2015 IRF World Juniors - Girl's Semi-finals

A Dominican Republic girl has made the final of Girl's U18 for the first time since 1994, as Maria Cespedes defeated American Lexi York in the semi-finals, 11-15, 15-7, 11-2, at the 27th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, so she did it at home, making the victory extra special. In 1994, Claudine Garcia won Girl's U18 at World Juniors.

In the final, Cespedes will face Bolivian Natalia Mendez, who won the other semi-final against Monserrat Perez of Mexico, 15-0, 15-6.

Cespedes was up in game one against York at 8-2, but the American came back and took the lead, as she got to game point at 14-9. York closed out game one with a Z serve to the right side - a glass wall - which resulted in a weak return into the back wall, and then York hit a forehand kill shot down the line.

In game two, they were close all the way to 7-7. But from there Cespedes took over, as she scored eight unanswered points to level the match at a game apiece.

In the breaker, Cespedes jumped out to the early lead, going up 5-0 quickly. York took a timeout, and got on the board, when she made it 6-1. But despite scoring a second point immediately after her first, the writing was on the wall for York, as Cespedes went on to close it out at 11-2.

York served well in her quarterfinal match against Canadian Danielle Drury, but in the semis, Cespedes outserved York, and that made the difference.

But Americans are not shut out of girl's finals, as in somewhat of a surprise result, American Jordan Cooperrider defeated Mexican Monserrat Meija, 15-5, 15-11, in the semi-finals of Girl's U16. Cooperrider will face Gabriela Martinez of Guatemala in the final, as Martinez took out Bolivian Wanda Carvajal in the other semi, 15-11, 15-9.

Mexican girls were in both Girl's U14 semi-finals, but neither won, as they were defeated the two Bolivian girls. Romina Rivero of Bolivia defeated Ana Laura Flores of Mexico, 15-11, 15-10, and Angelica Barrios of Bolivia beat Delia Aguiar of Mexico, 15-7, 15-5.

It was an unfortunate day for Mexico in the Girl's divisions, as Mexicans could have been in all three singles finals, but no Mexican won her semi-final match.

Perhaps for the first time ever, the Girl's U18 Doubles final will not involve Bolivia, Mexico or the USA. Instead, Costa Rica and Guatemala will playoff for the title on Saturday.

Costa Ricans Melania Sauma and Sofia Soley defeated Bolivians Natalia Mendez and Wanda Carvajal, 15-8, 7-15, 11-3, while Guatemalans Gabriela Martinez and Andrea Martinez advanced after two close games with Mexicans Mariel Morales and Montserrat Perez, 15-13, 15-13.

In what was effectively the final of Girl's U16 Doubles, although it was a round robin format, the two undefeated teams met on Friday, and the Americans Cooperrider and Erika Manilla came back from a game down to defeat the Mexicans Meija and Andrea Ramirez, 13-15, 15-5, 11-5, and claim the title.

The finals will be Saturday, and you watch some of them live via the IRF website.

27th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Girl's U18 Singles - Semi-finals

Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) d. Lexi York (USA), 11-15, 15-7, 11-2
Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) d. Monserrat Perez (Mexico), 15-0, 15-6

Girl's U18 Singles - Final

Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) v. Natalia Mendez (Bolivia) - Saturday 11 AM

Girl's U16 Singles - Semi-finals

Jordan Cooperrider (USA) d. Monserrat Mejia (Mexico), 15-5, 15-11
Ana Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. Wanda Carvajal (Bolivia), 15-11, 15-9

Girl's U16 Singles - Final

Jordan Cooperrider (USA) v. Ana Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - Saturday 11 AM

Girl's U14 Singles - Semi-finals

Romina Rivero (Bolivia) d. Ana Laura Flores (Mexico), 15-11, 15-10
Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) d. Delia Aguiar (Mexico), 15-7, 15-5

Girl's U14 Singles - Final

Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) v. Romina Rivero (Bolivia) - Saturday 11 AM

Girl's U18 Doubles - Semi-finals

Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) d. Natalia Mendez & Wanda Carvajal (Bolivia), 15-8, 7-15, 11-3
Gabriela Martinez & Andrea Martinez (Guatemala) d. Mariel Morales & Montserrat Perez (Mexico), 15-13, 15-13

Girl's U18 Doubles - Final

Melania Sauma & Sofia Soley (Costa Rica) v. Gabriela Martinez & Andrea Martinez (Guatemala) - Saturday 1 PM

Girl's U16 Doubles - Round Robin (wins & losses)

Jordan Cooperrider & Erika Manilla (USA) - 4 & 0
Monserrat Mejia & Andrea Ramirez (Mexico) - 3 & 1
Angelica Barrios & Flavia Meneses (Bolivia) - 1 & 2
Maria Jose Munoz & Ivana Sempertegui (Ecuador) - 1 & 2
Alexis Iwaasa & Marjolaine Parent (Canada) - 0 & 4

Girl's U14 Doubles - Round Robin (wins & losses)

Ana Laura Flores & Ana Cristina Rivera (Mexico) - 5 & 0
Alejandra Jimenez Castillo & Rodaliza Perdomo (Dominican Rep.) - 4 & 1
Ana Lucia Sarmiento & Nathalia Pinero (Ecuador) - 3 & 2
Mary Ellen Phelan & Leanne Ryan (Ireland) - 1 & 4
Elena Dent & Graciana Wargo (USA) - 1 & 4
Juliette Parent & Cassie Prentice (Canada) - 1 & 4

Follow the bouncing ball....