LPRT Statistical Abstract for 2015-16

The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) begins its 2016-17 season this weekend, so it's a good time to review what happened last season. 2015-16 was a season dominated by Paola Longoria, who was undefeated, as she won all 11 LPRT Tier 1 or Grand Slam events. It looks like she'll have a chance to win more than that in 2016-17, as there are 8 events on the schedule prior to Christmas, and presumably more than three after Christmas.

Longoria going undefeated was not too surprising, as she had done so in three previous seasons: 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14. But what was somewhat surprising was that Rhonda Rajsich finished #2, as Maria Jose Vargas was #2 in 2014-15, and then at 22, looked to be on the rise compared to veteran Rajsich, who's 14 years Vargas's elder.

Thus, Rajsich had a renaissance last season, which made her results at the World Championships last summer puzzling. She lost in the Round of 16 to Gabriela Martinez, and needed tie-breakers to win her two group stage matches. So, it's difficult to know what to expect from Rajsich this season.

Frédérique Lambert was the player on the rise the second half of last season, as she was in two finals and two semi-finals in the last five events. Moreover, Lambert was up 2-1 on Longoria in the last event of season, although Longoria did win that match. Lambert finished 4th last season, behind Rajsich and Vargas, but could well finish higher this season.

Of note, only one USA player was in the top 10 at season's end. That was Rajsich at #2. That's the fewest USA players in the top 10 ever. Ten seasons ago eight of the top 10 were USA players, and even in 2014-15 there were four.

So, some of the questions for the coming season are how many events will Longoria win? Who will be the #2 player behind Longoria? And how many USA players will be in the top 10?

2015-16 Statistical Abstract

There were 248 LPRT matches last season, which was down from 279 in 2014-15, and 296 in 2013-14, but about the same as 2012-13, when there were 249 matches that season.

There was a slight decrease in the number of different players making the quarterfinals or better at a LPRT event last season, as 16 players did so, compared to 20 in 2014-15, 22 in 2013-14, and 19 in 2012-13, and 13 in 2011-12. But some of those players did so for the first time, including Carla Muñoz, Adriana Riveros, Maria Renee Rodriguez and Masiel Rivera.

2015-16 LPRT Season Summary by Player
LPRT Rank - Player - Wins - 2nds - Semi-finals - Quarterfinals

1) Paola Longoria - 11 wins
2) Rhonda Rajsich - 5 seconds, 5 semi-finals, 1 quarterfinal
3) Maria Jose Vargas - 4 seconds, 3 semi-finals, 1 quarterfinal
4) Frédérique Lambert - 2 seconds, 3 semi-finals, 6 quarterfinals
5) Samantha Salas - 5 semi-finals, 2 quarterfinals

6) Jessica Parrilla - 1 semi-final, 6 quarterfinals
7) Sofia Rascon - 6 quarterfinals
8) Alexandra Herrera - 1 semi-final, 5 quarterfinals
9) Susana Acosta - 4 quarterfinals
10) Cristina Amaya - 4 quarterfinals

11) Michelle Key - 3 quarterfinals
12) Carla Muñoz - 2 quarterfinals
13) Veronica Sotomayor - 3 semi-finals
14) Adriana Riveros - 1 semi-final, 2 quarterfinals
15) Maria Renee Rodriguez - 1 quarterfinal
16) Masiel Rivera - 1 quarterfinal

2015-16 LPRT Season Summary by Tournament
Tournament - Final - Semi Finalists

Cali, Colombia - Paola Longoria d. Maria Jose Vargas, 11-13, 11-2, 11-6, 11-3 - Samantha Salas & Rhonda Rajsich
US Open - Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 11-7, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9, Veronica Sotomayor & Maria Jose Vargas
St Luis Potosi, Mexico - Paola Longoria d. Maria Jose Vargas, 11-0, 11-1, 11-5 - Samantha Salas & Rhonda Rajsich
Monterrey, Mexico - Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 9-11, 11-8, 11-1, 11-2 - Samantha Salas & Maria Jose Vargas

Arlington, VA - Paola Longoria d. Maria Jose Vargas, 11-1, 11-1, 11-0 - Samantha Salas & Veronica Sotomayor
Cincinnati - Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 11-3, 11-8, 11-4 - Frédérique Lambert & Adriana Riveros
Overland Park, Kansas - Paola Longoria d. Frédérique Lambert, 11-2, 11-2, 11-4 - Alexandra Herrera & Rhonda Rajsich

New Jersey Open - Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 11-6, 7-11, 11-4, 11-2 - Frédérique Lambert & Maria Jose Vargas
San Antonio - Paola Longoria d. Maria Jose Vargas, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6 - Veronica Sotomayor & Rhonda Rajsich
Stockton - Paola Longoria d. Rhonda Rajsich, 11-5, 9-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-1 - Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla
Tour Rosa Mexicano - Paola Longoria d. Frédérique Lambert, 6-11, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9, 11-2 - Samantha Salas & Rhonda Rajsich

Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT)
2015-16 Statistical Abstract

Matches going 3 games: 147 (59.3%)
Matches going 4 games: 64 (25.8%)
Matches going 5 games: 35 (14.1%)
Total matches: 248 (2 forfeits)

Most Points in a match: 103 - Jessica Parrilla d. Sheryl Lotts, 9-11, 11-6, 9-11, 14-12, 11-9, at the New Jersey Open

Fewest points in a match: 33 - Alexandra Herrera d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 11-0, 11-0, 11-0, at US Open

Most Points in a win: 54 - Jessica Parrilla d. Sheryl Lotts, 9-11, 11-6, 9-11, 14-12, 11-9, at the New Jersey Open

Most Points in a loss: 49 - Jessica Parrilla d. Sheryl Lotts, 9-11, 11-6, 9-11, 14-12, 11-9, at the New Jersey Open

Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -5 - Laura Brandt d. Lynn Fonseca, 6-11, 11-7, 3-11, 12-10, 11-9 at US Open
2nd Smallest difference in total points between match winner & loser: -3 - Frédérique Lambert d. Jessica Parrilla, 2-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-3, 12-10 at Monterrey

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