Vincent Gagnon and Jennifer Saunders are the 2014 Canadian Racquetball Champions after winning their respective finals Saturday at the 2014 Canadian National Racquetball Championships in Brossard, Que. It's Gagnon's first singles championship and the eighth for Saunders, which sets the women's career record.
But both Gagnon and Saunders needed tie-breakers to win.
Gagnon, the top seed in the men's draw, defeated 2nd seed Tim Landeryou, 15-5, 13-15, 11-5, and Saunders upset the #1 women's seed Frédérique Lambert, 6-15, 15-6, 11-9.
With the win, Gagnon adds to a singles title to the four Canadian doubles titles he has, which includes a win earlier this week with partner Samuel Murray. Seven other men have won Canadian singles and doubles titles: Mike Green, Kris Odegard, Corey Osborne, Mike Ceresia, Kane Waselenchuk, Roger Harripersad and Wayne Bowes.
Asked how it felt to win, Gagnon said "I don't know yet," then added "it feels good." He also said, "it was was special to win, and even better to win it at home. The crowd was great."
After losing the second game, Gagnon was thinking "I have to return serve differently. I was only focussed on that."
Saunders was the underdog in the women's final for the first time in several years, as Lambert had won both of their previous meetings. However, Saunders "felt calm through the whole thing," and she "was confident she could win" even after losing the second game and finding herself down 5-1 in the tie-breaker.
Her match preparation was "more psychological" as "staying calm and playing my game" were plans going in.
Saunders's victory is her 8th, and sets the career women's record, which she previously held with Heather Stupp. "It's an honour to set that record," said Saunders, "because Canada's had so many great women racquetball players."
Saunders has been in every women's final since 2001, which is 14 consecutive finals, so her record in those finals is 8-6
Gagnon and Saunders will be representing Canada at the International Racquetball Federation World Championships next month in Burlington, Ont., and both are excited to be doing so.
"It's very exciting, because it's my first international competition in Canada," said Saunders, who's "looking forward to the home crowd and trying to win gold for Canada."
Gagnon said he's looking forward to Worlds also, and wants to "make it all the way" this year.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Nautilus Plus, Brossard, Québec
Men's Open Singles
Final
Vincent Gagnon d. Tim Landeryou, 15-5, 13-15, 11-5
3rd Place
Coby Iwaasa d. Samuel Murray, 13-15, 15-6, 11-8
5th Place
Pedro Castro d. Tanner Mattson, 12-15, 15-3, 11-5
Women's Open Singles
Final
Jennifer Saunders d. Frédérique Lambert, 15-6, 6-15, 11-9
3rd Place
Christine Richardson d. Josée Grand'Maître, 16-14, 15-8
5th Place
Michele Morissette d. Brigitte Richard, 18-16, 17-15
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Bredenbeck & Rajsich are American Champions
Jake Bredenbeck won his first USA Racquetball Team Qualifying at the 2014 USA Racquetball (USAR) Nationals in Fullerton, California while Rhonda Rajsich won her XXth.
Bredenbeck beat David Horn, 15-14, 15-12 in the final for the first Nationals win. In the 3rd place match, Marco Rojas was a walkover winner against Jansen Allen.
In women's play, Rhonda Rajsich defeated Janel Tisinger, 15-10, 15-4 in the final, while Cheryl Gudinas beat Lexi York in the 3rd place match, 15-4, 15-6.
The win is Rajsich's fourth consecutive win, and seventh overall.
USAR National Singles Championship
May 21-25, 2014, Fullerton, California
Men's US Team Qualifying
Final
Jake Bredenbeck d. David Horn, 15-14, 15-12
3rd Place
Marco Rojas d. Jansen Allen, forfeit
Women's US Team Qualifying
Final
Rhonda Rajsich d. Janel Tisinger, 15-10, 15-4
3rd Place
Cheryl Gudinas d. Lexi York, 15-4, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
Bredenbeck beat David Horn, 15-14, 15-12 in the final for the first Nationals win. In the 3rd place match, Marco Rojas was a walkover winner against Jansen Allen.
In women's play, Rhonda Rajsich defeated Janel Tisinger, 15-10, 15-4 in the final, while Cheryl Gudinas beat Lexi York in the 3rd place match, 15-4, 15-6.
The win is Rajsich's fourth consecutive win, and seventh overall.
USAR National Singles Championship
May 21-25, 2014, Fullerton, California
Men's US Team Qualifying
Final
Jake Bredenbeck d. David Horn, 15-14, 15-12
3rd Place
Marco Rojas d. Jansen Allen, forfeit
Women's US Team Qualifying
Final
Rhonda Rajsich d. Janel Tisinger, 15-10, 15-4
3rd Place
Cheryl Gudinas d. Lexi York, 15-4, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
2014 USA Racquetball Championships - Semi-finals
They are down to the finals in the US Team Qualifying divisions at the USA Racquetball (USAR) Nationals in Fullerton, California. On the men's side, Jake Bredenbeck upset top seed Marco Rojas in the semi-finals, 15-14, 11-15, 11-9, while 2nd seed David Horn defeated Jansen Allen, 15-14, 15-6.
Horn is making his second straight appearance in the final, as he lost to Rojas last year.
On the women's side, there's only five (5!) players in the US Team Qualifying Division, and the top seeds will meeting the final.
Number 1 seed Rhonda Rajsich beat Lexi York in one semi-final, 15-12, 15-6, and 2nd seed Janel Tisinger defeated Cheryl Gudinas, 15-12, 15-13, in the other semi-final.
That could mean Gudinas is off the US Team. However, both Rajsich and Tisinger are already on the team (Rajsich as the top American women's pro and Tisinger as one of the US Women's doubles champions - with Aimee Ruiz), so it could be that the winner of the 3rd place match between Gudinas and York would earn a spot on the team.
USAR National Singles Championship
May 21-25, 2014, Fullerton, California
Men's US Team Qualifying
Quarter finals
Marco Rojas d. Adam Manilla, 15-14, 15-11
Jake Bredenbeck d. Thomas Fuhrmann, 15-1, 15-2
Jansen Allen d. Brent Walters, 15-1, 15-8
David Horn d. Jonathan Justice, 15-11, 15-6
Semi-finals
Jake Brdenbeck d. Marco Rojas, 15-14, 11-15, 11-9
David Horn d. Jansen Allen, 15-14, 15-6
Final
David Horn v. Jake Brdenbeck
Women's US Team Qualifying
First round
Lexi York d. Laura Brandt, 15-5, 15-9
Semi-finals
Rhonda Rajsich d. Lexi York, 15-12, 15-6
Janel Tisinger d. Cheryl Gudinas, 15-12, 15-13
Final
Rhonda Rajsich v. Janel Tisinger
Follow the bouncing ball….
Horn is making his second straight appearance in the final, as he lost to Rojas last year.
On the women's side, there's only five (5!) players in the US Team Qualifying Division, and the top seeds will meeting the final.
Number 1 seed Rhonda Rajsich beat Lexi York in one semi-final, 15-12, 15-6, and 2nd seed Janel Tisinger defeated Cheryl Gudinas, 15-12, 15-13, in the other semi-final.
That could mean Gudinas is off the US Team. However, both Rajsich and Tisinger are already on the team (Rajsich as the top American women's pro and Tisinger as one of the US Women's doubles champions - with Aimee Ruiz), so it could be that the winner of the 3rd place match between Gudinas and York would earn a spot on the team.
USAR National Singles Championship
May 21-25, 2014, Fullerton, California
Men's US Team Qualifying
Quarter finals
Marco Rojas d. Adam Manilla, 15-14, 15-11
Jake Bredenbeck d. Thomas Fuhrmann, 15-1, 15-2
Jansen Allen d. Brent Walters, 15-1, 15-8
David Horn d. Jonathan Justice, 15-11, 15-6
Semi-finals
Jake Brdenbeck d. Marco Rojas, 15-14, 11-15, 11-9
David Horn d. Jansen Allen, 15-14, 15-6
Final
David Horn v. Jake Brdenbeck
Women's US Team Qualifying
First round
Lexi York d. Laura Brandt, 15-5, 15-9
Semi-finals
Rhonda Rajsich d. Lexi York, 15-12, 15-6
Janel Tisinger d. Cheryl Gudinas, 15-12, 15-13
Final
Rhonda Rajsich v. Janel Tisinger
Follow the bouncing ball….
One versus two at Canadian Racquetball Championships
Vincent Gagnon, the #1 seed, and #2 seed Tim Landeryou will meet in the Men's Open final at the 2014 Canadian National Racquetball Championships in Brossard, Que., while #1 women's seed Frédérique Lambert and #2 seed Jennifer Saunders will face off in the Women's Open final on Saturday, as all four players won their respective semi-finals on Friday.
Gagnon and Saunders had the most trouble advancing Friday, as both needed tie-breakers to win their finals. Gagnon won the first game against 5th seed Coby Iwaasa, the current Canadian Boy's U18 Champion, 15-10, but Iwaasa came back and squeaked out game two, 17-15, to force the tie-breaker.
In the breaker, they were close early on, but Gagnon opened up an 8-4 lead and held on to win 11-6.
Landeryou defeated 3rd seed Samuel Murray in the other semi-final, 15-12, 15-12.
In the last four years, Gagnon and Landeryou have each been finalists twice, and they lost to Mike Green on both occasions. Green's missing from this event due to injury, so Gagnon or Landeryou will become National Champion for the first time in their careers Saturday.
In women's play, Saunders won game one against her doubles partner, 3rd seed Josée Grand'Maître, 15-8, but in the second game Grand'Maître's drive serve was very effective, which led to her winning game two, 15-8.
But in the tie-breaker, Saunders led from start to finish, although Grand'Maître made it close late, when she got the score to 10-8. However, Saunders called a timeout, and when play resumed she got the serve back and won it, 11-9, taking the match, 15-8, 8-15, 11-8.
In the other women's semi, Lambert defeated 5th seed Christine Richardson of Regina in two straight games, 15-6, 15-5.
Saunders is the five time defending Women's Champion, but Lambert beat her on both of their meetings this season. Thus, there will be history made Saturday by either Lambert winning her 1st National Championship or Saunders winning her 8th, which would be the most ever for a woman and break her tie with Heather Stupp, who also won the title seven times.
Nationals is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will qualify them to be on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the IRF World Championships next month in Burlington, Ont.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Nautilus Plus, Brossard, Québec
Men's Open Singles
Semi-finals - Friday
Vincent Gagnon d. Coby Iwaasa, 15-10, 15-17, 11-6
Tim Landeryou d. Samuel Murray, 15-12, 15-12
Final - Saturday
Vincent Gagnon v. Tim Landeryou - 3 PM
Women's Open Singles
Semi-finals - Friday
Frédérique Lambert d. Christine Richardson, 15-6, 15-5
Jennifer Saunders d. Josée Grand'Maître, 15-8, 8-15, 11-8
Final - Saturday
Frédérique Lambert v. Jennifer Saunders - 2 PM
Follow the bouncing ball…
Gagnon and Saunders had the most trouble advancing Friday, as both needed tie-breakers to win their finals. Gagnon won the first game against 5th seed Coby Iwaasa, the current Canadian Boy's U18 Champion, 15-10, but Iwaasa came back and squeaked out game two, 17-15, to force the tie-breaker.
In the breaker, they were close early on, but Gagnon opened up an 8-4 lead and held on to win 11-6.
Landeryou defeated 3rd seed Samuel Murray in the other semi-final, 15-12, 15-12.
In the last four years, Gagnon and Landeryou have each been finalists twice, and they lost to Mike Green on both occasions. Green's missing from this event due to injury, so Gagnon or Landeryou will become National Champion for the first time in their careers Saturday.
In women's play, Saunders won game one against her doubles partner, 3rd seed Josée Grand'Maître, 15-8, but in the second game Grand'Maître's drive serve was very effective, which led to her winning game two, 15-8.
But in the tie-breaker, Saunders led from start to finish, although Grand'Maître made it close late, when she got the score to 10-8. However, Saunders called a timeout, and when play resumed she got the serve back and won it, 11-9, taking the match, 15-8, 8-15, 11-8.
In the other women's semi, Lambert defeated 5th seed Christine Richardson of Regina in two straight games, 15-6, 15-5.
Saunders is the five time defending Women's Champion, but Lambert beat her on both of their meetings this season. Thus, there will be history made Saturday by either Lambert winning her 1st National Championship or Saunders winning her 8th, which would be the most ever for a woman and break her tie with Heather Stupp, who also won the title seven times.
Nationals is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will qualify them to be on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the IRF World Championships next month in Burlington, Ont.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Nautilus Plus, Brossard, Québec
Men's Open Singles
Semi-finals - Friday
Vincent Gagnon d. Coby Iwaasa, 15-10, 15-17, 11-6
Tim Landeryou d. Samuel Murray, 15-12, 15-12
Final - Saturday
Vincent Gagnon v. Tim Landeryou - 3 PM
Women's Open Singles
Semi-finals - Friday
Frédérique Lambert d. Christine Richardson, 15-6, 15-5
Jennifer Saunders d. Josée Grand'Maître, 15-8, 8-15, 11-8
Final - Saturday
Frédérique Lambert v. Jennifer Saunders - 2 PM
Follow the bouncing ball…
Friday, May 23, 2014
Top three seeds through to the semi-finals at Canadian Racquetball Championships
The top three seeds are through to the singles semi-finals at the 2014 Canadian National Racquetball Championships in Brossard, Que., but both men's and women's fourth seeds were upset in the quarterfinals Thursday.
In a battle of current versus former Canadian junior champions, 5th seed Coby Iwaasa, the current Canadian Boy's U18 Champion, defeated 4th seed Pedro Castro, a former Canadian Boy's U18 Champion, 13-15, 16-14, 11-1. Castro had a chance to win it in two straight but wasn't able to get that fifteenth point, which allowed Iwaasa to force a tie-breaking third game, which he won.
The top three men's seeds all progressed in two straight games. The #1 seed Vincent Gagnon defeated Nathaniel Husulak, 15-3, 15-1, and will play Iwaasa in one semi-final.
Second seed Tim Landeryou will play 3rd seed Samuel Murray in the other semi, as Landeryou defeated Tanner Mattson, 15-7, 15-4, and Murray beat Francis Guillemette, 15-8, 15-10.
The story was similar on the women's side, as the top three seeds all won in two straight games, but 4th seed Michèle Morissette lost to 5th seed Christine Richardson, 15-8, 15-7.
In the other quarterfinals, top seed Frédérique Lambert had no trouble with Katheryn Iwaasa, winning 15-0, 15-0. Also, 2nd seed Jennifer Saunders defeated Brigitte Richard, 15-7, 15-11, and 3rd seed Josée Grand'Maître beat Valerie Fallu, 15-4, 15-10.
The singles semi-finals go Friday with the finals on Saturday. This is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will qualify them to be on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the IRF World Championships next month in Burlington, Ont.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Nautilus Plus, Brossard, Québec
Men's Open Singles
Quarterfinals - Thursday
Vincent Gagnon d. Nathaniel Husulak 15-3, 15-1
Coby Iwaasa d. Pedro Castro, 13-15, 16-14, 11-1
Samuel Murray d. Francis Guillemette, 15-8, 15-10
Tim Landeryou d. Tanner Mattson, 15-7, 15-4
Semi-finals - Friday
Vincent Gagnon v. Coby Iwaasa, - 5 PM
Tim Landeryou v. Samuel Murray - 6 PM
Round of 16 - Wednesday
Vincent Gagnon d. Alain Lavigne, 15-1, 15-3
Nathaniel Husulak d. Kurtis Cullen, 15-7, 15-4
Coby Iwaasa, d. Troy Brooks, 15-1, 15-7
Pedro Castro d. Tommy Murray, 15-7, 15-0
Samuel Murray d. Nicolas Bousquet, 15-3, 15-0
Francis Guillemette d. Lee Connell, 16-14, 15-13
Tanner Mattson d. Chandon Yu, 15-8, 15-4
Tim Landeryou d. Sebastian Juteau, 15-6, 15-8
Round of 32 - Wednesday
Alain Lavigne d. Patrick Jauvin, 15-12, 15-11
Kurtis Cullen d. Anthony Schonberger, 15-8, 15-3
Nathaniel Husulak d. Trevor Webb, 15-7, 12-15, 11-6
Coby Iwaasa d. Dylan Scattolon, 15-2, 15-0
Troy Brooks d. Michael Leduc, 15-5, 15-9
Tommy Murray d. Matthew Swaine, 15-2, 15-8
Nicolas Bousquet d. Tanner Prentice, 15-5, 15-9
Francis Guillemette d. Martin Bisaillon, 15-7, 15-11
Lee Connell d. Jerome Normand, 15-6, 15-4
Chandon Yu d. Chris Exner, 5-15, 15-13, 12-10
Tanner Mattson d. Mitch Brayley, 15-10, 16-14
Sebastian Juteau d. Hugo Laprise, 15-13, 15-10
Women's Open Singles
Quarterfinals - Thursday
Frédérique Lambert d. Katheryn Iwaasa, 15-0, 15-0
Christine Richardson d. Michele Morissette, 15-8, 15-7
Josée Grand'Maître d. Valerie Fallu, 15-4, 15-10
Jennifer Saunders d. Brigitte Richard, 15-7, 15-11
Semi-finals - Friday
Frédérique Lambert v. Christine Richardson - 3 PM
Jennifer Saunders v. Josée Grand'Maître - 4 PM
First Round - Wednesday
Katheryn Iwaasa d. Leanne Neubauer, forfeit
Christine Richardson d. Danielle Drury, 15-9, 15-5
Valerie Fallu d. Cher Woodward, 15-4, 15-2
Brigitte Richard d. Alexis Iwaasa, 15-12, 15-4
Follow the bouncing ball…
In a battle of current versus former Canadian junior champions, 5th seed Coby Iwaasa, the current Canadian Boy's U18 Champion, defeated 4th seed Pedro Castro, a former Canadian Boy's U18 Champion, 13-15, 16-14, 11-1. Castro had a chance to win it in two straight but wasn't able to get that fifteenth point, which allowed Iwaasa to force a tie-breaking third game, which he won.
The top three men's seeds all progressed in two straight games. The #1 seed Vincent Gagnon defeated Nathaniel Husulak, 15-3, 15-1, and will play Iwaasa in one semi-final.
Second seed Tim Landeryou will play 3rd seed Samuel Murray in the other semi, as Landeryou defeated Tanner Mattson, 15-7, 15-4, and Murray beat Francis Guillemette, 15-8, 15-10.
The story was similar on the women's side, as the top three seeds all won in two straight games, but 4th seed Michèle Morissette lost to 5th seed Christine Richardson, 15-8, 15-7.
In the other quarterfinals, top seed Frédérique Lambert had no trouble with Katheryn Iwaasa, winning 15-0, 15-0. Also, 2nd seed Jennifer Saunders defeated Brigitte Richard, 15-7, 15-11, and 3rd seed Josée Grand'Maître beat Valerie Fallu, 15-4, 15-10.
The singles semi-finals go Friday with the finals on Saturday. This is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will qualify them to be on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the IRF World Championships next month in Burlington, Ont.
Racquetball Canada National Championships
Nautilus Plus, Brossard, Québec
Men's Open Singles
Quarterfinals - Thursday
Vincent Gagnon d. Nathaniel Husulak 15-3, 15-1
Coby Iwaasa d. Pedro Castro, 13-15, 16-14, 11-1
Samuel Murray d. Francis Guillemette, 15-8, 15-10
Tim Landeryou d. Tanner Mattson, 15-7, 15-4
Semi-finals - Friday
Vincent Gagnon v. Coby Iwaasa, - 5 PM
Tim Landeryou v. Samuel Murray - 6 PM
Round of 16 - Wednesday
Vincent Gagnon d. Alain Lavigne, 15-1, 15-3
Nathaniel Husulak d. Kurtis Cullen, 15-7, 15-4
Coby Iwaasa, d. Troy Brooks, 15-1, 15-7
Pedro Castro d. Tommy Murray, 15-7, 15-0
Samuel Murray d. Nicolas Bousquet, 15-3, 15-0
Francis Guillemette d. Lee Connell, 16-14, 15-13
Tanner Mattson d. Chandon Yu, 15-8, 15-4
Tim Landeryou d. Sebastian Juteau, 15-6, 15-8
Round of 32 - Wednesday
Alain Lavigne d. Patrick Jauvin, 15-12, 15-11
Kurtis Cullen d. Anthony Schonberger, 15-8, 15-3
Nathaniel Husulak d. Trevor Webb, 15-7, 12-15, 11-6
Coby Iwaasa d. Dylan Scattolon, 15-2, 15-0
Troy Brooks d. Michael Leduc, 15-5, 15-9
Tommy Murray d. Matthew Swaine, 15-2, 15-8
Nicolas Bousquet d. Tanner Prentice, 15-5, 15-9
Francis Guillemette d. Martin Bisaillon, 15-7, 15-11
Lee Connell d. Jerome Normand, 15-6, 15-4
Chandon Yu d. Chris Exner, 5-15, 15-13, 12-10
Tanner Mattson d. Mitch Brayley, 15-10, 16-14
Sebastian Juteau d. Hugo Laprise, 15-13, 15-10
Women's Open Singles
Quarterfinals - Thursday
Frédérique Lambert d. Katheryn Iwaasa, 15-0, 15-0
Christine Richardson d. Michele Morissette, 15-8, 15-7
Josée Grand'Maître d. Valerie Fallu, 15-4, 15-10
Jennifer Saunders d. Brigitte Richard, 15-7, 15-11
Semi-finals - Friday
Frédérique Lambert v. Christine Richardson - 3 PM
Jennifer Saunders v. Josée Grand'Maître - 4 PM
First Round - Wednesday
Katheryn Iwaasa d. Leanne Neubauer, forfeit
Christine Richardson d. Danielle Drury, 15-9, 15-5
Valerie Fallu d. Cher Woodward, 15-4, 15-2
Brigitte Richard d. Alexis Iwaasa, 15-12, 15-4
Follow the bouncing ball…
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Longoria #1 again & several PBs in the final 2013-14 LPRT rankings
The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2013-14 season ending rankings feature players from six different countries in the top 10, which is the greatest diversity ever in the women's top 10 that for years featured only American players.
No longer.
Mexican Paola Longoria finished #1 coming off a third consecutive undefeated season. She's finished #1 five times on the women's pro tour, which puts her 3rd all time behind Michelle Gould with seven and Lynn Adams with six.
Longoria's fifth #1 season breaks a tie she was in with Americans Rhonda Rajsich, who finished 2nd this season, and Cheryl Gudinas, who finished 11th this season, which ends her 20 year streak of being in the top 10.
Longoria is joined in the top 10 by two other Mexican players: Samantha Salas Solis, who's 4th, and Susana Acosta, who's 8th.
Personal Bests
Five of the players in the top 10 finished with career bests beginning with Maria Jose Vargas, who finished 3rd behind Longoria and Rajsich. Vargas, who's Bolivian born but plays for Argentina, was 10th last season.
Colombian Cristina Amaya was also in the top 10 last year, but she improved upon her 9th place finish of a year ago to be 5th this year.
Canadian Frédérique Lambert finish 6th and American Aubrey Kirch 7th, but neither of them were in the top 10 last season. In fact, in last season's year end rankings Lambert was 32nd and Kirch 49th.
Finally, American Da'monique Davis broke through to finish in the top 10 for the first time in her career, as she came in 10th behind Ecuador's Veronica Sotomayor.
Sotomayor's 9th place finish wasn't a career best for her, as she was 6th at the end of the 2008-09 season, but it is the first time she's been in the top 10 since that season.
Endings
Of note: Kerri Wachtel finished 42nd on the rankings, as she retired midway through the season. Wachtel was 8th last season, and was in the top 10 twelve times in her career, which ties her for 4th most with Molly O'Brien, behind only Gudinas (20), Jackie Paraiso (16) and Rajsich (14).
Also, Adrienne Haynes finished 12th this season, which ended a six year string of top 8 finishes. Overall, Haynes has been in the top 10 nine times in her career, which places her 8th for most seasons in the top ten.
LPRT Rankings - May 20, 2014
2013-14 SEASON ENDING RANKINGS
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 2780.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1405.00
3 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 1218.50
4 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 786.50
5 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 760.00
6 Frédérique Lambert (Canada) 634.00
7 Aubrey Kirch (USA) 521.50
8 Susana Acosta (Mexico) 488.50
9 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 471.00
10 Da'monique Davis (USA) 443.25
11 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 385.00
12 Sofia Rascon (Mexico) 318.75
13 Adrienne Haynes (USA) 307.50
14 Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) 272.50
15 Michelle Key (USA) 239.69
16 Sharon Jackson (USA) 235.50
17 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 228.25
18 Hailey Miller (USA) 209.25
19 Carla Muñoz (Chile) 203.50
20 Sheryl Lotts (USA) 194.25
Follow the bouncing ball....
No longer.
Mexican Paola Longoria finished #1 coming off a third consecutive undefeated season. She's finished #1 five times on the women's pro tour, which puts her 3rd all time behind Michelle Gould with seven and Lynn Adams with six.
Longoria's fifth #1 season breaks a tie she was in with Americans Rhonda Rajsich, who finished 2nd this season, and Cheryl Gudinas, who finished 11th this season, which ends her 20 year streak of being in the top 10.
Longoria is joined in the top 10 by two other Mexican players: Samantha Salas Solis, who's 4th, and Susana Acosta, who's 8th.
Personal Bests
Five of the players in the top 10 finished with career bests beginning with Maria Jose Vargas, who finished 3rd behind Longoria and Rajsich. Vargas, who's Bolivian born but plays for Argentina, was 10th last season.
Colombian Cristina Amaya was also in the top 10 last year, but she improved upon her 9th place finish of a year ago to be 5th this year.
Canadian Frédérique Lambert finish 6th and American Aubrey Kirch 7th, but neither of them were in the top 10 last season. In fact, in last season's year end rankings Lambert was 32nd and Kirch 49th.
Finally, American Da'monique Davis broke through to finish in the top 10 for the first time in her career, as she came in 10th behind Ecuador's Veronica Sotomayor.
Sotomayor's 9th place finish wasn't a career best for her, as she was 6th at the end of the 2008-09 season, but it is the first time she's been in the top 10 since that season.
Endings
Of note: Kerri Wachtel finished 42nd on the rankings, as she retired midway through the season. Wachtel was 8th last season, and was in the top 10 twelve times in her career, which ties her for 4th most with Molly O'Brien, behind only Gudinas (20), Jackie Paraiso (16) and Rajsich (14).
Also, Adrienne Haynes finished 12th this season, which ended a six year string of top 8 finishes. Overall, Haynes has been in the top 10 nine times in her career, which places her 8th for most seasons in the top ten.
LPRT Rankings - May 20, 2014
2013-14 SEASON ENDING RANKINGS
Rank - Name - Country - Points
1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 2780.00
2 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1405.00
3 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 1218.50
4 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 786.50
5 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 760.00
6 Frédérique Lambert (Canada) 634.00
7 Aubrey Kirch (USA) 521.50
8 Susana Acosta (Mexico) 488.50
9 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 471.00
10 Da'monique Davis (USA) 443.25
11 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 385.00
12 Sofia Rascon (Mexico) 318.75
13 Adrienne Haynes (USA) 307.50
14 Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) 272.50
15 Michelle Key (USA) 239.69
16 Sharon Jackson (USA) 235.50
17 Jennifer Saunders (Canada) 228.25
18 Hailey Miller (USA) 209.25
19 Carla Muñoz (Chile) 203.50
20 Sheryl Lotts (USA) 194.25
Follow the bouncing ball....
Doubles Champions at the Canadian Racquetball Championships
There were some new and some old champions at the 2014 Canadian National Racquetball Championships in Brossard, Que. The Nationals, as they are known, begin with the doubles competition, which ended Tuesday. Wednesday the singles competitions begin.
Samuel Murray and Vincent Gagnon won Men's Open doubles by defeating Pedro Castro and Tim Landeryou, 15-12, 15-2. It's Murray's first Canadian title, but the 4th for Gagnon, whose previous doubles titles were all with François Viens.
Castro was playing in the doubles final for the second time in his career, and it was the second time that he lost to Gagnon in the final, as Gagnon and Viens defeated Castro and Eric Desrochers two years ago, when the Nationals was last in Brossard.
On the women's side, Josée Grand'Maître and Jennifer Saunders won their 10th doubles title together, as they defeated the young team of Brigitte Richard and Christine Richardson, 15-2, 11-15, 11-8.
Nationals is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will get them spots on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the IRF World Championships next month in Burlington, Ont.
2014 Racquetball Canada National Championships
May 18-24, Brossard, Québec
Men's Open Doubles
1st Place
Vincent Gagnon & Samuel Murray d. Pedro Castro & Tim Landeryou, 15-12, 15-2
3rd Place
Francis Guillemette & Cory Osborne d. Lee Connell & Nathaniel Husulak, 15-11, 11-15, 11-8
5th Place
Kurtis Cullen & Coby Iwaasa d. Nicolas Bousquet & Tommy Murray, 15-11, 15-7
7th Place
Barrett Husulak & Tanner Prentice d. Patrick Jauvin & Alain Lavigne, 15-10, 9-15, 13-11
9th Place
Mitch Brayley & Anthony Schonberger d. Sebastian Juteau & Hugo Laprise, 12-15, 15-2, 11-8
11th Place
Tanner Mattson & Trevor Webb d. Matthew Swaine & Chandon Yu, 15-13, 15-7
Women's Open Doubles
1st Place
Josée Grand'Maître & Jennifer Saunders d. Brigitte Richard & Christine Richardson, 15-2, 11-15, 11-8
3rd Place
Danielle Drury & Michele Morissette d. Valerie Fallu & Alexis Iwaasa, 11-15, 15-5, 11-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
Samuel Murray and Vincent Gagnon won Men's Open doubles by defeating Pedro Castro and Tim Landeryou, 15-12, 15-2. It's Murray's first Canadian title, but the 4th for Gagnon, whose previous doubles titles were all with François Viens.
Castro was playing in the doubles final for the second time in his career, and it was the second time that he lost to Gagnon in the final, as Gagnon and Viens defeated Castro and Eric Desrochers two years ago, when the Nationals was last in Brossard.
On the women's side, Josée Grand'Maître and Jennifer Saunders won their 10th doubles title together, as they defeated the young team of Brigitte Richard and Christine Richardson, 15-2, 11-15, 11-8.
Nationals is the last opportunity for players to earn points that will get them spots on the Canadian National Team that will compete at the IRF World Championships next month in Burlington, Ont.
2014 Racquetball Canada National Championships
May 18-24, Brossard, Québec
Men's Open Doubles
1st Place
Vincent Gagnon & Samuel Murray d. Pedro Castro & Tim Landeryou, 15-12, 15-2
3rd Place
Francis Guillemette & Cory Osborne d. Lee Connell & Nathaniel Husulak, 15-11, 11-15, 11-8
5th Place
Kurtis Cullen & Coby Iwaasa d. Nicolas Bousquet & Tommy Murray, 15-11, 15-7
7th Place
Barrett Husulak & Tanner Prentice d. Patrick Jauvin & Alain Lavigne, 15-10, 9-15, 13-11
9th Place
Mitch Brayley & Anthony Schonberger d. Sebastian Juteau & Hugo Laprise, 12-15, 15-2, 11-8
11th Place
Tanner Mattson & Trevor Webb d. Matthew Swaine & Chandon Yu, 15-13, 15-7
Women's Open Doubles
1st Place
Josée Grand'Maître & Jennifer Saunders d. Brigitte Richard & Christine Richardson, 15-2, 11-15, 11-8
3rd Place
Danielle Drury & Michele Morissette d. Valerie Fallu & Alexis Iwaasa, 11-15, 15-5, 11-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, May 19, 2014
Weekend Round Up - Parrilla, Rascon and Cherry & Westwood win
Andree Parrilla won the Men's Open division at the 2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon on the weekend. He defeated Jake Birnel in the final, 15-11, 7-15, 11-8.
In the semi-finals, Parrilla defeated Wayne Antone IV, 15-6, 15-6 and Birnel took out Jeremy White, 15-3, 7-15, 11-7.
In the Men's Open Doubles division, Chad & Chadd carried the day, as Chad Cherry and Chadd Westwood defeated Birnel and Mauro Rojas in the final, 10-15, 15-15 [sic], 11-3. In the semi-finals, Cherry and Westwood beat Connor Laffey and Antone IV, 15-3, 15-5 while Birnel and Rojas defeated Parrilla and Dean Bear, 15-10, 14-15, 11-3.
In Herndon, Virginia, Sofia Rascon won the Women's Open division by defeating Sheryl Lotts in the final, 15-3, 15-7. Rascon, the top seed, beat Maria Renee Rodriguez in the semi-finals, 11-15, 15-6, 11-9, while Lotts defeated Hailey Miller, 15-11, 15-8. Miller had upset Da'monique Davis in the 2nd seed quarterfinals, 15-11, 4-15, 11-10.
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, Portland, Oregon
Men's Open Final
Andree Parrilla d. Jake Birnel, 15-11, 7-15, 11-8
Semi-finals
Andree Parrilla d. Wayne Antone IV, 15-6, 15-6
Jake Birnel d. Jeremy White, 15-3, 7-15, 11-7
Men's Open Doubles Final
Chad Cherry & Chadd Westwood d. Jake Birnel & Mauro Rojas, 10-15, 15-15 [sic], 11-3
Semi-finals
Chad Cherry & Chadd Westwood d. Connor Laffey & Antone IV, 15-3, 15-5
Jake Birnel & Mauro Rojas d. Andree Parrilla & Dean Bear, 15-10, 14-15, 11-3
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Women's Open Final
Sofia Rascon d. Sheryl Lotts, 15-3, 15-7
Semi-finals
Sofia Rascon d. Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-15, 15-6, 11-9
Sheryl Lotts d. Hailey Miller, 15-11, 15-8
Follow the bouncing ball....
In the semi-finals, Parrilla defeated Wayne Antone IV, 15-6, 15-6 and Birnel took out Jeremy White, 15-3, 7-15, 11-7.
In the Men's Open Doubles division, Chad & Chadd carried the day, as Chad Cherry and Chadd Westwood defeated Birnel and Mauro Rojas in the final, 10-15, 15-15 [sic], 11-3. In the semi-finals, Cherry and Westwood beat Connor Laffey and Antone IV, 15-3, 15-5 while Birnel and Rojas defeated Parrilla and Dean Bear, 15-10, 14-15, 11-3.
In Herndon, Virginia, Sofia Rascon won the Women's Open division by defeating Sheryl Lotts in the final, 15-3, 15-7. Rascon, the top seed, beat Maria Renee Rodriguez in the semi-finals, 11-15, 15-6, 11-9, while Lotts defeated Hailey Miller, 15-11, 15-8. Miller had upset Da'monique Davis in the 2nd seed quarterfinals, 15-11, 4-15, 11-10.
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, Portland, Oregon
Men's Open Final
Andree Parrilla d. Jake Birnel, 15-11, 7-15, 11-8
Semi-finals
Andree Parrilla d. Wayne Antone IV, 15-6, 15-6
Jake Birnel d. Jeremy White, 15-3, 7-15, 11-7
Men's Open Doubles Final
Chad Cherry & Chadd Westwood d. Jake Birnel & Mauro Rojas, 10-15, 15-15 [sic], 11-3
Semi-finals
Chad Cherry & Chadd Westwood d. Connor Laffey & Antone IV, 15-3, 15-5
Jake Birnel & Mauro Rojas d. Andree Parrilla & Dean Bear, 15-10, 14-15, 11-3
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Women's Open Final
Sofia Rascon d. Sheryl Lotts, 15-3, 15-7
Semi-finals
Sofia Rascon d. Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-15, 15-6, 11-9
Sheryl Lotts d. Hailey Miller, 15-11, 15-8
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Longoria wins Ektelon LPRT Pro Nationals, Rajsich & Vargas win doubles
Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), won the 2014 Ektelon Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia by defeating Maria Jose Vargas, 11-2, 3-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-3. Longoria was undefeated for the third consecutive women's pro season, and hasn't lost a match since May 2011.
After splitting the first two games, Vargas came out firing in game three, and went out to a 7-1 lead. However, Longoria came back and tied it at 7-7.
It looked like Longoria was going to take control of the match at that point, but Vargas held it together and took a two point lead at 9-7, and then got a game point at 10-8. She skipped that opportunity, but made no mistake on the second game point, winning game three 11-8.
With her back against the wall, Longoria responded by stepping up her game and though Vargas battled hard, Longoria won games four and five with relative ease, 11-3, 11-3.
It's the third consecutive final that Longoria has had to come from behind to win, and the second final in a row that she's faced a must win situation, as Rhonda Rajsich was up 2-0 on Longoria in San Antonio last month.
In doubles, Vargas and Rajsich teamed up and defeated Susana Acosta and Samantha Salas Solis in the doubles final, 15-8, 13-15, 11-7.
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Final
1 Paola Longoria d. 3 Maria Jose Vargas, 11-2, 3-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-3
Women's Doubles Final
1 Rhonda Rajsich and Maria Jose Vargas d. 2 Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas, 15-8, 13-15, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
After splitting the first two games, Vargas came out firing in game three, and went out to a 7-1 lead. However, Longoria came back and tied it at 7-7.
It looked like Longoria was going to take control of the match at that point, but Vargas held it together and took a two point lead at 9-7, and then got a game point at 10-8. She skipped that opportunity, but made no mistake on the second game point, winning game three 11-8.
With her back against the wall, Longoria responded by stepping up her game and though Vargas battled hard, Longoria won games four and five with relative ease, 11-3, 11-3.
It's the third consecutive final that Longoria has had to come from behind to win, and the second final in a row that she's faced a must win situation, as Rhonda Rajsich was up 2-0 on Longoria in San Antonio last month.
In doubles, Vargas and Rajsich teamed up and defeated Susana Acosta and Samantha Salas Solis in the doubles final, 15-8, 13-15, 11-7.
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Final
1 Paola Longoria d. 3 Maria Jose Vargas, 11-2, 3-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-3
Women's Doubles Final
1 Rhonda Rajsich and Maria Jose Vargas d. 2 Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas, 15-8, 13-15, 11-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Vargas & Longoria to meet in Ektelon LPRT Pro Nationals final
Maria Jose Vargas, the #3 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), reached the final of the Ektelon Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia after upsetting the #2 player Rhonda Rajsich, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 3-11, 11-7. It's the 3rd LPRT final for the former Junior World Champion.
But Vargas and Rajsich teamed up in doubles to defeat Frédérique Lambert and Sofia Rascon, 15, 4, 15-8.
Paola Longoria, the LPRT's #1 player, will be Vargas's opponent in the final, as Longoria beat Samantha Salas Solis in the other semi, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8.
However, Salas Solis did get the better of Longoria in doubles, as she and Susana Acosta defeated Longoria and Veronica Sotomayor, 3-15, 15-13, 11-6, and will play Vargas and Rajsich in the doubles final on Sunday.
The LPRT Network will webcast the final at 11 AM PDT and the women's pro doubles final at noon Sunday.
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 4 Samantha Salas, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8
3 Maria Jose Vargas d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 3-11, 11-7
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 3 Maria Jose Vargas
Women's Doubles Semi-finals
1 Rhonda Rajsich and Maria Jose Vargas d. 4 Frédérique Lambert & Sofia Rascon, 15, 4, 15-8
2 Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas d. 3 Paola Longoria & Veronica Sotomayor, 3-15, 15-13, 11-6
Women's Doubles Final
1 Rhonda Rajsich and Maria Jose Vargas v. 2 Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas
Follow the bouncing ball....
But Vargas and Rajsich teamed up in doubles to defeat Frédérique Lambert and Sofia Rascon, 15, 4, 15-8.
Paola Longoria, the LPRT's #1 player, will be Vargas's opponent in the final, as Longoria beat Samantha Salas Solis in the other semi, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8.
However, Salas Solis did get the better of Longoria in doubles, as she and Susana Acosta defeated Longoria and Veronica Sotomayor, 3-15, 15-13, 11-6, and will play Vargas and Rajsich in the doubles final on Sunday.
The LPRT Network will webcast the final at 11 AM PDT and the women's pro doubles final at noon Sunday.
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria d. 4 Samantha Salas, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8
3 Maria Jose Vargas d. 2 Rhonda Rajsich, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 3-11, 11-7
Final
1 Paola Longoria v. 3 Maria Jose Vargas
Women's Doubles Semi-finals
1 Rhonda Rajsich and Maria Jose Vargas d. 4 Frédérique Lambert & Sofia Rascon, 15, 4, 15-8
2 Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas d. 3 Paola Longoria & Veronica Sotomayor, 3-15, 15-13, 11-6
Women's Doubles Final
1 Rhonda Rajsich and Maria Jose Vargas v. 2 Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Waselenchuk wins 2014 Pro Kennex IRT Tournament of Champions
Kane Waselenchuk ended the 2013-14 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season on a high, as he won the 2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon. It capped a season that began with his first loss (in a completed match) in over four years, when Jose Rojas beat him in Kansas City back in September.
But Saturday Waselenchuk defeated IRT #2 Rocky Carson, 11-4, 11-1, 11-1, to close out another season as the number one men's racquetball player. It's Waselenchuk's 9th season as #1, which is an IRT career record.
In the semi-finals, Waselenchuk defeated Daniel De La Rosa, 11-7, 11-5, 12-10, and Carson eked out a win over Ben Croft in five games, 7-11, 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6.
Croft began that semi-final on fire, going out to a 6-0 lead in game one. But at 6-1, Croft had racquet problems, as his racquet came out of his hand due to the tether coming off or the handle separating. Regardless, he was slowed somewhat and Carson took advantage, tying the game at 7-7.
However, Croft was able to put things back together and close out game one, 11-7.
The other feature of the first game was that Carson was unhappy with the refereeing early in the game, and then later in the game both players were yipping at each other. It's unclear what was said, but we can be certain that pleasantries were not being exchanged.
That interaction cast a chill over the rest of the match, and especially games two and three, where little was said by either player, and both were won by Carson, 11-4 and 11-6.
Carson had a good lead early in game four also at 6-1, and looked to be on the way to a four game victory, but Croft spoiled that plan by putting together a run of points that tied the game at 6-6.
Carson again went ahead 9-6, only to see Croft come back again to win game four 11-9, and force a fifth game tie-breaker.
In the fifth game, they were toe to toe with neither player ahead by more than two points until they were tied at 6-6. From that point on Carson relied on his 3/4 Z serve to the left side - Croft's backhand, and Croft didn't have an effective response to that serve.
Although he didn't win, Croft gave his all in the match, as he dove across the court several times, and clearly seemed to have caused more damage to his already injured right shoulder. But he persevered, and came close to causing the upset.
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, Portland, Oregon
Semi-finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Daniel De La Rosa, 11-7, 11-5, 12-10
Rocky Carson d. Ben Croft, 7-11, 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6
Final
Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson, 11-4, 11-1, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball....
But Saturday Waselenchuk defeated IRT #2 Rocky Carson, 11-4, 11-1, 11-1, to close out another season as the number one men's racquetball player. It's Waselenchuk's 9th season as #1, which is an IRT career record.
In the semi-finals, Waselenchuk defeated Daniel De La Rosa, 11-7, 11-5, 12-10, and Carson eked out a win over Ben Croft in five games, 7-11, 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6.
Croft began that semi-final on fire, going out to a 6-0 lead in game one. But at 6-1, Croft had racquet problems, as his racquet came out of his hand due to the tether coming off or the handle separating. Regardless, he was slowed somewhat and Carson took advantage, tying the game at 7-7.
However, Croft was able to put things back together and close out game one, 11-7.
The other feature of the first game was that Carson was unhappy with the refereeing early in the game, and then later in the game both players were yipping at each other. It's unclear what was said, but we can be certain that pleasantries were not being exchanged.
That interaction cast a chill over the rest of the match, and especially games two and three, where little was said by either player, and both were won by Carson, 11-4 and 11-6.
Carson had a good lead early in game four also at 6-1, and looked to be on the way to a four game victory, but Croft spoiled that plan by putting together a run of points that tied the game at 6-6.
Carson again went ahead 9-6, only to see Croft come back again to win game four 11-9, and force a fifth game tie-breaker.
In the fifth game, they were toe to toe with neither player ahead by more than two points until they were tied at 6-6. From that point on Carson relied on his 3/4 Z serve to the left side - Croft's backhand, and Croft didn't have an effective response to that serve.
Although he didn't win, Croft gave his all in the match, as he dove across the court several times, and clearly seemed to have caused more damage to his already injured right shoulder. But he persevered, and came close to causing the upset.
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, Portland, Oregon
Semi-finals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Daniel De La Rosa, 11-7, 11-5, 12-10
Rocky Carson d. Ben Croft, 7-11, 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6
Final
Kane Waselenchuk d. Rocky Carson, 11-4, 11-1, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball....
2014 Ektelon LPRT Pro Nationals Quarterfinals
Maria Jose Vargas, the #3 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), had to come back from two games down to defeat 11th seed Veronica Sotomayor, 4-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-1, 11-4, at the Ektelon Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia.
The win puts Vargas in the semi-finals against LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajsich, who defeated 10th seed Da'monique Davis, 11-2, 11-3, 11-5, in the quarters.
On the top half of the draw, the #1 and #4 seeds advanced to the semis, as
Paola Longoria continued her winning streak with a win over Aubrey Kirch, 12-10, 11-1, 11-4, and Samantha Salas Solis beat Cristina Amaya, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6.
The LPRT Network will webcast the semi-finals and the women's pro doubles semi-finals Saturday night.
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Quarterfinals
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Aubrey Kirch, 12-10, 11-1, 11-4
4 Samantha Salas d. 5 Cristina Amaya, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6
3 Maria Jose Vargas d. 11 Veronica Sotomayor, 4-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-1, 11-4
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 10 Da'monique Davis, 11-2, 11-3, 11-5
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 4 Samantha Salas - 6 PM
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 3 Maria Jose Vargas - 5 PM
Women's Doubles Semi-finals
1 Rhonda Rajsich and Maria Jose Vargas v. 4 Frédérique Lambert & Sofia Rascon - 7 PM
2 Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas v. 3 Paola Longoria & Veronica Sotomayor - 8 PM
Follow the bouncing ball....
The win puts Vargas in the semi-finals against LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajsich, who defeated 10th seed Da'monique Davis, 11-2, 11-3, 11-5, in the quarters.
On the top half of the draw, the #1 and #4 seeds advanced to the semis, as
Paola Longoria continued her winning streak with a win over Aubrey Kirch, 12-10, 11-1, 11-4, and Samantha Salas Solis beat Cristina Amaya, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6.
The LPRT Network will webcast the semi-finals and the women's pro doubles semi-finals Saturday night.
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Quarterfinals
1 Paola Longoria d. 8 Aubrey Kirch, 12-10, 11-1, 11-4
4 Samantha Salas d. 5 Cristina Amaya, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6
3 Maria Jose Vargas d. 11 Veronica Sotomayor, 4-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-1, 11-4
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 10 Da'monique Davis, 11-2, 11-3, 11-5
Semi-finals
1 Paola Longoria v. 4 Samantha Salas - 6 PM
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 3 Maria Jose Vargas - 5 PM
Women's Doubles Semi-finals
1 Rhonda Rajsich and Maria Jose Vargas v. 4 Frédérique Lambert & Sofia Rascon - 7 PM
2 Susana Acosta & Samantha Salas v. 3 Paola Longoria & Veronica Sotomayor - 8 PM
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, May 16, 2014
2014 Ektelon LPRT Pro Nationals Round of 16
Two upsets in the Round of 16 at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Ektelon Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia Friday. Eleventh seed Veronica Sotomayor upset 6th seed Frédérique Lambert, 14-12, 9-11, 11-2, 11-8, and 10th seed Da'monique Davis beat 7th seed Susana Acosta, 11-6, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10.
The wins should put both Sotomayor and Davis in the season ending top 10, and with Aubrey Kirch winning against Cheryl Gudinas, 11-3, 11-1, 11-4, will likely mean Gudinas's streak of 20 years as a top 10 women's pro racquetball player has come to an end.
The top LPRT players both won their quarterfinal matches in three straight games. Number 1 Paola Longoria beat Sheryl Lotts, 11-0, 11-2, 11-2, and #2 Rhonda Rajsich defeated Michelle Key, 11-2, 11-5, 11-6.
The LPRT Network will webcast the quarterfinal matches beginning at 11 AM EDT on Saturday, as well as the semi-finals and the women's pro doubles semi-finals Saturday night.
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Sheryl Lotts, 11-0, 11-2, 11-2
8 Aubrey Kirch d. 9 Cheryl Gudinas, 11-3, 11-1, 11-4
5 Cristina Amaya d. 21 Masiel Rivera, 11-2, 11-6, 11-4
4 Samantha Salas d. 13 Sofia Rascon
3 Maria Jose Vargas d. 19 Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-4, 11-5, 12-10
11 Veronica Sotomayor d. 6 Frédérique Lambert, 14-12, 9-11, 11-2, 11-8
10 Da'monique Davis d. 7 Susana Acosta, 11-6, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 15 Michelle Key, 11-2, 11-5, 11-6
Quarterfinals
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Aubrey Kirch - noon
4 Samantha Salas v. 5 Cristina Amaya - noon
3 Maria Jose Vargas v. 11 Veronica Sotomayor - 11 AM
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 10 Da'monique Davis - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball....
The wins should put both Sotomayor and Davis in the season ending top 10, and with Aubrey Kirch winning against Cheryl Gudinas, 11-3, 11-1, 11-4, will likely mean Gudinas's streak of 20 years as a top 10 women's pro racquetball player has come to an end.
The top LPRT players both won their quarterfinal matches in three straight games. Number 1 Paola Longoria beat Sheryl Lotts, 11-0, 11-2, 11-2, and #2 Rhonda Rajsich defeated Michelle Key, 11-2, 11-5, 11-6.
The LPRT Network will webcast the quarterfinal matches beginning at 11 AM EDT on Saturday, as well as the semi-finals and the women's pro doubles semi-finals Saturday night.
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria d. 17 Sheryl Lotts, 11-0, 11-2, 11-2
8 Aubrey Kirch d. 9 Cheryl Gudinas, 11-3, 11-1, 11-4
5 Cristina Amaya d. 21 Masiel Rivera, 11-2, 11-6, 11-4
4 Samantha Salas d. 13 Sofia Rascon
3 Maria Jose Vargas d. 19 Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-4, 11-5, 12-10
11 Veronica Sotomayor d. 6 Frédérique Lambert, 14-12, 9-11, 11-2, 11-8
10 Da'monique Davis d. 7 Susana Acosta, 11-6, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 15 Michelle Key, 11-2, 11-5, 11-6
Quarterfinals
1 Paola Longoria v. 8 Aubrey Kirch - noon
4 Samantha Salas v. 5 Cristina Amaya - noon
3 Maria Jose Vargas v. 11 Veronica Sotomayor - 11 AM
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 10 Da'monique Davis - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball....
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions Quarterfinals
The International Racquetball Tour's (IRT's) top two players both advanced to the semi-finals at the 2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon, but it was #1 Kane Waselenchuk not #2 Rocky Carson who needed needed more than the minimum three games to advance.
Waselenchuk handed out a doughnut to Jansen Allen in the first game of their quarterfinal match, but then Allen turned the tables and won game two. However, Waselenchuk stepped it up again in game three, as he took a 10-0 lead. Allen got a few points to make it respectable, but the writing was on the wall, and Waselenchuk won in four games, 11-0, 8-11, 11-5, 11-2.
Carson defeated Chris Crowther in three straight games in their quarterfinal, 11-2, 11-7, 11-4.
But the 3rd and 4th seeds lost Friday night, as IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran went down to a hard serving Ben Croft, 11-3, 11-3, 12-10 and IRT #4 Jose Rojas fell to 5th seed Daniel De La Rosa, 11-3, 11-7, 11-7.
Both Croft and De La Rosa played very well, although their opponents didn't look completely in the matches. Beltran seemed to only get going in the third game, yet still Croft was too much for him.
Rojas, on the other hand, had a death in the family last weekend, which was likely a distraction as he was a late confirmation to play in Portland. The Racquetball Blog offers our condolences to the entire Rojas family on their loss.
The IRT Network will broadcast the semi-finals will be 11 AM and noon on Saturday with the final on Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, Portland, Oregon
Quarterfinals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Jansen Allen, 11-0, 8-11, 11-5, 11-2
Daniel De La Rosa d. Jose Rojas, 11-3, 11-7, 11-7
Ben Croft d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-3, 11-3, 12-10
Rocky Carson d. Chris Crowther, 11-2, 11-7, 11-4
Semi-finals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Daniel De La Rosa
Rocky Carson v. Ben Croft
Follow the bouncing ball....
Waselenchuk handed out a doughnut to Jansen Allen in the first game of their quarterfinal match, but then Allen turned the tables and won game two. However, Waselenchuk stepped it up again in game three, as he took a 10-0 lead. Allen got a few points to make it respectable, but the writing was on the wall, and Waselenchuk won in four games, 11-0, 8-11, 11-5, 11-2.
Carson defeated Chris Crowther in three straight games in their quarterfinal, 11-2, 11-7, 11-4.
But the 3rd and 4th seeds lost Friday night, as IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran went down to a hard serving Ben Croft, 11-3, 11-3, 12-10 and IRT #4 Jose Rojas fell to 5th seed Daniel De La Rosa, 11-3, 11-7, 11-7.
Both Croft and De La Rosa played very well, although their opponents didn't look completely in the matches. Beltran seemed to only get going in the third game, yet still Croft was too much for him.
Rojas, on the other hand, had a death in the family last weekend, which was likely a distraction as he was a late confirmation to play in Portland. The Racquetball Blog offers our condolences to the entire Rojas family on their loss.
The IRT Network will broadcast the semi-finals will be 11 AM and noon on Saturday with the final on Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, Portland, Oregon
Quarterfinals
Kane Waselenchuk d. Jansen Allen, 11-0, 8-11, 11-5, 11-2
Daniel De La Rosa d. Jose Rojas, 11-3, 11-7, 11-7
Ben Croft d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-3, 11-3, 12-10
Rocky Carson d. Chris Crowther, 11-2, 11-7, 11-4
Semi-finals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Daniel De La Rosa
Rocky Carson v. Ben Croft
Follow the bouncing ball....
2014 Pro Kennex IRT Tournament of Champions Round of 16
No upsets so far on Friday at the 2014 Pro Kennex International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon, where the top seeds won comfortably in the Round of 16.
IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk defeated Mauro Rojas, 11-1, 11-2, 11-0, and IRT #2 beat Wayne Antone IV, 11-5, 11-2, 11-3. Both Rojas and Antone are junior players, and may have been a bit overwhelmed by being on court with the best players in the world.
IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran also played a junior, but Andree Parrilla was stiffer competition. In face, Parrilla won the first game 11-8, only to have Beltran blank him in game two, 11-0. Beltran led throughout game three, winning 11-7, but in game four Parrilla had the early lead at 6-2. However, the veteran Beltran dug in and came back to win that game and take the match in four games, 8-11, 11-0, 11-7, 11-8.
Two matches that we thought would be close were only close in the first games, as they were straight game wins by the higher seeds. Seventh seed Chris Crowther beat Cliff Swain, 11-9, 11-2, 11-6, and Jansen Allen defeated Charlie Pratt, 12-10, 11-3, 11-8.
The IRT Network is broadcasting the Round of 16 currently and will have the quarterfinals beginning at 4 PM PDT. Note: the semi-finals will be 11 AM and noon on Saturday with the final on Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, Portland, Oregon
Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk d. Mauro Rojas, 11-1, 11-2, 11-0
Jansen Allen d. Charlie Pratt, 12-10, 11-3, 11-8
Daniel De La Rosa d. Thomas Fuhrmann, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6
Jose Rojas d. Connor Laffey, 11-3, 11-2, 11-6
Alvaro Beltran d. Andree Parrilla, 8-11, 11-0, 11-7, 11-8
Ben Croft d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 11-5, 11-6, 11-1
Chris Crowther d. Cliff Swain, 11-9, 11-2, 11-6
Rocky Carson d. Wayne Antone IV, 11-5, 11-2, 11-3
Quarterfinals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Jansen Allen
Jose Rojas v. Daniel De La Rosa
Alvaro Beltran v. Ben Croft
Rocky Carson v. Chris Crowther
Follow the bouncing ball....
IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk defeated Mauro Rojas, 11-1, 11-2, 11-0, and IRT #2 beat Wayne Antone IV, 11-5, 11-2, 11-3. Both Rojas and Antone are junior players, and may have been a bit overwhelmed by being on court with the best players in the world.
IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran also played a junior, but Andree Parrilla was stiffer competition. In face, Parrilla won the first game 11-8, only to have Beltran blank him in game two, 11-0. Beltran led throughout game three, winning 11-7, but in game four Parrilla had the early lead at 6-2. However, the veteran Beltran dug in and came back to win that game and take the match in four games, 8-11, 11-0, 11-7, 11-8.
Two matches that we thought would be close were only close in the first games, as they were straight game wins by the higher seeds. Seventh seed Chris Crowther beat Cliff Swain, 11-9, 11-2, 11-6, and Jansen Allen defeated Charlie Pratt, 12-10, 11-3, 11-8.
The IRT Network is broadcasting the Round of 16 currently and will have the quarterfinals beginning at 4 PM PDT. Note: the semi-finals will be 11 AM and noon on Saturday with the final on Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, Portland, Oregon
Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk d. Mauro Rojas, 11-1, 11-2, 11-0
Jansen Allen d. Charlie Pratt, 12-10, 11-3, 11-8
Daniel De La Rosa d. Thomas Fuhrmann, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6
Jose Rojas d. Connor Laffey, 11-3, 11-2, 11-6
Alvaro Beltran d. Andree Parrilla, 8-11, 11-0, 11-7, 11-8
Ben Croft d. Hiroshi Shimizu, 11-5, 11-6, 11-1
Chris Crowther d. Cliff Swain, 11-9, 11-2, 11-6
Rocky Carson d. Wayne Antone IV, 11-5, 11-2, 11-3
Quarterfinals
Kane Waselenchuk v. Jansen Allen
Jose Rojas v. Daniel De La Rosa
Alvaro Beltran v. Ben Croft
Rocky Carson v. Chris Crowther
Follow the bouncing ball....
2014 LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals Round of 32
One upset so far in the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Ektelon Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia, as 21st seed Masiel Rivera defeated 12th seed Adrienne Haynes, 11-7, 8-11, 12-10, 11-2, in the Round of 32. Rivera will play 5th seed Cristina Amaya in the Round of 16 later today.
Also, 19th seed Maria Renee Rodriguez beat 14th seed Hailey Miller, 11-2, 2-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-4, and 17th seed Sheryl Lotts beat 16th seed T. J. Baumbaugh, 9-11, 11-3, 11-1, 11-8.
The LPRT Network will webcast matches live from Herndon on Saturday and Sunday (the quarter-finals and on).
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
17 Sheryl Lotts d. 16 T.J. Baumbaugh, 9-11, 11-3, 11-1, 11-8
9 Cheryl Gudinas - BYE
8 Aubrey Kirch - BYE
5 Cristina Amaya - BYE
21 Masiel Rivera d. 12 Adrienne Haynes, 11-7, 8-11, 12-10, 11-2
13 Sofia Rascon d. 20 Kelly Gremley, 11-7, 11-0, 11-0
4 Samantha Salas - BYE
3 Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
19 Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 14 Hailey Miller, 11-2, 2-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-4
11 Veronica Sotomayor d. 22 Youngock Lee, 11-2, 11-1, 11-1
6 Frédérique Lambert - BYE
7 Susana Acosta - BYE
10 Da'monique Davis d. 23 Amie Brewer, 11-0, 11-2, 11-4
15 Michelle Key d. 18 Carolina Luque, 11-2, 11-3, 11-1
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria v. 17 Sheryl Lotts
8 Aubrey Kirch v. 9 Cheryl Gudinas
5 Cristina Amaya v. 21 Masiel Rivera
4 Samantha Salas v. 13 Sofia Rascon
3 Maria Jose Vargas v. 19 Maria Renee Rodriguez
6 Frédérique Lambert v. 11 Veronica Sotomayor
7 Susana Acosta v. 10 Da'monique Davis
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 15 Michelle Key
Follow the bouncing ball....
Also, 19th seed Maria Renee Rodriguez beat 14th seed Hailey Miller, 11-2, 2-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-4, and 17th seed Sheryl Lotts beat 16th seed T. J. Baumbaugh, 9-11, 11-3, 11-1, 11-8.
The LPRT Network will webcast matches live from Herndon on Saturday and Sunday (the quarter-finals and on).
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
17 Sheryl Lotts d. 16 T.J. Baumbaugh, 9-11, 11-3, 11-1, 11-8
9 Cheryl Gudinas - BYE
8 Aubrey Kirch - BYE
5 Cristina Amaya - BYE
21 Masiel Rivera d. 12 Adrienne Haynes, 11-7, 8-11, 12-10, 11-2
13 Sofia Rascon d. 20 Kelly Gremley, 11-7, 11-0, 11-0
4 Samantha Salas - BYE
3 Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
19 Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 14 Hailey Miller, 11-2, 2-11, 9-11, 12-10, 11-4
11 Veronica Sotomayor d. 22 Youngock Lee, 11-2, 11-1, 11-1
6 Frédérique Lambert - BYE
7 Susana Acosta - BYE
10 Da'monique Davis d. 23 Amie Brewer, 11-0, 11-2, 11-4
15 Michelle Key d. 18 Carolina Luque, 11-2, 11-3, 11-1
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
Round of 16
1 Paola Longoria v. 17 Sheryl Lotts
8 Aubrey Kirch v. 9 Cheryl Gudinas
5 Cristina Amaya v. 21 Masiel Rivera
4 Samantha Salas v. 13 Sofia Rascon
3 Maria Jose Vargas v. 19 Maria Renee Rodriguez
6 Frédérique Lambert v. 11 Veronica Sotomayor
7 Susana Acosta v. 10 Da'monique Davis
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 15 Michelle Key
Follow the bouncing ball....
2014 Pro Kennex IRT Tournament of Champions Qualifying Results
The 2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, which is the last event of the 2013-14 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) season is underway in Portland, Oregon, and there were no real upsets in the qualifying matches on Thursday.
Connor Laffey did have an upset win over Alejandro Herrera, but that was by forfeit. Nonetheless it does give the junior American player a chance to play 4th seed Jose Rojas in the Round of 16.
There are a few interesting matches in the 16s, including former #1 Cliff Swain versus 7th seed Chris Crowther with the winner to likely face 2nd seed Rocky Carson in the quarter-finals.
Also, Oregon native Charlie Pratt will be up against Jansen Allen in the 8/9 seed match, as well as an all Mexican battle between veteran Alvaro Beltran and Andree Parrilla, the current U16 World Junior Champion. And Japanese veteran Hiroshi Shimizu faces Ben Croft.
The IRT Network will broadcast qualifying Thursday from 4 PM PDT and the Round of 16 beginning at 10 AM PDT Friday. Note that the final will be Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Rounds
Round 1
David Barnhart d. Brandon Thurman, 11-8, 11-2, 9-11, 11-2
Round 2
Q8: Mauro Rojas d. James Scott, 11-3, 4-11, 11-5, 12-10
Q1: Charlie Pratt d. David Barnhart, 11-0, 11-7, 11-2
Q4: Thomas Fuhrmann d. A. C. Bates, 11-2, 11-0, 11-2
Q5: Connor Laffey d. Alejandro Herrera, fft
Q6: Andree Parrilla d. Joel Barshaw, 11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 11-1, 11-6
Q3: Hiroshi Shimizu d. Jorge Carlos Thomas, 11-6, 11-4, 11-0
Q2: Cliff Swain d. Jake Birnel, 11-2, 12-10, 11-5
Q7: Wayne Antone IV d. John Scott, 11-2, 11-2, 11-5
Main Draw - Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk v. Mauro Rojas
Jansen Allen v. Charlie Pratt
Daniel De La Rosa v. Thomas Fuhrmann
Jose Rojas v. Connor Laffey
Alvaro Beltran v. Andree Parrilla
Ben Croft v. Hiroshi Shimizu
Chris Crowther v. Cliff Swain
Rocky Carson v. Wayne Antone IV
Follow the bouncing ball....
Connor Laffey did have an upset win over Alejandro Herrera, but that was by forfeit. Nonetheless it does give the junior American player a chance to play 4th seed Jose Rojas in the Round of 16.
There are a few interesting matches in the 16s, including former #1 Cliff Swain versus 7th seed Chris Crowther with the winner to likely face 2nd seed Rocky Carson in the quarter-finals.
Also, Oregon native Charlie Pratt will be up against Jansen Allen in the 8/9 seed match, as well as an all Mexican battle between veteran Alvaro Beltran and Andree Parrilla, the current U16 World Junior Champion. And Japanese veteran Hiroshi Shimizu faces Ben Croft.
The IRT Network will broadcast qualifying Thursday from 4 PM PDT and the Round of 16 beginning at 10 AM PDT Friday. Note that the final will be Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Rounds
Round 1
David Barnhart d. Brandon Thurman, 11-8, 11-2, 9-11, 11-2
Round 2
Q8: Mauro Rojas d. James Scott, 11-3, 4-11, 11-5, 12-10
Q1: Charlie Pratt d. David Barnhart, 11-0, 11-7, 11-2
Q4: Thomas Fuhrmann d. A. C. Bates, 11-2, 11-0, 11-2
Q5: Connor Laffey d. Alejandro Herrera, fft
Q6: Andree Parrilla d. Joel Barshaw, 11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 11-1, 11-6
Q3: Hiroshi Shimizu d. Jorge Carlos Thomas, 11-6, 11-4, 11-0
Q2: Cliff Swain d. Jake Birnel, 11-2, 12-10, 11-5
Q7: Wayne Antone IV d. John Scott, 11-2, 11-2, 11-5
Main Draw - Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk v. Mauro Rojas
Jansen Allen v. Charlie Pratt
Daniel De La Rosa v. Thomas Fuhrmann
Jose Rojas v. Connor Laffey
Alvaro Beltran v. Andree Parrilla
Ben Croft v. Hiroshi Shimizu
Chris Crowther v. Cliff Swain
Rocky Carson v. Wayne Antone IV
Follow the bouncing ball....
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
2014 Pro Kennex IRT Tournament of Champions Preview
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is wrapping up its season this weekend with the 2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions. Kane Waslenchuk will be looking to go out on a high, and confirm his standing as the #1 IRT player for a record 9th time in his career.
There are a few notable players in qualifying this weekend, including former #1 Cliff Swain, who was the winningest player during the decade that Portland hosted season ending Tournament of Champions events.
Oregon favourite Charlie Pratt is also in the draw, as are veterans Hiroshi Shimizu and Alejandro Herrera and juniors Connor Laffey and Andree Parrilla, the current U16 World Junior Champion.
The IRT Network will broadcast qualifying Thursday from 4 PM PDT and the Round of 16 beginning at 10 AM PDT Friday. Note that the final will be Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Rounds
Round 1
Brandon Thurman v. David Barnhart
Round 2
Q8: Mauro Rojas v. James Scott
Q1: Charlie Pratt v. Brandon Thurman or David Barnhart
Q4: Thomas Fuhrmann v. A. C. Bates
Q5: Alejandro Herrera v. Connor Laffey
Q6: Andree Parrilla v. Joel Barshaw
Q3: Hiroshi Shimizu v. Jorge Carlos Thomas
Q2: Cliff Swain v. Jake Birnel
Q7: John Scott v. Wayne Antone IV
Main Draw - Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Jansen Allen v. Q1
Daniel De La Rosa v. Q4
Jose Rojas v. Q5
Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
Ben Croft v. Q3
Chris Crowther v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball....
There are a few notable players in qualifying this weekend, including former #1 Cliff Swain, who was the winningest player during the decade that Portland hosted season ending Tournament of Champions events.
Oregon favourite Charlie Pratt is also in the draw, as are veterans Hiroshi Shimizu and Alejandro Herrera and juniors Connor Laffey and Andree Parrilla, the current U16 World Junior Champion.
The IRT Network will broadcast qualifying Thursday from 4 PM PDT and the Round of 16 beginning at 10 AM PDT Friday. Note that the final will be Saturday night at 7:00 PM PDT.
2014 Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions, Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Rounds
Round 1
Brandon Thurman v. David Barnhart
Round 2
Q8: Mauro Rojas v. James Scott
Q1: Charlie Pratt v. Brandon Thurman or David Barnhart
Q4: Thomas Fuhrmann v. A. C. Bates
Q5: Alejandro Herrera v. Connor Laffey
Q6: Andree Parrilla v. Joel Barshaw
Q3: Hiroshi Shimizu v. Jorge Carlos Thomas
Q2: Cliff Swain v. Jake Birnel
Q7: John Scott v. Wayne Antone IV
Main Draw - Round of 16
Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
Jansen Allen v. Q1
Daniel De La Rosa v. Q4
Jose Rojas v. Q5
Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
Ben Croft v. Q3
Chris Crowther v. Q2
Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball....
2014 Ektelon LPRT Pro Nationals Preview
The 2013-14 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season comes to a close this weekend with the Ektelon Pro Nationals in Herndon, Virginia. Paola Longoria will finish #1 for the 3rd straight season and fifth in the last six seasons, regardless of what happens this weekend.
Nonetheless, Longoria will be trying to win again, and keep her three year winning streak intact. This would be her third undefeated season.
Rhonda Rajsich and Maria Jose Vargas should finish #2 and #3, regardless of the weekend results, but Samantha Salas Solis and Cristina Amaya are only a few points apart in the season to date race, so if Amaya finishes ahead of Salas Solis on the weekend, she could overtake her and finish the season in 4th, which would be a career high season ending ranking for Amaya.
Frédérique Lambert is solidly in 6th, and looks likely she'll have the highest finish for a Canadian on the women's pro tour with the exception of Christie Huczek (neé Van Hees), who was in the top 5 on six occasions including finishing #1 in 2004-05.
Longoria's not the only player will a streak of importance going in to Herdon, as veteran Cheryl Gudinas has finished in the top 10 for 20 consecutive season. But she's 11th in the season to date points, and needs to overtake Da'monique Davis to continue that streak.
Gudinas is seeded 9th in Herndon, which gets her a bye into the Round of 16, but there she'll face 8th seed Aubrey Kirch. Kirch and Gudinas have not played this season, but Kirch has beaten three top 10 players this season: Salas Solis, Susana Acosta and Amaya (thrice). Gudinas's only wins against top 10 players have come against Davis on two occasions. Thus, Kirch looks to be the favourite against Gudinas.
Davis will play unranked Amie Brewer in the Round of 32, and then Acosta in the 16s. If both Gudinas and Davis lose in the 16s, then Davis should finish ahead of Gudinas, thus ending two decades of top 10 finishes for Gudinas.
The LPRT Network will webcast matches live from Herndon on Saturday and Sunday (the quarter-finals and on).
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
16 T.J. Baumbaugh v. 17 Sheryl Lotts
9 Cheryl Gudinas - BYE
8 Aubrey Kirch - BYE
5 Cristina Amaya - BYE
12 Adrienne Haynes v. 21 Masiel Rivera
13 Sofia Rascon v. 20 Kelly Gremley
4 Samantha Salas - BYE
3 Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
14 Hailey Miller v. 19 Maria Renee Rodriguez
11 Veronica Sotomayor v. 22 Youngock Lee
6 Frédérique Lambert - BYE
7 Susana Acosta - BYE
10 Da'monique Davis v. 23 Amie Brewer
15 Michelle Key v. 18 Carolina Luque
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Nonetheless, Longoria will be trying to win again, and keep her three year winning streak intact. This would be her third undefeated season.
Rhonda Rajsich and Maria Jose Vargas should finish #2 and #3, regardless of the weekend results, but Samantha Salas Solis and Cristina Amaya are only a few points apart in the season to date race, so if Amaya finishes ahead of Salas Solis on the weekend, she could overtake her and finish the season in 4th, which would be a career high season ending ranking for Amaya.
Frédérique Lambert is solidly in 6th, and looks likely she'll have the highest finish for a Canadian on the women's pro tour with the exception of Christie Huczek (neé Van Hees), who was in the top 5 on six occasions including finishing #1 in 2004-05.
Longoria's not the only player will a streak of importance going in to Herdon, as veteran Cheryl Gudinas has finished in the top 10 for 20 consecutive season. But she's 11th in the season to date points, and needs to overtake Da'monique Davis to continue that streak.
Gudinas is seeded 9th in Herndon, which gets her a bye into the Round of 16, but there she'll face 8th seed Aubrey Kirch. Kirch and Gudinas have not played this season, but Kirch has beaten three top 10 players this season: Salas Solis, Susana Acosta and Amaya (thrice). Gudinas's only wins against top 10 players have come against Davis on two occasions. Thus, Kirch looks to be the favourite against Gudinas.
Davis will play unranked Amie Brewer in the Round of 32, and then Acosta in the 16s. If both Gudinas and Davis lose in the 16s, then Davis should finish ahead of Gudinas, thus ending two decades of top 10 finishes for Gudinas.
The LPRT Network will webcast matches live from Herndon on Saturday and Sunday (the quarter-finals and on).
LPRT Ektelon Pro Nationals
Herndon, Virginia - May 16-18, 2014
Round of 32
1 Paola Longoria - BYE
16 T.J. Baumbaugh v. 17 Sheryl Lotts
9 Cheryl Gudinas - BYE
8 Aubrey Kirch - BYE
5 Cristina Amaya - BYE
12 Adrienne Haynes v. 21 Masiel Rivera
13 Sofia Rascon v. 20 Kelly Gremley
4 Samantha Salas - BYE
3 Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
14 Hailey Miller v. 19 Maria Renee Rodriguez
11 Veronica Sotomayor v. 22 Youngock Lee
6 Frédérique Lambert - BYE
7 Susana Acosta - BYE
10 Da'monique Davis v. 23 Amie Brewer
15 Michelle Key v. 18 Carolina Luque
2 Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Monday, May 5, 2014
Weekend Round Up - Klingaman, Montalbano, Diaz & Rojas win
Sean Klingaman won the Men's Open division at the Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages tournament in Stockton, Cailfornia on Sunday by defeating Danney Lavely in the final, 15-12, 15-4.
In the semi-finals, Klingaman beat Matthew Majxner, 15-8, 15-8, and Lavely defeated Gerardo Guevara, 15-6, 15-14.
Jose Diaz and Marco Rojas won the Men's Open Doubles division by defeating Argentines Fernando Kurzbard and Pablo Kurzbard, 15-9, 15-4. Diaz and Rojas had a walkover win against Klingaman and Jimmy Oliver in the semi-finals while the Kurzbards beat Ismael Aldana Jr. and Robert Collins, 15-1, 15-6.
In Pueblo, Colorado, Nick Montalbano won the Cinco De Mayo Shootout - a Tier 5 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). He defeated Brad Schopieray, 11-5, 11-3, 3-11, 11-9, in the final.
In the semis, Montalbano beat Felipe Camacho, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4, and Schopieray defeated Matt Meister, 11-0, 11-2, 11-6.
Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Stockton, Cailfornia
Men's Open Final
Sean Klingaman d. Danny Lavely, 15-12, 15-4
Semi-finals
Danny Lavely d. Gerardo Guevara, 15-6, 15-14
Sean Klingaman d. Matthew Majxner, 15-8, 15-8
Men's Open Doubles Final
Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas d. Fernando Kurzbard & Pablo Kurzbard, 15-9, 15-4
Semi-finals
Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas d. Jimmy Oliver & Sean Klingaman, forfeit
Fernando Kurzbard & Pablo Kurzbard d. Ismael Aldana Jr. & Robert Collins, 15-1, 15-6
2014 Cinco De Mayo Shootout
Pueblo, Colorado
Final
Nick Montalbano d. Brad Schopieray, 11-5, 11-3, 3-11, 11-9
Semi-finals
Brad Schopieray d. Matt Meister, 11-0, 11-2, 11-6
Nick Montalbano d. Felipe Camacho, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the semi-finals, Klingaman beat Matthew Majxner, 15-8, 15-8, and Lavely defeated Gerardo Guevara, 15-6, 15-14.
Jose Diaz and Marco Rojas won the Men's Open Doubles division by defeating Argentines Fernando Kurzbard and Pablo Kurzbard, 15-9, 15-4. Diaz and Rojas had a walkover win against Klingaman and Jimmy Oliver in the semi-finals while the Kurzbards beat Ismael Aldana Jr. and Robert Collins, 15-1, 15-6.
In Pueblo, Colorado, Nick Montalbano won the Cinco De Mayo Shootout - a Tier 5 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). He defeated Brad Schopieray, 11-5, 11-3, 3-11, 11-9, in the final.
In the semis, Montalbano beat Felipe Camacho, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4, and Schopieray defeated Matt Meister, 11-0, 11-2, 11-6.
Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Stockton, Cailfornia
Men's Open Final
Sean Klingaman d. Danny Lavely, 15-12, 15-4
Semi-finals
Danny Lavely d. Gerardo Guevara, 15-6, 15-14
Sean Klingaman d. Matthew Majxner, 15-8, 15-8
Men's Open Doubles Final
Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas d. Fernando Kurzbard & Pablo Kurzbard, 15-9, 15-4
Semi-finals
Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas d. Jimmy Oliver & Sean Klingaman, forfeit
Fernando Kurzbard & Pablo Kurzbard d. Ismael Aldana Jr. & Robert Collins, 15-1, 15-6
2014 Cinco De Mayo Shootout
Pueblo, Colorado
Final
Nick Montalbano d. Brad Schopieray, 11-5, 11-3, 3-11, 11-9
Semi-finals
Brad Schopieray d. Matt Meister, 11-0, 11-2, 11-6
Nick Montalbano d. Felipe Camacho, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Waselenchuk wins IRT Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages in Stockton
Kane Waselenchuk won the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages in Stockton, California Sunday in what was an anti-climatic final after Alvaro Beltran had to withdraw early in the second game due to a back injury.
Waselenchuk won the first game, 12-10, and was up 2-0 in game two, when Beltran withdraw.
They had gone toe to toe in the first game, and it boded well for an excellent final, but sadly that was not to be.
The win is Waselenchuk's 7th of the season and 6th in a row, and it comes in the penultimate event of the season, which will conclude in two weeks with the Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon.
Regardless of what happens in Portland, Waselenchuk will finish #1 at the end of the season for the sixth consecutive time and ninth time overall from eleven seasons on tour.
The IRT be back in action in Portland, Oregon May 15-18 for the Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions.
Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Stockton, California - May 1-4, 2014
Final
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 3 Alvaro Beltran, 12-10, 2-0, injury forfeit
Follow the bouncing ball…
Waselenchuk won the first game, 12-10, and was up 2-0 in game two, when Beltran withdraw.
They had gone toe to toe in the first game, and it boded well for an excellent final, but sadly that was not to be.
The win is Waselenchuk's 7th of the season and 6th in a row, and it comes in the penultimate event of the season, which will conclude in two weeks with the Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon.
Regardless of what happens in Portland, Waselenchuk will finish #1 at the end of the season for the sixth consecutive time and ninth time overall from eleven seasons on tour.
The IRT be back in action in Portland, Oregon May 15-18 for the Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions.
Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Stockton, California - May 1-4, 2014
Final
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 3 Alvaro Beltran, 12-10, 2-0, injury forfeit
Follow the bouncing ball…
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Waselenchuk v. Beltran in final of Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Kane Waselenchuk - the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - and IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran will face off Sunday in the final of Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages in Stockton, California after they won their respective semi-finals on Saturday.
Waselenchuk put on a clinic in defeating IRT #4 Jose Rojas, 11-3, 11-1, 11-2, including at least five ace serves. It was a dominating performance that we've sometime seen from Waselenchuk, when he's healthy.
Thus, Beltran has his work cut out for him on Sunday, although it's often difficult to turn in back to back excellent performances. Beltran will be hoping that Waselenchuk can't play that well again on Sunday.
Beltran didn't have nearly as easy a path to the final, as he and Rocky Carson, IRT #2, fought through five tough games before Beltran emerged victorious, 8-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-3, 11-6.
After going down two games to one, Beltran never trailed, winning game four and five relatively comfortably. And it was a case of Beltran winning, not Carson losing, as in game five, Beltran's 11 points came from 9 winners, one service return skip by Carson and an avoidable call.
Beltran will have to shoot well on Sunday and hope Waselenchuk isn't as efficient as he was Saturday if he hopes to win the final.
The IRT Network will broadcast the final live from Stockton Sunday at Noon PDT.
Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Stockton, California - May 1-4, 2014
Semi-finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 4 Jose Rojas, 11-3, 11-1, 11-2
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 2 Rocky Carson, 8-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-3, 11-6
Final
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - Noon PDT
Follow the bouncing ball…
Waselenchuk put on a clinic in defeating IRT #4 Jose Rojas, 11-3, 11-1, 11-2, including at least five ace serves. It was a dominating performance that we've sometime seen from Waselenchuk, when he's healthy.
Thus, Beltran has his work cut out for him on Sunday, although it's often difficult to turn in back to back excellent performances. Beltran will be hoping that Waselenchuk can't play that well again on Sunday.
Beltran didn't have nearly as easy a path to the final, as he and Rocky Carson, IRT #2, fought through five tough games before Beltran emerged victorious, 8-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-3, 11-6.
After going down two games to one, Beltran never trailed, winning game four and five relatively comfortably. And it was a case of Beltran winning, not Carson losing, as in game five, Beltran's 11 points came from 9 winners, one service return skip by Carson and an avoidable call.
Beltran will have to shoot well on Sunday and hope Waselenchuk isn't as efficient as he was Saturday if he hopes to win the final.
The IRT Network will broadcast the final live from Stockton Sunday at Noon PDT.
Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Stockton, California - May 1-4, 2014
Semi-finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 4 Jose Rojas, 11-3, 11-1, 11-2
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 2 Rocky Carson, 8-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-3, 11-6
Final
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - Noon PDT
Follow the bouncing ball…
Top 4 seeds through to semi-finals at IRT 209 Battle of the Ages
The top four seeds made it through to the semi-finals at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages in Stockton, California, but it was not an easy road for the 3rd and 4th seeds.
Even IRT #1 dropped a game in the quarterfinals, as Kane Waselenchuk needed four games to defeat Ben Croft, 11-0, 11-1, 7-11, 11-3.
But 4th seed Jose Rojas needed to win two five game matches to advance to Saturday. First in the quarterfinals, Rojas was made to go the distance against fellow Stockton player and USA team-mate for last month's Pan American Championships David Horn, 11-8, 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 14-12.
Then Daniel De La Rosa took Rojas to a fifth game, and even scored more points than Rojas, but it was Rojas who won, 11-5, 1-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8.
The near upset of the tournament happened in the Round of 16 when Cliff Swain - former IRT #1 - won the first two games against 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran, to then forced game three to extra points before Beltran won in 12-10.
Losing game three might have had a carry over to games four and five as they were not as close the first two, as Beltran came back to win in five games, 11-13, 9-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-7.
The IRT Network will carry the semi-final action from Stockton Saturday beginning at 4 PM PDT.
Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Stockton, California - May 1-4, 2014
Round of 16
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Tom Fuhrmann, 11-7, 11-1, 11-3
8 Ben Croft d. 9 Marco Rojas, 11-7, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6
5 Daniel De La Rosa d. 12 Jose Diaz, 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5
4 Jose Rojas v. 13 David Horn, 11-8, 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 14-12
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 14 Cliff Swain, 11-13, 9-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-7
6 Chris Crowther d. 11 Charlie Pratt, 11-3, 11-9, 8-11, 11-3
10 Jansen Allen d. 7 Tony Carson, 8-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-5, 11-3
2 Rocky Carson d. Francisco Troncoso, 11-0, 11-3, 11-6
Quarterfinals
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 8 Ben Croft, 11-0, 11-1, 7-11, 11-3
4 Jose Rojas d. 5 Daniel De La Rosa, 11-5, 1-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 6 Chris Crowther, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9
2 Rocky Carson d. 10 Jansen Allen
Semi-finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 4 Jose Rojas - 5 PM PDT
2 Rocky Carson v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - 4 PM PDT
Follow the bouncing ball…
Even IRT #1 dropped a game in the quarterfinals, as Kane Waselenchuk needed four games to defeat Ben Croft, 11-0, 11-1, 7-11, 11-3.
But 4th seed Jose Rojas needed to win two five game matches to advance to Saturday. First in the quarterfinals, Rojas was made to go the distance against fellow Stockton player and USA team-mate for last month's Pan American Championships David Horn, 11-8, 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 14-12.
Then Daniel De La Rosa took Rojas to a fifth game, and even scored more points than Rojas, but it was Rojas who won, 11-5, 1-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8.
The near upset of the tournament happened in the Round of 16 when Cliff Swain - former IRT #1 - won the first two games against 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran, to then forced game three to extra points before Beltran won in 12-10.
Losing game three might have had a carry over to games four and five as they were not as close the first two, as Beltran came back to win in five games, 11-13, 9-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-7.
The IRT Network will carry the semi-final action from Stockton Saturday beginning at 4 PM PDT.
Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Stockton, California - May 1-4, 2014
Round of 16
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. Tom Fuhrmann, 11-7, 11-1, 11-3
8 Ben Croft d. 9 Marco Rojas, 11-7, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6
5 Daniel De La Rosa d. 12 Jose Diaz, 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5
4 Jose Rojas v. 13 David Horn, 11-8, 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 14-12
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 14 Cliff Swain, 11-13, 9-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-7
6 Chris Crowther d. 11 Charlie Pratt, 11-3, 11-9, 8-11, 11-3
10 Jansen Allen d. 7 Tony Carson, 8-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-5, 11-3
2 Rocky Carson d. Francisco Troncoso, 11-0, 11-3, 11-6
Quarterfinals
1 Kane Waselenchuk d. 8 Ben Croft, 11-0, 11-1, 7-11, 11-3
4 Jose Rojas d. 5 Daniel De La Rosa, 11-5, 1-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8
3 Alvaro Beltran d. 6 Chris Crowther, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9
2 Rocky Carson d. 10 Jansen Allen
Semi-finals
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. 4 Jose Rojas - 5 PM PDT
2 Rocky Carson v. 3 Alvaro Beltran - 4 PM PDT
Follow the bouncing ball…
Thursday, May 1, 2014
IRT 209 Battle of the Ages - Qualifying Results
Play is underway at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages in Stockton, California, and there have been few surprises so far. An upset in the first round of qualifying saw Argetine Fernando Kurzbard win a five game battle with Korean Seung Jun Jeon, 7-11, 11-9, 11-3, 7-11, 11-4.
Kurzbard will play David Horn in the second round of qualifying for a spot in the Round of 16 on Friday against Jose Rojas.
Veteran lefty Javier Moreno was in the draw but defaulted his match, which granted Francisco Troncoso a spot in the Round of 16 against Rocky Carson.
The IRT Network will carry the action from Stockton on Friday beginning with the Round of 16 at 10:00 AM PDT.
Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Stockton, California - May 1-4, 2014
First Round Qualifying (64s)
Tom Fuhrmann d. Enrique Ainslie, fft
Sean Klingman d. Daeyong Kwon, 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10
Danny Lavely d. Jimmy Oliver, 11-0, 11-6, 11-4
Fernando Kurzbard d. Seung Jun Jeon, 7-11, 11-9, 11-3, 7-11, 11-4
Matthew Majxner d. Brandon Callihan, 11-2, 11-8, 11-9
Mauro Rojas d. Pablo Kurzbard, 11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9
Gerardo Guevara d. John Wolfe, fft
Francisco Troncoso d. Dale Millhollin, 11-1, 11-5, 11-4
Second Round Qualifying (32s)
Q8: Tom Fuhrmann d. 16 Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-3, 11-6
Q1: 9 Marco Rojas v. Sean Klingman, 9-11, 11-3, 11-0 11-7
Q4: 12 Jose Diaz d. Danny Lavely, 11-6, 11-1, 9-11, 11-7
Q5: 13 David Horn d. Fernando Kurzbard, 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5
Q6: 14 Cliff Swain d. Matthew Majxner, 11-6, 11-1, 11-5
Q3: 11 Charlie Pratt d. Mauro Rojas, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5
Q2: 10 Jansen Allen d. Gerardo Guevara, 11-3, 11-8, 11-1
Q7: Francisco Troncoso d. 15 Javier Moreno, fft
Round of 16
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. Tom Fuhrmann
8 Ben Croft v. 9 Marco Rojas
5 Daniel De La Rosa v. 12 Jose Diaz
4 Jose Rojas v. 13 David Horn
3 Alvaro Beltran v. 14 Cliff Swain
6 Chris Crowther v. 11 Charlie Pratt
7 Tony Carson v. 10 Jansen Allen
2 Rocky Carson v. Francisco Troncoso
Follow the bouncing ball…
Kurzbard will play David Horn in the second round of qualifying for a spot in the Round of 16 on Friday against Jose Rojas.
Veteran lefty Javier Moreno was in the draw but defaulted his match, which granted Francisco Troncoso a spot in the Round of 16 against Rocky Carson.
The IRT Network will carry the action from Stockton on Friday beginning with the Round of 16 at 10:00 AM PDT.
Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Stockton, California - May 1-4, 2014
First Round Qualifying (64s)
Tom Fuhrmann d. Enrique Ainslie, fft
Sean Klingman d. Daeyong Kwon, 11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10
Danny Lavely d. Jimmy Oliver, 11-0, 11-6, 11-4
Fernando Kurzbard d. Seung Jun Jeon, 7-11, 11-9, 11-3, 7-11, 11-4
Matthew Majxner d. Brandon Callihan, 11-2, 11-8, 11-9
Mauro Rojas d. Pablo Kurzbard, 11-3, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9
Gerardo Guevara d. John Wolfe, fft
Francisco Troncoso d. Dale Millhollin, 11-1, 11-5, 11-4
Second Round Qualifying (32s)
Q8: Tom Fuhrmann d. 16 Robert Collins, 11-4, 11-3, 11-6
Q1: 9 Marco Rojas v. Sean Klingman, 9-11, 11-3, 11-0 11-7
Q4: 12 Jose Diaz d. Danny Lavely, 11-6, 11-1, 9-11, 11-7
Q5: 13 David Horn d. Fernando Kurzbard, 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5
Q6: 14 Cliff Swain d. Matthew Majxner, 11-6, 11-1, 11-5
Q3: 11 Charlie Pratt d. Mauro Rojas, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5
Q2: 10 Jansen Allen d. Gerardo Guevara, 11-3, 11-8, 11-1
Q7: Francisco Troncoso d. 15 Javier Moreno, fft
Round of 16
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. Tom Fuhrmann
8 Ben Croft v. 9 Marco Rojas
5 Daniel De La Rosa v. 12 Jose Diaz
4 Jose Rojas v. 13 David Horn
3 Alvaro Beltran v. 14 Cliff Swain
6 Chris Crowther v. 11 Charlie Pratt
7 Tony Carson v. 10 Jansen Allen
2 Rocky Carson v. Francisco Troncoso
Follow the bouncing ball…
IRT - Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages Preview
The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages begins Thursday in Stockton, California with a field of 32 players. The top 12 players are in Stockton along with USA Team member David Horn - a Stockton native - and veteran left-handers Cliff Swain and Javier Moreno.
We're unsure what the best match of the qualifiers will be, although Robert Collins versus Tom Fuhrmann should be good (assuming that Fuhrmann wins his first round match against Enrique Ainslie).
The IRT Network will carry the action from Stockton beginning on Friday with the Round of 16 at 12:30 PDT.
Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Stockton, California - May 1-4, 2014
First Round Qualifying (64s)
Tom Fuhrmann v. Enrique Ainslie
Sean Klingman v. Daeyong Kwon
Seung Jun Jeon v. Franco Kurzbard
Danny Lavely v. Jimmy Oliver
Matthew Majxner v. Brandon Callihan
Mauro Rojas v. Pablo Kurzbard
John Wolfe v. Gerardo Guevara
Francisco Troncoso v. Dale Millhollin
Second Round Qualifying (32s)
Q8: 16 Robert Collins v. Tom Fuhrmann or Enrique Ainslie
Q1: 9 Marco Rojas v. Sean Klingman or Daeyong Kwon
Q4: 12 Jose Diaz v. Danny Lavely or Jimmy Oliver
Q5: 13 David Horn v. Seung Jun Jeon or Franco Kurzbard
Q6: 14 Cliff Swain v. Matthew Majxner or Brandon Callihan
Q3: 11 Charlie Pratt v. Mauro Rojas or Pablo Kurzbard
Q2: 10 Jansen Allen v. John Wolfe or Gerardo Guevara
Q7: 15 Javier Moreno v. Francisco Troncoso or Dale Millhollin
Round of 16
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8 Ben Croft v. Q1
5 Daniel De La Rosa v. Q4
4 Jose Rojas v. Q5
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6 Chris Crowther v. Q3
7 Tony Carson v. Q2
2 Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball…
We're unsure what the best match of the qualifiers will be, although Robert Collins versus Tom Fuhrmann should be good (assuming that Fuhrmann wins his first round match against Enrique Ainslie).
The IRT Network will carry the action from Stockton beginning on Friday with the Round of 16 at 12:30 PDT.
Ektelon 209 Battle of the Ages
Stockton, California - May 1-4, 2014
First Round Qualifying (64s)
Tom Fuhrmann v. Enrique Ainslie
Sean Klingman v. Daeyong Kwon
Seung Jun Jeon v. Franco Kurzbard
Danny Lavely v. Jimmy Oliver
Matthew Majxner v. Brandon Callihan
Mauro Rojas v. Pablo Kurzbard
John Wolfe v. Gerardo Guevara
Francisco Troncoso v. Dale Millhollin
Second Round Qualifying (32s)
Q8: 16 Robert Collins v. Tom Fuhrmann or Enrique Ainslie
Q1: 9 Marco Rojas v. Sean Klingman or Daeyong Kwon
Q4: 12 Jose Diaz v. Danny Lavely or Jimmy Oliver
Q5: 13 David Horn v. Seung Jun Jeon or Franco Kurzbard
Q6: 14 Cliff Swain v. Matthew Majxner or Brandon Callihan
Q3: 11 Charlie Pratt v. Mauro Rojas or Pablo Kurzbard
Q2: 10 Jansen Allen v. John Wolfe or Gerardo Guevara
Q7: 15 Javier Moreno v. Francisco Troncoso or Dale Millhollin
Round of 16
1 Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8 Ben Croft v. Q1
5 Daniel De La Rosa v. Q4
4 Jose Rojas v. Q5
3 Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6 Chris Crowther v. Q3
7 Tony Carson v. Q2
2 Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball…
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