Top 10 racquetball stories of 2014

We are closing out 2014 today, so make it a good day. Here at The Racquetball Blog we have been reflecting on the past year, and putting together our list of the Top 10 Racquetball Stories of the year. For the first time, we consulted with Restrung Magazine in discussing the year's top stories (here's their list). We agreed on some things, and disagreed on others. Their list is already up, and here is ours.

The Top 10 Racquetball Stories of 2014

11) The Racquetball Blog - Yes, we've taken this list to 11, and put ourselves at 11th, because this year we've published 313 articles (this will be 314), which is more articles than in any previous year. Yay us!

10) International Events - 2014 was a World Championship year, but also there were the annual Pan American Championships and the quadrennial Central American and Caribbean Games, as well as a one off Pan American Sport Organization (PASO) event in August. Four major international events is more than most years have. Several players made their first appearances for their respective countries in 2014, including Americans Jake Bredenbeck, Da'monique Davis, Jose Diaz, Tom Fuhrmann, David Horn, Aubrey Kirch, and Devon Pimentelli, Bolivian Conrado Moscoso, Canadians Pedro Castro, Danielle Drury, Valerie Fallu, Coby Iwaasa, Michéle Morissette and Samuel Murray. The team rosters at the 2016 World Championships could be very different from what they were this year.

9) Young Mexican Women - There are several young up and coming Mexican women, who are starting to have significant results on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT). Players like Alexandra Herrera - the 2014 World Junior U18 champion, who made her first LPRT semi-final in December, Diana Aguilar - the 2014 World Junior U16 champion, who was in the quarterfinals at the US Open, Lucia Gonzalez, also an LPRT quarterfinalist this season, as well as Sofia Rascon and Jessica Parrilla, currently ranked 15th and 23rd, respectively, on the LPRT. This development bodes very well for the future of Mexican racquetball.

8) Sebastian Franco and Alejandro Herrera - Colombians Franco and Herrera won Men's Doubles at the 2014 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in Burlington, Ontario, which was the first time a South American nation - or any nation that's not the United States, Mexico or Canada - has won gold at Worlds. It's a great accomplishment, and they did it by beating the hometown favourites Mike Green and Vincent Gagnon of Canada in front of a very pro-Canada crowd. It's significant accomplishment, and another mark of how much the quality of racquetball has improved outside of the USA, Mexico and Canada.

7) Rhonda Rajsich - We believed Rajsich could defeat Paola Longoria over the last few years, even though she failed to do so between May 2011 and this season, but we weren't certain if Rajsich believed she could do so. But then in October, Rajsich did do so, defeating Longoria in Stockton, where she had last beaten Longoria back in 2011. It is always nice to see an athlete get rewarded for their perseverance. Rajsich remains a major force in women's racquetball.

6) Daniel De La Rosa - De La Rosa joined the list of International Racquetball Tour (IRT) tournament winners in December with a victory at the New Jersey Open. Mexico has had several excellent junior players in the last decade, but some were critical of them for not breaking through to make the Mexican National Team. But consider some of the men on that team: Alvaro Beltran, IRF World Champion in Men's Singles in 2000 and one of the best players of his generation, Javier Moreno, a three time IRF World Champion in Men's Doubles, Polo Gutierrez, an IRT semi-finalist on multiple occasions as well as a Pan American Championship winner. To get past those guys you have to be a player of significant quality, a player like De La Rosa, who qualified for the World Championships, but missed it due to administrative difficulties, and who won Men's Doubles at the Pan American Championships (with Edson Martinez) and was silver medalist in Men's Singles at the Central American and Caribbean Games. De La Rosa's only 21, so he should be part of the Mexican team for several years to come.

5) Maria Jose Vargas - Vargas has worked her way up to the #2 spot on the LPRT and broke through to win her first tour event in December at the Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia. Vargas was also bronze medalist in Women's Singles at the IRF World Championships, and won gold in Women's Singles and silver in Women's Doubles at the Pan American Championships.

4) Rocky Carson - Carson once again responded to the call of his country, and became the first player to win four IRF World Championships in Men's Singles doing so in consecutive competitions. Furthermore, Carson has continued to perform well on the IRT, where he is the 2nd ranked player with three wins on tour this season.

3) Kane Waselenchuk - When healthy, Waselenchuk is the best men's racquetball player on the IRT, and we'd argue the best men's racquetball player ever. However, we're now uncertain of when Waselenchuk will be healthy, as this fall he had a recurrence of his inner ear troubles that he first experienced in the early 2000s. We certainly hope that Waselenchuk is able to find relief from this condition and is able to continue to show how great an athlete he is on court. However, you don't need to look outside of racquetball for a great athlete whose career ended prematurely due to injury, as Sudsy Monchik retired due to back trouble. Father Time defeats all athletes, and Waselenchuk is 33, so he's closer to the end of his career than the start. But we're sure he'll do all he can to make sure it doesn't end soon. But this is all the more reason to go see him play when you can, because we are not likely to see a player like him again.

2) World Racquetball Tour - The World Racquetball Tour (WRT) has raised its level of prize money and increased its number of tournaments. But the big question of interest is not what the WRT is doing but why they are doing it. Our understanding is that the rationale for a second men's pro tour is that some are disappointed with the current structuring of IRT main events, which seed the top 8 players into the Round of 16 and often have an exhausting day of matches to qualify for one of the other 8 spots in the 16s. The WRT has given opportunities for players who are outside of the IRT top 8 or more to play for good prize money. The caution is that when individual sports have had multiple tours things have not gone well (see boxing). Thus, while the rise of the WRT could be good for the players involved, it could lead to problems if, for example, players who compete on the WRT are banned from playing on the IRT.

1) Paola Longoria - Longoria is a sports phenomenon. The #1 LPRT player, she won both Women's Singles and Women's Doubles at the IRF World Championships this year, which was her 2nd singles title and 3rd doubles title. She is huge in Mexico. In this age of social media, Longoria has 137k Twitter followers. 137,000! In comparison, the LPRT has 1,600 Twitter followers, and the IRT 800. The Central American and Caribbean Games were in Veracruz, Mexico, and the media scrums for her were astounding. Larger than anything you've ever seen at a US Open; there could have been more media on one Veracruz day than at ALL the US Opens we've been at. It's incredible. The LPRT is benefitting from this with big money tournaments in Mexico, which is great. If they could figure out how to transfer that over to the rest of the tour - and perhaps to racquetball in general, we'll all be better off.

There are several things to look forward to in 2015, highlighted by the 2015 Pan American Games in July in Toronto. It's the largest multi-sport competition that racquetball is a part of, and the largest multi-sport competition outside of the summer Olympic Games. Longoria and Carson are the defending champions in Women's and Men's Singles, respectively, with Longoria and Salas the defending champions in Women's Doubles and Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno the defending Men's Doubles champions.

Follow the bouncing ball....

IRT Rankings December 15, 2014 - De La Rosa #4

The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) has updated its rankings after last weekend's New Jersey Open, where Daniel De La Rosa won for the first time in his career. The win moves De La Rosa up to 4th in the rankings, ahead of Jose Rojas, who's now 5th.

The top three remain the same: Kane Waselenchuk is 1st despite missing three of the last four events due to injury; Rocky Carson is solidly 2nd, as he's won three of the last four IRT events, and Alvaro Beltran, runner up in four of the last five events is 3rd.

De La Rosa being 4th is significant, as the IRT's top four players are seeded into the top four spots, but the next four players can be shuffled depending on the event. Thus, the 4th ranked player won't necessarily play the 5th ranked player in the quarterfinals (assuming they win their Round of 16 matches).

Also significantly Marco Rojas has moved up to the 8th spot, ahead of Jansen Allen in 9th and Tony Carson in 10th. The top eight players are seeded into the Round of 16, so being in that group is important.

IRT Rankings - December 15, 2014

Rank - Player - Country - Points

1 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 3870
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 3512
3 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 3122
4 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 2136
5 Jose ROJAS (USA) 2044

6 Ben CROFT (USA) 1832
7 Chris CROWTHER (USA) 1648
8 Marco ROJAS (USA) 1640
9 Jansen ALLEN (USA) 1592
10 Tony CARSON (USA) 1530

11 Charlie PRATT (USA) 1414
12 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 1141
13 Jose DIAZ (USA) 738
14 Danny LAVELY (USA) 615
15 Matthew MAJXNER (USA) 574

16 David HORN (USA) 556
17 Cliff SWAIN (USA) 513
18 Tom FUHRMAN (USA) 431
19 Hiroshi SHIMIZU (Japan) 423
20 Robert COLLINS (USA) 400

Follow the bouncing ball....

LPRT Rankings December 15, 2014 - Key cracks top 10 for first time

Maria Jose Vargas won her first Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) tournament on the weekend, and that further solidified her position as the LPRT's #2 player, behind #1 Paola Longoria and ahead of #3 Rhonda Rajsich.

Samantha Salas is back up to #4, with Frédérique Lambert in the 5th spot. Six, seven and eight are unchanged: Cristina Amaya, Cheryl Gudinas and Da'monique Davis, respectively.

Michelle Key cracks the top 10 for the first time in her career, as she's the 9th ranked player ahead of veteran left-hander Susana Acosta in 10th.

In the next 10, young players Alexandra Herrera and Maria Renee Rodriguez have cracked the top 20 for the first time. Herrera is 17th and Rodriguez is 20th.

The LPRT will begin the new year in Cincinnati with the Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am January 23-25, 2015.

LPRT Rankings - December 15, 2014

Rank - Name - Country - Points

1 Paola Longoria (Mexico) 2850.00
2 Maria Jose Vargas (Bolivia) 1844.00
3 Rhonda Rajsich (USA) 1675.48
4 Samantha Salas (Mexico) 823.00
5 Frédérique Lambert (Canada) 763.50

6 Cristina Amaya (Colombia) 705.50
7 Cheryl Gudinas (USA) 543.50
8 Da'monique Davis (USA) 490.25
9 Michelle Key (USA) 488.55
10 Susana Acosta (Mexico) 434.50

11 Veronica Sotomayor (Ecuador) 417.00
12 Sofia Rascon (Mexico) 411.00
13 Sheryl Lotts (USA) 352.50
14 Aubrey Kirch (USA) 352.00
15 Adrienne Haynes (USA) 274.25

16 Jessica Parrilla (Mexico) 263.94
17 Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) 253.00
18 Carla Muñoz (Chile) 248.50
19 Maria Paz Muñoz (Ecuador) 195.00
20 Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala) 180.25

Follow the bouncing ball....

Weekend Round Up - Wins for Acosta & Iwaasa

Susana Acosta and Coby Iwaasa won Women's and Men's Open titles, respectively, on the weekend. Acosta won the Women's Open title at the 23rd Annual Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia, as she defeated Da'monique Davis in the final, 15-8, 15-4.

In the semi-finals, Acosta beat Adrienne Haynes, 15-13, 15-2, and Davis defeated Jessica Parrilla, 15-10, 14-15, 11-3. It's a good win for Acosta, who's had poor results on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) so far this season.

Iwaasa beat Maurcio Zelada, 15-11, 15-14, to take the Men's Open title at the New Jersey Open in Warren, New Jersey. He defeated Danny Lavely, 12-15, 15-6, 11-4, in one semi-final, while Zelada beat Thomas Carter, 15-12, 12-15, 11-8, in the other.

Also in New Jersey, Jake Bredenbeck went 1 for 2 in doubles finals. He and Sebastian Franco won Men's Open by defeating Jose Daniel Alvarez and Fernando Rios, 15-8, 15-13, in the final, but he and Elizabeth Simmons lost the Mixed Open final to Aimee Ruiz and Charlie Pratt, 15-5, 15-5.

Ruiz also won the Women's Open title by defeating Jean Halahan, 15-5, 12-15, 11-5, in the final.

23rd Annual LPRT Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia

Women's Open

Final

Susan Acosta d. Da'monique Davis, 15-8, 15-4

Semi-finals

Susan Acosta d. Adrienne Haynes, 15-13, 15-2
Da'monique Davis d. Jessica Parrilla, 15-10, 14-15, 11-3

Quarterfinals

Susan Acosta d. Phyllis Morris, 15-5, 15-4
Adrienne Haynes d. Kimberly Thomas, 15-14, 15-4
Jessica Parrilla d. Carla Muñoz, 13-15, 15-14, 11-10
Da'monique Davis d. Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-10, 12-15, 11-9

2014 New Jersey Open
Warren, New Jersey

Men's Open Singles

Final

Coby Iwaasa d. Mauricio Zelada, 15-11, 15-14

Semi-finals

Coby Iwaasa d. Danny Lavely, 12-15, 15-6, 11-4
Mauricio Zelada d. Thomas Carter, 15-12, 12-15, 11-8

Men's Open Doubles

Final

Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco d. Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios, 15-8, 15-13

Semi-finals

Jose Daniel Alvarez & Fernando Rios d. Jonathan Clay & Sean Klingaman, 15-7, 15-14
Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco d. Tim Landeryou & Danny Lavely, 14-15, 15-13, 11-4

Women's Open Singles

Final

Aimee Ruiz d. Jean Halahan, 15-5, 12-15, 11-5

Semi-finals

Aimee Ruiz d. Samantha Simmons, 15-9, 15-4
Jean Halahan d. Elizabeth Simmons, 15-7, 15-5

Mixed Open Doubles

Final

Aimee Ruiz & Charlie Pratt d. Elizabeth Simmons & Jake Bredenbeck, 15-5, 15-5

Semi-finals

Aimee Ruiz & Charlie Pratt d. Jean Halahan & David Barnes, 15-5, 15-2
Elizabeth Simmons & Jake Bredenbeck d. Samantha Simmons & Sebastian Franco, 13-15, 15-7, 11-10

Follow the bouncing ball….

Vargas wins 1st LPRT title at 23rd Annual Christmas Classic

Maria Jose Vargas won her first Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) title Sunday by defeating Rhonda Rajsich, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7, 13-11, in the final 23rd Annual Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia. Vargas is the LPRT's #2 ranked player, but was the top seed in Virginia, as LPRT #1 player Paola Longoria was absent, attending a friend's wedding.

Vargas was playing in a final as the top seed for the first time Sunday, and early on it seemed that spotlight was too much for her, as Rajsich controlled game one and led early in game two leading 4-1.

But Vargas took a timeout, and then came back and scored nine unanswered points to go up 10-4. However, Rajsich dug in, and Vargas didn't win game two until her sixth game point.

In game three, Rajsich led early, 3-1, but Vargas again put together a string of unanswered points to lead 8-3. Vargas went on to win that game, but not quickly, as it took 24 rallies to get it done, 11-7.

Game four was close all the way. After being tied 7-7, Rajsich took a two point lead, 9-7. Vargas replied with two points of her own to make it 9-9. But Rajsich got two game point chances - at 10-9 and 11-10 - to force a fifth game tie-breaker, yet she couldn't convert either.

That opened the door for Vargas, who this time took full advantage scoring three straight points to win it 13-11 with the winner coming on a forehand kill shot down the right side.

With the win, Vargas becomes the 25th player to win a women's pro tournament (according to our records). She's joins a list of one time winners that includes Samantha Salas, Angela Grisar and Kristen Bellows. But at only 21 years old, it seems likely that she'll win more than one.

Rajsich and Vargas teamed up to win the doubles final against Alexandrea Herrera and Salas, 11-15, 15-7, 11-7.

The LPRT's first tournament of 2015 will be the Mercedes-Benz of Cincinnati Pro-Am in Cincinnati, Ohio January 23-25.

23rd Annual LPRT Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia

Final

1) Maria Jose Vargas v. 2) Rhonda Rajsich, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7, 13-11

Doubles - Final

1) Rhonda Rajsich & Maria Jose Vargas d. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas, 11-15, 15-7, 11-7

Follow the bouncing ball….

Vargas & Rajsich to meet in final of 23rd Christmas Classic

Number 1 will play number 2 Sunday in the final of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 23rd Annual Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia, as top seed Maria Jose Vargas and 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich won their respective semi-final matches. One of them could be a double winner Sunday, as they are a doubles team and in that final also.

Vargas had an easier time of it in the singles semi-finals, as she beat Alexandra Herrera, the current U18 World Junior champion, in three straight games, 11-7, 11-1, 11-1. But Rajsich needed five games to fend off 3rd seed Samantha Salas, 11-9, 8-11, 4-11, 11-2, 11-4.

If Vargas wins on Sunday, it will be her first pro tournament win.

Rajsich and Vargas almost did make the doubles final, as they were pushed to a tie-breaker by the young team of Michelle Key and Maria Renee Rodriguez. Key and Rodriguez were actually up 14-8 in game one, but lost it 15-14. But they responded by winning game two, 15-13 to force a tie-breaker.

However, in the breaker Rajsich and Vargas went up 8-0, and while Key and Rodriguez made it interesting by cutting the deficit to 9-5, the end was not in doubt, as Rajsich and Vargas won by a final score line of 15-14, 13-15, 11-5.

Live streaming of the singles final will be Sunday at 11 AM with the doubles final to follow immediately after that.

23rd Annual LPRT Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia

Semi-finals

1) Maria Jose Vargas d. 13) Alexandra Herrera, 11-7, 11-1, 11-1
2) Rhonda Rajsich d. 3) Samantha Salas, 11-9, 8-11, 4-11, 11-2, 11-4

Final

1) Maria Jose Vargas v. 2) Rhonda Rajsich - 11 AM EST Sunday

Doubles - Semi-finals

1) Rhonda Rajsich & Maria Jose Vargas d. 4) Michelle Key & Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-14, 13-15, 11-5
2) Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas d. 3) Susana Acosta & Jessica Parrilla, 15-4, 15-7

Doubles - Final

1) Rhonda Rajsich & Maria Jose Vargas v. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas - Noon EST Sunday

Follow the bouncing ball….

De La Rosa wins 2014 IRT New Jersey Open

Daniel De La Rosa has added his name to the list of winners on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), as he defeated fellow Mexican Alvaro Beltran, 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 12-10, to win the 2014 New Jersey Open in Warren, New Jersey. De La Rosa becomes only the second Mexican player to win an IRT event, joining Beltran.

Game one was all De La Rosa, as he went out to a 10-2 lead, and won it with a drive serve ace to the left side - Beltran's backhand.

Beltran responded well in game two, taking a 6-0 lead. But De La Rosa came back to make it 6-5. Then Beltran took an injury timeout with the speculation that he had tweaked his back. He came out and finished game two, but didn't score another point, as De La Rosa won it 11-6.

Beltran wasn't moving well at the start of game three, yet De La Rosa wasn't taking advantage of that. He led at 5-2, but it took 20 rallies to get there.

From there, Beltran scored five straight points to lead 7-5. De La Rosa tied it at 7-7, and they were also tied at 8-8 and 9-9. But it was Beltran who scored the last two points to win 11-9 and force a fourth game.

In game four, they were back and forth. But after being tied at 7-7, De La Rosa got three straight points to have his first match point at 10-7. Beltran fought that off with a backhand cross court serve return, and then scored two points to make it 10-9.

But De La Rosa got a side out for his second match point chance. He drove serve to the left, which is what De La Rosa did in most of the match, and Beltran hit a backhand pinch shot to get the serve back.

However, Beltran skipped a shot on the next rally, which gave De La Rosa his third match point opportunity. De La Rosa drove serve to the right, but Beltran hit a winning forehand return down the line.

On the next rally, De La Rosa skipped a forehand shot, which tied the game at 10-10. Then Beltran returned the favour with a skip, so De La Rosa got the serve back.

De La Rosa hit a short drive serve to the right, and followed that with a lob to the left, which started a long rally that he ended with a forehand down the line. Beltran dove for it, but couldn't reach it.

On his fourth match point, De La Rosa hit a lob to the left on first serve - one of the few times he'd lobbed first in the match. But it was such a good serve that Beltran had to resort to returning it into the back wall. Then De La Rosa hit a strange off speed backhand that seemed like it skipped based by the sound of it, but the referee called it good.

Thus, De La Rosa is the 35th player to win an IRT tournament. He's now been in two finals, both against Beltran, and is 1-1 in them. Overall, De La Rasa is now 2-5 against Beltran.

De La Rosa is 21 years and five month old. Of the active players, he's got his first win younger than any of them, except Kane Waselenchuk. Jose Rojas was also 21, but almost 22 when he won his first tournament.

Compared to some multiple tournament winners, Cliff Swain (18), Sudsy Monchik (19) and Jack Huczek (19) were all younger when they first won, but Jason Mannino (22) and Rocky Carson (23) were older.

The IRT will begin 2015 with back to back tournaments. The Catus Salon New York City Pro-Am will begin the year January 15-18 in Syosset, New York, and the next week they'll be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the Lewis Drug Pro-Am January 22-25.

New Jersey Open
Warren, New Jersey - December 11-13, 2014

Final (with seeding)

4. Daniel De La Rosa d. 2. Alvaro Beltran, 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 12-10

Follow the bouncing ball…

All Mexico final at 2014 IRT New Jersey Open

For the second time in International Racquetball Tour (IRT) history there will be an all Mexican final, as Alvaro Beltran and Daniel De La Rosa won their respective semi-finals at the New Jersey Open in Warren, New Jersey. Beltran and De La Rosa were also in the 1st all Mexico IRT final, last year's Red Swain final, which was won by Beltran.

Beltran won his semi-final in three straight games against Charlie Pratt, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5. They were close in games one and two, and Pratt actually led in game one at 6-5. But he wasn't able to score late against Beltran, who won the third game comfortably after going out to a 10-2 lead.

De La Rosa knocked off the top seed Rocky Carson in four games, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6. De La Rosa's results have been inconsistent this season, but he was in complete control versus Carson, who was fortunate to win a game.

De La Rosa was up 10-4 in game one before Carson came back to tie it at 10-10, but De La Rosa managed to finish it. They were close also in game two with ties at 5, 7 and 9. Carson got his 10th point when De La Rosa slipped in the back court, and then won game two with a pass down the left side that De La Rosa dove for, but could not reach.

In game three, De La Rosa went out to a 9-3 lead, and didn't look back. Similarly in game four, he led 7-1, and Carson didn't get closer than four points back before De La Rosa won it.

Beltran is 5-1 versus De La Rosa on tour, and curiously, De La Rosa's win was in their first meeting in 2013. Most recently, Beltran beat De La Rosa this season in St. Louis in three straight games.

The IRT Network will have the final live from 7 PM EST Saturday night.

New Jersey Open
Warren, New Jersey - December 11-13, 2014

Semi-finals (with seeding)

4. Daniel De La Rosa d. 1. Rocky Carson, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6
2. Alvaro Beltran d. 6. Charlie Pratt, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5

Final

2. Alvaro Beltran v. 4. Daniel De La Rosa

Follow the bouncing ball…

Herrera makes 1st semi-final at 2014 LPRT Christmas Classic

Alexandra Herrera upset veteran and former #1 Cheryl Gudinas, 11-8, 11-2, 3-11, 12-10, in the quarterfinals of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 23rd Annual LPRT Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia Saturday to reach her first ever semi-final. The U18 World Junior champion, Herrera will play top seed Maria Jose Vargas in the semis, as Vargas was a straight game winner against Michelle Key, 11-4, 11-0, 11-5.

Neither Herrera or Vargas have won pro events before, so one of them will have a chance to win her first on Sunday.

On the other side of the draw, 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich will face off with 3rd seed Samantha Salas, and both of them have won pro events before. Rajsich many times, including in October, and Salas once in 2010.

Rajsich defeated Jessica Parrilla in the quarters, 11-5, 11-13, 11-3, 11-3, while Salas beat Da'monique Davis, 11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 11-8.

In doubles, 4th seeds Michelle Key and Maria Renee Rodriguez beat 5th seeds Sheryl Lotts and Kim Thomas in a tie-breaker, 11-8. Lotts and Thomas (née Irons) fought off two match points at 10-8, but they couldn't get a point themselves. Then Lotts skipped a serve return, as Rodriguez hit a lob z serve to her; they were both playing the right side.

Live streaming of the singles semi-finals at 5 PM and 6 PM EST Saturday with the doubles semi-finals to follow at 7 PM and 8 PM EST. The final will be Sunday at 11 AM.

23rd Annual LPRT Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia

Quarterfinals

1) Maria Jose Vargas d. 8) Michelle Key, 11-4, 11-0, 11-5
13) Alexandra Herrera d. 5) Cheryl Gudinas, 11-8, 11-2, 3-11, 12-10

3) Samantha Salas d. 6) Da'monique Davis, 11-5, 5-11, 11-5, 11-8
2) Rhonda Rajsich d. 10) Jessica Parrilla, 11-5, 11-13, 11-3, 11-3

Semi-finals

1) Maria Jose Vargas v. 13) Alexandra Herrera
2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 3) Samantha Salas

Doubles

1) Rhonda Rajsich & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
4) Michelle Key & Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Kim Thomas, 7-15, 15-6, 11-8

3) Susana Acosta & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
2) Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

2014 LPRT Christmas Classic Round of 16

Young Mexicans Alexandra Herrera and Jessica Parrilla were the upset winners in the Round of 16 at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 23rd Annual LPRT Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia Friday. Herrera knocked off the 4th seed Cristina Amaya in three straight games, 11-6, 11-8, 11-1, while Parrilla defeated 7th seed Susana Acosta, 4-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-7.

Herrera's win sets up a young versus not so young match, as she'll play the veteran and former #1 Cheryl Gudinas, who's more than twice Herrera's age. Gudinas beat Carla Muñoz, 11-5, 11-4, 11-3, in the 16s.

Parrilla's next opponent will be 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich, who was a winner over Mary Kirchoff, 11-3, 11-2, 11-0. Parrilla beat Rajsich a couple of weeks ago in a non-LPRT event in Monterrey, Mexico, so she should have some confidence going up against the former #1 on Saturday.

Live streaming of the quarterfinals will begin at 11 AM EST Saturday with the semi-finals to follow at 5 PM and 6 PM EST. The final will be Sunday at 11 AM.

23rd Annual LPRT Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia

Round of 16

1) Maria Jose Vargas d. 16) Kimberly Thomas, 11-4, 11-2, 11-6
8) Michelle Key d. 9) Sheryl Lotts, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-6

5) Cheryl Gudinas d. 12) Carla Muñoz, 11-5, 11-4, 11-3
13) Alexandra Herrera d. 4) Cristina Amaya, 11-6, 11-8, 11-1

3) Samantha Salas d. 14) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-4, 11-6, 11-3
6) Da'monique Davis d. 11) Adrienne Haynes, 7-11, 11-6, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8

10) Jessica Parrilla d. 7) Susana Acosta, 4-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-7
2) Rhonda Rajsich d. 18) Mary Kirchoff, 11-3, 11-2, 11-0

Quarterfinals

1) Maria Jose Vargas v. 8) Michelle Key
5) Cheryl Gudinas v. 13) Alexandra Herrera

3) Samantha Salas v. 6) Da'monique Davis
2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 10) Jessica Parrilla

Follow the bouncing ball….

2014 IRT New Jersey Open - Quarterfinals

Charlie Pratt is the surprise semi-finalist at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) New Jersey Open in Warren, New Jersey taking out 3rd seed Jose Rojas, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-3, in the quarterfinals on Friday. He'll play in just his second career semi-final on Saturday against 2nd seed Alvaro Beltran.

Alvaro Beltran won the first quarterfinal versus Ben Croft in straight games, 11-2, 12-10, 11-7. He'll play the winner of Jose Rojas and Charlie Pratt in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

But late in game three, Beltran objected to three calls in quick succession with increasing fervour, and we're not sure how he didn't receive at least one technical during those tirades. If Croft had done that he may well have gotten a technical, given his history of objecting to referee decisions. Did Beltran get off lightly there?

To be clear, we like Beltran, and he's generally well behaved on court, often joking. But that doesn't excuse going over the top - repeatedly - after a referee makes a call. And prior to Beltran's outburst he hit a backhand down the line that on video seemed to be a clear skip, but it was called good. Croft questioned it slightly, but didn't make a big deal of it. However, they were still close at that point, and if Croft had won that rally, the outcome of the game may have been different.

Refereeing racquetball is difficult, and the situation is not helped by players making a huge objections to referee's calls. Contrary to what they may believe just because they think the referee has made an error doesn't mean the referee actually made an error.

On the top half of the draw, top seed Rocky Carson had a comfortable win over Alejandro Landa, 11-1, 11-3, 11-7, and he'll play Daniel De La Rosa in the semi-finals, as De La Rosa took out Jansen Allen in four games, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5.

Allen was close in each of the games he lost with the score 6-5 in De La Rosa's favour in each one. But De La Rosa put on that little run of points that was the difference. In game three, Allen had a response, and tied that game at 9-9, but he didn't get any more than that. In games two and four, Allen didn't have a response.

The IRT Network will have the semi-final action beginning at 11 AM and noon with the final at 7 PM Saturday night.

New Jersey Open
Warren, New Jersey - December 11-13, 2014

Quarterfinals (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson d. Alejandro Landa, 11-1, 11-3, 11-7
4. Daniel De La Rosa d. 5. Jansen Allen, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5

6. Charlie Pratt d. 3. Jose Rojas, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-3
2. Alvaro Beltran d. 7. Ben Croft, 11-1, 12-10, 11-7

Semi-finals

1. Rocky Carson v. 4. Daniel De La Rosa
2. Alvaro Beltran v. 6. Charlie Pratt

Follow the bouncing ball…

2014 LPRT Christmas Classic - Round of 32

Only a few matches in the Round of 32 at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 23rd Annual LPRT Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia. In a slight upset, 18th seed Mary Kirchoff defeated 15th seed T.J. Baumbaugh, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7. Kirchoff will play 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich in the Round of 16 later on Friday.

There should be live streaming of Round of 16 matches from Arlington beginning from 4 PM EST on Friday.

23rd Annual LPRT Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia

Round of 32

1) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
16) Kimberly Thomas d. 17) Phyllis Morris, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3

9) Sheryl Lotts - BYE
8) Michelle Key - BYE

5) Cheryl Gudinas - BYE
12) Carla Muñoz - BYE

13) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
4) Cristina Amaya - BYE

3) Samantha Salas - BYE
14) Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 19) Robin Whitmire, 11-8, 11-4, 11-2

11) Adrienne Haynes - BYE
6) Da'monique Davis - BYE

7) Susana Acosta - BYE
10) Jessica Parrilla - BYE

18) Mary Kirchoff d. 15) T.J. Baumbaugh, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7
2) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE

Round of 16

1) Maria Jose Vargas v. 16) Kimberly Thomas
8) Michelle Key v. 9) Sheryl Lotts

5) Cheryl Gudinas v. 12) Carla Muñoz
4) Cristina Amaya v. 13) Alexandra Herrera

3) Samantha Salas v. 14) Maria Renee Rodriguez
6) Da'monique Davis v. 11) Adrienne Haynes

7) Susana Acosta v. 10) Jessica Parrilla
2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 18) Mary Kirchoff

Follow the bouncing ball….

2014 IRT New Jersey Open Round of 16

Alejandro Landa was the only upset winner in the Round of 16 at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) New Jersey Open in Warren, New Jersey, but that's not a big upset, as he was the 9th seed and defeated 8th seed Marco Rojas, 11-4, 8-11, 11-5, 11-8. Landa will play top seed Rocky Carson in the quarterfinals, as Carson beat Coby Iwaasa, 11-3, 11-2, 11-4, in the 16s.

One match in the 16 went tie-breaker, which was between 5th seed Jansen Allen and Jake Bredenbeck. Bredenbeck got up 2-1 on Allen, but Allen came back and won it in five games, 12-10, 9-11, 2-11, 11-8, 11-7, to set up a match with Daniel De La Rosa, who was a straight game winner over Fernando Rios, 11-5, 11-6, 11-4.

The IRT Network will have the quarterfinal action beginning at 4 PM EST Friday afternoon.

New Jersey Open
Warren, New Jersey - December 11-13, 2014

Round of 16 - Friday (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson d. Coby Iwaasa, 11-3, 11-2, 11-4
Alejandro Landa d. 8. Marco Rojas, 11-4, 8-11, 11-5, 11-8

5. Jansen Allen d. Jake Bredenbeck, 12-10, 9-11, 2-11, 11-8, 11-7
4. Daniel De La Rosa d. Fernando Rios, 11-5, 11-6, 11-4

3. Jose Rojas d. Jose Daniel Ugalde, 11-5, 11-9, 11-1
6. Charlie Pratt d. Jose Daniel Alvarez, 11-7, 11-1, 11-8

7. Ben Croft d. Jose Diaz, 11-4, 11-8, 11-1
2. Alvaro Beltran d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-8, 11-4, 11-5

Quarterfinals

1. Rocky Carson v. Alejandro Landa
4. Daniel De La Rosa v. 5. Jansen Allen

3. Jose Rojas v. 6. Charlie Pratt
2. Alvaro Beltran v. 7. Ben Croft

Follow the bouncing ball…

Qualifying results from IRT New Jersey Open

No real surprises from the qualifying rounds of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) New Jersey Open in Warren, New Jersey, but some close matches, including Jose Diaz with a four game win over Joseph Palazzo, 11-9, 13-11, 9-11, 11-7. Diaz will play Ben Croft in the Round of 16 on Friday.

Coby Iwaasa also needed four games to defeat Sebastian Franco, 11-4, 11-8, 6-11, 11-3. But Jose Daniel Ugalde beat Tim Landeryou in three straight games, 12-10, 11-4, 11-4. Iwaasa will play Rocky Carson and Ugalde Jose Rojas on Friday.

Jake Bredenbeck got out of the all-American bracket of the draw, although his win over Danny Lavely was by default. Nonetheless, Bredenbeck will face Jansen Allen in the 16s.

The IRT Network should have action live from Warren beginning with Round of 16 from 10 AM EST Friday morning.

New Jersey Open
Warren, New Jersey - December 11-13, 2014

Qualifying Round 1

Jonathan Clay d. Mitch Posner, 11-0, 11-4, 11-8
Jake Bredenbeck d. Jeremy Best, 11-7, 11-6, 11-2
Fernando Rios d. Toby Devore, forfeit

Jose Daniel Alvarez d. Abraham Cardenas, 11-9, 11-2, 12-10
Joseph Palazzo d. Sean Klingaman, 11-3, 11-5, 11-7

Qualifying Round 2

Q8: Coby Iwaasa d. Sebastian Franco, 11-4, 11-8, 6-11, 11-3
Q1: Alejandro Landa v. Jonathan Clay, 11-6, 11-1, 11-0

Q4: Jake Bredenbeck d. Danny Lavely, forfeit
Q5: Fernando Rios d. Robert Collins, 11-6, 11-2, 11- 1

Q6: Jose Daniel Ugalde d. Tim Landeryou, 12-10, 11-4, 11-4
Q3: Jose Daniel Alvarez d. Matthew Majxner, forfeit

Q2: Jose Diaz d. Joseph Palazzo, 11-9, 13-11, 9-11, 11-7
Q7: Mauricio Zelada d. Thomas Carter, 11-3, 11-9, 11-4

Round of 16 - Friday (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson v. Coby Iwaasa
8. Marco Rojas v. Alejandro Landa

5. Jansen Allen v. Jake Bredenbeck
4. Daniel De La Rosa v. Fernando Rios

3. Jose Rojas v. Jose Daniel Ugalde
6. Charlie Pratt v. Jose Daniel Alvarez

7. Ben Croft v. Jose Diaz
2. Alvaro Beltran v. Mauricio Zelada

Follow the bouncing ball…

2014 IRT New Jersey Open Preview

The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) ends the 2014 calendar year with the New Jersey Open in Warren, New Jersey this weekend. Unfortunately, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk isn't fit to play, although he hopes to be back for the New York City Pro-Am, which will be the first IRT event of 2015 (no California Open in 2015). Nevertheless, there will be several quality matches in New Jersey.

That quality should start in the qualifying rounds, as there are two matches with players who have represented their countries facing off for spots in the Round of 16. In one, Canadian Coby Iwaasa and Colombian Sebastian Franco will face off with the winner to play IRT #2 Rocky Carson, who is the top seed this weekend. In the other, Canadian Tim Landeryou and Ecuadoran Jose Daniel Ugalde play for a chance to meet IRT #4 Jose Rojas on Friday.

In an all-American bracket of the draw, Danny Lavely will likely take on Jake Bredenbeck tonight with the winner to face Jansen Allen in the 16s.

In Waselenchuk's absence, Carson has to be the favourite to add to his tournament title count. But it's an opportunity for all the other players, like Rojas, Alvaro Beltran, Daniel De La Rosa, and Ben Croft to step up an take a title. Of those players, only Jose Rojas has won more than once, and he's only done it twice. De La Rosa is still looking for his first IRT title.

The IRT Network will have action live from Warren from Friday morning. Also note that the final will be Saturday night at 7 PM EST. The semi-finals will be 11 AM and noon on Saturday.

New Jersey Open
Warren, New Jersey - December 11-13, 2014

Qualifying Round 1

Mitch Posner v. Jonathan Clay
Jake Bredenbeck v. Jeremy Best
Fernando Rios v. Toby Devore

Jose Daniel Alvarez v. Abraham Cardenas
Sean Klingaman v. Joseph Palazzo

Qualifying Round 2

Q8: Coby Iwaasa v. Sebastian Franco
Q1: Alejandro Landa v. Mitch Posner or Jonathan Clay

Q4: Danny Lavely v. Jake Bredenbeck or Jeremy Best
Q5: Robert Collins v. Fernando Rios or Toby Devore

Q6: Tim Landeryou v. Jose Daniel Ugalde
Q3: Matthew Majxner v. Jose Daniel Alvarez or Abraham Cardenas

Q2: Jose Diaz v. Sean Klingaman or Joseph Palazzo
Q7: Mauricio Zelada v. Thomas Carter

Round of 16 - Friday (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson v. Q8
8. Marco Rojas v. Q1

5. Jansen Allen v. Q4
4. Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5

3. Jose Rojas v. Q6
6. Charlie Pratt v. Q3

7. Ben Croft v. Q2
2. Alvaro Beltran v. Q7

Follow the bouncing ball…

LPRT 23rd Annual Christmas Classic Preview

The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) are in action again this weekend with the second of back to back tournaments: the 23rd Annual LPRT Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia. The draw in Arlington is smaller, as 19 players are competing for the title, and also notable is that Paola Longoria, the LPRT #1 player, will not be there.

This opens up an opportunity for Maria Jose Vargas, the LPRT's #2 player, to win her first pro tournament. But she'll likely have to face either #3 Rhonda Rajsich or #4 Samantha Salas in the final, both of those players have won pro events, although Salas has only won once on tour.

There will also be a few doubles matches, as there is a small doubles draw with Vargas and Rajsich teaming up as the top seeds. The bottom of the draw will have a match up of two Mexican lefty-righty teams in Alexandra Herrera and Samantha Salas versus Susana Acosta and Jessica Parrilla.

Matches begin Friday morning with the Round of 32, and then the Round of 16 will be early Friday evening. There should be live streaming of matches from Arlington beginning with the quarterfinals at 11 AM EST on Saturday, the semi-finals at 5 PM and 6 PM EST, and the final at 11 AM EST on Sunday.

23rd Annual LPRT Christmas Classic
Arlington, Virginia

Round of 32

1) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
16) Kimberly Thomas v. 17) Phyllis Morris

9) Sheryl Lotts - BYE
8) Michelle Key - BYE

5) Cheryl Gudinas - BYE
12) Carla Muñoz - BYE

13) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
4) Cristina Amaya - BYE

3) Samantha Salas - BYE
14) Maria Renee Rodriguez v. 19) Robin Whitmire

11) Adrienne Haynes - BYE
6) Da'monique Davis - BYE

7) Susana Acosta - BYE
10) Jessica Parrilla - BYE

15) T.J. Baumbaugh v. 18) Mary Kirchoff
2) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE

Doubles

1) Rhonda Rajsich & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
4) Michelle Key & Maria Renee Rodriguez v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Kim Thomas

3) Susana Acosta & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
2) Alexandra Herrera & Samantha Salas - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

Weekend Round Up

This past weekend's Kitsap Splat! tournament in Bremerton, Washington was going to be a Tier 1 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) event, but ended up being a Tier 3 event. Nonetheless, several of the top 10 players made the trip to Washington, where Rocky Carson defeated Alvaro Beltran, 11-2, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-2, to win the title.

Carson beat Ben Croft in one semi-final, 11-8, 6-11, 11-2, 11-8, while Beltran defeated Jose Rojas, 5-11, 11-1, 11-9, 11-1, in the other.

The doubles title in Bremerton was won by Greg Starodub and Jake Birnel, who defeated Tanner Mattson & Anthony Schonberger, 8-15, 15-5, 11-7, in the final.

In the semis, Starodub and Birnel beat A. C. Bates and Jorge Carlos Thomas, 15-10, 15-6, while Mattson and Schonberger defeated Wayne Antone and Rocco Vega by the narrowest of margins: 15-14, 15-14.

Women's Open

Jessica Parrilla won the Women's Open division at the Paola Longoria Invitational in Monterrey, Mexico. Parrilla won the title match by forfeit over Sofia Rascon. In the semi-finals, Parrilla defeated Susana Acosta, 15-2, 15-14, and Rascon beat Alexandra Herrera, 15-12, 2-15, 11-4.

This will be another busy weekend for racquetball, as the LPRT will be in action in Arlington, Virginia with the Christmas Classic, and the IRT will be nearby in Warren, New Jersey with the New Jersey Open.

2014 Kitsap Splat! - IRT Tier 3
Bremerton, Washington

Singles Final

Rocky Carson d. Alvaro Beltran, 11-2, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-2

Semi-finals

Rocky Carson d. Ben Croft, 11-8, 6-11, 11-2, 11-8
Alvaro Beltran d. Jose Rojas, 5-11, 11-1, 11-9, 11-1

Quarterfinals

Rocky Carson d. Greg Starodub, 11-4, 11-2, 11-3
Ben Croft d. Jake Birnel, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 8-11, 11-7
Jose Rojas d. Wayne Antone, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4
Alvaro Beltran d. Jeremy White, 11-1, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4

Doubles Final

Greg Starodub & Jake Birnel d. Tanner Mattson & Anthony Schonberger, 8-15, 15-5, 11-7

Semi-finals

Greg Starodub & Jake Birnel d. A. C. Bates & Jorge Carlos Thomas, 15-10, 15-6
Tanner Mattson & Anthony Schonberger d. Wayne Antone & Rocco Vega, 15-14, 15-14

2014 Paola Longoria Invitational
Monterrey, Mexico

Women's Open Final

Jessica Parrilla d. Sofia Rascon, forfeit

Semi-finals

Jessica Parrilla d. Susana Acosta, 15-2, 15-14
Sofia Rascon d. Alexandra Herrera, 15-12, 2-15, 11-4

Follow the bouncing ball….

Longoria hosts & wins in Monterrey

Paola Longoria invited the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) to Monterrey for the Paola Longoria Invitational, but was perhaps an imperfect host, as she won both singles and doubles on Sunday, and did so in straight games.

In singles, Longoria defeated Rhonda Rajsich, 11-4, 11-9, 11-5, and in doing may have started another winning streak. Longoria won every women's pro tournament she entered between May 2011 and October, when she lost to Rajsich.

In doubles, Longoria and Samantha Salas defeated Maria Paz Muñoz and Veronica Sotomayor, 15-10, 15-14, in the final. Longoria and Salas had a walkover win in the semi-finals against Michelle Key and Frédérique Lambert, while Muñoz and Sotomayor beat Rajsich and Maria Jose Vargas, 15-12, 4-15, 11-6.

The LPRT will be in action again this coming weekend with the Christmas Classic in Arlington, Virginia.

LPRT 2014 Paola Longoria Invitational
Monterrey, Mexico

LPRT Final

1) Paola Longoria v. 3) Rhonda Rajsich, 11-4, 11-9, 11-5

Doubles Semi-finals

5) Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor d. 1) Rhonda Rajsich & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-12, 4-15, 11-6
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert, forfeit

Doubles Final

2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 5) Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor, 15-10, 15-14

Follow the bouncing ball….

Cardona wins twice at WRT Alamo City Open

Alejandro Cardona did the double Sunday, as he won both the singles and doubles divisions at the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Alamo City Open in San Antonio, Texas. Cardona, the top seed in the event, narrowly defeated 2nd seed Jake Bredenbeck in the singles final, 15-12, 15-14.

In the doubles final, Cardona and Danny Lavely had a more comfortable win against Jaime Martell and Coby Iwaasa, winning 15-5, 15-8.

2014 WRT Alamo City Open
San Antonio, Texas

WRT Singles Final

1) Alejandro Cardona d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-12, 15-14

WRT Doubles Final

5) Alejandro Cardona & Danny Lavely d. 3) Coby Iwaasa & Jaime Martel, 15-5, 15-8

Follow the bouncing ball….

Cardona & Bredenbeck in WRT Alamo City Open final

The World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Alamo City Open in San Antonio, Texas is down to the finals, and Alejandro Cardona could do the double, as he's in the final of both singles and doubles with Danny Lavely.

Cardona is the top seed in singles, and he defeated Anthony Herrera in the semi-finals, 15-13, 15-7. In the other semi, Jake Bredenbeck beat Jaime Martell, 15-9, 15-5.

However, Martell and Coby Iwaasa denied Bredenbeck a chance at winning both singles and doubles, as they defeated Bredenbeck and Sebastian Franco in the doubles semi-finals, 15-13, 11-15, 11-4. Cardona and Lavely beat Herrera and David Horn, who were the top seeds, 15-8, 15-5, in the other semi-final.

The singles and doubles finals will go noon and 1 PM on Sunday, and can be viewed via the WRT website.

2014 WRT Alamo City Open
San Antonio, Texas

WRT Singles

Final

1) Alejandro Cardona v. 2) Jake Bredenbeck - noon CST Sunday

Semi-finals

1) Alejandro Cardona d. 4) Anthony Herrera, 15-13, 15-7
2) Jake Bredenbeck d. 6) Jaime Martell, 15-9, 15-5

Quarterfinals

1) Alejandro Cardona d. 9) Sebastian Franco, 15-13, 15-6
4) Anthony Herrera d. 5) Coby Iwaasa, 15-6, 15-3

6) Jaime Martell d. 3) David Horn, 15-4, 15-9
2) Jake Bredenbeck d. 7) Alex Almada, 15-9, 15-5

Round of 16

1) Alejandro Cardona d. 17) Joel Ernst, 15-1, 15-2
9) Sebastian Franco d. 8) Francisco Troncoso, 15-3, 15-12

5) Coby Iwaasa d. 12) Daeyong Kwon, 15-7, 15-12
4) Anthony Herrera d. 20) Charles Stanley, 15-6, 15-11

3) David Horn d. 19) Chase Robison, 8-15, 15-14, 11-5
6) Jaime Martell d. 11) Danny Lavely, 10-15, 15-14, 11-9

7) Alex Almada d. 23) Miguel Escobedo, 15-2, 15-3
2) Jake Bredenbeck d. 15) Eddie Sada, 15-2, 15-1

Round of 32

1) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
17) Joel Ernst d. 16) Arturo Burruel, 15-14, 15-14

9) Sebastian Franco d. 24) Jose Andrea Alvarez, 13-15, 15-7, 11-10
8) Francisco Troncoso d. 25) Cameron Young, 15-4, 15-7

5) Coby Iwaasa d. Alfred (sonny) Baca, 15-2, 15-0
12) Daeyong Kwon d. 21) Oscar Gutierrez, 15-9, 15-11

20) Charles Stanley d. 13) Rafael Filippini, 15-12, 15-13
4) Anthony Herrera d. 29) Julian Gonzalez, 15-2, 15-2

3) David Horn d. 30) Michael Crowe, 15-6, 15-2
19) Chase Robison d. 14) Sam Hojat, 15-9, 15-7

11) Danny Lavely d. 22) Bruce Robles, 15-8, 15-8
6) Jaime Martell d. 27) Cesar Delgado, 15-0, 15-1

7) Alex Almada d. 26) David Mendoza, 15-1, 15-2
23) Miguel Escobedo d. 10) Alexi David Cocco Hayes, 15-8, 13-15, 11-8

15) Eddie Sada d. 18) Kenny Green Jr., 14-15, 15-6, 11-5
2) Jake Bredenbeck d. 31) Nathan Riddle, 15-1, 15-1

WRT Doubles

Final

3) Coby Iwaasa & Jaime Martel v. 5) Alejandro Cardona & Danny Lavely - 1 PM CST Sunday

Semi-finals

5) Alejandro Cardona & Danny Lavely d. 1) Anthony Herrera & David Horn, 15-8, 15-5
3) Coby Iwaasa & Jaime Martel d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco, 15-13, 11-15, 11-4

Quarterfinals

1) Anthony Herrera & David Horn d. 8) Arturo Burruel & David Marrero, 15-13, 15-3
5) Alejandro Cardona & Danny Lavely d. 4) Alexi David Cocco Hayes & Francisco Troncoso, 15-3, 15-6

3) Coby Iwaasa & Jaime Martel d. 6) Alex Almada & Rafael Filippini, 15-13, 15-11
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco d. 7) Kenny Green Jr. & Chase Robison, 15-14, 15-11

Round of 16

1) Anthony Herrera & David Horn - BYE
8) Arturo Burruel & David Marrero d. 9) Joel Ernst & Charles Stanley, 15-13, 15-9

5) Alejandro Cardona & Danny Lavely d. 12) David Mendoza & Luis Molina, 15-1, 15-1
4) Alexi David Cocco Hayes & Francisco Troncoso d. 13) Tom Oaks & Luis Villarreal, 15-9, 15-9

3) Coby Iwaasa & Jaime Martel - BYE
6) Alex Almada & Rafael Filippini d. 11) Mike Cantu & Sam Hojat, 15-0, 15-5

7) Kenny Green Jr. & Chase Robison d. 10) Robert Cole & Miguel Escobedo, 15-11, 15-5
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sebastian Franco - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

Longoria & Rajsich rematch in final of LPRT Monterrey event

Paola Longoria and Rhonda Rajsich - perhaps the match up that everyone wanted to see - will face off in the final of the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Paola Longoria Invitational in Monterrey, Mexico on Sunday. It will be a rematch of the last LPRT final, which Rajsich won, thus ending Longoria's three and half year winning streak.

But the rematch almost didn't happen, as Maria Jose Vargas forced Rajsich to a tie-breaker after Rajsich had won the first two games of their semi-final match. However, the veteran American prevailed, 11-7, 11-9, 3-11, 9-11, 11-7.

Longoria had an easier time of it, as she beat fellow Mexican Samantha Salas, 11-9, 11-5, 11-2, in the other semi.

Perhaps ironically, both Rajsich and Vargas and Longoria and Salas are doubles partners in Monterrey. Rajsich and Vargas reached the semi-finals of the doubles draw with a win over Cristina Amaya and Alexandra Herrera, 5-15, 15-7, 11-8, while Longoria and Salas beat Da'monique Davis and Sharon Jackson, 15-9, 15-5.

The final will be live streamed from Monterrey at noon CST on Sunday.

LPRT 2014 Paola Longoria Invitational
Monterrey, Mexico

Singles - Quarterfinals

1) Paola Longoria d. 24) Lucia Gonzalez, 11-2, 11-0, 11-1
5) Samantha Salas d. 13) Veronica Sotomayor, 11-1, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5

3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 6) Cristina Amaya, 12-10, 11-7, 11-5
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 7) Cheryl Gudinas, 11-1, 11-0, 11-3

Semi-finals

1) Paola Longoria d. 5) Samantha Salas, 11-9, 11-5, 11-2
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 2) Maria Jose Vargas, 11-7, 11-9, 3-11, 9-11, 11-7

Final

1) Paola Longoria v. 3) Rhonda Rajsich - Noon CST

Doubles - Quarterfinals

1) Rhonda Rajsich & Maria Jose Vargas d. 9) Cristina Amaya & Alexandra Herrera, 5-15, 15-7, 11-8
5) Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor d. 4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Parrilla, 15-10, 15-10

3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert d. 6) Lucia Gonzalez & Sofia Rascon, 15-13, 14-15, 11-5
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 7) Da'monique Davis & Sharon Jackson, 15-9, 15-5

Semi-finals

1) Rhonda Rajsich & Maria Jose Vargas v. 5) Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor - 2 PM CST
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert - 1 PM CST

Follow the bouncing ball….

Gonzalez into quarters at LPRT Paola Longoria Invitational

Lucia Gonzalez got another upset at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Paola Longoria Invitational in Monterrey, Mexicao, in the Round of 16, Da'monique Davis, 11-4, 11-6, 4-11, 7-11, 11-0, to advance to the quarterfinals on Saturday, when she'll face the winner of top seed Paola Longoria and Adrienne Haynes.

The other upset in the 16s on Friday was by Veronica Sotomayor, who defeated 4th seed Frédérique Lambert in three straight games, 11-6, 11-3, 11-7. Sotomayor will face Samantha Salas in the quarters, as Salas beat Sheryl Lotts, 11-5, 11-5, 11-1, in the 16s.

Kimberly Thomas did not reach the quarterfinals, although she played a very close match with veteran Cheryl Gudinas, it was the former #1 who came out on top, 13-11, 12-10, 11-7. Gudinas will play 2nd seed Maria Jose Vargas, who beat Jessica Parrilla, 11-4, 11-5, 11-0.

There will be live streaming of matches from Monterrey beginning at 11 AM CST on Saturday and then again at noon CST on Sunday.

LPRT 2014 Paola Longoria Invitational
Monterrey, Mexico

Round of 16

1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Adrienne Haynes, 11-3, 11-5, 11-0
24) Lucia Gonzalez d. 8) Da'monique Davis, 11-4, 11-6, 4-11, 7-11, 11-0

5) Samantha Salas d. 12) Sheryl Lotts, 11-5, 11-5, 11-1
13) Veronica Sotomayor d. 4) Frédérique Lambert, 11-6, 11-3, 11-7

3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 19) Maria Paz Munoz, 11-2, 11-8, 11-9
6) Cristina Amaya d. 11) Michelle Key, 11-3, 11-6, 11-1

7) Cheryl Gudinas d. 23) Kimberly Thomas, 13-11, 12-10, 11-7
2) Maria Jose Vargas d. 15) Jessica Parrilla, 11-4, 11-5, 11-0

Quarterfinals

1) Paola Longoria v. 24) Lucia Gonzalez
5) Samantha Salas v. 13) Veronica Sotomayor

3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Cristina Amaya
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 7) Cheryl Gudinas

Doubles

1) Rhonda Rajsich & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
8) Sheryl Lotts & Kim Thomas v. 9) Cristina Amaya & Alexandra Herrera

5) Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor - BYE
4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Parrilla - BYE

3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
6) Lucia Gonzalez & Sofia Rascon v. 11) Kelly Gremley & Carolina Luque

7) Da'monique Davis & Sharon Jackson v. 10) T. J. Baumbaugh & Maria Renee Rodriguez
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

LPRT Paola Longoria Invitational - Round of 32

Kimberly Thomas (née Irons) had the first upset win at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Paola Longoria Invitational in Monterrey, Mexicao, as she defeated 10th seed Susana Acosta in the Round of 32, 11-2, 11-9, 1-11, 11-7. It's Thomas's second win against Acosta this season, as she beat her in San Luis Potosi in August.

Thomas will play Cheryl Gudinas in the Round of 16, as Gudinas beat Regina Franco, 11-1, 11-4, 11-3. Thomas and Gudinas also played in San Luis Potosi, where Thomas won to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in her career.

There was another upset in a battle of two young Mexican players, as 24th seed Lucia Gonzalez beat 9th seed Sofia Rascon, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 12-10. Gonzalez was the U18 silver medalist at World Juniors this year, and will face Da'monique Davis in the 16s later today.

Also, 19th seed Maria Paz Munoz defeated 14th seed Sharon Jackson, 8-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-7.

There will be live streaming of matches from Monterrey beginning at 11 AM CST on Saturday and then again at noon CST on Sunday.

LPRT 2014 Paola Longoria Invitational
Monterrey, Mexico

Round of 32

1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Adrienne Haynes d. 17) Carolina Luque, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8

24) Lucia Gonzalez d. 9) Sofia Rascon, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 12-10
8) Da'monique Davis d. 25) Monserrat Mejia, 11-9, 11-5, 11-2

5) Samantha Salas - BYE
12) Sheryl Lotts d. 21) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 10-12, 4-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-6

13) Veronica Sotomayor d. 20) T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-1, 11-1, 11-0
4) Frédérique Lambert - BYE

3) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
19) Maria Paz Munoz d. 14) Sharon Jackson, 8-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-7

11) Michelle Key d. 22) Kelly Gremley, 11-1, 11-3, 11-2
6) Cristina Amaya d. 27) Maritza Franco, 11-4, 11-2, 11-4

7) Cheryl Gudinas d. 26) Regina Franco, 11-1, 11-4, 11-3
23) Kimberly Thomas d. 10) Susana Acosta, 11-2, 11-9, 1-11, 11-7

15) Jessica Parrilla d. 18) Alexandra Herrera, 11-13, 11-3, 11-8, 11-6
2) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE

Round of 16

1) Paola Longoria v. 16) Adrienne Haynes
8) Da'monique Davis v. 24) Lucia Gonzalez

5) Samantha Salas v. 12) Sheryl Lotts
4) Frédérique Lambert v. 13) Veronica Sotomayor

3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 19) Maria Paz Munoz
6) Cristina Amaya v. 11) Michelle Key

7) Cheryl Gudinas v. 23) Kimberly Thomas
2) Maria Jose Vargas v. 15) Jessica Parrilla

Doubles

1) Rhonda Rajsich & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
8) Sheryl Lotts & Kim Thomas v. 9) Cristina Amaya & Alexandra Herrera

5) Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor - BYE
4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Parrilla - BYE

3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
6) Lucia Gonzalez & Sofia Rascon v. 11) Kelly Gremley & Carolina Luque

7) Da'monique Davis & Sharon Jackson v. 10) T. J. Baumbaugh & Maria Renee Rodriguez
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

LPRT 2014 Paola Longoria Invitational Preview

The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) is back in action this weekend with the first of back to back events. This weekend they are down in Monterrey, Mexico, and next weekend they'll be in Arlington, Virginia for one of the longest running women's pro events the Christmas Classic.

There are 27 players in Monterrey, and for the first time since May 2011 Paola Longoria is not trying to extend a winning streak, as Rhonda Rajsich won the last LPRT event, defeating Longoria in the final of the Stockton Pro-Am in October.

Since then, Longoria won three gold medals at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games, and Rajsich lost to Jessica Parrilla (11-10 in a tie-breaker) last weekend in Monterrey.

That makes for an interesting weekend. Adding to the interest is the return of Samantha Salas to the tour. Salas has only played one event this season due to injury, and as a result she's slipped to 5th in the rankings.

Frédérique Lambert has moved up to 4th in Salas's absence, and the two could meet in the quarterfinals, although Lambert will likely have to defeat Veronica Sotomayor in the Round of 16 to get there.

Also of note, Kimberly Thomas (nee Irons) will play Susana Acosta in the 32s, and the last time that happened, at the Torneo Fenapo in San Luis Potosi in August, Thomas won and then defeated Cheryl Gudinas to reach the quarterfinals. A win against Acosta in Monterrey will put Thomas up against the winner of Regina Franco and - you guessed it - Gudinas.

Yes, it's going to be an interesting weekend. They are also playing doubles in Monterrey, which will add another level of interest.

We anticipate the LPRT will stream some of the matches from Monterrey, probably from the quarterfinals on.

LPRT 2014 Paola Longoria Invitational
Monterrey, Mexico

Round of 32

1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Adrienne Haynes v. 17) Carolina Luque

9) Sofia Rascon v. 24) Lucia Gonzalez
8) Da'monique Davis v. 25) Monserrat Mejia

5) Samantha Salas - BYE
12) Sheryl Lotts v. 21) Maria Renee Rodriguez

13) Veronica Sotomayor v. 20) T. J. Baumbaugh
4) Frédérique Lambert - BYE

3) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
14) Sharon Jackson v. 19) Maria Paz Munoz

11) Michelle Key v. 22) Kelly Gremley
6) Cristina Amaya v. 27) Maritza Franco

7) Cheryl Gudinas v. 26) Regina Franco
10) Susana Acosta v. 23) Kimberly Thomas

15) Jessica Parrilla v. 18) Alexandra Herrera
2) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE

Doubles

1) Rhonda Rajsich & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
8) Sheryl Lotts & Kim Thomas v. 9) Cristina Amaya & Alexandra Herrera

5) Maria Paz Muñoz & Veronica Sotomayor - BYE
4) Susana Acosta & Jessica Parrilla - BYE

3) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
6) Lucia Gonzalez & Sofia Rascon v. 11) Kelly Gremley & Carolina Luque

7) Da'monique Davis & Sharon Jackson v. 10) T. J. Baumbaugh & Maria Renee Rodriguez
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

Gutierrez wins 2014 WRT Monterrey Open

Polo Gutierrez won the World Racquetball Tour's (WRT's) Monterrey Open in Monterrey, Mexico on the weekend. Seeded second Gutierrez defeated surprise finalist Felipe Camacho, who was the 16th seed, 15-12, 15-1, in the final.

Gutierrez beat 3rd seed Jake Bredenbeck in the semi-finals, and had to fight off a match point in doing so, as the final score line was 12-15, 15-14, 11-4. Camacho beat 13th seed, and current U16 World Junior Champion, Cristian Longoria, 15-12, 15-13, in the other semi.

Camacho and Longoria had upset wins in the quarterfinals and Round of 16. Camacho knocked off top seed Alejandro Cardona, 15-5, 15-7, in the 16s, and then 9th seed Francisco Troncoso in the quarters, 15-10, 15-8.

Longoria, meanwhile, defeated 4th seed Anthony Herrera, 15-12, 15-12, in the 16s, and then beat 5th seed Jaime Martell, 15-4, 15-11, in the quarterfinals.

Women's Open

There was a small Women's Open draw, which had some curious results. Four players - Rhonda Rajsich, Jessica Parrilla, Alexandra Herrera and Mayra Cardona Baca - competed and a round robin playoff.

Rajsich, Parrilla and Herrera tied with 2-1 records, and by the tie-breaker rule Herrera finished first, Parrilla second and Rajsich third.

Herrera beat Parrilla in two straight games, 15-13, 15-1, but lost to Rajsich, 11-15, 15-10, 11-10. Parrilla beat Rajsich in a tie-breaker, 15-9, 14-15, 11-3.

The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) will play a full tour stop in Monterrey this coming weekend, and Herrera, Parrilla and Rajsich will all be in action in that.

The WRT is also in action again this weekend with the Alamo City Open in San Antonio, Texas.

2014 WRT Monterrey Open
Monterrey, Mexico

Round of 16

16) Felipe Camacho d. 1) Alejandro Cardona, 15-5, 15-7
9) Francisco Troncoso d. 8) Alexi David Cocco Hayes, 15-7, 15-7

5) Jaime Martell d. 12) Andree Parrilla, 12-15, 15-11, 11-6
13) Cristian Longoria d. 4) Anthony Herrera, 15-12, 15-12

3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 14) Gerardo Franco, 15-5, 15-10
6) Erick Sandoval d. 11) Danny Lavely, 15-14, 15-10

10) Sebastian Franco d. 7) Alex Almada, 15-14, 10-15, 11-8
2) Polo Gutierrez d. 15) Miguel Mendez, 15-3, 15-5

Quarterfinals

16) Felipe Camacho d. 9) Francisco Troncoso, 15-10, 15-8
13) Cristian Longoria d. 5) Jaime Martell, 15-4, 15-11

3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 6) Erick Sandoval, 15-2, 15-2
2) Polo Gutierrez d. 10) Sebastian Franco, 15-10, 15-11

Semi-finals

16) Felipe Camacho d. 13) Cristian Longoria, 15-12, 15-13
2) Polo Gutierrez d. 3) Jake Bredenbeck, 12-15, 15-14, 11-4

Final

2) Polo Gutierrez d. 16) Felipe Camacho, 15-12, 15-1

Follow the bouncing ball….

Green & Saunders win 1st Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event of season

Mike Green and Jennifer Saunders - the top seeds - won the Men's and Women's finals, respectively, of the Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event at the YMCA in Kitchener, Ontario, and got the first advantage in qualifying for the racquetball team that will play at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto next July.

Green defeated Vincent Gagnon in the Men's final, 15-13, 15-1. But it looked like it might be the other way early in game one, as Gagnon jumped out to a 6-0 lead. But Green fought back, tied the game at 6-6. They were also tied at 11-11 before Green finished it off. In game two, Green jumped out to the 6-0 lead, and Gagnon didn't have a response.

Coby Iwaasa won the 3rd place match against Tim Landeryou, 15-11, 15-9.

Saunders beat Christine Richardson, 15-9, 15-4, in the Women's final. Michèle Morissette defeated Valerie Fallu, 15-4, 15-13, in the 3rd place match.

There are three qualifying events for Canada's racquetball players to make the National Team that will represent Canada at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto next July. The next one will be in Brossard, Que. January 30-February 1, 2015. The third and last chance will be the Canadian National Championships in Burnaby, B.C. May 17-23, 2015.

Racquetball Canada National Championships
YMCA, Kitchener, Ontario

Men's Open Singles

Final - Mike Green d. Vincent Gagnon, 15-13, 15-1

3rd place - Coby Iwaasa d. Tim Landeryou, 15-11, 15-9

5th place - Samuel Murray d. Pedro Castro, 15-2, 15-3

7th place - Nathaniel Husulak d. Lee Connell, 15-11, 13-15, 11-2

Semi-finals

Mike Green d. Coby Iwaasa, 15-6, 15-6
Vincent Gagnon d. Tim Landeryou, 15-7, 15-10

Quarterfinals

Mike Green d. Nathaniel Husulak, 15-10, 15-5
Coby Iwaasa d. Samuel Murray, 15-9, 15-10
Tim Landeryou d. Pedro Castro, 15-6, 15-9
Vincent Gagnon d. Lee Connell, 15-7, 15-6

Round of 16

Mike Green d. Tanner Prentice, 15-7, 15-9
Nathaniel Husulak d. Chris Exner, 15-2, 10-15, 13-11
Samuel Murray d. Tanner Mattson, 15-9, 15-3
Coby Iwaasa, d. Nicolas Bousquet, 15-11, 15-13
Tim Landeryou d. Kurtis Cullen, 10-15, 15-6, 11-0
Pedro Castro d. Eric Desrochers, 15-11, 12-15, 13-11
Lee Connell d. Corey Osborne, 15-12, 15-11
Vincent Gagnon d. Michael Leduc, 15-3, 15-5

Women's Open Singles

Final - Jennifer Saunders d. Christine Richardson, 15-9, 15-4

3rd place - Michele Morissette d. Valerie Fallu, 15-4, 15-13

5th place - Danielle Drury d. Brigitte Richard, 15-2, 8-15, 12-10

Semi-finals

Jennifer Saunders d. Valerie Fallu, 15-2, 15-7
Christine Richardson d. Michele Morissette, 15-10, 15-9

Quarterfinals

Jennifer Saunders d. Disney Linares, 15-1, 15-3
Valerie Fallu d. Brigitte Richard, 15-12, 15-5
Michele Morissette d. Danielle Drury, 15-10, 15-3
Christine Richardson d. Tanya Hodgin, 15-3, 15-9

Follow the bouncing ball….