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….