LPRT Round of 16 - 2014 US Open Racquetball Championships

Paola Longoria, the three time defending US Open champion, eased into the quarterfinals Thursday with a straight game victory over fellow Mexican Jessica Parrilla, 11-2, 11-2, 11-1, in the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Round of 16 at the 2014 United Healthcare US Open.

In fact, all the early matches in the 16s were three straight games, including wins by 3rd seed Maria Jose Vargas, 4th seed Frédérique Lambert and 5th seed Cristina Amaya. However, one of those matches was won by the lower seed, as 11th seed Sofia Rascon defeated 6th seed Susana Acosta, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7.

Two other upsets in the 16s, as Diana Aguilar defeated Michelle Key, 5-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4, and 10th seed Veronica Sotomayor beat 7th seed Cheryl Gudinas, 11-5, 11-0, 11-2. THe Aguilar-Key match was the only one to go past three games in the 16s.

The mean age of the LPRT quarterfinalists is about 23 and a half, with Rhonda Rajsich being the oldest at 35, and Aguilar the youngest at 17. Longoria is 2nd oldest.

If you needed any more proof there's a youth movement on the LPRT, there it is.

The LPRT Round of 16 will be completed Thursday with the quarterfinals to follow on Friday.

2014 United Healthcare US Open
LPRT Singles Draws
Minneapolis - October 8-12, 2014

Round of 16

1 Paola Longoria d. 16 Jessica Parrilla, 11-2, 11-2, 11-1
Diana Aguilar d. 9 Michelle Key, 5-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4

5 Cristina Amaya d. 12 Sheryl Lotts, 11-5, 11-4, 11-4
4 Frédérique Lambert d. 20 Alexandra Herrera, 11-5, 11-7, 11-1

3 Maria Jose Vargas d. 14 Sharon Jackson, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3
11 Sofia Rascon d. 6 Susana Acosta, 11-4, 11-6, 11-7

10 Veronica Sotomayor d. 7 Cheryl Gudinas, 11-5, 11-0, 11-2
2 Rhonda Rajsich d. 15 Carla Muñoz, 11-4, 11-1, 11-7

Quarterfinals - Friday

1 Paola Longoria v. Diana Aguilar - 2:10 CDT
4 Frédérique Lambert v. 5 Cristina Amaya - 11 AM CDT

3 Maria Jose Vargas v. 11 Sofia Rascon - Noon CDT
2 Rhonda Rajsich v. 10 Veronica Sotomayor - 3:10 PM CDT

Follow the bouncing ball….