Rocky Carson won his third tournament of the season Saturday, and second consecutive, as he came from two games down to defeat Daniel De La Rosa in five games, 5-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-1 at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Florida pro stop in Sarasota, Florida.
The win is the 24th of Carson’s career. Carson’s first win came in March 2003 at the North Carolina Open, when he defeated Jason Mannino in three games. Carson was 23 then. He only won twice more before turning 28. So, 21 of Carson’s 24 tournament wins have come after the age of 28. Carson will be 37 on May 21st.
For anyone thinking that a player has to prove himself or herself at an early age to make it to number 1, Carson’s record suggests that’s not completely true. He was good as a junior, winning Junior Worlds three times, but it took some time for Carson to prove himself on the IRT.
Now, with two dozen Tier 1 or Grand Slam events to his name, Carson doesn’t have to prove himself to anyone.
The IRT’s next Tier 1 event is the Pro Kennex Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon May 12-15. If you missed any of this weekend’s action, you can see it in the IRT Network archive.
2016 IRT Florida Tournament, April 28-May 1
Sarasota, Florida
Final
2) Rocky Carson d. 4) Daniel De La Rosa, 5-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Carson & De La Rosa win semi-finals at 2016 IRT Florida tournament
Rocky Carson and Daniel De La Rosa will meet Saturday night in the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Florida pro event in Sarasota, Florida after they won their respective semi-finals. Second seed Carson beat 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran, 10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6, and De La Rosa defeated Sebastian Franco, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6.
Carson got a big lead in the first game, and looked like he’d win it when he was up 9-5. But Beltran battled back using his usual straight lob serve to the right - Carson’s forehand. Carson did have two chances to win game one, serving at 10-8, but he failed to convert them, as Beltran completed the come back, winning 12-10.
In game two, they were close early, and tied at 5-5, and 8-8. But from there Carson got three unanswered points to level the match at a game apiece.
Game three started slowly, as it took minutes before either player scored a point. Carson took the lead at 5-1, and Beltran drew close at 6-5 down. However, that was as many points as Beltran would get, as Carson held him there, and closed out the game with a drive serve ace to the right side, 11-5.
In game four, Beltran got a slight lead at 5-3, but Carson then put on a run of five points to lead 8-5. Beltran called a timeout, but that only put off the inevitable, as Carson went on to win game four, 11-6, and close out the match. Carson’s match winner was an ace drive serve to the left side that cracked out, and was one of several aces by Carson in the match.
De La Rosa and Franco were close early in each of their games, but then De La Rosa took control, and won each of them. Franco did come back from 9-4 down in game one to 9-8, but he couldn’t get any closer than that.
Despite the loss, Franco was in his fourth semi-final of the season Saturday, and only Carson, Beltran, De La Rosa, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk and Jose Rojas have reached the semi-finals more often.
The final will be shown live via the IRT Network Saturday night at 7:00 PM Eastern.
2016 IRT Florida Tournament, April 28-May 1
Sarasota, Florida
Semi-finals - Saturday
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. Sebastian Franco, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6
2) Rocky Carson d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6
Final - Saturday
2) Rocky Carson v. 4) Daniel De La Rosa - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Carson got a big lead in the first game, and looked like he’d win it when he was up 9-5. But Beltran battled back using his usual straight lob serve to the right - Carson’s forehand. Carson did have two chances to win game one, serving at 10-8, but he failed to convert them, as Beltran completed the come back, winning 12-10.
In game two, they were close early, and tied at 5-5, and 8-8. But from there Carson got three unanswered points to level the match at a game apiece.
Game three started slowly, as it took minutes before either player scored a point. Carson took the lead at 5-1, and Beltran drew close at 6-5 down. However, that was as many points as Beltran would get, as Carson held him there, and closed out the game with a drive serve ace to the right side, 11-5.
In game four, Beltran got a slight lead at 5-3, but Carson then put on a run of five points to lead 8-5. Beltran called a timeout, but that only put off the inevitable, as Carson went on to win game four, 11-6, and close out the match. Carson’s match winner was an ace drive serve to the left side that cracked out, and was one of several aces by Carson in the match.
De La Rosa and Franco were close early in each of their games, but then De La Rosa took control, and won each of them. Franco did come back from 9-4 down in game one to 9-8, but he couldn’t get any closer than that.
Despite the loss, Franco was in his fourth semi-final of the season Saturday, and only Carson, Beltran, De La Rosa, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk and Jose Rojas have reached the semi-finals more often.
The final will be shown live via the IRT Network Saturday night at 7:00 PM Eastern.
2016 IRT Florida Tournament, April 28-May 1
Sarasota, Florida
Semi-finals - Saturday
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. Sebastian Franco, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6
2) Rocky Carson d. 3) Alvaro Beltran, 10-12, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6
Final - Saturday
2) Rocky Carson v. 4) Daniel De La Rosa - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, April 29, 2016
2016 IRT Florida Quarterfinals
Sebastian Franco, ranked 9th on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), will play in his fourth semi-final of the season Saturday, which is more than anyone outside of the top five players. Franco got there by defeating Jake Bredenbeck, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5, in the quarterfinals Friday. Bredenbeck was coming of an intense match against IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk that he won when Waselenchuk withdrew in early in game five, apparently not fully recovered from the hernia surgery he had a few weeks ago.
Franco will face Daniel De La Rosa in the semis, as De La Rosa beat Jose Rojas, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7. Rojas had a brief lead in game one of that match at 5-4, but De La Rosa was in control from that point on, as Rojas just didn’t have his A game.
On the bottom of the draw, veterans Rocky Carson and Alvaro Beltran were both straight game winners over two young players. Carson, the 2nd seed, defeated 7th seed Marco Rojas, 11-1, 11-9, 11-3, and 3rd seed Beltran beat 11th seed Mario Mercado, 11-2, 11-7, 11-7.
The semi-finals begin at 11 AM with De La Rosa and Franco with Carson and Beltran to play at noon. You can watch the action live via the IRT Network. Note that the final will be Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 IRT Florida Tournament, April 28-May 1
Sarasota, Florida
Quarterfinals - Friday
Sebastian Franco d. Jake Bredenbeck, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 5) Jose Rojas, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Mario Mercado, 11-2, 11-7, 11-7
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Marco Rojas, 11-1, 11-9, 11-3
Semi-finals - Saturday
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Sebastian Franco - 11 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. 3) Alvaro Beltran - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
Franco will face Daniel De La Rosa in the semis, as De La Rosa beat Jose Rojas, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7. Rojas had a brief lead in game one of that match at 5-4, but De La Rosa was in control from that point on, as Rojas just didn’t have his A game.
On the bottom of the draw, veterans Rocky Carson and Alvaro Beltran were both straight game winners over two young players. Carson, the 2nd seed, defeated 7th seed Marco Rojas, 11-1, 11-9, 11-3, and 3rd seed Beltran beat 11th seed Mario Mercado, 11-2, 11-7, 11-7.
The semi-finals begin at 11 AM with De La Rosa and Franco with Carson and Beltran to play at noon. You can watch the action live via the IRT Network. Note that the final will be Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 IRT Florida Tournament, April 28-May 1
Sarasota, Florida
Quarterfinals - Friday
Sebastian Franco d. Jake Bredenbeck, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 11-5
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. 5) Jose Rojas, 11-8, 11-5, 11-7
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Mario Mercado, 11-2, 11-7, 11-7
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Marco Rojas, 11-1, 11-9, 11-3
Semi-finals - Saturday
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Sebastian Franco - 11 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. 3) Alvaro Beltran - Noon
Follow the bouncing ball….
2016 IRT Florida Round of 16 - Bredenbeck gets a win against Waselenchuk
Kane Waselenchuk, the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), lost on court for the first time since September 2013, as he pulled out of the fifth game of the Florida pro stop in Sarasota, Florida against Jake Bredenbeck, who won as a result: 4-11, 11-13, 11-9, 12-10, 1-0, injury forfeit. Waselenchuk had hernia surgery a few weeks ago, and apparently was not fully recovered from that.
Waselenchuk began the game with a more controlled style, and it looked like that could be enough against the young American, as Waselenchuk won game one, 11-4. However, in game two Bredembeck was toe to toe with Waselenchuk, and had two game points against the top seed at 11-10, but failed to convert either of them as Waselenchuk came back to take game two 13-11, ending it with a backhand reverse pinch from shoulder high.
In game three, Bredenbeck took the early lead at 3-0, but Waselenchuk came back with six unanswered points to lead 6-3. He continued to lead at 7-5, but then Bredenbeck went on a run with his powerful drive serves, scoring five straight points to lead 10-7. Waselenchuk did get the serve back and scored two points before Bredenbeck took the serve back with a return winner, and finished the game out at 11-9.
One of the exchanges of the match happened early in game three when Waselenchuk was in the front court and slammed the ball down, so it bounced high. Bredenbeck was able to flick it with a backhand over his head, which was great, but it came straight to Waselenchuk who quickly reacted and short-hopped a winner.
In game four, Bredenbeck took a 6-0. However, Waselenchuk came back to tie it at 7-7, and again at 9-9. Bredenbeck got to 10 first, but Waselenchuk again tied it at 10-10 with a drive Z to the left that was an ace. After a few sideouts, Bredenbeck served, and forced a return skip from Waselenchuk, and then on second serve Bredenbeck hit a half lob to the left, and Waselenchuk tried to hit a forehand pinch shot to the left corner, but the result was a big skip giving Bredenbeck game four 12-10.
At 7-7 in game four, Waselenchuk took a brief period of injury time, although there did not seem to be any incident that caused him an injury. He took some more between games four and five, and one had to think that his hernia condition and surgery he had to correct it were weighing on him.
This seemed to be confirmed as Waselenchuk withdrew from the match after two rallies with Bredenbeck leading 1-0.
The win gives Bredenbeck a berth in the quarterfinals, where he’ll play Sebastian Franco, who was a winner against Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7, so it’s a good chance for one of them to get into the semi-finals. So far this season Franco has made the semis three times, and Bredenbeck has done it once. But prior to this season neither of them had been a semi-finalist on tour.
Mario Mercado was also an upset winner in the 16s, as he defeated 6th seed Jansen Allen, 10-12, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5. Mercado will play 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran in the quarterfinals, as Beltran beat Alejandro Herrera, 12-10, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, in the 16s.
Finally, IRT #2 Rocky Carson defeated Andree Parrilla, 11-5, 11-4, 11-6, and will play 7th seed Marco Rojas, a winner over Robert Collins, 11-9, 11-3, 11-1, in the quarters.
The quarterfinals will be streamed live Friday from 4 PM EDT via the IRT Network. The semi-finals will be 11 AM and Noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 IRT Florida Tournament, April 28-May 1
Sarasota, Florida
Round of 16 - Friday
Jake Bredenbeck d. 1) Kane Waselenchuk, 4-11, 11-13, 11-9, 12-10, 1-0, injury forfeit
Sebastian Franco d. 8) Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7
5) Jose Rojas d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-1, 11-6, 11-9
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. Cliff Swain, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Alejandro Herrera, 12-10, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3
Mario Mercado d. 6) Jansen Allen, 10-12, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5
7) Marco Rojas d. Robert Collins, 11-9, 11-3, 11-1
2) Rocky Carson d. Andree Parrilla, 11-5, 11-4, 11-6
Quarterfinals - Friday
Sebastian Franco v. Jake Bredenbeck
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) Jose Rojas
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Mario Mercado
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Marco Rojas
Follow the bouncing ball….
Waselenchuk began the game with a more controlled style, and it looked like that could be enough against the young American, as Waselenchuk won game one, 11-4. However, in game two Bredembeck was toe to toe with Waselenchuk, and had two game points against the top seed at 11-10, but failed to convert either of them as Waselenchuk came back to take game two 13-11, ending it with a backhand reverse pinch from shoulder high.
In game three, Bredenbeck took the early lead at 3-0, but Waselenchuk came back with six unanswered points to lead 6-3. He continued to lead at 7-5, but then Bredenbeck went on a run with his powerful drive serves, scoring five straight points to lead 10-7. Waselenchuk did get the serve back and scored two points before Bredenbeck took the serve back with a return winner, and finished the game out at 11-9.
One of the exchanges of the match happened early in game three when Waselenchuk was in the front court and slammed the ball down, so it bounced high. Bredenbeck was able to flick it with a backhand over his head, which was great, but it came straight to Waselenchuk who quickly reacted and short-hopped a winner.
In game four, Bredenbeck took a 6-0. However, Waselenchuk came back to tie it at 7-7, and again at 9-9. Bredenbeck got to 10 first, but Waselenchuk again tied it at 10-10 with a drive Z to the left that was an ace. After a few sideouts, Bredenbeck served, and forced a return skip from Waselenchuk, and then on second serve Bredenbeck hit a half lob to the left, and Waselenchuk tried to hit a forehand pinch shot to the left corner, but the result was a big skip giving Bredenbeck game four 12-10.
At 7-7 in game four, Waselenchuk took a brief period of injury time, although there did not seem to be any incident that caused him an injury. He took some more between games four and five, and one had to think that his hernia condition and surgery he had to correct it were weighing on him.
This seemed to be confirmed as Waselenchuk withdrew from the match after two rallies with Bredenbeck leading 1-0.
The win gives Bredenbeck a berth in the quarterfinals, where he’ll play Sebastian Franco, who was a winner against Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7, so it’s a good chance for one of them to get into the semi-finals. So far this season Franco has made the semis three times, and Bredenbeck has done it once. But prior to this season neither of them had been a semi-finalist on tour.
Mario Mercado was also an upset winner in the 16s, as he defeated 6th seed Jansen Allen, 10-12, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5. Mercado will play 3rd seed Alvaro Beltran in the quarterfinals, as Beltran beat Alejandro Herrera, 12-10, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3, in the 16s.
Finally, IRT #2 Rocky Carson defeated Andree Parrilla, 11-5, 11-4, 11-6, and will play 7th seed Marco Rojas, a winner over Robert Collins, 11-9, 11-3, 11-1, in the quarters.
The quarterfinals will be streamed live Friday from 4 PM EDT via the IRT Network. The semi-finals will be 11 AM and Noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 IRT Florida Tournament, April 28-May 1
Sarasota, Florida
Round of 16 - Friday
Jake Bredenbeck d. 1) Kane Waselenchuk, 4-11, 11-13, 11-9, 12-10, 1-0, injury forfeit
Sebastian Franco d. 8) Felipe Camacho, 11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7
5) Jose Rojas d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-1, 11-6, 11-9
4) Daniel De La Rosa d. Cliff Swain, 11-7, 11-8, 11-4
3) Alvaro Beltran d. Alejandro Herrera, 12-10, 11-9, 9-11, 11-3
Mario Mercado d. 6) Jansen Allen, 10-12, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5
7) Marco Rojas d. Robert Collins, 11-9, 11-3, 11-1
2) Rocky Carson d. Andree Parrilla, 11-5, 11-4, 11-6
Quarterfinals - Friday
Sebastian Franco v. Jake Bredenbeck
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. 5) Jose Rojas
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Mario Mercado
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Marco Rojas
Follow the bouncing ball….
2016 IRT Florida - Preliminary results
The young and the old caused upsets Thursday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Florida tournament in Sarasota, Florida, as young Andree Parrilla and veteran Cliff Swain were winners.
Parrilla upset 15th seed Scott McClellan, 11-6, 11-3, 11-2, and will play IRT #2 Rocky Carson in the Round of 16 Friday morning. Swain, who turned 50 last month, had the bigger win, as he beat 13th seed Charlie Pratt, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9, putting him in the 16s against Daniel De La Rosa.
IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk will face hard hitting 16th seed Jake Bredenbeck in the Round of 16, as Bredenbeck defeated 17th seed Troy Warigon, 11-7, 11-2, 11-1, on Thursday.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM EDT via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 4 PM on. Also, the semi-finals will be 11 AM and Noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 IRT Florida Tournament, April 28-May 1
Sarasota, Florida
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
David Stincer d. Robert Hemphill, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7
Maurice Miller d. Kevin Vazquez, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 5-11, 12-10
Cliff Swain d. Wesley Miller, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5
Alejandro Herrera d. Nick Hand, 13-11, 11-9, 11-1
Destry Everhart d. Joe Delfino, 12-10, 11-9, 3-11, 11-4
Jonathan Burns d. Matt Fontana, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q8) Jake Bredenbeck d. Troy Warigon, 11-7, 11-2, 11-1
Q1) Sebastian Franco d. David Stincer, 11-0, 11-1, 11-2
Q4) Mauricio Zelada d. Maurice Miller, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7
Q5) Cliff Swain d. Charlie Pratt, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9
Q6) Alejandro Herrera d. Matthew Majxner, 11-1, 11-6, 11-7
Q3) Mario Mercado d. Destry Everhart, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4
Q2) Robert Collins d. Jonathan Burns, 11-3, 4-11, 3-11, 11-5, 11-3
Q7) Andree Parrilla d. Scott McClellan, 11-6, 11-3, 11-2
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Jake Bredenbeck
8) Felipe Camacho v. Sebastian Franco
5) Jose Rojas v. Mauricio Zelada
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Cliff Swain
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Alejandro Herrera
6) Jansen Allen v. Mario Mercado
7) Marco Rojas v. Robert Collins
2) Rocky Carson v. Andree Parrilla
Follow the bouncing ball….
Parrilla upset 15th seed Scott McClellan, 11-6, 11-3, 11-2, and will play IRT #2 Rocky Carson in the Round of 16 Friday morning. Swain, who turned 50 last month, had the bigger win, as he beat 13th seed Charlie Pratt, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9, putting him in the 16s against Daniel De La Rosa.
IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk will face hard hitting 16th seed Jake Bredenbeck in the Round of 16, as Bredenbeck defeated 17th seed Troy Warigon, 11-7, 11-2, 11-1, on Thursday.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM EDT via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 4 PM on. Also, the semi-finals will be 11 AM and Noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 IRT Florida Tournament, April 28-May 1
Sarasota, Florida
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
David Stincer d. Robert Hemphill, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7
Maurice Miller d. Kevin Vazquez, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 5-11, 12-10
Cliff Swain d. Wesley Miller, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5
Alejandro Herrera d. Nick Hand, 13-11, 11-9, 11-1
Destry Everhart d. Joe Delfino, 12-10, 11-9, 3-11, 11-4
Jonathan Burns d. Matt Fontana, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q8) Jake Bredenbeck d. Troy Warigon, 11-7, 11-2, 11-1
Q1) Sebastian Franco d. David Stincer, 11-0, 11-1, 11-2
Q4) Mauricio Zelada d. Maurice Miller, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7
Q5) Cliff Swain d. Charlie Pratt, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9
Q6) Alejandro Herrera d. Matthew Majxner, 11-1, 11-6, 11-7
Q3) Mario Mercado d. Destry Everhart, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4
Q2) Robert Collins d. Jonathan Burns, 11-3, 4-11, 3-11, 11-5, 11-3
Q7) Andree Parrilla d. Scott McClellan, 11-6, 11-3, 11-2
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Jake Bredenbeck
8) Felipe Camacho v. Sebastian Franco
5) Jose Rojas v. Mauricio Zelada
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Cliff Swain
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Alejandro Herrera
6) Jansen Allen v. Mario Mercado
7) Marco Rojas v. Robert Collins
2) Rocky Carson v. Andree Parrilla
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, April 28, 2016
2016 IRT Florida Preview
Florida has been one of the more reliable locations for the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) going back more than a decade, and this season the tradition continues, as the IRT stops in Sarasota, Florida this weekend for the Florida IRT Tournament.
Last time out, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk was a late withdrawal from the Raising Some Racquet for Kids tournament in Huber Heights, Ohio, as he had emergency hernia surgery. Waselenchuk’s in the draw this weekend, a mere four weeks after that surgery. Our understanding is that typical recovery from such surgery is 6-8 weeks, but Waselenchuk is undoubtedly in better shape than the typical patient, yet he also has a more demanding job than the typical patient. So, we’re really not sure whether Waselenchuk will be ready to play this weekend, despite him being in the draw.
Waselenchuk heads up one of the largest draws of the season, and one of highest quality draws also, as the top 17 IRT players will be playing in Sarasota. There are also a few significant players outside of the top 17, including former #1 Cliff Swain, young Mexican Andree Parrilla, and current Men’s Doubles World Champion Alejandro Herrera.
Swain faces Wesley Miller first, with the winner playing Charlie Pratt for a spot in the Round of 16 against Daniel De La Rosa. Parrilla is against IRT #15 Scott McClellan with the winner facing IRT #2 Rocky Carson in the 16s. Herrera plays Nick Hand, with Matthew Majxner playing the winner and that match will lead to a showdown with Alvaro Beltran in the 16s.
Waselenchuk will face either 16th seed Jake Bredenbeck or 17th seed Troy Warigon in the Round of 16.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM EDT via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 4 PM on. Also, the semi-finals will be 11 AM and Noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 IRT Florida Tournament, April 28-May 1
Sarasota, Florida
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
David Stincer v. Robert Hemphill
Maurice Miller v. Kevin Vazquez
Cliff Swain v. Wesley Miller
Alejandro Herrera v. Nick Hand
Destry Everhart v. Joe Delfino
Matt Fontana v. Jonathan Burns
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q8) Jake Bredenbeck v. Troy Warigon
Q1) Sebastian Franco v. David Stincer or Robert Hemphill
Q4) Mauricio Zelada v. Maurice Miller or Kevin Vazquez
Q5) Charlie Pratt v. Cliff Swain or Wesley Miller
Q6) Matthew Majxner v. Alejandro Herrera or Nick Hand
Q3) Mario Mercado v. Destry Everhart or Joe Delfino
Q2) Robert Collins v. Matt Fontana or Jonathan Burns
Q7) Scott McClellan v. Andree Parrilla
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8) Felipe Camacho v. Q1
5) Jose Rojas v. Q4
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6) Jansen Allen v. Q3
7) Marco Rojas v. Q2
2) Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Last time out, IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk was a late withdrawal from the Raising Some Racquet for Kids tournament in Huber Heights, Ohio, as he had emergency hernia surgery. Waselenchuk’s in the draw this weekend, a mere four weeks after that surgery. Our understanding is that typical recovery from such surgery is 6-8 weeks, but Waselenchuk is undoubtedly in better shape than the typical patient, yet he also has a more demanding job than the typical patient. So, we’re really not sure whether Waselenchuk will be ready to play this weekend, despite him being in the draw.
Waselenchuk heads up one of the largest draws of the season, and one of highest quality draws also, as the top 17 IRT players will be playing in Sarasota. There are also a few significant players outside of the top 17, including former #1 Cliff Swain, young Mexican Andree Parrilla, and current Men’s Doubles World Champion Alejandro Herrera.
Swain faces Wesley Miller first, with the winner playing Charlie Pratt for a spot in the Round of 16 against Daniel De La Rosa. Parrilla is against IRT #15 Scott McClellan with the winner facing IRT #2 Rocky Carson in the 16s. Herrera plays Nick Hand, with Matthew Majxner playing the winner and that match will lead to a showdown with Alvaro Beltran in the 16s.
Waselenchuk will face either 16th seed Jake Bredenbeck or 17th seed Troy Warigon in the Round of 16.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 10 AM EDT via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 4 PM on. Also, the semi-finals will be 11 AM and Noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 IRT Florida Tournament, April 28-May 1
Sarasota, Florida
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
David Stincer v. Robert Hemphill
Maurice Miller v. Kevin Vazquez
Cliff Swain v. Wesley Miller
Alejandro Herrera v. Nick Hand
Destry Everhart v. Joe Delfino
Matt Fontana v. Jonathan Burns
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q8) Jake Bredenbeck v. Troy Warigon
Q1) Sebastian Franco v. David Stincer or Robert Hemphill
Q4) Mauricio Zelada v. Maurice Miller or Kevin Vazquez
Q5) Charlie Pratt v. Cliff Swain or Wesley Miller
Q6) Matthew Majxner v. Alejandro Herrera or Nick Hand
Q3) Mario Mercado v. Destry Everhart or Joe Delfino
Q2) Robert Collins v. Matt Fontana or Jonathan Burns
Q7) Scott McClellan v. Andree Parrilla
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8) Felipe Camacho v. Q1
5) Jose Rojas v. Q4
4) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5
3) Alvaro Beltran v. Q6
6) Jansen Allen v. Q3
7) Marco Rojas v. Q2
2) Rocky Carson v. Q7
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, April 25, 2016
Gutierrez wins 2016 WRT Sonora Open
Polo Gutierrez hadn’t played a World Racquetball Tour (WRT) event in almost a year, but he made a successful comeback on the weekend by winning the 2016 Sonora Open. Gutierrez was seeded 6th for the tournament, so he had to go through the top three seeds to win, capping it off by defeating WRT #1 Alejandro Cardona in the final, 15-8, 15-10.
Earlier, Gutierrez beat 2nd seed Andree Parrilla in the semi-finals, 15-3, 15-5, and 3rd seed Jaime Martell, 15-8, 9-15, 11-4, in the quarterfinals.
Gutierrez was out of action due to an elbow injury, but it appears that he’s fully recovered, and should be a threat for the rest of the WRT season.
The next WRT event will be the Midwest Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota May 12-15.
2016 WRT Sonora Open
Hermosillo, Mexico
April 21-24, 2016
Final
6) Polo Gutierrez d. 1) Alejandro Cardona, 15-8, 15-10
Semi-finals
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 4) Christian Longoria, 15-10, 15-5
6) Polo Gutierrez d. 2) Andree Parrilla, 15-3, 15-5
Quarterfinals
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 9) Miguel Rodriguez Jr., 15-0, 15-7
4) Christian Longoria d. 5) Nicolai Miramontes, 13-15, 15-8, 11-1
6) Polo Gutierrez d. 3) Jaime Martell, 15-8, 9-15, 11-4
2) Andree Parrilla d. 10) Danny Lavely, 15-8, 15-4
Round of 16
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 17) Erik Razo, 15-4, 15-2
9) Miguel Rodriguez Jr. d. 8) Francisco Troncoso, 15-13, 15-6
5) Nicolai Miramontes d. 21) Emanuel Balderrama, 15-5, 14-15, 11-4
4) Christian Longoria d. 13) Rodolfo Esparza, 15-9, 15-7
3) Jaime Martell d. 14) Mario Hidalgo, 15-6, 15-0
6) Polo Gutierrez d. 11) Erick Sandoval, 15-2, 15-11
10) Danny Lavely d. 7) Luis Felipe Muñoz, 15-10, 15-5
2) Andree Parrilla d. 15) Mario Zamora, 15-4, 15-2
Round of 32
1) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
17) Erik Razo d. 16) Vicente Camacho, forfeit
9) Miguel Rodriguez Jr. - BYE
8) Francisco Troncoso - BYE
5) Nicolai Miramontes - BYE
21) Emanuel Balderrama d. 12) Sebastian Fernandez, 14-15, 15-10, 11-10
13) Rodolfo Esparza d. 20) German Garcia, 15-7, 15-9
4) Christian Longoria - BYE
3) Jaime Martell - BYE
14) Mario Hidalgo d. 19) Daniel Lopez, 15-8, 8-15, 11-4
11) Erick Sandoval - BYE
6) Polo Gutierrez - BYE
7) Luis Felipe Muñoz - BYE
10) Danny Lavely d. 23) Homar Prieto, 15-5, 15-5
15) Mario Zamora d. 18) Andres Carrillo, 15-3, 15-10
2) Andree Parrilla - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Earlier, Gutierrez beat 2nd seed Andree Parrilla in the semi-finals, 15-3, 15-5, and 3rd seed Jaime Martell, 15-8, 9-15, 11-4, in the quarterfinals.
Gutierrez was out of action due to an elbow injury, but it appears that he’s fully recovered, and should be a threat for the rest of the WRT season.
The next WRT event will be the Midwest Championships in Minneapolis, Minnesota May 12-15.
2016 WRT Sonora Open
Hermosillo, Mexico
April 21-24, 2016
Final
6) Polo Gutierrez d. 1) Alejandro Cardona, 15-8, 15-10
Semi-finals
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 4) Christian Longoria, 15-10, 15-5
6) Polo Gutierrez d. 2) Andree Parrilla, 15-3, 15-5
Quarterfinals
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 9) Miguel Rodriguez Jr., 15-0, 15-7
4) Christian Longoria d. 5) Nicolai Miramontes, 13-15, 15-8, 11-1
6) Polo Gutierrez d. 3) Jaime Martell, 15-8, 9-15, 11-4
2) Andree Parrilla d. 10) Danny Lavely, 15-8, 15-4
Round of 16
1) Alejandro Cardona d. 17) Erik Razo, 15-4, 15-2
9) Miguel Rodriguez Jr. d. 8) Francisco Troncoso, 15-13, 15-6
5) Nicolai Miramontes d. 21) Emanuel Balderrama, 15-5, 14-15, 11-4
4) Christian Longoria d. 13) Rodolfo Esparza, 15-9, 15-7
3) Jaime Martell d. 14) Mario Hidalgo, 15-6, 15-0
6) Polo Gutierrez d. 11) Erick Sandoval, 15-2, 15-11
10) Danny Lavely d. 7) Luis Felipe Muñoz, 15-10, 15-5
2) Andree Parrilla d. 15) Mario Zamora, 15-4, 15-2
Round of 32
1) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
17) Erik Razo d. 16) Vicente Camacho, forfeit
9) Miguel Rodriguez Jr. - BYE
8) Francisco Troncoso - BYE
5) Nicolai Miramontes - BYE
21) Emanuel Balderrama d. 12) Sebastian Fernandez, 14-15, 15-10, 11-10
13) Rodolfo Esparza d. 20) German Garcia, 15-7, 15-9
4) Christian Longoria - BYE
3) Jaime Martell - BYE
14) Mario Hidalgo d. 19) Daniel Lopez, 15-8, 8-15, 11-4
11) Erick Sandoval - BYE
6) Polo Gutierrez - BYE
7) Luis Felipe Muñoz - BYE
10) Danny Lavely d. 23) Homar Prieto, 15-5, 15-5
15) Mario Zamora d. 18) Andres Carrillo, 15-3, 15-10
2) Andree Parrilla - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria wins singles & doubles at 2016 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
Paola Longoria remains undefeated on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) this season, as she defeated Maria Jose Vargas, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6, in the final of the 2016 Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas Sunday.
Longoria also won the LPRT doubles event with partner Samantha Salas, as they defeated Rhonda Rajsich and Jessica Parrilla, 15-4, 15-6.
The LPRT's next event is the Dare 2 Dream tournament in Stockton, California, May 12-15. If you missed any of the action from San Antonio, check out the LPRT LiveStream channel.
2016 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 22-24
Final
1) Paola Longoria d. 3) Maria Jose Vargas, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6
LPRT DOUBLES
Final
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 3) Jessica Parrilla & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-4, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria also won the LPRT doubles event with partner Samantha Salas, as they defeated Rhonda Rajsich and Jessica Parrilla, 15-4, 15-6.
The LPRT's next event is the Dare 2 Dream tournament in Stockton, California, May 12-15. If you missed any of the action from San Antonio, check out the LPRT LiveStream channel.
2016 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 22-24
Final
1) Paola Longoria d. 3) Maria Jose Vargas, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6
LPRT DOUBLES
Final
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 3) Jessica Parrilla & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-4, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Longoria & Vargas set for Alamo battle at 2016 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
Paola Longoria kept her undefeated Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season alive Saturday by defeating Veronica Sotomayor in the semi-finals of the 2016 Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, winning 11-6, 11-5, 11-7. In Sunday's final, Longoria will face Maria Jose Vargas, who was the 3rd of the tournament, and upset 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich in the other semi-final, 7-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7.
But Rajsich will play in a final on Sunday, as she and Jessica Parrilla were winners over Michelle Key and Frédérique Lambert, 15-7, 4-15, 11-10. They'll face the winner of the other doubles semi-final between top seeds Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas and 4th seeds Alexandra Herrera and Carla Muñoz.
The finals are Sunday at 10 AM (singles) and 11 AM (doubles) central time, and you can watch them live from San Antonio (or on the archive after the fact) via the LPRT LiveStream channel.
2016 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 22-24
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 12) Veronica Sotomayor, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7
3) Maria Jose Vargas d. 2) Rhonda Rajsich, 7-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria v. 3) Maria Jose Vargas - 10 AM
LPRT DOUBLES
Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz - 6 PM
3) Jessica Parrilla & Rhonda Rajsich d. 2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert, 15-7, 4-15, 11-10
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas or 4) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v.
3) Jessica Parrilla & Rhonda Rajsich - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
But Rajsich will play in a final on Sunday, as she and Jessica Parrilla were winners over Michelle Key and Frédérique Lambert, 15-7, 4-15, 11-10. They'll face the winner of the other doubles semi-final between top seeds Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas and 4th seeds Alexandra Herrera and Carla Muñoz.
The finals are Sunday at 10 AM (singles) and 11 AM (doubles) central time, and you can watch them live from San Antonio (or on the archive after the fact) via the LPRT LiveStream channel.
2016 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 22-24
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 12) Veronica Sotomayor, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7
3) Maria Jose Vargas d. 2) Rhonda Rajsich, 7-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria v. 3) Maria Jose Vargas - 10 AM
LPRT DOUBLES
Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz - 6 PM
3) Jessica Parrilla & Rhonda Rajsich d. 2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert, 15-7, 4-15, 11-10
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas or 4) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v.
3) Jessica Parrilla & Rhonda Rajsich - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
2016 LPRT Battle at the Alamo - Sotomayor into semi-finals
Veronica Sotomayor is certainly getting her money's worth at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2016 Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, as each of her three matches have gone a full five games, capped off Saturday morning with a upset win over 4th seed Frédérique Lambert, 11-5, 11-6, 6-11, 2-11, 11-2, in the quarterfinals.
Sotomayor will play top seed and LPRT #1 Paola Longoria in the semi-finals Saturday afternoon, as Longoria beat Jessica Parrilla, 11-2, 11-2, 11-2, in the quarters.
The 2nd and 3rd seeds will face off in the other semi-final, as LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajsich came back from a game down to defeat 7th seed Michelle Key, 6-11, 11-0, 12-10, 11-3, and LPRT #3 Maria Jose Vargas defeated 13th seed Cristina Amaya, 11-5, 11-0, 5-11, 11-1.
The semi-finals are Saturday at 3 and 4 PM central time, and you can watch the action from San Antonio via the LPRT LiveStream channel.
2016 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 22-24
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 8) Jessica Parrilla, 11-2, 11-2, 11-2
12) Veronica Sotomayor d. 4) Frédérique Lambert, 11-5, 11-6, 6-11, 2-11, 11-2
3) Maria Jose Vargas v. 13) Cristina Amaya, 11-5, 11-0, 5-11, 11-1
2) Rhonda Rajsich d. 7) Michelle Key, 6-11, 11-0, 12-10, 11-3
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 12) Veronica Sotomayor - 4 PM
2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 3) Maria Jose Vargas - 3 PM
LPRT DOUBLES
Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz - 6 PM
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert v. 3) Jessica Parrilla & Rhonda Rajsich - 5 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sotomayor will play top seed and LPRT #1 Paola Longoria in the semi-finals Saturday afternoon, as Longoria beat Jessica Parrilla, 11-2, 11-2, 11-2, in the quarters.
The 2nd and 3rd seeds will face off in the other semi-final, as LPRT #2 Rhonda Rajsich came back from a game down to defeat 7th seed Michelle Key, 6-11, 11-0, 12-10, 11-3, and LPRT #3 Maria Jose Vargas defeated 13th seed Cristina Amaya, 11-5, 11-0, 5-11, 11-1.
The semi-finals are Saturday at 3 and 4 PM central time, and you can watch the action from San Antonio via the LPRT LiveStream channel.
2016 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 22-24
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 8) Jessica Parrilla, 11-2, 11-2, 11-2
12) Veronica Sotomayor d. 4) Frédérique Lambert, 11-5, 11-6, 6-11, 2-11, 11-2
3) Maria Jose Vargas v. 13) Cristina Amaya, 11-5, 11-0, 5-11, 11-1
2) Rhonda Rajsich d. 7) Michelle Key, 6-11, 11-0, 12-10, 11-3
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 12) Veronica Sotomayor - 4 PM
2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 3) Maria Jose Vargas - 3 PM
LPRT DOUBLES
Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz - 6 PM
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert v. 3) Jessica Parrilla & Rhonda Rajsich - 5 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, April 22, 2016
2016 LPRT Battle at the Alamo - Early Round Action
The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) is back in action this weekend in San Antonio, Texas, where they are holding the 2016 Battle at the Alamo. In the early action, Veronica Sotomayor has reached the quarterfinals by upsetting 5th seed Samantha Salas, 12-10, 5-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9.
Other upsets winners early are the Gonzalez sisters, Lucia and Ximena. Lucia beat Alexandra Herrera, 11-6, 5-11, 8-11, 11-1, 11-9, and Ximena defeated Sofia Rascon, 11-2, 13-11, 11-3. Lucia will play Michelle Key in the Round of 16 today, and Ximena will play Cristina Amaya, who is making her first appearance on tour after having foot surgery earlier this year.
Only one upset in doubles play, as American juniors Jordan Cooperrider and Erika Manilla knocked off 5th seeded Cristina Amaya and Sofia Rascon, 15-12, 15-8. They'll play 4th seeds Alexandra Herrera and Carla Muñoz in the quarterfinals, who defeated the Gonzalez sisters, Lucia and Ximena, 15-3, 15-8.
The Round of 16 continues Friday with the quarterfinals to go early Saturday. You can watch some of the action via the LPRT LiveStream channel.
2016 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 22-24
First Round
Sofia Soley d. Eleni Guzman, 8-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-7
Round of 32
1) Paola Longoria d. Sofia Soley, 11-3, 11-0, 11-0
16) Adrienne Haynes d. 17) Carolina Luque, 11-0, 11-3, 11-3
9) Susana Acosta d. 24) Laura Brandt, 11-2, 12-10, 11-1
8) Jessica Parrilla d. Jordan Cooperrider, 11-0, 11-8, 12-10
5) Samantha Salas d. Denisse Maldonado, 11-0, 11-2, 11-4
12) Veronica Sotomayor d. Monserrat Mejia, 11-7, 6-11, 11-1, 10-12, 11-7
13) Da'monique Davis d. 20) T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5
4) Frédérique Lambert d. Erika Manilla, 11-3, 11-5, 11-7
3) Maria Jose Vargas d. Ana Laura Flores, 11-1, 11-5, 11-1
Gabriela Martinez d. 14) Masiel Rivera, 5-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-2
13) Cristina Amaya d. Cecilia Pratt, 11-4, 11-9, 14-12
Ximena Gonzalez d. 6) Sofia Rascon, 11-2, 13-11, 11-3
7) Michelle Key d. Jessica Maldonado, 11-3, 2-11, 11-8, 11-4
Lucia Gonzalez d. 10) Alexandra Herrera, 11-6, 4-11, 8-11, 11-1, 11-9
15) Carla Muñoz d. 18) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7
2) Rhonda Rajsich d. Montserrat Perez, 11-0, 11-5, 11-1
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria v. 16) Adrienne Haynes
8) Jessica Parrilla v. 9) Susana Acosta
12) Veronica Sotomayor d. 5) Samantha Salas, 12-10, 5-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9
4) Frédérique Lambert v. 13) Da'monique Davis
3) Maria Jose Vargas d. Gabriela Martinez, 11-1, 11-4, 11-4
13) Cristina Amaya v. Ximena Gonzalez
7) Michelle Key v. Lucia Gonzalez
2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 15) Carla Muñoz
LPRT DOUBLES
Round 16
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Jose Vargas d. 9) Cecilia Pratt & Masiel Rivera, 15-7, 15-12
12) Jordan Cooperrider & Erika Manilla d. 5) Cristina Amaya & Sofia Rascon, 15-12, 15-8
4) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz d. 13) Lucia Gonzalez & Ximena Gonzalez, 15-3, 15-8
3) Jessica Parrilla & Rhonda Rajsich d. 14) Ana Laura Flores & Montserrat Perez, 8-15, 15-0, 11-7
6) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado d. T. J. Baumbaugh & Adrienne Haynes, 15-7, 15-2
7) Gabriela Martinez & Monserrat Mejia d. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Sofia Soley, 15-3, 15-2
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 8) Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Jose Vargas - 8 PM
4) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v. 12) Jordan Cooperrider & Erika Manilla - 8 PM
3) Jessica Parrilla & Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado - 7 PM
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert v. 7) Gabriela Martinez & Monserrat Mejia - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Other upsets winners early are the Gonzalez sisters, Lucia and Ximena. Lucia beat Alexandra Herrera, 11-6, 5-11, 8-11, 11-1, 11-9, and Ximena defeated Sofia Rascon, 11-2, 13-11, 11-3. Lucia will play Michelle Key in the Round of 16 today, and Ximena will play Cristina Amaya, who is making her first appearance on tour after having foot surgery earlier this year.
Only one upset in doubles play, as American juniors Jordan Cooperrider and Erika Manilla knocked off 5th seeded Cristina Amaya and Sofia Rascon, 15-12, 15-8. They'll play 4th seeds Alexandra Herrera and Carla Muñoz in the quarterfinals, who defeated the Gonzalez sisters, Lucia and Ximena, 15-3, 15-8.
The Round of 16 continues Friday with the quarterfinals to go early Saturday. You can watch some of the action via the LPRT LiveStream channel.
2016 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 22-24
First Round
Sofia Soley d. Eleni Guzman, 8-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-7
Round of 32
1) Paola Longoria d. Sofia Soley, 11-3, 11-0, 11-0
16) Adrienne Haynes d. 17) Carolina Luque, 11-0, 11-3, 11-3
9) Susana Acosta d. 24) Laura Brandt, 11-2, 12-10, 11-1
8) Jessica Parrilla d. Jordan Cooperrider, 11-0, 11-8, 12-10
5) Samantha Salas d. Denisse Maldonado, 11-0, 11-2, 11-4
12) Veronica Sotomayor d. Monserrat Mejia, 11-7, 6-11, 11-1, 10-12, 11-7
13) Da'monique Davis d. 20) T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5
4) Frédérique Lambert d. Erika Manilla, 11-3, 11-5, 11-7
3) Maria Jose Vargas d. Ana Laura Flores, 11-1, 11-5, 11-1
Gabriela Martinez d. 14) Masiel Rivera, 5-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-2
13) Cristina Amaya d. Cecilia Pratt, 11-4, 11-9, 14-12
Ximena Gonzalez d. 6) Sofia Rascon, 11-2, 13-11, 11-3
7) Michelle Key d. Jessica Maldonado, 11-3, 2-11, 11-8, 11-4
Lucia Gonzalez d. 10) Alexandra Herrera, 11-6, 4-11, 8-11, 11-1, 11-9
15) Carla Muñoz d. 18) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7
2) Rhonda Rajsich d. Montserrat Perez, 11-0, 11-5, 11-1
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria v. 16) Adrienne Haynes
8) Jessica Parrilla v. 9) Susana Acosta
12) Veronica Sotomayor d. 5) Samantha Salas, 12-10, 5-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9
4) Frédérique Lambert v. 13) Da'monique Davis
3) Maria Jose Vargas d. Gabriela Martinez, 11-1, 11-4, 11-4
13) Cristina Amaya v. Ximena Gonzalez
7) Michelle Key v. Lucia Gonzalez
2) Rhonda Rajsich v. 15) Carla Muñoz
LPRT DOUBLES
Round 16
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Jose Vargas d. 9) Cecilia Pratt & Masiel Rivera, 15-7, 15-12
12) Jordan Cooperrider & Erika Manilla d. 5) Cristina Amaya & Sofia Rascon, 15-12, 15-8
4) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz d. 13) Lucia Gonzalez & Ximena Gonzalez, 15-3, 15-8
3) Jessica Parrilla & Rhonda Rajsich d. 14) Ana Laura Flores & Montserrat Perez, 8-15, 15-0, 11-7
6) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado d. T. J. Baumbaugh & Adrienne Haynes, 15-7, 15-2
7) Gabriela Martinez & Monserrat Mejia d. Maria Renee Rodriguez & Sofia Soley, 15-3, 15-2
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 8) Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Jose Vargas - 8 PM
4) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v. 12) Jordan Cooperrider & Erika Manilla - 8 PM
3) Jessica Parrilla & Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado - 7 PM
2) Michelle Key & Frédérique Lambert v. 7) Gabriela Martinez & Monserrat Mejia - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships - 2016 Summary & History
The 2016 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships wrapped up on the weekend, and we have a rundown of this year’s top four finishers, as well as the top fours going back to 2006.
The team prizes went to Oregon State, who won both the Overall title and the Women’s title, while Baldwin Wallace won the Men’s title. for you, as well as to put the top four players in each of the divisions into their place on the roll of excellence from the last few seasons.
Carla Muñoz, a student Las Positas College, won the Women’s #1 title, but she didn’t get the accompanying appointment to the USA Racquetball National Team that goes with winning the intercollegiates, because she’s Chilean. Muñoz isn’t the first non-American to win the intercollegiate women’s title.
Canadian Christie Van Hees (now Christie Huczek) won in 1998 and 1999, and Mexican Susana Acosta won in 2000. In those years, players attending universities outside the USA were allowed to play in intercollegiates, but that is no longer the case.
Three non-American men have won Men’s #1 Intercollegiates: Mexicans Luis Bustillos won in 1999, and Javier Moreno won in 2000. And way back in 1986 Canadian Roger Harripersad won the title. But all three of those players represented US schools. Bustillos was attending the University of Southern Colorado, Moreno was at the University of Memphis and Harripersad at Sacramento State.
In Men’s #1 Doubles, Costa Rican Felipe Camacho has won the title twice in recent years. He won in 2014 with Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo), and in 2011 with Jansen Allen. But he was the first non-American to do so.
The first non-American to win was Venezuelan Fabian Balmori, who won the title in 1994 with Luis Muñoz (who may also have been non-American, but we don’t have confirmation of that) while representing Memphis State University.
Muñoz won the title with Moreno in 1996 for the University of Southern Colorado, which was the first of four years for that school. In 1997, Moreno and Bustillos won it, then Bustillos and Willie Tilton won back to back in 1998- and 1999. In 2000, Moreno won it again with Mexican Ceasar Carrillo while representing the University of Memphis, and Carrillo won again in 2001 with Jeffrey Garner.
The first non-Americans to win Women’s #1 Doubles were Canadians Crystal Fried and Tracy Easgleson who represented Sacramento State back in 1985. Then in 1999, Mexican Susana Acosta won with Johanna Shattuck representing the University of Southern Colorado. Acosta won again in 2000 with Dina Garcia playing for the University of Chihuahua, Mexico.
The next USA Racquetball event is the National Singles Championships in Denver, Colorado May 25-29.
USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champions
Women's Singles
2016
1) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas)
2) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
3) Lexi York (Oregon State)
4) Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College)
2015
1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
2) Elizabeth Simmons (Arizona)
3) Hannah Shnurman (Northern Colorado)
4) Rachel Creel (Oregon State)
2014
1. Devon Pimentelli (Canada College)
2. Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State)
3. Samantha Simmons (Maryland)
4. Elizabeth Simmons (Arizona)
2013
1. Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
2. Danielle Key (Arizona State)
3. Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State)
4. Kelly Gremley (Purdue)
2012
1. Sharon Jackson (Alabama)
2. Danielle Key (Arizona State)
3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Hailey Miller (Oregon)
2011
1. Michelle Key (Arizona State)
2. Sharon Jackson (Univ. of Alabama)
3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Kelly Gremley (Purdue)
2010
1. Sharon Jackson (Univ. of Alabama)
2. Michelle Key (Univ. of Arizona)
3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
2009
1. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
2. Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
3. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4. Teresa Diaz (Delta College)
2008
1. Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2. Sarah Hettesheimer (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4. Sue Sublaban (Delta College)
2007
1. Kimberly Irons (Ohio University)
2. Jesi Fuller (University of New Mexico)
3. Da'monique Davis (University of Alabama)
4. Sarah Hettesheimer (Baldwin Wallace)
2006
1. Adrienne Fisher (University of Alabama)
2. Ashley Legget (Oregon State)
3. Jesi Fuller (University of New Mexico)
4. Allison Dauer (North Carolina)
Women's Doubles
2016
1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State)
2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri)
3) Jessilee Loucks & Lindsey Raven (Brigham Young)
4) Alexis Templeton & Antonia Duran (New Mexico)
2015
1) Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
2) Rachel Creel & Sarah Lewis (Oregon State)
3) Anna Schwartz & Madeline Gauch (Missouri)
4) Stefanie Nissley & Kerry Ryan (Pennsylvania State)
2014
1. Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
2. Amanda Lindsay & Karissa Beatty (Oregon State)
3. Anna Schwartz & Rachel Schmidt (Missouri)
4. Adrienne Schneider & Sara Moulton (Brigham Young)
2013
1. Danielle Key & Devon Pimentelli (Arizona State)
2. Amanda Lindsay & Karissa Beatty (Oregon State)
3. Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
4. Eliza Culverwell & Mary Culverwell (Brigham Young)
2012
1. Madeleine Angles & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)
2. Molly Haragan & Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Danielle Key & Izayadeth Aguayo (Arizona State)
4. Leah Redwine & Hailey Miller (University Of Oregon)
2011
1. Brittany Travers & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)
2. Sheryl Lotts & Tracy Hawthorne (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Hailey Miller & Leah Redwine (University of Oregon)
4. Izayadeth Aguayo & Michelle Key (Arizona State)
2010
1. Kara Mazur & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)
2. Sheryl Lotts & Tracy Hawthorne (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Haley Strom & Holly Hettesheimer (University Of Cincinnati)
4. Izayadeth Aguayo & Michelle Key (Arizona State)
2009
1. Sharon Jackson & Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2. Sarah Hettesheimer & Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Alyssa Asay & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4. Eliza Culverwell & Charlotte Macfarlane (Brigham Young)
2008
1. Alyssa Asay & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
2. Mallory Parry & Darla Wenger (Brigham Young)
3. Sarah Hettesheimer & Tyler Fridley (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Kara Mazer & Brittany Travers (University of Alabama)
2007
1. Da'monique Davis & Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2. Sarah Hettesheimer & Kristin Matushevski (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Michelle Key & Jessica Montemayor (Arizona State)
4. Mallory Parry & Katherine Affeltranger (Brigham Young)
2006
1. Ashley Legget & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
2. Da'monique Davis & Kelley Fisher (University of Alabama)
3. Jesi Fuller & Natalie Alexia Lopez (New Mexico State)
4. Gretchen Miller & Kristen Karl (Pennsylvania State)
Men's Singles
2016
1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
2) David Horn (California State-Hayward)
3) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State)
2015
1) Adam Manilla (Colorado)
2) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
3) Dylan Reid (Washington University)
4) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State)
2014
1. Jose Diaz (Delta College)
2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Adam Manilla (Colorado State)
4. Joel Barshaw (Oregon State)
2013
1. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Cole Burr (Brigham Young)
4. Jordan Matthews (North Carolina State)
2012
1. Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
3. John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.)
4. Jose Diaz (Delta College)
2011
1. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Danny Lavely (Univ. of Alabama)
4. John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.)
2010
1. Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2. Taylor Knoth (Univ. of Oregon)
3. Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)
4. Allan Crockett (Univ. of Alabama)
2009
1. Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2. Allan Crockett (University of Alabama)
3. Tony Carson (Colorado State)
4. Anthony Herrera (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)
2008
1. Tony Carson (Colorado State)
2. Anthony Herrera (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)
3. Bradly Rogers (Wichita)
4. Allan Crockett (University of Alabama)
2007
1. Ben Croft (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Agustin Tristan (University of Alabama)
3. Evan Ussery (University of New Mexico)
4. Phil Matthews (University of Illinois)
2006
1. Ben Croft (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Agustin Tristan (University of Alabama)
3. Mike Harmon (Manatee Community College)
4. Louis Vogel (University of New Mexico)
Men's Doubles
2016
1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
2) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Matt McAdam & Nick Riffel (Colorado)
2015
1) Adam Manilla & Nick Riffel (Colorado)
2) Jacob Matthews & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Joel Bradshow & Sam Reid (Oregon State)
4) Jon Lanford & Alex Howard (Texas)
2014
1. Felipe Camacho & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Adam Manilla & Nick Riffel (Colorado State)
3. Joel Bradshow & Sam Reid (Oregon State)
4. Danny Sardina & Zachary Patterson (Arizona State)
2013
1. Taylor Knoth & Joel Bradshow (Oregon State)
2. Nick Montalbano & Jake Bredenbeck (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Cole Burr & Brian Zundel (Brigham Young)
4. Alex Fischler & Joe Koch (Missouri)
2012
1. Jansen Allen & Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Grant Stalley & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
3. Brad Falvey & Danny Lavely (Alabama)
4. Cole Burr & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young)
2011
1. Felipe Camacho & Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Allan Crockett & Danny Lavely (University of Alabama)
3. Joey Pryor & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
4. Jeff Skanchy & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young)
2010
1. David Horn & Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2. Jansen Allen & Tyler Otto (Colorado State)
3. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)
4. David Laforest & Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)
2009
1. Tony Carson & Jansen Allen (Colorado State)
2. Jose Rojas & Ismael Aldana Jr. (Delta College)
3. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)
4. Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)
2008
1. Tony Carson & Charlie Pratt (Colorado State)
2. Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)
3. David Laforest & Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)
4. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)
2007
1. Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (Colorado State)
2. Chris Crockett & Shane Karmelin (University of Alabama)
3. Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Marco Hidalgo & Evan Ussery (New Mexico State)
2006
1. Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (Colorado State)
2. Augustin Tristan & Shane Karmelin (University of Alabama)
3. Scott Perryman & Jared Torres (Brigham Young)
4. Joe Linnell & Benjamin Toth (Ohio State)
Follow the bouncing ball....
The team prizes went to Oregon State, who won both the Overall title and the Women’s title, while Baldwin Wallace won the Men’s title. for you, as well as to put the top four players in each of the divisions into their place on the roll of excellence from the last few seasons.
Carla Muñoz, a student Las Positas College, won the Women’s #1 title, but she didn’t get the accompanying appointment to the USA Racquetball National Team that goes with winning the intercollegiates, because she’s Chilean. Muñoz isn’t the first non-American to win the intercollegiate women’s title.
Canadian Christie Van Hees (now Christie Huczek) won in 1998 and 1999, and Mexican Susana Acosta won in 2000. In those years, players attending universities outside the USA were allowed to play in intercollegiates, but that is no longer the case.
Three non-American men have won Men’s #1 Intercollegiates: Mexicans Luis Bustillos won in 1999, and Javier Moreno won in 2000. And way back in 1986 Canadian Roger Harripersad won the title. But all three of those players represented US schools. Bustillos was attending the University of Southern Colorado, Moreno was at the University of Memphis and Harripersad at Sacramento State.
In Men’s #1 Doubles, Costa Rican Felipe Camacho has won the title twice in recent years. He won in 2014 with Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo), and in 2011 with Jansen Allen. But he was the first non-American to do so.
The first non-American to win was Venezuelan Fabian Balmori, who won the title in 1994 with Luis Muñoz (who may also have been non-American, but we don’t have confirmation of that) while representing Memphis State University.
Muñoz won the title with Moreno in 1996 for the University of Southern Colorado, which was the first of four years for that school. In 1997, Moreno and Bustillos won it, then Bustillos and Willie Tilton won back to back in 1998- and 1999. In 2000, Moreno won it again with Mexican Ceasar Carrillo while representing the University of Memphis, and Carrillo won again in 2001 with Jeffrey Garner.
The first non-Americans to win Women’s #1 Doubles were Canadians Crystal Fried and Tracy Easgleson who represented Sacramento State back in 1985. Then in 1999, Mexican Susana Acosta won with Johanna Shattuck representing the University of Southern Colorado. Acosta won again in 2000 with Dina Garcia playing for the University of Chihuahua, Mexico.
The next USA Racquetball event is the National Singles Championships in Denver, Colorado May 25-29.
USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champions
Women's Singles
2016
1) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas)
2) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
3) Lexi York (Oregon State)
4) Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College)
2015
1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
2) Elizabeth Simmons (Arizona)
3) Hannah Shnurman (Northern Colorado)
4) Rachel Creel (Oregon State)
2014
1. Devon Pimentelli (Canada College)
2. Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State)
3. Samantha Simmons (Maryland)
4. Elizabeth Simmons (Arizona)
2013
1. Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
2. Danielle Key (Arizona State)
3. Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State)
4. Kelly Gremley (Purdue)
2012
1. Sharon Jackson (Alabama)
2. Danielle Key (Arizona State)
3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Hailey Miller (Oregon)
2011
1. Michelle Key (Arizona State)
2. Sharon Jackson (Univ. of Alabama)
3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Kelly Gremley (Purdue)
2010
1. Sharon Jackson (Univ. of Alabama)
2. Michelle Key (Univ. of Arizona)
3. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
2009
1. Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
2. Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
3. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4. Teresa Diaz (Delta College)
2008
1. Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2. Sarah Hettesheimer (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4. Sue Sublaban (Delta College)
2007
1. Kimberly Irons (Ohio University)
2. Jesi Fuller (University of New Mexico)
3. Da'monique Davis (University of Alabama)
4. Sarah Hettesheimer (Baldwin Wallace)
2006
1. Adrienne Fisher (University of Alabama)
2. Ashley Legget (Oregon State)
3. Jesi Fuller (University of New Mexico)
4. Allison Dauer (North Carolina)
Women's Doubles
2016
1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State)
2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri)
3) Jessilee Loucks & Lindsey Raven (Brigham Young)
4) Alexis Templeton & Antonia Duran (New Mexico)
2015
1) Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
2) Rachel Creel & Sarah Lewis (Oregon State)
3) Anna Schwartz & Madeline Gauch (Missouri)
4) Stefanie Nissley & Kerry Ryan (Pennsylvania State)
2014
1. Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
2. Amanda Lindsay & Karissa Beatty (Oregon State)
3. Anna Schwartz & Rachel Schmidt (Missouri)
4. Adrienne Schneider & Sara Moulton (Brigham Young)
2013
1. Danielle Key & Devon Pimentelli (Arizona State)
2. Amanda Lindsay & Karissa Beatty (Oregon State)
3. Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
4. Eliza Culverwell & Mary Culverwell (Brigham Young)
2012
1. Madeleine Angles & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)
2. Molly Haragan & Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Danielle Key & Izayadeth Aguayo (Arizona State)
4. Leah Redwine & Hailey Miller (University Of Oregon)
2011
1. Brittany Travers & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)
2. Sheryl Lotts & Tracy Hawthorne (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Hailey Miller & Leah Redwine (University of Oregon)
4. Izayadeth Aguayo & Michelle Key (Arizona State)
2010
1. Kara Mazur & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)
2. Sheryl Lotts & Tracy Hawthorne (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Haley Strom & Holly Hettesheimer (University Of Cincinnati)
4. Izayadeth Aguayo & Michelle Key (Arizona State)
2009
1. Sharon Jackson & Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2. Sarah Hettesheimer & Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Alyssa Asay & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4. Eliza Culverwell & Charlotte Macfarlane (Brigham Young)
2008
1. Alyssa Asay & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
2. Mallory Parry & Darla Wenger (Brigham Young)
3. Sarah Hettesheimer & Tyler Fridley (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Kara Mazer & Brittany Travers (University of Alabama)
2007
1. Da'monique Davis & Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2. Sarah Hettesheimer & Kristin Matushevski (Baldwin Wallace)
3. Michelle Key & Jessica Montemayor (Arizona State)
4. Mallory Parry & Katherine Affeltranger (Brigham Young)
2006
1. Ashley Legget & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
2. Da'monique Davis & Kelley Fisher (University of Alabama)
3. Jesi Fuller & Natalie Alexia Lopez (New Mexico State)
4. Gretchen Miller & Kristen Karl (Pennsylvania State)
Men's Singles
2016
1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
2) David Horn (California State-Hayward)
3) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State)
2015
1) Adam Manilla (Colorado)
2) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
3) Dylan Reid (Washington University)
4) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State)
2014
1. Jose Diaz (Delta College)
2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Adam Manilla (Colorado State)
4. Joel Barshaw (Oregon State)
2013
1. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Cole Burr (Brigham Young)
4. Jordan Matthews (North Carolina State)
2012
1. Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
3. John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.)
4. Jose Diaz (Delta College)
2011
1. Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
2. Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Danny Lavely (Univ. of Alabama)
4. John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.)
2010
1. Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2. Taylor Knoth (Univ. of Oregon)
3. Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)
4. Allan Crockett (Univ. of Alabama)
2009
1. Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2. Allan Crockett (University of Alabama)
3. Tony Carson (Colorado State)
4. Anthony Herrera (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)
2008
1. Tony Carson (Colorado State)
2. Anthony Herrera (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)
3. Bradly Rogers (Wichita)
4. Allan Crockett (University of Alabama)
2007
1. Ben Croft (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Agustin Tristan (University of Alabama)
3. Evan Ussery (University of New Mexico)
4. Phil Matthews (University of Illinois)
2006
1. Ben Croft (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Agustin Tristan (University of Alabama)
3. Mike Harmon (Manatee Community College)
4. Louis Vogel (University of New Mexico)
Men's Doubles
2016
1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
2) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Matt McAdam & Nick Riffel (Colorado)
2015
1) Adam Manilla & Nick Riffel (Colorado)
2) Jacob Matthews & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Joel Bradshow & Sam Reid (Oregon State)
4) Jon Lanford & Alex Howard (Texas)
2014
1. Felipe Camacho & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Adam Manilla & Nick Riffel (Colorado State)
3. Joel Bradshow & Sam Reid (Oregon State)
4. Danny Sardina & Zachary Patterson (Arizona State)
2013
1. Taylor Knoth & Joel Bradshow (Oregon State)
2. Nick Montalbano & Jake Bredenbeck (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3. Cole Burr & Brian Zundel (Brigham Young)
4. Alex Fischler & Joe Koch (Missouri)
2012
1. Jansen Allen & Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Grant Stalley & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
3. Brad Falvey & Danny Lavely (Alabama)
4. Cole Burr & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young)
2011
1. Felipe Camacho & Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2. Allan Crockett & Danny Lavely (University of Alabama)
3. Joey Pryor & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
4. Jeff Skanchy & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young)
2010
1. David Horn & Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2. Jansen Allen & Tyler Otto (Colorado State)
3. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)
4. David Laforest & Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)
2009
1. Tony Carson & Jansen Allen (Colorado State)
2. Jose Rojas & Ismael Aldana Jr. (Delta College)
3. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)
4. Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)
2008
1. Tony Carson & Charlie Pratt (Colorado State)
2. Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)
3. David Laforest & Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)
4. Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)
2007
1. Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (Colorado State)
2. Chris Crockett & Shane Karmelin (University of Alabama)
3. Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)
4. Marco Hidalgo & Evan Ussery (New Mexico State)
2006
1. Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (Colorado State)
2. Augustin Tristan & Shane Karmelin (University of Alabama)
3. Scott Perryman & Jared Torres (Brigham Young)
4. Joe Linnell & Benjamin Toth (Ohio State)
Follow the bouncing ball....
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Rojas, Muñoz win 2016 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships
Two repeat finalists in the Men’s and Women’s #1 Singles divisions at the USA Racquetball 2016 Intercollegiate Championships at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, and the two had different results from last year. The repeat finalists were the top seeds in their respective divisions: Marco Rojas from the University of the Pacific, runner up last year in Men’s #1 and last year's Women’s #1 champion Kelani Bailey of Shenandoah University.
Rojas won the Men’s #1 final this year, when he beat 3rd seed David Horn (California State-Hayward) in the final, 15-5, 14-15, 11-9. After dropping the first game, Horn had a big lead in game two, and looked like it was going breaker for sure. But Rojas fought back from 9-4 to lead 14-11. Then it was Horn’s turn to comeback, and he did so with four answered points to force the third game, winning the game with a forehand killshot.
The breaker was close all the way, although Rojas had a slight advantage until late in the game, when Horn tied him at 8-8. Horn then took his first lead of the game at 9-8. However, a timeout from Rojas stopped Horn’s momentum, and he tied it back up at 9-9 and then went ahead 10-9 and won it with a drive serve ace to the left side that made it 11-9.
In Women's #1 Singles, last year's champion Bailey of Shenandoah University fell to 2nd seed Carla Muñoz of Las Positas College, 15-11, 13-15, 11-5. But Bailey will get a one year appointment to the USA Racquetball National Team, as she is the highest American finisher in the event. Muñoz is Chilean.
In doubles, Rojas became a double champion Saturday, as he and Jose Diaz won Men’s #1 Doubles also by defeating 3rd seed Jeremy McGlothin and Brad Schopieray of Colorado State, Pueblo, 15-8, 15-7, in the final. Erica Lipski and Lexi York of Oregon State won Women’s #1 Doubles, when the beat 2nd seeds Jordan Giljum and Madeline Gauch of Missouri, 15-2, 15-3.
Players compete in teams at the Intercollegiate Championships. A full team is six men and six women, who are ranked within the teams. The #1 ranked players are in one division, #2s in a second division, #3s in a third, etc. Thus, there are also three divisions of doubles.
If you missed any of the action from Tempe, you can watch the matches that were live streamed by USA Racquetball via their Intercollegiate Championships LiveStream channel.
2016 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
(with seedings)
Women's Singles - Final
2) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas) d. 1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah), 15-11, 13-15, 11-5
Women's Singles - 3rd place
4) Lexi York (Oregon State) d. 3) Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College), 15-6, 15-13
Women's Doubles - Final
1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State) d. 2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri), 15-2, 15-3
Women's Doubles - 3rd place
13) Jessilee Loucks & Lindsey Raven (Brigham Young) d. 3) Alexis Templeton & Antonia Duran (New Mexico), 15-12, 15-7
Men's Singles - Final
1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) d. 3) David Horn (California State-Hayward), 15-5, 14-15, 11-9
Men's Singles - 3rd Place
4) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace) d. 2) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State), 15-12, 15-11
Men's Doubles - Final
1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) d. 3) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo), 15-8, 15-7
Men's Doubles - 3rd place
5) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace) d. 2) Matt McAdam & Nick Riffel (Colorado), 15-3, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Rojas won the Men’s #1 final this year, when he beat 3rd seed David Horn (California State-Hayward) in the final, 15-5, 14-15, 11-9. After dropping the first game, Horn had a big lead in game two, and looked like it was going breaker for sure. But Rojas fought back from 9-4 to lead 14-11. Then it was Horn’s turn to comeback, and he did so with four answered points to force the third game, winning the game with a forehand killshot.
The breaker was close all the way, although Rojas had a slight advantage until late in the game, when Horn tied him at 8-8. Horn then took his first lead of the game at 9-8. However, a timeout from Rojas stopped Horn’s momentum, and he tied it back up at 9-9 and then went ahead 10-9 and won it with a drive serve ace to the left side that made it 11-9.
In Women's #1 Singles, last year's champion Bailey of Shenandoah University fell to 2nd seed Carla Muñoz of Las Positas College, 15-11, 13-15, 11-5. But Bailey will get a one year appointment to the USA Racquetball National Team, as she is the highest American finisher in the event. Muñoz is Chilean.
In doubles, Rojas became a double champion Saturday, as he and Jose Diaz won Men’s #1 Doubles also by defeating 3rd seed Jeremy McGlothin and Brad Schopieray of Colorado State, Pueblo, 15-8, 15-7, in the final. Erica Lipski and Lexi York of Oregon State won Women’s #1 Doubles, when the beat 2nd seeds Jordan Giljum and Madeline Gauch of Missouri, 15-2, 15-3.
Players compete in teams at the Intercollegiate Championships. A full team is six men and six women, who are ranked within the teams. The #1 ranked players are in one division, #2s in a second division, #3s in a third, etc. Thus, there are also three divisions of doubles.
If you missed any of the action from Tempe, you can watch the matches that were live streamed by USA Racquetball via their Intercollegiate Championships LiveStream channel.
2016 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
(with seedings)
Women's Singles - Final
2) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas) d. 1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah), 15-11, 13-15, 11-5
Women's Singles - 3rd place
4) Lexi York (Oregon State) d. 3) Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College), 15-6, 15-13
Women's Doubles - Final
1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State) d. 2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri), 15-2, 15-3
Women's Doubles - 3rd place
13) Jessilee Loucks & Lindsey Raven (Brigham Young) d. 3) Alexis Templeton & Antonia Duran (New Mexico), 15-12, 15-7
Men's Singles - Final
1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) d. 3) David Horn (California State-Hayward), 15-5, 14-15, 11-9
Men's Singles - 3rd Place
4) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace) d. 2) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State), 15-12, 15-11
Men's Doubles - Final
1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) d. 3) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo), 15-8, 15-7
Men's Doubles - 3rd place
5) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace) d. 2) Matt McAdam & Nick Riffel (Colorado), 15-3, 15-7
Follow the bouncing ball....
Carson wins 2016 IRT Raising Some Racquet for Kids
Rocky Carson defeated Alvaro Beltran, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9, to win the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Raising Some Racquet for Kids tournament in Huber Heights, Ohio. The victory is Carson’s second the season, and solidifies his spot as the #2 ranked IRT player. With IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk undergoing hernia surgery earlier this week, there may be a chance that Carson could overtake him for the #1 spot at season’s end, as it’s uncertain when Waselenchuk will return to action. But there are only three event left in the season.
Saturday night’s final was hard fought. They were close all the way in game one, although after being tied at 4-4, Carson got a slight lead at 6-4, and never gave it up, winning 11-7.
Beltran fell behind in game two, 5-1, but came back to tie it at 6-6, before falling behind again 9-6. However, this time Carson couldn’t finish, as Beltran came back and scored five unanswered points to win 11-9.
Game three was similar, as Beltran fell behind, but this time the deficit was larger at 9-0, and although Beltran scored some points, he couldn’t make up that large a difference, as Carson won 11-6. But in game four, Beltran was up the whole way, leading 3-0, 7-4 and winning 11-8.
That set up a tie-breaker, which again saw Carson taking the early lead at 5-0. Beltran again dug in, and started coming back. He cut the difference to two at 5-3. Carson extended it again to 7-3. Beltran got within one at 7-6, and then complained that Carson was taking too long to put the ball into play.
Carson plays at a notoriously slow pace, but Beltran’s pace of play isn’t much faster, and to complain about Carson’s slow play for the first time midway through the fifth game of the match seemed like odd timing. This after Carson hit an ace drive serve to the right side. Carson hit a jam serve to the left that caused Beltran to skip his return shot, and one wondered if Beltran had lost it.
But Carson was called for an avoidable on the next rally, which he disputed. Yet Beltran got the serve back, and a point also when Carson skipped a backhand pinch shot.
They went back and forth a few more times, and Beltran picked up two more points to tie the game at 9-9, and looked like he might pull out the win. But then a strange play happened, where Beltran dove for a shot, hitting the ball to the right, but preventing Carson from playing the next shot, as Carson fell over Beltran. Carson wanted an avoidable, and Beltran felt he should win the rally, because he made his shot and Carson didn’t. The referee called a hinder, which seemed like the reasonable call.
But Beltran skipped a backhand on the next rally, giving Carson back the serve. Carson hit two great backhand pinch shots for winners from deep in the left corner, the second of which even seemed like a splat, and with that the match was over.
The win is Carson’s 23rd in his career, and puts him into 6th spot all time, breaking a tie he had at 22 wins with Jason Mannino. Head to head with Beltran, Carson is now 23 wins and 20 losses over their lengthy careers.
The final three events of the 2015-16 IRT season are the Florida Pro-Am April 28-May 1 in Sarasota, Florida, the ProKennex Tournament of Champions, May 12-15 in Portland, Oregon, and the Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California May 19-22.
2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids, March 31-April 3
Huber Heights, Ohio
Final
2) Rocky Carson d. 4) Alvaro Beltran, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday night’s final was hard fought. They were close all the way in game one, although after being tied at 4-4, Carson got a slight lead at 6-4, and never gave it up, winning 11-7.
Beltran fell behind in game two, 5-1, but came back to tie it at 6-6, before falling behind again 9-6. However, this time Carson couldn’t finish, as Beltran came back and scored five unanswered points to win 11-9.
Game three was similar, as Beltran fell behind, but this time the deficit was larger at 9-0, and although Beltran scored some points, he couldn’t make up that large a difference, as Carson won 11-6. But in game four, Beltran was up the whole way, leading 3-0, 7-4 and winning 11-8.
That set up a tie-breaker, which again saw Carson taking the early lead at 5-0. Beltran again dug in, and started coming back. He cut the difference to two at 5-3. Carson extended it again to 7-3. Beltran got within one at 7-6, and then complained that Carson was taking too long to put the ball into play.
Carson plays at a notoriously slow pace, but Beltran’s pace of play isn’t much faster, and to complain about Carson’s slow play for the first time midway through the fifth game of the match seemed like odd timing. This after Carson hit an ace drive serve to the right side. Carson hit a jam serve to the left that caused Beltran to skip his return shot, and one wondered if Beltran had lost it.
But Carson was called for an avoidable on the next rally, which he disputed. Yet Beltran got the serve back, and a point also when Carson skipped a backhand pinch shot.
They went back and forth a few more times, and Beltran picked up two more points to tie the game at 9-9, and looked like he might pull out the win. But then a strange play happened, where Beltran dove for a shot, hitting the ball to the right, but preventing Carson from playing the next shot, as Carson fell over Beltran. Carson wanted an avoidable, and Beltran felt he should win the rally, because he made his shot and Carson didn’t. The referee called a hinder, which seemed like the reasonable call.
But Beltran skipped a backhand on the next rally, giving Carson back the serve. Carson hit two great backhand pinch shots for winners from deep in the left corner, the second of which even seemed like a splat, and with that the match was over.
The win is Carson’s 23rd in his career, and puts him into 6th spot all time, breaking a tie he had at 22 wins with Jason Mannino. Head to head with Beltran, Carson is now 23 wins and 20 losses over their lengthy careers.
The final three events of the 2015-16 IRT season are the Florida Pro-Am April 28-May 1 in Sarasota, Florida, the ProKennex Tournament of Champions, May 12-15 in Portland, Oregon, and the Coast to Coast California Open in Reseda, California May 19-22.
2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids, March 31-April 3
Huber Heights, Ohio
Final
2) Rocky Carson d. 4) Alvaro Beltran, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9
Follow the bouncing ball….
2016 IRT Raising Some Racquet for Kids - Semi-finals
Rocky Carson and Alvaro Beltran - the #2 and #4 players, respectively, on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - will meet in the final of the Raising Some Racquet for Kids tournament in Huber Heights, Ohio. Beltran defeated 9th seed Sebastian Franco, 11-0, 11-7, 11-5, in one semi-final, while Carson overcame a one game deficit to see off Daniel De La Rosa in four games, 5-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-3.
Carson and Beltran have both won once this season, and will have a chance to double that Saturday night. Beltran won in Atlanta, defeating Carson in the final, while Carson won in Davison, Michigan.
The final will be streamed live Saturday night at 7 PM Eastern via the IRT Network.
2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids, March 31-April 3
Huber Heights, Ohio
Semi-finals
4) Alvaro Beltran d. 9) Sebastian Franco, 11-0, 11-7, 11-5
2) Rocky Carson d. 3) Daniel De La Rosa, 5-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-3
Semi-finals
2) Rocky Carson v. 4) Alvaro Beltran
Follow the bouncing ball….
Carson and Beltran have both won once this season, and will have a chance to double that Saturday night. Beltran won in Atlanta, defeating Carson in the final, while Carson won in Davison, Michigan.
The final will be streamed live Saturday night at 7 PM Eastern via the IRT Network.
2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids, March 31-April 3
Huber Heights, Ohio
Semi-finals
4) Alvaro Beltran d. 9) Sebastian Franco, 11-0, 11-7, 11-5
2) Rocky Carson d. 3) Daniel De La Rosa, 5-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-3
Semi-finals
2) Rocky Carson v. 4) Alvaro Beltran
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, April 1, 2016
2016 IRT Raising Some Racquet for Kids - Quarterfinals
The remaining top three seeds all made it into the semi-finals at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Raising Some Racquet for Kids tournament in Huber Heights, Ohio, but some of the matches were most curious. Fourth seed Alvaro Beltran’s win over 5th seed Jose Rojas was the most curious, as it went four games and they were all very lopsided. Rojas won the first, then Beltran won the next three to take the match, 3-11, 11-1, 11-0, 11-4.
Beltran will play 9th seed Sebastian Franco in the semi-finals on Saturday, as Franco defeated 17th seed Jeremy Best, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3.
On the other side of the draw, 2nd seed Rocky Carson was also a straight game winner, as he beat Mario Mercado, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9. He’ll face Daniel De La Rosa, who like Beltran dropped the first game to Jansen Allen, then won the next three by increasing margins, taking the match, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-2. Allen had a significant lead in game two at 9-5, but wasn’t able to close it out, as De La Rosa outscored him 7-1 down the stretch.
The semi-finals will be streamed live Saturday at 11 AM and noon Eastern via the IRT Network. Note that the final is Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids, March 31-April 3
Huber Heights, Ohio
Quarterfinals
9) Sebastian Franco d. Jeremy Best 11-4, 11-5, 11-3
4) Alvaro Beltran d. 5) Jose Rojas, 3-11, 11-1, 11-0, 11-4
3) Daniel De La Rosa d. 6) Jansen Allen, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-2
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Mario Mercado, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9
Semi-finals
4) Alvaro Beltran v. 9) Sebastian Franco
2) Rocky Carson v. 3) Daniel De La Rosa
Follow the bouncing ball….
Beltran will play 9th seed Sebastian Franco in the semi-finals on Saturday, as Franco defeated 17th seed Jeremy Best, 11-4, 11-5, 11-3.
On the other side of the draw, 2nd seed Rocky Carson was also a straight game winner, as he beat Mario Mercado, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9. He’ll face Daniel De La Rosa, who like Beltran dropped the first game to Jansen Allen, then won the next three by increasing margins, taking the match, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-2. Allen had a significant lead in game two at 9-5, but wasn’t able to close it out, as De La Rosa outscored him 7-1 down the stretch.
The semi-finals will be streamed live Saturday at 11 AM and noon Eastern via the IRT Network. Note that the final is Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids, March 31-April 3
Huber Heights, Ohio
Quarterfinals
9) Sebastian Franco d. Jeremy Best 11-4, 11-5, 11-3
4) Alvaro Beltran d. 5) Jose Rojas, 3-11, 11-1, 11-0, 11-4
3) Daniel De La Rosa d. 6) Jansen Allen, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-2
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Mario Mercado, 11-5, 11-8, 11-9
Semi-finals
4) Alvaro Beltran v. 9) Sebastian Franco
2) Rocky Carson v. 3) Daniel De La Rosa
Follow the bouncing ball….
2016 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships - Quarterfinals & Semi-finals
Few significant upsets at the USA Racquetball 2016 Intercollegiate Championships at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, as the top seeds have made it to make the finals.
Marco Rojas from the University of the Pacific is in the final, as he defeated 4th seed Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace), 15-4, 15-8. Rojas faces 3rd seed David Horn (California State-Hayward) in the final, as Horn was an upset winner over 2nd seed Brad Schopieray (Colorado State), 15-2, 15-13. Rojas was runner up last year to Adam Manilla, who is not in the event this year, so he'll want to go one better than that on Saturday.
In Women's Singles, last year's champion Kelani Bailey of Shenandoah University is the top seed this year, and has a chance to defend her title after winning a dramatic semi-final against 4th seed Lexi York (Oregon State), 12-15, 15-10, 11-10. Earlier, she beat 8th seed Madeline Gauch (Missouri), 15-3, 15-0, in the quarterfinals, while York defeated 5th seed Jordan Chesak (Texas), 15-1, 15-4.
In their tie-breaker, Bailey had a big lead at 7-1. But the game stalled at 8-4 and 8-6, as they were back and forth several times during the mid-game. Then York completed the come back by tying the game at 9-9, and she went ahead 10-9 on an ace drive serve to the right side after hitting almost all of her drive serves to the left during the match.
However, Bailey got the serve back on the next rally, when York had to hit a second serve, which was a lob to the left. Bailey returned it by volleying the ball just after it passed the five foot line, driving it cross court for a winner.
Two forehand shots got Bailey match point, and won the match. The first was a cross court shot, and the second a straight in kill shot after York’s shot came high off the back wall to the right side, where Bailey drove it home.
Bailey will face 2nd seed Carla Muñoz of Las Positas College in the final, as Muñoz defeated 3rd seed Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College), 15-5, 15-10, in the other semi-final. In the quarters, Muñoz beat 7th seed Courtney Chisholm (Worcester State), 15-0, 15-2, while Pimentelli defeated 6th seed Katie Nieswiadomy (Texas A&M), 15-7, 15-6.
USA Racquetball is streaming the Intercollegiate Championships live via LiveStream. Click on the link on the USA Racquetball website.
2016 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
(with seedings)
Women's Singles - Quarterfinals
1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah) d. 8) Madeline Gauch (Missouri), 15-3, 15-0
4) Lexi York (Oregon State) d. 5) Jordan Chesak (Texas), 15-1, 15-4
3) Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College) d. 6) Katie Nieswiadomy (Texas A&M), 15-7, 15-6
2) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas) d. 7) Courtney Chisholm (Worcester State), 15-0, 15-2
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah) d. 4) Lexi York (Oregon State), 12-15, 15-10, 11-10
2) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas) d. 3) Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College), 15-5, 15-10
Women's Singles - Final
1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah) v. 2) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas) - 12:30 PM
Women's Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State) d. 9) Laurel Christ & Katie Nieswiadomy (Texas A&M), 15-4, 15-3
13) Jessilee Loucks & Lindsey Raven (Brigham Young) d. 5) Jordan Chesak & Jordan Murphey (Texas), 15-12, 12-15, 11-6
3) Alexis Templeton & Antonia Duran (New Mexico) d. 11) Melissa Dunn & Jessica Lubold (Arizona State), 9-15, 15-11, 11-10
2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri) d. 7) Rachel Pabelico & Pooja Sheevam (Colorado), 15-6, 15-5
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State) d. 13) Jessilee Loucks & Lindsey Raven (Brigham Young), 15-5, 15-6
2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri) d. 3) Alexis Templeton & Antonia Duran (New Mexico), 15-3, 15-7
Women's Doubles - Final
1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State) v. 2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri) - Saturday 2:30 PM
Men's Singles - Quarterfinals
1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) d. 9) Luis Avila (El Camino), 15-5, 15-2
4) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace) d. 4) Nick Riffel (Colorado), 7-15, 15-9, 11-5
3) David Horn (California State- Hayward) d. 6) Alejandro Almada (Texas), 15-6, 15-13
2) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State) d. 7) Zachary Patterson (Arizona State), 15-5, 15-1
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) d. 4) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace), 15-4, 15-8
3) David Horn (California State-Hayward) d. 2) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State), 15-2, 15-13
Men's Singles - Final
1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) v. 3) David Horn (California State-Hayward) - Saturday 1:30 PM
Men's Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) d. 9) Jesse Giron & Zachary Patterson (Arizona State), 15-0, 15-6
5) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace) d. 4) John Lindsay & Sam Reid (Oregon State), 15-2, 15-4
3) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo) d. 6) Alejandro Almada & Jon Lanford (Texas), 15-2, 15-7
2) Matt McAdam & Nick Riffel (Colorado) d. 7) Alex Lazenby & Paul Beffa (Missouri), 15-6, 15-14
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) d. 5) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace), 15-5, 15-6
3) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo) d. 2) Matt McAdam & Nick Riffel (Colorado), 15-3, 15-5
Men's Doubles - Final
1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) v. 3) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo) - 3:30 PM
Follow the bouncing ball....
Marco Rojas from the University of the Pacific is in the final, as he defeated 4th seed Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace), 15-4, 15-8. Rojas faces 3rd seed David Horn (California State-Hayward) in the final, as Horn was an upset winner over 2nd seed Brad Schopieray (Colorado State), 15-2, 15-13. Rojas was runner up last year to Adam Manilla, who is not in the event this year, so he'll want to go one better than that on Saturday.
In Women's Singles, last year's champion Kelani Bailey of Shenandoah University is the top seed this year, and has a chance to defend her title after winning a dramatic semi-final against 4th seed Lexi York (Oregon State), 12-15, 15-10, 11-10. Earlier, she beat 8th seed Madeline Gauch (Missouri), 15-3, 15-0, in the quarterfinals, while York defeated 5th seed Jordan Chesak (Texas), 15-1, 15-4.
In their tie-breaker, Bailey had a big lead at 7-1. But the game stalled at 8-4 and 8-6, as they were back and forth several times during the mid-game. Then York completed the come back by tying the game at 9-9, and she went ahead 10-9 on an ace drive serve to the right side after hitting almost all of her drive serves to the left during the match.
However, Bailey got the serve back on the next rally, when York had to hit a second serve, which was a lob to the left. Bailey returned it by volleying the ball just after it passed the five foot line, driving it cross court for a winner.
Two forehand shots got Bailey match point, and won the match. The first was a cross court shot, and the second a straight in kill shot after York’s shot came high off the back wall to the right side, where Bailey drove it home.
Bailey will face 2nd seed Carla Muñoz of Las Positas College in the final, as Muñoz defeated 3rd seed Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College), 15-5, 15-10, in the other semi-final. In the quarters, Muñoz beat 7th seed Courtney Chisholm (Worcester State), 15-0, 15-2, while Pimentelli defeated 6th seed Katie Nieswiadomy (Texas A&M), 15-7, 15-6.
USA Racquetball is streaming the Intercollegiate Championships live via LiveStream. Click on the link on the USA Racquetball website.
2016 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
(with seedings)
Women's Singles - Quarterfinals
1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah) d. 8) Madeline Gauch (Missouri), 15-3, 15-0
4) Lexi York (Oregon State) d. 5) Jordan Chesak (Texas), 15-1, 15-4
3) Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College) d. 6) Katie Nieswiadomy (Texas A&M), 15-7, 15-6
2) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas) d. 7) Courtney Chisholm (Worcester State), 15-0, 15-2
Women's Singles - Semi-finals
1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah) d. 4) Lexi York (Oregon State), 12-15, 15-10, 11-10
2) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas) d. 3) Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College), 15-5, 15-10
Women's Singles - Final
1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah) v. 2) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas) - 12:30 PM
Women's Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State) d. 9) Laurel Christ & Katie Nieswiadomy (Texas A&M), 15-4, 15-3
13) Jessilee Loucks & Lindsey Raven (Brigham Young) d. 5) Jordan Chesak & Jordan Murphey (Texas), 15-12, 12-15, 11-6
3) Alexis Templeton & Antonia Duran (New Mexico) d. 11) Melissa Dunn & Jessica Lubold (Arizona State), 9-15, 15-11, 11-10
2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri) d. 7) Rachel Pabelico & Pooja Sheevam (Colorado), 15-6, 15-5
Women's Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State) d. 13) Jessilee Loucks & Lindsey Raven (Brigham Young), 15-5, 15-6
2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri) d. 3) Alexis Templeton & Antonia Duran (New Mexico), 15-3, 15-7
Women's Doubles - Final
1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State) v. 2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri) - Saturday 2:30 PM
Men's Singles - Quarterfinals
1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) d. 9) Luis Avila (El Camino), 15-5, 15-2
4) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace) d. 4) Nick Riffel (Colorado), 7-15, 15-9, 11-5
3) David Horn (California State- Hayward) d. 6) Alejandro Almada (Texas), 15-6, 15-13
2) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State) d. 7) Zachary Patterson (Arizona State), 15-5, 15-1
Men's Singles - Semi-finals
1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) d. 4) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace), 15-4, 15-8
3) David Horn (California State-Hayward) d. 2) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State), 15-2, 15-13
Men's Singles - Final
1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) v. 3) David Horn (California State-Hayward) - Saturday 1:30 PM
Men's Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) d. 9) Jesse Giron & Zachary Patterson (Arizona State), 15-0, 15-6
5) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace) d. 4) John Lindsay & Sam Reid (Oregon State), 15-2, 15-4
3) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo) d. 6) Alejandro Almada & Jon Lanford (Texas), 15-2, 15-7
2) Matt McAdam & Nick Riffel (Colorado) d. 7) Alex Lazenby & Paul Beffa (Missouri), 15-6, 15-14
Men's Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) d. 5) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace), 15-5, 15-6
3) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo) d. 2) Matt McAdam & Nick Riffel (Colorado), 15-3, 15-5
Men's Doubles - Final
1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific) v. 3) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo) - 3:30 PM
Follow the bouncing ball....
2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids - Round of 16
Two upsets at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Raising Some Racquet for Kids tournament in Huber Heights, Ohio, but the big news really was off the court, as IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk was a late withdrawal from the tournament due to “emergency incarcerated hernia surgey” (from IRT Facebook page) https://www.facebook.com/IRTfan/?fref=ts . The surgery went well, reportedly, but no other details are available currently.
Hopefully, Waselenchuk will make a complete recovery and be back on the IRT soon. However, the immediate consequences were that Jeremy Best got a forfeit win against Waseelenchuk in the Round of 16 in Huber Heights, so he’s into the quarterfinals, where Best will play Sebastian Franco, who needed a tie-breaker to defeat Robert Collins, 10-12, 11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 11-3, which was an upset as Franco’s the 9th seed and Collins 8th.
Only one other match went more than three games, which was between Mario Mercado and Felipe Camacho with Mercado winning in four, 11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6. Mercado faces Rocky Carson in the quarters, as Carson beat Troy Warigon, 11-1, 11-0, 11-4, the 16s.
In what we anticipated would be the feature match of the Round of 16, Daniel De La Rosa defeated Jake Bredenbeck in three close games, 12-10, 12-10, 11-9. It was a lot closer than last Saturday, when they played in the final of the Pan American Championship, which De La Rosa won 15-2, 15-1.
De La Rosa led 10-6 in game one, but Bredenbeck fought off three game points in coming back to tie it 10-10. However, De La Rosa had that little bit extra to get over the finish line at 12-10.
Game two was streaky with Bredenbeck leading 5-2, then De La Rosa leading 8-6, then Bredenbeck leading 10-8. This time is was De La Rosa who fought off three game points to come back and win 12-10.
They were close all the way in game three, and tied at 8-8. De La Rosa go to 10-8, but Bredenbeck held him off there by winning a long rally. He called a timeout after that rally, and scored a point when play resumed to make the score 9-10. But a De La Rosa forehand down the line stopped Bredenbeck, and a backhand down the line won it for De La Rosa, who moves on to the quarters against Jansen Allen, a winner over Mauricio Zelada, 11-9, 11-0, 11-4.
The quarterfinals will be streamed live Friday from 5 PM Eastern via the IRT Network. The semi-finals will be 11 AM and Noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids, March 31-April 3
Huber Heights, Ohio
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Jeremy Best d. Kane Waselenchuk, forfeit
Sebastian Franco d. 8) Robert Collins, 10-12, 11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 11-3
5) Jose Rojas d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-2, 11-7, 11-3
4) Alvaro Beltran d. Scott McClellan, 11-0, 11-4, 11-5
3) Daniel De La Rosa d. Jake Bredenbeck, 12-10, 12-10, 11-9
6) Jansen Allen d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-9, 11-0, 11-4
7) Mario Mercado d. Felipe Camacho, 11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6
2) Rocky Carson d. Troy Warigon, 11-1, 11-0, 11-4
Quarterfinals - Friday
Jeremy Best v. Sebastian Franco - 6 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. 5) Jose Rojas - 8 PM
3) Daniel De La Rosa v. 6) Jansen Allen - 7 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Mario Mercado - 5 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Hopefully, Waselenchuk will make a complete recovery and be back on the IRT soon. However, the immediate consequences were that Jeremy Best got a forfeit win against Waseelenchuk in the Round of 16 in Huber Heights, so he’s into the quarterfinals, where Best will play Sebastian Franco, who needed a tie-breaker to defeat Robert Collins, 10-12, 11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 11-3, which was an upset as Franco’s the 9th seed and Collins 8th.
Only one other match went more than three games, which was between Mario Mercado and Felipe Camacho with Mercado winning in four, 11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6. Mercado faces Rocky Carson in the quarters, as Carson beat Troy Warigon, 11-1, 11-0, 11-4, the 16s.
In what we anticipated would be the feature match of the Round of 16, Daniel De La Rosa defeated Jake Bredenbeck in three close games, 12-10, 12-10, 11-9. It was a lot closer than last Saturday, when they played in the final of the Pan American Championship, which De La Rosa won 15-2, 15-1.
De La Rosa led 10-6 in game one, but Bredenbeck fought off three game points in coming back to tie it 10-10. However, De La Rosa had that little bit extra to get over the finish line at 12-10.
Game two was streaky with Bredenbeck leading 5-2, then De La Rosa leading 8-6, then Bredenbeck leading 10-8. This time is was De La Rosa who fought off three game points to come back and win 12-10.
They were close all the way in game three, and tied at 8-8. De La Rosa go to 10-8, but Bredenbeck held him off there by winning a long rally. He called a timeout after that rally, and scored a point when play resumed to make the score 9-10. But a De La Rosa forehand down the line stopped Bredenbeck, and a backhand down the line won it for De La Rosa, who moves on to the quarters against Jansen Allen, a winner over Mauricio Zelada, 11-9, 11-0, 11-4.
The quarterfinals will be streamed live Friday from 5 PM Eastern via the IRT Network. The semi-finals will be 11 AM and Noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids, March 31-April 3
Huber Heights, Ohio
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Jeremy Best d. Kane Waselenchuk, forfeit
Sebastian Franco d. 8) Robert Collins, 10-12, 11-5, 11-4, 8-11, 11-3
5) Jose Rojas d. Andy Hawthorne, 11-2, 11-7, 11-3
4) Alvaro Beltran d. Scott McClellan, 11-0, 11-4, 11-5
3) Daniel De La Rosa d. Jake Bredenbeck, 12-10, 12-10, 11-9
6) Jansen Allen d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-9, 11-0, 11-4
7) Mario Mercado d. Felipe Camacho, 11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6
2) Rocky Carson d. Troy Warigon, 11-1, 11-0, 11-4
Quarterfinals - Friday
Jeremy Best v. Sebastian Franco - 6 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. 5) Jose Rojas - 8 PM
3) Daniel De La Rosa v. 6) Jansen Allen - 7 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Mario Mercado - 5 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids - Qualifying results
Andy Hawthorne’s still got it, as evidenced by his win over Matthew Majxner Thursday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Raising Some Racquet for Kids tournament in Huber Heights, Ohio. A former top 10 ranked IRT player, Hawthorne, an Ohio resident, came back from two games down to defeat the IRT's 14th ranked Majxner, 6-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7. He’ll play Jose Rojas in the Round of 16 on Friday.
Also Thursday, Jake Bredenbeck defeated Kamyron Meeks, 11-2, 11-3, 11-3, which sets up a rematch of last week’s Pan American Championship final with Daniel De La Rosa and Jake Bredenbeck. De La Rosa won easily on Saturday, so Bredenbeck will certainly want to make a better showing this time out.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 11 AM via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 5 PM on. Also, the semi-finals will be 11 AM and Noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids, March 31-April 3
Huber Heights, Ohio
Qualifying Round
Q8) Jeremy Best d. Felip Vesely, 10-11, [sic] 11-4, 11-8, 5-11, 11-6
Q1) Sebastian Franco - BYE
Q4) Andy Hawthorne d. Matthew Majxner, 6-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7
Q5) Scott McClellan d. Joel Ernst, 11-4, 11-5, 11-8
Q6) Jake Bredenbeck d. Kamyron Meeks, 11-2, 11-3, 11-3
Q3) Mauricio Zelada d. John Craig Chisholm, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-0
Q2) Mario Mercado - BYE
Q7) Troy Warigon d. Destry Everhart, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-8
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Jeremy Best - Noon
8) Robert Collins v. Sebastian Franco - Noon
5) Jose Rojas v. Andy Hawthorne - 2 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. Scott McClellan - 2 PM
3) Daniel De La Rosa v. Jake Bredenbeck - 1 PM
6) Jansen Allen v. Mauricio Zelada - 1 PM
7) Felipe Camacho v. Mario Mercado - 11 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. Troy Warigon - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Also Thursday, Jake Bredenbeck defeated Kamyron Meeks, 11-2, 11-3, 11-3, which sets up a rematch of last week’s Pan American Championship final with Daniel De La Rosa and Jake Bredenbeck. De La Rosa won easily on Saturday, so Bredenbeck will certainly want to make a better showing this time out.
The IRT Round of 16 will be streamed live Friday from 11 AM via the IRT Network with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 5 PM on. Also, the semi-finals will be 11 AM and Noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Eastern.
2016 Raising Some Racquet for Kids, March 31-April 3
Huber Heights, Ohio
Qualifying Round
Q8) Jeremy Best d. Felip Vesely, 10-11, [sic] 11-4, 11-8, 5-11, 11-6
Q1) Sebastian Franco - BYE
Q4) Andy Hawthorne d. Matthew Majxner, 6-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-7
Q5) Scott McClellan d. Joel Ernst, 11-4, 11-5, 11-8
Q6) Jake Bredenbeck d. Kamyron Meeks, 11-2, 11-3, 11-3
Q3) Mauricio Zelada d. John Craig Chisholm, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-0
Q2) Mario Mercado - BYE
Q7) Troy Warigon d. Destry Everhart, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-8
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Kane Waselenchuk v. Jeremy Best - Noon
8) Robert Collins v. Sebastian Franco - Noon
5) Jose Rojas v. Andy Hawthorne - 2 PM
4) Alvaro Beltran v. Scott McClellan - 2 PM
3) Daniel De La Rosa v. Jake Bredenbeck - 1 PM
6) Jansen Allen v. Mauricio Zelada - 1 PM
7) Felipe Camacho v. Mario Mercado - 11 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. Troy Warigon - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
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