduras)
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico)
Susana Acosta (Mexico)
Irene Caballero (Panama)
Giulia Barboni (Panama)
Raquel Perez (Puerto Rico)
Johan Martin (Puerto Rico)
Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico)
Mary Diaz (Puerto Rico)
Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
Janel Tisinger (USA)
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela)
Mariana Parades (Venezuela)
Men's Competitors
Daniel Maggi (Argentina)
Shai Mazuri (Argentina)
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)
Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina)
Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia)
Roland Keller (Bolivia)
Carlos Keller (Bolivia)
Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
Tim Landeryou (Canada)
Pedro Castro (Canada)
Vincent Gagnon (Canada)
Coby Iwaasa (Canada)
Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
Mauricio Suarez (Chile)
Rodrigo Salgado (Chile)
Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia)
Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica)
Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica)
Andrés Solera (Costa Rica)
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica)
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic)
Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador)
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala)
Edwin Garcia (Guatemala)
Selvin Cruz (Honduras)
Sergio Baires (Honduras)
Miguel Flores (Honduras)
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico)
Edson Martinez (Mexico)
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)
Andree Parrilla (Mexico)
Miguel Santiago (Puerto Rico)
Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico)
Jared Torres (Puerto Rico)
Fernando Rivera (Puerto Rico)
Gustavo Farrel (Uruguay)
Diego Vognione (Uruguay)
Jose Rojas (USA)
David Horn (USA)
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela)
Cesar Castro (Venezuela)
Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Longoria's absence means the gold medal is completely up for grabs, and several players have a good chance at winning, including Mexico's Samantha Salas Solis and Susana Acosta, as well as Americans Rhonda Rajsich and Janel Tisinger, Maria Jose Vargas, who's representing Argentina, Veronica Sotomayor of Ecuador, Cristina Amaya of Colombia, and Canadians Frédérique Lambert and Jennifer Saunders.
There are 30 women in the women's singles field, which is certainly one of the biggest Pan Am Championship women's entries ever, if not the biggest. It means there are 15 doubles teams, which is certainly the largest doubles field ever.
There are also 30 competitors on the men's side in singles and 15 doubles teams. We believe this is the first time that the women's and men's competition have the same number of competitors.
Polo Gutierrez of Mexico is back to defend the gold medal he won last year in Cali, Colombia. But Jose Rojas of the USA is likely the favourite to win gold, as Rojas is ranked 4th on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT).
Other strong players in the field include Fernando Rios of Ecuador - silver medalist in 2012 - Canadian Vincent Gagnon, Bolivian Carlos Keller and Colombian Alejandro Herrera.
The full roster of men's countries is Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, USA, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Uruguay, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Puerto Rico, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras. The women's countries are the same except there are women from Panama and not Uruguay.
The Pan American Championships has two parts. A preliminary round will be played first to determine seeding for an elimination round, similar to the FIFA World Cup. The preliminary round will be played on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with the elimination round beginning Wednesday.
There will be live streaming of the elimination round semi-finals and finals on April 18 and 19 via the IRT Network.
XXVII Pan American Racquetball Championships
Santa Cruz, Bolivia - April 12-19, 2014
Women's Competitors
Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina)
Véronique Guillemette (Argentina)
Cecilia Ceruetti (Argentina)
Frédérique Lambert (Canada)
Jennifer Saunders (Canada)
Josée Grand'Maître (Canada)
Carla Muñoz (Chile)
Maria Paz Riquelme (Chile)
Cristina Amaya (Colombia)
Carolina Gomez (Colombia)
Melania Sauma (Costa Rica)
Sofia Soley (Costa Rica)
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic)
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic)
Jenny Daza (Bolivia)
Carola Loma (Bolivia)
Natalia Mendez (Bolivia)
Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador)
Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador)
Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
Gabriella Martinez (Guatemala)
Pamela Sierra (Honduras)
Paula Padilla (Honduras)
Samantha Salas Solis (Mexico)
Susana Acosta (Mexico)
Irene Caballero (Panama)
Giulia Barboni (Panama)
Raquel Perez (Puerto Rico)
Johan Martin (Puerto Rico)
Letty Maldonado (Puerto Rico)
Mary Diaz (Puerto Rico)
Rhonda Rajsich (USA)
Janel Tisinger (USA)
Mariana Tobon (Venezuela)
Mariana Parades (Venezuela)
Men's Competitors
Daniel Maggi (Argentina)
Shai Mazuri (Argentina)
Fernando Kurzbard (Argentina)
Pablo Kurzbard (Argentina)
Ricardo Monroy (Bolivia)
Roland Keller (Bolivia)
Carlos Keller (Bolivia)
Conrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
Tim Landeryou (Canada)
Pedro Castro (Canada)
Vincent Gagnon (Canada)
Coby Iwaasa (Canada)
Francisco Troncoso (Chile)
Mauricio Suarez (Chile)
Rodrigo Salgado (Chile)
Sebastian Franco (Colombia)
Alejandro Herrera (Colombia)
Joaquin Solera (Costa Rica)
Pablo Sauma (Costa Rica)
Andrés Solera (Costa Rica)
Felipe Camacho (Costa Rica)
Luis Perez (Dominican Republic)
Junior Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)
Fernando Rios (Ecuador)
Jose Daniel Alvarez (Ecuador)
Jose Daniel Ugalde (Ecuador)
Pedro Manolo Sandoval (Guatemala)
Edwin Garcia (Guatemala)
Selvin Cruz (Honduras)
Sergio Baires (Honduras)
Miguel Flores (Honduras)
Daniel De La Rosa (Mexico)
Edson Martinez (Mexico)
Polo Gutierrez (Mexico)
Andree Parrilla (Mexico)
Miguel Santiago (Puerto Rico)
Jayson Jordan (Puerto Rico)
Jared Torres (Puerto Rico)
Fernando Rivera (Puerto Rico)
Gustavo Farrel (Uruguay)
Diego Vognione (Uruguay)
Jose Rojas (USA)
David Horn (USA)
Cesar Castillo (Venezuela)
Cesar Castro (Venezuela)
Ezequiel Paez (Venezuela)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
LPRT Rankings - Top 5 hold firm
The top five remain the same in the latest Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) rankings, but there are a couple of changes in the top 10. Paola Longoria - the LPRT's most dominant player - continues to hold the #1 spot with Rhonda Rajsich at #2, Maria Jose Vargas #3, Samantha Salas Solis #4 and Cristina Amaya #5.
But young Canadian Frédérique Lambert and veteran left-hander Susana Acosta have flipped positions once again, and this time Lambert is 6th ahead of Acosta in 7th.
Cheryl Gudinas and Da'monique Davis have also flipped positions with veteran Gudinas ahead in 8th and Davis in 9th. They are 11th and 10th in the season to date numbers, as Davis tries to finish in the top 10 for the first time in her career and Gudinas attempts to extend her streak of top 10 finishes that dates back to the 1993-94 season.
In the 11-20 spots, Maria Paz Muñoz is up one more place to 13th Jennifer Saunders in 14th.
The Battle of the Alamo is the LPRT's next event, which will happen in San Antonio, Texas April 25-27.
LPRT Rankings - April 1, 2014
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 2820.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1397.00
3 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 1069.50
4 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 905.50
5 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 750.00
6 Frédérique Lambert (Canada) 613.00
7 Susana Acosta (Mexico) 581.50
8 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 465.00
9 Da'monique Davis (USA) 463.25
10 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 445.00
11 Aubrey Kirch (USA) 422.50
12 Adrienne Haynes (USA) 343.00
13 Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) 314.50
14 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 291.25
15 Sofia Rascon (Mexico) 282.25
16 Carla Muñoz (Chile) 245.50
17 Hailey Miller (USA) 242.25
18 Sharon Jackson (USA) 221.50
19 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 201.75
20 Linda Scales (USA) 197.25
Follow the bouncing ball....
But young Canadian Frédérique Lambert and veteran left-hander Susana Acosta have flipped positions once again, and this time Lambert is 6th ahead of Acosta in 7th.
Cheryl Gudinas and Da'monique Davis have also flipped positions with veteran Gudinas ahead in 8th and Davis in 9th. They are 11th and 10th in the season to date numbers, as Davis tries to finish in the top 10 for the first time in her career and Gudinas attempts to extend her streak of top 10 finishes that dates back to the 1993-94 season.
In the 11-20 spots, Maria Paz Muñoz is up one more place to 13th Jennifer Saunders in 14th.
The Battle of the Alamo is the LPRT's next event, which will happen in San Antonio, Texas April 25-27.
LPRT Rankings - April 1, 2014
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 2820.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1397.00
3 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 1069.50
4 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 905.50
5 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 750.00
6 Frédérique Lambert (Canada) 613.00
7 Susana Acosta (Mexico) 581.50
8 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 465.00
9 Da'monique Davis (USA) 463.25
10 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 445.00
11 Aubrey Kirch (USA) 422.50
12 Adrienne Haynes (USA) 343.00
13 Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) 314.50
14 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 291.25
15 Sofia Rascon (Mexico) 282.25
16 Carla Muñoz (Chile) 245.50
17 Hailey Miller (USA) 242.25
18 Sharon Jackson (USA) 221.50
19 T.J. Baumbaugh (USA) 201.75
20 Linda Scales (USA) 197.25
Follow the bouncing ball....
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