Wanye Antone IV and Jordan Cooperrider, the USA Racquetball Champions in Boy's U18 and Girl's U18, respectively, will lead the USA Junior Team at the 2017 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Championships in Minneapolis, November 4-11. The wins conclude Antone's and Cooperrider's respective junior years, so let's review those years.
Antone's development seems to have been slower than Coooperrider's, although there are more competitors in the boy's divisions than the girl's. Nonetheless, Antone was a semi-finalist in each of his last six years of juniors, and he was in the finals three times, but he didn't win a final until his U18 years. That is, Antone has shown a progression in his development that will hopefully see him continue to progress as a player.
Antone's results contrast from Mauro Rojas, who was his opponent in the U18 final this year. Rojas has been in six finals in the last six years, but only won once. He reached the U14 finals in 2012 and 2013, losing each to Jordan Barth. In 2014, Rojas beat Antone in the U16 final, and he was in both the U16 and U18 finals in 2015, when he was beaten by Barth the former and Sam Bredenbeck in the latter. Last year Rojas lost in the U18 semi-finals to Antone, and lost again to Antone in the U18 final this year.
Rojas seems like a power player, while Antone is scrappier, evidenced by several diving gets he made in the final. Also, Rojas had chances to win this year with four match points in the final, but Antone fought all of them off. Moreover, Antone won game two and three on his first game points; he didn't need second chances. In transitioning from a junior racquetball player to an adult racquetball athlete, you need to learn to win. Learning to win is a process, and Antone seems to be ahead of Rojas in that process.
Cooperrider has been in the finals the last four years, as well as being first in U14 in 2013, when it was a round robin, and third in U14 in 2012, when it was also a round robin. Prior to this year, Cooperrider had faced off with Erika Manilla each year, winning three of them and losing twice. Manilla was eligible for U18 this year, but a school commitment kept her from playing.
Does winning U18 twice mean success later? Maybe. Michelle De La Rosa (née Key) and Kelani Bailey both won U18 twice, as Cooperrider has now, and they have played with the USA National Team. Also, De La Rosa has been a top 10 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT). Bailey hasn't, but she is only a few years from her junior days (she won U18 in 2012 and 2013), and Bailey hasn't played many LPRT events. Indeed, De La Rosa, who won her U18 titles in 2006 and 2007, has only been a regular LPRT for the three seasons prior to this past one, and overall has only played 36 LPRT events over eight seasons. She didn't play at all in 2011-12 or 2012-13.
Thus, while Cooperrider winning two Girl's U18 titles is great, and should bode well for her future, she'll need to keep playing to fulfill the promise that those wins suggest. Not all players who have won Girl's U18 have kept playing (e.g., Aubrey O'brien and Devon Pimentelli).
Participation
There were 183 players at the 2017 USA Racquetball Junior Olympics in Stockton, which is down slightly from last year in Fridley, Minnesota, where 194 players participated. It's also down slightly from two years ago, when the tournament was also in Stockton and 194 players participated. But generally, the participation is steady over the last three years and up from 2014 and 2013, when there were 154 and 143 players.
Also the girls' participation is up slightly at 62 from 60 a year ago, and with the lower overall participation, girls are making up a slightly higher percentage of players (33.9% this year versus 30.9% last year). That's the highest percentage of girls in the Junior Olympics in the last 12 years.
While there's more girls participating, there doesn't seem to be a great depth of skill, as in the four quarterfinal U18 Gold division matches there were five 15-0 games, as well as a 15-0 game in the semi-finals with none of the games in semis going past 15-4.
Nonetheless, more girls playing is better overall for the game of racquetball in the USA.
2017 USA Racquetball Junior Team Qualifiers
Based on 2017 Junior Olympic Results in Stockton, California
Boy's U14
Singles - Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) & Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA)
Doubles - Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) & Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA)
Boy's U16
Singles - Cayden Akins (Keller, TX) & Sahil Thakur (Tracy, CA)
Doubles - Julian Singh (Pleasanton, CA) & Mitchell Turner (Salem, OR)
Boy's U18
Singles - Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR) & Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA)
Doubles - Lukas Le (Arlington, TX) & Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA)
Girl's U14
Singles - Annie Roberts (Gresham, OR) & Heather Mahoney (Penngrove, CA)
Doubles - Heather Mahoney (Penngrove, CA) & Julia Stein (Murrysville, PA)
Girl's U16
Singles - Briana Jacquet (Port Arthur, TX) & Nikita Chauhan (San Ramon, CA)
Doubles - Brian Jacquet (Port Arthur, TX) & Graciana Wargo (Clearwater, FL)
Girl's U18
Singles - Jordan Cooperrider (Palm Harbor, FL) & Hollie Scott (Lynden, WA)
Doubles - Megan Carver (Spokane, WA) & Hollie Scott (Bellingham, WA)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, June 30, 2017
Monday, June 26, 2017
2017 USA Racquetball Junior Olympics - Singles Finals
Wanye Antone IV and Jordan Cooperrider won the Boy's and Girl's U18 divisions, respectively, on Sunday at the 2017 USA Racquetball Junior Olympics at the In-Shape Sport West Lane Club in Stockton, California, so they each successfully defending the title they won a year ago. And both needed tie-breakers to get it done.
In the Boy's U18 final, Antone faced match point against Mauro Rojas, but managed to squeak out the victory, 4-15, 15-14, 11-10. In game two, Rojas was up 11-7, but Antone came back to tie it at 11-11 and then go up 14-11. However, Rojas then came back to tie it 14-14, but on match point #1, he skipped a forehand pinch shot from deep in the court. Antone calls TO, and then came in with the lob serve close to the right wall that he used to get back in the match. Rojas returned it with a ceiling ball, and Antone hit a forehand pinch shot to win the game.
In the breaker, they were back and forth early, and tied 4-4. Then Rojas went ahead 9-4, and looked to good to win it. But Antone came back to make it 9-8, but Rojas got a side out, then he hit a drive serve that cracked out off the left side wall to make it 10-8, setting up his second match point.
Rojas went for the crack ace again, but it was short, and on the ensuing rally Antone hit a forehand winner to get the serve back. But Antone couldn't score on his serve, so Rojas served for the match a third time. Again Rojas couldn't convert, as Antone hit a backhand winner. Antone made it 10-9 with a forehand pinch winner, but Rojas prevented him from tying it by hitting a backhand winner down the line. So, Rojas served for the match for a 4th time. Again he hit a drive serve on first serve, but it was short. Rojas's second serve was a lob to the right side that nicked off the right wall early, allowing Antone space to hit a forehand pinch shot for a winner.
Serving at 9-10, Antone hit a straight lob on the right side that Rojas skipped on his serve return, which set up Antone's first match point at 10-10. Antone again served a lob down the right wall that started a long rally during which Antone hit three shots - one from his knees and one from a dive into the left wall - that just kept the ball in play, and it ended as Rojas skipped a forehand shot from the middle of the court perhaps feeling that he had to hit the ball even lower to prevent Antone from keeping the ball in play.
Akul Ramayani was a double winner Sunday, as he took both the Boy's U14 and U16 titles. In U14, Ramayani beat the boy who beat him last year, Antonio Rojas, 15-11, 15-10, while in U16, Ramayani defeated Sahil Thaker, 15-11, 15-7.
In the divisions, Cooperrider won the U18 title by defeating Hollie Scott in three games, 15-4, 12-15, 11-2, for her second title in as many years. The Girl's U14 final also went to a tie-breaker, as Annie Roberts defeated Heather Mahoney, 15-5, 9-15, 11-3. But no breaker was needed in Girl's U16, where Briana Jacquet beat Nikita Chauhan in two straight games, 15-4, 15-2. Jacquet was runner up in U16 last year, and Chauhan won U14 last year.
The boy's and girl's finalists in the U14, U16 and U18 divisions all qualified for the 2017 USA Racquetball Junior National Team that will compete at the 2017 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Championships in November in Minneapolis.
If you missed any of the action from Stockton, or want to see it again - especially that 11-10 tie-breaker between Antone and Rojas - check out the USA Racquetball LiveStream channel.
2017 USA Racquetball Junior Olympics
Stockton, California
Boy's U14
Final
Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) d. Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA), 15-11, 15-10
3rd place
Nikhil Prasad (Fremont, CA) d. Krish Thakur (Tracy, CA), 15-11, 15-13
Boy's U16
Final
Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) d. Sahil Thakur (Tracy, CA), 15-11, 15-7
3rd place
Cayden Akins (Keller, TX) d. Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA), forfeit
Boy's U18
Final
Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR) d. Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA), 4-15, 15-14, 11-10
3rd place
Justus Benson (Austin, TX) d. Kevin Vazquez (Miami, FL), forfeit
Girl's U14
Final
Annie Roberts (Gresham, OR) d. Heather Mahoney (Penngrove, CA), 15-5, 9-15, 11-3
3rd place
Estefania Perez (Corvallis, OR) d. Julia Stein (Murrysville, PA), 15-14, 15-13
Girl's U16
Final
Briana Jacquet (Port Arthur, TX) d. Nikita Chauhan (San Ramon, CA), 15-4, 15-2
3rd place
Kaitlyn Boyle (Beaverton, OR) d. Megan Carver (Spokane, WA), 15-2, 15-1
Girl's U18
Final
Jordan Cooperrider (Palm Harbor, FL) d. Hollie Scott (Lynden, WA), 15-4, 12-15, 11-2
3rd Place
Hannah Carver (Spokane, WA) d. Kristine Holman (Salem, OR), forfeit
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the Boy's U18 final, Antone faced match point against Mauro Rojas, but managed to squeak out the victory, 4-15, 15-14, 11-10. In game two, Rojas was up 11-7, but Antone came back to tie it at 11-11 and then go up 14-11. However, Rojas then came back to tie it 14-14, but on match point #1, he skipped a forehand pinch shot from deep in the court. Antone calls TO, and then came in with the lob serve close to the right wall that he used to get back in the match. Rojas returned it with a ceiling ball, and Antone hit a forehand pinch shot to win the game.
In the breaker, they were back and forth early, and tied 4-4. Then Rojas went ahead 9-4, and looked to good to win it. But Antone came back to make it 9-8, but Rojas got a side out, then he hit a drive serve that cracked out off the left side wall to make it 10-8, setting up his second match point.
Rojas went for the crack ace again, but it was short, and on the ensuing rally Antone hit a forehand winner to get the serve back. But Antone couldn't score on his serve, so Rojas served for the match a third time. Again Rojas couldn't convert, as Antone hit a backhand winner. Antone made it 10-9 with a forehand pinch winner, but Rojas prevented him from tying it by hitting a backhand winner down the line. So, Rojas served for the match for a 4th time. Again he hit a drive serve on first serve, but it was short. Rojas's second serve was a lob to the right side that nicked off the right wall early, allowing Antone space to hit a forehand pinch shot for a winner.
Serving at 9-10, Antone hit a straight lob on the right side that Rojas skipped on his serve return, which set up Antone's first match point at 10-10. Antone again served a lob down the right wall that started a long rally during which Antone hit three shots - one from his knees and one from a dive into the left wall - that just kept the ball in play, and it ended as Rojas skipped a forehand shot from the middle of the court perhaps feeling that he had to hit the ball even lower to prevent Antone from keeping the ball in play.
Akul Ramayani was a double winner Sunday, as he took both the Boy's U14 and U16 titles. In U14, Ramayani beat the boy who beat him last year, Antonio Rojas, 15-11, 15-10, while in U16, Ramayani defeated Sahil Thaker, 15-11, 15-7.
In the divisions, Cooperrider won the U18 title by defeating Hollie Scott in three games, 15-4, 12-15, 11-2, for her second title in as many years. The Girl's U14 final also went to a tie-breaker, as Annie Roberts defeated Heather Mahoney, 15-5, 9-15, 11-3. But no breaker was needed in Girl's U16, where Briana Jacquet beat Nikita Chauhan in two straight games, 15-4, 15-2. Jacquet was runner up in U16 last year, and Chauhan won U14 last year.
The boy's and girl's finalists in the U14, U16 and U18 divisions all qualified for the 2017 USA Racquetball Junior National Team that will compete at the 2017 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Championships in November in Minneapolis.
If you missed any of the action from Stockton, or want to see it again - especially that 11-10 tie-breaker between Antone and Rojas - check out the USA Racquetball LiveStream channel.
2017 USA Racquetball Junior Olympics
Stockton, California
Boy's U14
Final
Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) d. Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA), 15-11, 15-10
3rd place
Nikhil Prasad (Fremont, CA) d. Krish Thakur (Tracy, CA), 15-11, 15-13
Boy's U16
Final
Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) d. Sahil Thakur (Tracy, CA), 15-11, 15-7
3rd place
Cayden Akins (Keller, TX) d. Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA), forfeit
Boy's U18
Final
Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR) d. Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA), 4-15, 15-14, 11-10
3rd place
Justus Benson (Austin, TX) d. Kevin Vazquez (Miami, FL), forfeit
Girl's U14
Final
Annie Roberts (Gresham, OR) d. Heather Mahoney (Penngrove, CA), 15-5, 9-15, 11-3
3rd place
Estefania Perez (Corvallis, OR) d. Julia Stein (Murrysville, PA), 15-14, 15-13
Girl's U16
Final
Briana Jacquet (Port Arthur, TX) d. Nikita Chauhan (San Ramon, CA), 15-4, 15-2
3rd place
Kaitlyn Boyle (Beaverton, OR) d. Megan Carver (Spokane, WA), 15-2, 15-1
Girl's U18
Final
Jordan Cooperrider (Palm Harbor, FL) d. Hollie Scott (Lynden, WA), 15-4, 12-15, 11-2
3rd Place
Hannah Carver (Spokane, WA) d. Kristine Holman (Salem, OR), forfeit
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, June 25, 2017
2017 USA Racquetball Junior Olympics - Saturday summary
Players will have a chance to repeat and to make amends for losses last year Sunday at the 2017 USA Racquetball Junior Olympics at the In-Shape Sport West Lane Club in Stockton, California. Both the Boy's and Girl's U18 2016 champions, Wanye Antone IV and Jordan Cooperrider, respectively, have a chance to repeat as champions. But Akul Ramayani and Briana Jacquet will have a chance to win this year after losing in finals last year.
Ramayani is in both the Boy's U14 and U16 finals. He lost the U14 final last year to Antonio Rojas, and Rojas will be his opponent again in the U14 final. In U16, Ramayani will be up against Sahil Thaker. Ramayani is already a 2017 Junior Champion, as he and Rojas won the Boy's U14 Doubles title together.
For her part, Jacquet lost the U16 final last year (to Ingrid Robledo), but has a chance to win it this year, when she plays Nikita Chauhan on Sunday. Chauhan was the U14 champion last year.
In the Girl's U18 final, Cooperrider will play Hollie Scott, while in Girl's U14, Heather Mahoney will play Annie Roberts in the final.
In Boy's U18, Antone faces Mauro Rojas in the final. Rojas won the Boy's U18 Doubles final with left-hander Lukas Le, as they defeated Ricadro Diaz and Dane Elkins, 13-15, 15-6, 11-8.
The Boy's U16 Doubles title went to Julian Singh and Mitchell Turner, who beat Ben Baron and Micah Farmer, 15-6, 15-9, in the final.
The 2017 USA Racquetball Junior Olympics concludes Sunday at the In-Shape Sport West Lane in Stockton, California.
2017 USA Racquetball Junior Olympics
Stockton, California
Boy's U14
Semi-finals
Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA) d. Nikhil Prasad (Fremont, CA), 15-0, 15-2
Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) d. Krish Thakur (Tracy, CA), 15-11, 15-2
Final - Sunday
Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA) v. Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) - 9:30 AM
3rd place - Sunday
Nikhil Prasad (Fremont, CA) v. Krish Thakur (Tracy, CA) - 11:30 AM
Boy's U16
Semi-finals
Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) d. Cayden Akins (Keller, TX), 15-13, 15-6
Sahil Thakur (Tracy, CA) d. Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA), 15-7, 7-15, 11-8
Final - Sunday
Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) v. Sahil Thakur (Tracy, CA) - 11:30 AM
3rd place - Sunday
Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA) v. Cayden Akins (Keller, TX) - 1:30 PM
Boy's U18
Semi-finals
Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR) d. Justus Benson (Austin, TX), 15-12, 15-12
Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA) d. Kevin Vazquez (Miami, FL), 14-15, 15-6, 11-4
Final - Sunday
Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR) v. Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA) - 1:30 PM
3rd place - Sunday
Kevin Vazquez (Miami, FL) v. Justus Benson (Austin, TX) - 12:30 PM
Girl's U14
Semi-finals
Heather Mahoney (Penngrove, CA) d. Estefania Perez (Corvallis, OR), 15-9, 15-14
Annie Roberts (Gresham, OR) d. Julia Stein (Murrysville, PA), 15-10, 15-12
Final - Sunday
Heather Mahoney (Penngrove, CA) v. Annie Roberts (Gresham, OR) - 1:30 PM
3rd place - Sunday
Estefania Perez (Corvallis, OR) v. Julia Stein (Murrysville, PA) - 8:30 AM
Girl's U16
Semi-finals
Briana Jacquet (Port Arthur, TX) d. Megan Carver (Spokane, WA), 15-3, 15-2
Nikita Chauhan (San Ramon, CA) d. Kaitlyn Boyle (Beaverton, OR), 15-13, 15-10
Final - Sunday
Briana Jacquet (Port Arthur, TX) v. Nikita Chauhan (San Ramon, CA) - 10:30 AM
3rd place - Sunday
Megan Carver (Spokane, WA) v. Kaitlyn Boyle (Beaverton, OR) - 9:30 AM
Girl's U18
Semi-finals
Jordan Cooperrider (Palm Harbor, FL) d. Hannah Carver (Spokane, WA), 15-1, 15-0
Hollie Scott (Lynden, WA) d. Kristine Holman (Salem, OR), 15-4, 15-3
Final - Sunday
Jordan Cooperrider (Palm Harbor, FL) v. Hollie Scott (Lynden, WA) - 12:30 PM
3rd Place - Sunday
Hannah Carver (Spokane, WA) v. Kristine Holman (Salem, OR) - 1:30 PM
Boy's U18 Doubles - Round Robin - Sunday matches
Final
Lukas Le (Arlington, TX) & Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA) d. Ricadro Diaz (Stockton, CA) & Dane Elkins (Los Angeles, CA), 13-15, 15-6, 11-8
3rd Place
Jeremy Dixon (Downers Grove, IL) & Gavin Usher (Bozeman, MT) d. Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR) & Kevin Vazquez (Miami, FL), forfeit
Boy's U16 Doubles
Final
Julian Singh (Pleasanton, CA) & Mitchell Turner (Salem, OR) d. Ben Baron (Phoenix) & Micah Farmer (Trophy Club, Texas), 15-6, 15-9
3rd Place - Sunday
Krish Thakur (Tracy, CA) & Sahil Thakur (Tracy, CA) v. Cayden Akins (Keller, TX) & Brian Barberis (McKinney, TX) - 10:30 AM
Boy's U14 Doubles - Round Robin Final Standings
1. Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) & Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA)
2. Cole Hartman (Plymouth, MN) & Nathan Soltis (Plymouth, MN)
3. Kamahele Britos (Honolulu, HI) & Julius Ellis (Stockton, CA)
Girl's U18 Doubles - Round Robin - Final Standings
1st - Hollie Scott (Bellingham, WA) & Megan Carver (Spokane, WA)
2nd - Jordan Cooperrider (Palm Harbor, Fla.) & Kaitlyn Boyle (Beaverton, OR)
3rd - Kristine Holman (Salem, Ore.) & Madison Kerzel (Salem, Ore.)
Girl's U16 Doubles - Round Robin - Final Standings
1st - Brian Jacquet (Phoenix) & Graciana Wargo (Clearwater, FL)
2nd - Nikita Chauhan (San Ramon, CA) & Elena Dent (Estero, FL)
3rd - Hannah Carver (Spokane, WA) & Megan Carver (Spokane, WA)
Girl's U14 Doubles - Round Robin - Final Standings
1st - Heather Mahoney (Penngrove, CA) & Julia Stein (Murrysville, PA)
2nd - Elena Mathew (Corvallis, OR) & Annie Roberts (Gresham, OR)
3rd - Alondra Canchola (Stockton, CA) & Tess La Rue (Morada, CA)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Ramayani is in both the Boy's U14 and U16 finals. He lost the U14 final last year to Antonio Rojas, and Rojas will be his opponent again in the U14 final. In U16, Ramayani will be up against Sahil Thaker. Ramayani is already a 2017 Junior Champion, as he and Rojas won the Boy's U14 Doubles title together.
For her part, Jacquet lost the U16 final last year (to Ingrid Robledo), but has a chance to win it this year, when she plays Nikita Chauhan on Sunday. Chauhan was the U14 champion last year.
In the Girl's U18 final, Cooperrider will play Hollie Scott, while in Girl's U14, Heather Mahoney will play Annie Roberts in the final.
In Boy's U18, Antone faces Mauro Rojas in the final. Rojas won the Boy's U18 Doubles final with left-hander Lukas Le, as they defeated Ricadro Diaz and Dane Elkins, 13-15, 15-6, 11-8.
The Boy's U16 Doubles title went to Julian Singh and Mitchell Turner, who beat Ben Baron and Micah Farmer, 15-6, 15-9, in the final.
The 2017 USA Racquetball Junior Olympics concludes Sunday at the In-Shape Sport West Lane in Stockton, California.
2017 USA Racquetball Junior Olympics
Stockton, California
Boy's U14
Semi-finals
Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA) d. Nikhil Prasad (Fremont, CA), 15-0, 15-2
Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) d. Krish Thakur (Tracy, CA), 15-11, 15-2
Final - Sunday
Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA) v. Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) - 9:30 AM
3rd place - Sunday
Nikhil Prasad (Fremont, CA) v. Krish Thakur (Tracy, CA) - 11:30 AM
Boy's U16
Semi-finals
Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) d. Cayden Akins (Keller, TX), 15-13, 15-6
Sahil Thakur (Tracy, CA) d. Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA), 15-7, 7-15, 11-8
Final - Sunday
Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) v. Sahil Thakur (Tracy, CA) - 11:30 AM
3rd place - Sunday
Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA) v. Cayden Akins (Keller, TX) - 1:30 PM
Boy's U18
Semi-finals
Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR) d. Justus Benson (Austin, TX), 15-12, 15-12
Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA) d. Kevin Vazquez (Miami, FL), 14-15, 15-6, 11-4
Final - Sunday
Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR) v. Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA) - 1:30 PM
3rd place - Sunday
Kevin Vazquez (Miami, FL) v. Justus Benson (Austin, TX) - 12:30 PM
Girl's U14
Semi-finals
Heather Mahoney (Penngrove, CA) d. Estefania Perez (Corvallis, OR), 15-9, 15-14
Annie Roberts (Gresham, OR) d. Julia Stein (Murrysville, PA), 15-10, 15-12
Final - Sunday
Heather Mahoney (Penngrove, CA) v. Annie Roberts (Gresham, OR) - 1:30 PM
3rd place - Sunday
Estefania Perez (Corvallis, OR) v. Julia Stein (Murrysville, PA) - 8:30 AM
Girl's U16
Semi-finals
Briana Jacquet (Port Arthur, TX) d. Megan Carver (Spokane, WA), 15-3, 15-2
Nikita Chauhan (San Ramon, CA) d. Kaitlyn Boyle (Beaverton, OR), 15-13, 15-10
Final - Sunday
Briana Jacquet (Port Arthur, TX) v. Nikita Chauhan (San Ramon, CA) - 10:30 AM
3rd place - Sunday
Megan Carver (Spokane, WA) v. Kaitlyn Boyle (Beaverton, OR) - 9:30 AM
Girl's U18
Semi-finals
Jordan Cooperrider (Palm Harbor, FL) d. Hannah Carver (Spokane, WA), 15-1, 15-0
Hollie Scott (Lynden, WA) d. Kristine Holman (Salem, OR), 15-4, 15-3
Final - Sunday
Jordan Cooperrider (Palm Harbor, FL) v. Hollie Scott (Lynden, WA) - 12:30 PM
3rd Place - Sunday
Hannah Carver (Spokane, WA) v. Kristine Holman (Salem, OR) - 1:30 PM
Boy's U18 Doubles - Round Robin - Sunday matches
Final
Lukas Le (Arlington, TX) & Mauro Rojas (Stockton, CA) d. Ricadro Diaz (Stockton, CA) & Dane Elkins (Los Angeles, CA), 13-15, 15-6, 11-8
3rd Place
Jeremy Dixon (Downers Grove, IL) & Gavin Usher (Bozeman, MT) d. Wayne Antone IV (Eugene, OR) & Kevin Vazquez (Miami, FL), forfeit
Boy's U16 Doubles
Final
Julian Singh (Pleasanton, CA) & Mitchell Turner (Salem, OR) d. Ben Baron (Phoenix) & Micah Farmer (Trophy Club, Texas), 15-6, 15-9
3rd Place - Sunday
Krish Thakur (Tracy, CA) & Sahil Thakur (Tracy, CA) v. Cayden Akins (Keller, TX) & Brian Barberis (McKinney, TX) - 10:30 AM
Boy's U14 Doubles - Round Robin Final Standings
1. Akul Ramayani (Poughkeepsie, NY) & Antonio Rojas (Stockton, CA)
2. Cole Hartman (Plymouth, MN) & Nathan Soltis (Plymouth, MN)
3. Kamahele Britos (Honolulu, HI) & Julius Ellis (Stockton, CA)
Girl's U18 Doubles - Round Robin - Final Standings
1st - Hollie Scott (Bellingham, WA) & Megan Carver (Spokane, WA)
2nd - Jordan Cooperrider (Palm Harbor, Fla.) & Kaitlyn Boyle (Beaverton, OR)
3rd - Kristine Holman (Salem, Ore.) & Madison Kerzel (Salem, Ore.)
Girl's U16 Doubles - Round Robin - Final Standings
1st - Brian Jacquet (Phoenix) & Graciana Wargo (Clearwater, FL)
2nd - Nikita Chauhan (San Ramon, CA) & Elena Dent (Estero, FL)
3rd - Hannah Carver (Spokane, WA) & Megan Carver (Spokane, WA)
Girl's U14 Doubles - Round Robin - Final Standings
1st - Heather Mahoney (Penngrove, CA) & Julia Stein (Murrysville, PA)
2nd - Elena Mathew (Corvallis, OR) & Annie Roberts (Gresham, OR)
3rd - Alondra Canchola (Stockton, CA) & Tess La Rue (Morada, CA)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Salas beats Rajsich to win 2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge
Samantha Salas won her 2nd career Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT’s) Sunday, when she beat Rhonda Rajsich, 11-3, 11-2, 11-6, in the final of the Paola Longoria Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico. Salas’s last win came back in 2010 against Kerri Wachtel in the Puget Sound Classic. Salas also won the doubles final, as she and Paola Longoria defeated Alexandra Herrera and Monserrat Mejia, 15-1, 15-6.
Salas and Rajsich were close early in game one, but Salas tied the scored at 3-3 with a drive serve ace to the right side, which was a omen of things to come. Salas served four more drive serve aces to the right side, as she took game one 11-3.
Salas went on a roll to start game two, going up 7-0. Rajsich took a timeout, and got on the board at 7-1, but it was only delaying the inevitable, as Salas continued to score. She ended game two with another drive serve ace to the right side, although on that serve Salas was in the center of the sevice box, while most of the match she served from the right side of the box.
Salas took the early lead again in game three at 4-0. But then the game stalled, as it took thirteen rallies to go from 4-0 to 6-1. Then the momentum shifted, as Rajsich put a few points together to make it 6-4, and then 7-6. But Rajsich couldn’t tie the game, as Salas got the serve back with a forehand cross court shot.
Three serves put Salas on game point, as she hit a drive left that Rajsich got her racquet on, but couldn’t return, followed by an ace to the left with Rajsich moving right, and then another drive left that cracked off the left side wall for an ace and made it match point at 10-6.
Salas’s first serve at match point was a short drive serve. Her second serve was a drive Z serve to the right that Rajsich returned into the middle, where Salas was standing, and she hit a backhand kill shot to win the rally, ending the game and match.
Despite the loss, it was Rajsich’s best showing of the season, as it was her first final. Rajsich did miss a few tournaments in the middle of the season after the sudden passing of her father in October, so this was her first final since then.
2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge, June 16-18, 2017
Chihuahua, Mexico
Final
5) Samantha Salas d. 6) Rhonda Rajsich, 11-3, 11-2, 11-6
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia, 15-1, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
Salas and Rajsich were close early in game one, but Salas tied the scored at 3-3 with a drive serve ace to the right side, which was a omen of things to come. Salas served four more drive serve aces to the right side, as she took game one 11-3.
Salas went on a roll to start game two, going up 7-0. Rajsich took a timeout, and got on the board at 7-1, but it was only delaying the inevitable, as Salas continued to score. She ended game two with another drive serve ace to the right side, although on that serve Salas was in the center of the sevice box, while most of the match she served from the right side of the box.
Salas took the early lead again in game three at 4-0. But then the game stalled, as it took thirteen rallies to go from 4-0 to 6-1. Then the momentum shifted, as Rajsich put a few points together to make it 6-4, and then 7-6. But Rajsich couldn’t tie the game, as Salas got the serve back with a forehand cross court shot.
Three serves put Salas on game point, as she hit a drive left that Rajsich got her racquet on, but couldn’t return, followed by an ace to the left with Rajsich moving right, and then another drive left that cracked off the left side wall for an ace and made it match point at 10-6.
Salas’s first serve at match point was a short drive serve. Her second serve was a drive Z serve to the right that Rajsich returned into the middle, where Salas was standing, and she hit a backhand kill shot to win the rally, ending the game and match.
Despite the loss, it was Rajsich’s best showing of the season, as it was her first final. Rajsich did miss a few tournaments in the middle of the season after the sudden passing of her father in October, so this was her first final since then.
2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge, June 16-18, 2017
Chihuahua, Mexico
Final
5) Samantha Salas d. 6) Rhonda Rajsich, 11-3, 11-2, 11-6
Doubles - Semi-finals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia, 15-1, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
Montoya defeats Landa to win 2017 WRT Paola Longoria Challenge
Rodrigo Montoya confirmed his position as the #1 player on the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Sunday by defeating Alejandro Landa, 15-12, 5-15, 11-2, in the final of the Paola Longoria Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico. Montoya’s now won three WRT this year.
Early in game one it looked like Landa would carry the day, as he took a 5-0 lead. But Montoya came back to tie it at 5-5, and they were close after that with ties at 8-8 and 12-12. Then Landa swung at a ball that was close to the right side wall, and completely missed it. They were playing in an all glass, portable court, which may have been a factor in the error, which gave Montoya a 13-12 lead.
Montoya made it 14-12 when he drove the ball to the left for an ace, as Landa had guessed Montoya was driving it right and moved to the right side. Montoya converted his first game point by again driving the ball to the left side. Landa’s backhand return came off the backwall setting up Montoya, who put the ball away with the backhand pinch shot.
In game two, Landa again took a 5-0 lead, but this time Montoya didn’t have a response, as Landa extended the lead to 8-0. Montoya did cut the lead to four, when he trailed 9-5, but a Landa timeout resulted in a sideout, and then six points on as many rallies to force a tie-breaker.
In the breaker, they went back and forth to 2-2. Then Montoya scored three straight points to lead 5-2, and Landa called a timeout. Often the player calling a timeout wins the ensuing rally, but not this time, as Montoya hit another drive serve ace to the left side when play resumed.
Landa had a chance to get the serve back on the next rally, as he had a backhand set up, but Landa skipped his shot, so Montoya led 7-2. A drive serve ace to the left side made it 8-2, and Landa seemed to sag as the writing was on the wall.
Four more rallies - including one for a broken ball - and it was over. Montoya won it with a backhand pinch shot, which is one of his favourite shots that he won many rallies with in the final.
The next WRT event is the Lifetime Denver Open, August 3-6 in Centennial, Colorado.
2017 WRT, Chihuahua, Mexico June 15-18, 2017
Singles - Final
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 6) Alejandro Landa, 15-12, 5-15, 11-2
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla v. 2) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Sandoval - 1 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Early in game one it looked like Landa would carry the day, as he took a 5-0 lead. But Montoya came back to tie it at 5-5, and they were close after that with ties at 8-8 and 12-12. Then Landa swung at a ball that was close to the right side wall, and completely missed it. They were playing in an all glass, portable court, which may have been a factor in the error, which gave Montoya a 13-12 lead.
Montoya made it 14-12 when he drove the ball to the left for an ace, as Landa had guessed Montoya was driving it right and moved to the right side. Montoya converted his first game point by again driving the ball to the left side. Landa’s backhand return came off the backwall setting up Montoya, who put the ball away with the backhand pinch shot.
In game two, Landa again took a 5-0 lead, but this time Montoya didn’t have a response, as Landa extended the lead to 8-0. Montoya did cut the lead to four, when he trailed 9-5, but a Landa timeout resulted in a sideout, and then six points on as many rallies to force a tie-breaker.
In the breaker, they went back and forth to 2-2. Then Montoya scored three straight points to lead 5-2, and Landa called a timeout. Often the player calling a timeout wins the ensuing rally, but not this time, as Montoya hit another drive serve ace to the left side when play resumed.
Landa had a chance to get the serve back on the next rally, as he had a backhand set up, but Landa skipped his shot, so Montoya led 7-2. A drive serve ace to the left side made it 8-2, and Landa seemed to sag as the writing was on the wall.
Four more rallies - including one for a broken ball - and it was over. Montoya won it with a backhand pinch shot, which is one of his favourite shots that he won many rallies with in the final.
The next WRT event is the Lifetime Denver Open, August 3-6 in Centennial, Colorado.
2017 WRT, Chihuahua, Mexico June 15-18, 2017
Singles - Final
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 6) Alejandro Landa, 15-12, 5-15, 11-2
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla v. 2) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Sandoval - 1 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Salas defeats Longoria to reach final of 2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge
Samantha Salas defeated Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT’s), for the first time since 2005 on Saturday, winning 7-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-7, in the semi-finals of the Paola Longoria Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico. Longoria had beaten Salas 41 straight matches in between Salas’s victories. Also, this is Longoriia’s first loss since March 2015, when Frédérique Lambert beat her in the New Jersey Open.
The win puts Salas in Sunday’s final against Rhonda Rajsich, who had an upset win of her own in the other semi-final, as she defeated 2nd seed Lambert, 11-5, 9-11, 12-10, 11-3. In their career head to head meetings, Rajsich holds an 11-5 advantage, but Salas has won three of the last five matches, including their last match in the quarterfinals of last year’s US Open, although that did go to five games.
Longoria looked like she would win in three games, as she won the first two games and was ahead in game three. But Salas had shown signs of resistance, including coming back from a big deficit in game one to make it close at 11-7. Nevertheless, it did not look like Longoria would do anything but win in three straight. Yet Salas came back and took game three.
In game four, Longoria got the early advantage, leading 5-3. But Salas then ran seven unanswered points to lead 10-5. Longoria fought off the first game point with a forehand shot driven up the right side. With the serve back, Longoria scored on four consecutive rallies to cut the lead to one at 10-9, and it looked like the LPRT #1 was going to do what she usually does: win.
But Salas got a side out, and then scored on her second game point with a backhand winner. Thus, there was going to be a fifth game that no one saw coming.
In the fifth, Salas took the early lead at 3-0 with three forehand winners. But then it was Longoria’s turn to rack up the points, and that she did, scoring seven in a row to lead 7-3. It seemed Salas’s glass slipper was going to break. It especially seemed so as Longoria’s seventh point came from an unforced skip by Salas.
However, Salas made a great forehand pinch shot winner to end the next rally, and with the serve back she hit two ace serves: a drive to the right followed by a drive to the left, which prompted Longoria to call a time out.
Longoria’s time out led to a side out, as she hit a forehand winner. But Salas immediately got the serve back with a forehand pinch shot winner. Two more Salas forehand winners later and they were tied at 7-7. Longoria got the serve back with a forehand winner.
Then two rallies ended with hinders. In the first, Longoria held up for Salas, and appealed for an avoidable, or penalty hinder, but the line judges agreed with the referee that it was a simple hinder. On the next rally it was Longoria who was in Salas’s way, and that was judged to be an avoidable, or penalty hinder. Thus, Salas was again serving at 7-7.
Yet again she failed to take advantage, as Salas made an unforced error by skipping a backhand shot. With the serve back, Longoria seemed to change her serve selection based on a suggestion from outside the court. She served a off speed Z to the left that Salas returned with a backhand wide angle pass for a winner. So, it was perhaps not the best suggestion.
Longoria wouldn’t serve again until Salas was leading 10-7 following two forehand winners and an ace drive serve to the right side.
On the first match point, Salas drove serve to the right side, and Longoria’s return hit Salas, who the referee judged to be in the way, and assessed an avoidable. Salas appealed, but the line judges agreed with the call.
However, Longoria’s serve was again not a straight drive serve, which is her bread and butter serve. Instead, she hit a jam serve to the left that was relatively high, so it bounced over to the right side, where Salas hit it with her forehand for a winner.
Salas’s second time serving for the match had a successful outcome for her, as she ended a several shot rally with a forehand cross court kill shot.
After winning the match, Salas fell down to the floor in utter joy at having defeated her long time team-mate and doubles partner. It was likely not just the joy of victory, but also the relief of over a decade of losses.
Only once before has Longoria lost a pro match after leading 2 games to 0. That happened in May 2011, when Rajsich came back to defeat Longoria in Stockton.
Salas’s only pro tournament win happened back in 2010, when she defeated Kerri Wachtel in Puget Sound, Washington. Rajsich last won on tour in October 2014, when she beat Longoria in Stockton. Salas and Rajsich have played in a pro final once before, when Rajsich carried the day to win in Dallas in August 2011.
You can watch this weekend’s final live via the LPRT LiveStream channel at 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow.
2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge, June 16-18, 2017
Chihuahua, Mexico
Semi-finals - Saturday
5) Samantha Salas d. 1) Paola Longoria, 7-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9
6) Rhonda Rajsich d. 2) Frédérique Lambert, 11-5, 9-11, 12-10, 11-3
Final - Sunday
5) Samantha Salas v. 6) Rhonda Rajsich
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 4) Eleni Guzman & Adriana Riveros, 15-2, 15-1
3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia d. 2) Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla, 15-14, 15-10
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia - 2 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
The win puts Salas in Sunday’s final against Rhonda Rajsich, who had an upset win of her own in the other semi-final, as she defeated 2nd seed Lambert, 11-5, 9-11, 12-10, 11-3. In their career head to head meetings, Rajsich holds an 11-5 advantage, but Salas has won three of the last five matches, including their last match in the quarterfinals of last year’s US Open, although that did go to five games.
Longoria looked like she would win in three games, as she won the first two games and was ahead in game three. But Salas had shown signs of resistance, including coming back from a big deficit in game one to make it close at 11-7. Nevertheless, it did not look like Longoria would do anything but win in three straight. Yet Salas came back and took game three.
In game four, Longoria got the early advantage, leading 5-3. But Salas then ran seven unanswered points to lead 10-5. Longoria fought off the first game point with a forehand shot driven up the right side. With the serve back, Longoria scored on four consecutive rallies to cut the lead to one at 10-9, and it looked like the LPRT #1 was going to do what she usually does: win.
But Salas got a side out, and then scored on her second game point with a backhand winner. Thus, there was going to be a fifth game that no one saw coming.
In the fifth, Salas took the early lead at 3-0 with three forehand winners. But then it was Longoria’s turn to rack up the points, and that she did, scoring seven in a row to lead 7-3. It seemed Salas’s glass slipper was going to break. It especially seemed so as Longoria’s seventh point came from an unforced skip by Salas.
However, Salas made a great forehand pinch shot winner to end the next rally, and with the serve back she hit two ace serves: a drive to the right followed by a drive to the left, which prompted Longoria to call a time out.
Longoria’s time out led to a side out, as she hit a forehand winner. But Salas immediately got the serve back with a forehand pinch shot winner. Two more Salas forehand winners later and they were tied at 7-7. Longoria got the serve back with a forehand winner.
Then two rallies ended with hinders. In the first, Longoria held up for Salas, and appealed for an avoidable, or penalty hinder, but the line judges agreed with the referee that it was a simple hinder. On the next rally it was Longoria who was in Salas’s way, and that was judged to be an avoidable, or penalty hinder. Thus, Salas was again serving at 7-7.
Yet again she failed to take advantage, as Salas made an unforced error by skipping a backhand shot. With the serve back, Longoria seemed to change her serve selection based on a suggestion from outside the court. She served a off speed Z to the left that Salas returned with a backhand wide angle pass for a winner. So, it was perhaps not the best suggestion.
Longoria wouldn’t serve again until Salas was leading 10-7 following two forehand winners and an ace drive serve to the right side.
On the first match point, Salas drove serve to the right side, and Longoria’s return hit Salas, who the referee judged to be in the way, and assessed an avoidable. Salas appealed, but the line judges agreed with the call.
However, Longoria’s serve was again not a straight drive serve, which is her bread and butter serve. Instead, she hit a jam serve to the left that was relatively high, so it bounced over to the right side, where Salas hit it with her forehand for a winner.
Salas’s second time serving for the match had a successful outcome for her, as she ended a several shot rally with a forehand cross court kill shot.
After winning the match, Salas fell down to the floor in utter joy at having defeated her long time team-mate and doubles partner. It was likely not just the joy of victory, but also the relief of over a decade of losses.
Only once before has Longoria lost a pro match after leading 2 games to 0. That happened in May 2011, when Rajsich came back to defeat Longoria in Stockton.
Salas’s only pro tournament win happened back in 2010, when she defeated Kerri Wachtel in Puget Sound, Washington. Rajsich last won on tour in October 2014, when she beat Longoria in Stockton. Salas and Rajsich have played in a pro final once before, when Rajsich carried the day to win in Dallas in August 2011.
You can watch this weekend’s final live via the LPRT LiveStream channel at 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow.
2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge, June 16-18, 2017
Chihuahua, Mexico
Semi-finals - Saturday
5) Samantha Salas d. 1) Paola Longoria, 7-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9
6) Rhonda Rajsich d. 2) Frédérique Lambert, 11-5, 9-11, 12-10, 11-3
Final - Sunday
5) Samantha Salas v. 6) Rhonda Rajsich
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 4) Eleni Guzman & Adriana Riveros, 15-2, 15-1
3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia d. 2) Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla, 15-14, 15-10
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia - 2 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, June 17, 2017
Landa in WRT final for 2nd straight week
Alejandro Landa reached his second World Racquetball Tour (WRT) final in as many weeks Saturday, as the 6th seed upset 2nd seed Alejandro Cardona, 12-15, 15-14, 11-7, in the semi-finals of the Paola Longoria Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico. Landa won last week’s WRT event in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, where he also defeated Cardona in the semis. Cardona had a 14-10 lead in game two in Chihuahua, so the match was on his racquet, but he wasn’t able to close it out.
Top seed Rodrigo Montoya will be Landa’s opponent in the final on Sunday, as Montoya beat Eduardo Garay in the other semi, 15-8, 15-2, ending what had been an impressive tournament for the 20th seed Garay.
Cardona did get the better of Landa in the doubles semi-finals, as Cardona and Erick Sandoval defeated Landa and Javier Moreno, 15-12, 15-13. In the other semi-final, Montoya and Andree Parrilla beat Gerardo Franco and Christian Longoria, 15-7, 15-13.
You can view the final live from Chihuahua at noon Sunday via the WRT website.
2017 WRT, Chihuahua, Mexico June 15-18, 2017
Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 20) Eduardo Garay, 15-8, 15-2
6) Alejandro Landa d. 2) Alejandro Cardona, 12-15, 15-14, 11-7
Singles - Final - Sunday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 6) Alejandro Landa - Noon
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla d. 4) Gerardo Franco & Christian Longoria, 15-7, 15-13
2) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Sandoval d. 3) Alejandro Landa & Javier Moreno, 15-12, 15-13
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla v. 2) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Sandoval
Follow the bouncing ball….
Top seed Rodrigo Montoya will be Landa’s opponent in the final on Sunday, as Montoya beat Eduardo Garay in the other semi, 15-8, 15-2, ending what had been an impressive tournament for the 20th seed Garay.
Cardona did get the better of Landa in the doubles semi-finals, as Cardona and Erick Sandoval defeated Landa and Javier Moreno, 15-12, 15-13. In the other semi-final, Montoya and Andree Parrilla beat Gerardo Franco and Christian Longoria, 15-7, 15-13.
You can view the final live from Chihuahua at noon Sunday via the WRT website.
2017 WRT, Chihuahua, Mexico June 15-18, 2017
Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 20) Eduardo Garay, 15-8, 15-2
6) Alejandro Landa d. 2) Alejandro Cardona, 12-15, 15-14, 11-7
Singles - Final - Sunday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 6) Alejandro Landa - Noon
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla d. 4) Gerardo Franco & Christian Longoria, 15-7, 15-13
2) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Sandoval d. 3) Alejandro Landa & Javier Moreno, 15-12, 15-13
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla v. 2) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Sandoval
Follow the bouncing ball….
Rajsich into semis at 2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge
Rhonda Rajsich, seeded 6th but a former #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT’s), upset the 3rd seed Jessica Parrilla, and came back from 2-1 down to win in five games, 11-6, 7-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-8, in the quarterfinals of the Paola Longoria Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Rajsich will play 2nd seed Frédérique Lambert in the semi-finals, as Lambert beat Susana Acosta in three straight games, 11-2, 11-1, 11-7.
On the top side of the draw, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria needed four games to defeat 9th seed Natalia Mendez, 10-12, 11-4, 11-1, 11-9, in the quarters. Longoria faces doubles partner Samantha Salas in the semis, as Salas ended the run of Nancy Enriquez through the draw, 11-6, 3-11, 11-0, 13-11. Enriquez had game points against Salas in the fourth game, but she couldn’t convert them to force a tie-breaker.
You can watch this weekend’s semi-finals live via the LPRT LiveStream channel at 5 and 6 PM Saturday. The singles final will be 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow.
2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge, June 16-18, 2017
Chihuahua, Mexico
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 9) Natalia Mendez, 10-12, 11-4, 11-1, 11-9
5) Samantha Salas d. 13) Nancy Enriquez, 11-6, 3-11, 11-0, 13-11
6) Rhonda Rajsich d. 3) Jessica Parrilla, 11-6, 7-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-8
2) Frédérique Lambert d. 7) Susana Acosta, 11-2, 11-1, 11-7
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 5) Samantha Salas - 6 PM
2) Frédérique Lambert v. 6) Rhonda Rajsich - 5 PM
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Eleni Guzman & Adriana Riveros - 8 PM
2) Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Rajsich will play 2nd seed Frédérique Lambert in the semi-finals, as Lambert beat Susana Acosta in three straight games, 11-2, 11-1, 11-7.
On the top side of the draw, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria needed four games to defeat 9th seed Natalia Mendez, 10-12, 11-4, 11-1, 11-9, in the quarters. Longoria faces doubles partner Samantha Salas in the semis, as Salas ended the run of Nancy Enriquez through the draw, 11-6, 3-11, 11-0, 13-11. Enriquez had game points against Salas in the fourth game, but she couldn’t convert them to force a tie-breaker.
You can watch this weekend’s semi-finals live via the LPRT LiveStream channel at 5 and 6 PM Saturday. The singles final will be 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow.
2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge, June 16-18, 2017
Chihuahua, Mexico
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 9) Natalia Mendez, 10-12, 11-4, 11-1, 11-9
5) Samantha Salas d. 13) Nancy Enriquez, 11-6, 3-11, 11-0, 13-11
6) Rhonda Rajsich d. 3) Jessica Parrilla, 11-6, 7-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-8
2) Frédérique Lambert d. 7) Susana Acosta, 11-2, 11-1, 11-7
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 5) Samantha Salas - 6 PM
2) Frédérique Lambert v. 6) Rhonda Rajsich - 5 PM
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Eleni Guzman & Adriana Riveros - 8 PM
2) Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Enriquez the big winner Friday at 2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge
Nancy Enriquez was the biggest surprise Friday at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT’s) Paola Longoria Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico, as the 13th seed defeated 4th seed Alexandra Herrera, 11-3, 11-9, 3-11, 11-3, in the Round of 16. The win advances Enriquez to the quarterfinals, where she’ll play 5th seed Samantha Salas, who beat Eleni Guzman, 9-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3.
In other action, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria, #2 Frédérique Lambert and #3 Jessica Parrilla all won in straight games in the 16s. Longoria beat Sofia Rascon, 11-3, 11-6, 11-5, Lambert defeated Montserrat Perez, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6, and Parrilla was a winner over Erin Rivera, 11-5, 13-11, 11-2.
In the quarters, Longoria will play 9th seed Natalia Mendez, who was an upset winner against 8th seed Adriana Riveros, 3-11, 11-1, 11-7, 11-3. Parrilla will play veteran Rhonda Rajsich, who beat Jessica Maldonado, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5. Finally, Lambert will play left-handed veteran Susana Acosta, who had to come back from two games down to fend off Mexican junior Monserrat Mejia, 2-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10.
You can watch this weekend’s action live via the LPRT LiveStream channel. The quarterfinals begin Saturday at 9 AM to noon with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The singles final will be 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow.
2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge, June 16-18, 2017
Chihuahua, Mexico
Round of 32
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Sofia Rascon d. 17) Danisse Maldonado, 11-5, 3-11, 11-3, 11-2
9) Natalia Mendez - BYE
8) Adriana Riveros - BYE
5) Samantha Salas - BYE
12) Eleni Guzman - BYE
13) Nancy Enriquez d. 20) Daniela Molina, 11-4, 11-2, 11-0
4) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
3) Jessica Parrilla - BYE
14) Erin Rivera d. 19) Ana Kristin Rivera, 3-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-3
11) Jessica Maldonado - BYE
6) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
7) Susana Acosta - BYE
10) Monserrat Mejia - BYE
15) Montserrat Perez d. 18) Maritza Franco, 11-5, 11-6, 11-4
2) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Sofia Rascon, 11-3, 11-6, 11-5
9) Natalia Mendez d. 8) Adriana Riveros, 3-11, 11-1, 11-7, 11-3
5) Samantha Salas d. 12) Eleni Guzman, 9-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3
13) Nancy Enriquez d. 4) Alexandra Herrera, 11-3, 11-9, 3-11, 11-3
3) Jessica Parrilla d. 14) Erin Rivera, 11-5, 13-11, 11-2
6) Rhonda Rajsich d. 11) Jessica Maldonado, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5
7) Susana Acosta d. 10) Monserrat Mejia, 2-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10
2) Frédérique Lambert d. 15) Montserrat Perez, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 9) Natalia Mendez - Noon
5) Samantha Salas v. 13) Nancy Enriquez - 9 AM
3) Jessica Parrilla v. 6) Rhonda Rajsich - 10 AM
2) Frédérique Lambert v. 7) Susana Acosta - 11 AM
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Nancy Enriquez & Denisse Maldonado d. 9) Daniela Molina & Sofia Rascon, 15-4, 15-11
5) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado - BYE
4) Eleni Guzman & Adriana Riveros - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia - BYE
6) Maritza Franco & Natalia Mendez - BYE
7) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera d. 10) Paola Padilla & Paola Quiñones, 15-5, 15-4
2) Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 8) Nancy Enriquez & Denisse Maldonado, 15-3, 15-4
4) Eleni Guzman & Adriana Riveros d. 5) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado, 15-10, 15-10
3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia d. 6) Maritza Franco & Natalia Mendez, 15-2, 15-1
2) Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla d. 7) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera, 15-10, 15-10
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Eleni Guzman & Adriana Riveros - 8 PM
2) Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
In other action, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria, #2 Frédérique Lambert and #3 Jessica Parrilla all won in straight games in the 16s. Longoria beat Sofia Rascon, 11-3, 11-6, 11-5, Lambert defeated Montserrat Perez, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6, and Parrilla was a winner over Erin Rivera, 11-5, 13-11, 11-2.
In the quarters, Longoria will play 9th seed Natalia Mendez, who was an upset winner against 8th seed Adriana Riveros, 3-11, 11-1, 11-7, 11-3. Parrilla will play veteran Rhonda Rajsich, who beat Jessica Maldonado, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5. Finally, Lambert will play left-handed veteran Susana Acosta, who had to come back from two games down to fend off Mexican junior Monserrat Mejia, 2-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10.
You can watch this weekend’s action live via the LPRT LiveStream channel. The quarterfinals begin Saturday at 9 AM to noon with the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The singles final will be 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow.
2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge, June 16-18, 2017
Chihuahua, Mexico
Round of 32
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Sofia Rascon d. 17) Danisse Maldonado, 11-5, 3-11, 11-3, 11-2
9) Natalia Mendez - BYE
8) Adriana Riveros - BYE
5) Samantha Salas - BYE
12) Eleni Guzman - BYE
13) Nancy Enriquez d. 20) Daniela Molina, 11-4, 11-2, 11-0
4) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
3) Jessica Parrilla - BYE
14) Erin Rivera d. 19) Ana Kristin Rivera, 3-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-3
11) Jessica Maldonado - BYE
6) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
7) Susana Acosta - BYE
10) Monserrat Mejia - BYE
15) Montserrat Perez d. 18) Maritza Franco, 11-5, 11-6, 11-4
2) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Sofia Rascon, 11-3, 11-6, 11-5
9) Natalia Mendez d. 8) Adriana Riveros, 3-11, 11-1, 11-7, 11-3
5) Samantha Salas d. 12) Eleni Guzman, 9-11, 11-2, 11-2, 11-3
13) Nancy Enriquez d. 4) Alexandra Herrera, 11-3, 11-9, 3-11, 11-3
3) Jessica Parrilla d. 14) Erin Rivera, 11-5, 13-11, 11-2
6) Rhonda Rajsich d. 11) Jessica Maldonado, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5
7) Susana Acosta d. 10) Monserrat Mejia, 2-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-5, 12-10
2) Frédérique Lambert d. 15) Montserrat Perez, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 9) Natalia Mendez - Noon
5) Samantha Salas v. 13) Nancy Enriquez - 9 AM
3) Jessica Parrilla v. 6) Rhonda Rajsich - 10 AM
2) Frédérique Lambert v. 7) Susana Acosta - 11 AM
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Nancy Enriquez & Denisse Maldonado d. 9) Daniela Molina & Sofia Rascon, 15-4, 15-11
5) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado - BYE
4) Eleni Guzman & Adriana Riveros - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia - BYE
6) Maritza Franco & Natalia Mendez - BYE
7) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera d. 10) Paola Padilla & Paola Quiñones, 15-5, 15-4
2) Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
Doubles - Quarterfinals
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 8) Nancy Enriquez & Denisse Maldonado, 15-3, 15-4
4) Eleni Guzman & Adriana Riveros d. 5) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado, 15-10, 15-10
3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia d. 6) Maritza Franco & Natalia Mendez, 15-2, 15-1
2) Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla d. 7) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera, 15-10, 15-10
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 4) Eleni Guzman & Adriana Riveros - 8 PM
2) Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, June 16, 2017
2017 WRT Paola Longoria Challenge - Round of 16 & Quarterfinals
Eduardo Garay caused two big upsets Friday at the World Racquetball Tour (WRT) Paola Longoria Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico, as he took out the 4th and 5th seeds in advancing to the semi-finals. In the Round of 16, Garay defeated 4th seed Andree Parrilla, 15-14, 14-15, 11-5, and then in the quarterfinals, Garay beat Jaime Martell, 15-9, 15-6.
But the biggest upset so far has been 14th seed Erick Sandoval’s win over 3rd seed David Horn, 8-15, 15-9, 11-1, in the Round of 16. However, Sandoval then lost in the quarterfinals to Alejandro Landa, 15-7, 15-11.
The two top seeds are through to the semi-finals, but they each needed tie-breakers to get there. Number 1 seed Rodrigo Montoya defeated 8th seed Jake Bredenbeck, 15-9, 9-15, 11-4, and 2nd Alejandro Cardona narrowly beat 7th seed Gerardo Franco, 15-6, 14-15, 11-10. Montoya will play Garay in one semi-final, while Cardona will face Landa.
We thought the big match of the 16s would be Martell against 12th seed Javier Mar, and it lived up to expectations, as they went tie-breaker with Martell coming out on top by the narrowest of margins, winning 6-15, 15-14, 11-10.
You can view the action live from Chihuahua starting with the quarterfinals from 1 PM Friday via the WRT website. Note the semi-finals will be at 3 and 4 PM Saturday with the final Sunday at noon.
2017 WRT, Chihuahua, Mexico June 15-18, 2017
Singles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 17) Erik Garcia, 15-10, 15-3
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 24) Alan Natera, 15-7, 15-14
5) Jaime Martell d. 12) Javier Mar, 6-15, 15-14, 11-10
20) Eduardo Garay d. 4) Andree Parrilla, 15-14, 14-15, 11-5
14) Erick Sandoval d. 3) David Horn, 8-15, 15-9, 11-1
6) Alejandro Landa d. 11) Mauricio Zelada, 15-13, 15-10
7) Gerardo Franco d. 10) Luis Avila, 15-10, 15-8
2) Alejandro Cardona d. 15) Ernest Ochoa, 15-5, 15-10
Singles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 8) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-9, 9-15, 11-4
20) Eduardo Garay d. 5) Jaime Martell, 15-9, 15-6
6) Alejandro Landa d. 14) Erick Sandoval, 15-7, 15-11
2) Alejandro Cardona d. 7) Gerardo Franco, 15-6, 14-15, 11-10
Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 20) Eduardo Garay - 4 PM
2) Alejandro Cardona v. 6) Alejandro Landa - 3 PM
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla d. 8) Ruben Estrada & Ernest Ochoa, 15-14, 15-12
4) Gerardo Franco & Christian Longoria d. 5) Luis Avila & Sebastian Fernandez, 15-9, 15-9
3) Alejandro Landa & Javier Moreno d. 6) Rafael Filippini & Mauricio Zelada, 15-10, 8-15, 11-3
2) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Sandoval d. 7) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar, 15-8, 15-9
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla v. 4) Gerardo Franco & Christian Longoria - 5 PM
2) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Sandoval v. 3) Alejandro Landa & Javier Moreno - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
But the biggest upset so far has been 14th seed Erick Sandoval’s win over 3rd seed David Horn, 8-15, 15-9, 11-1, in the Round of 16. However, Sandoval then lost in the quarterfinals to Alejandro Landa, 15-7, 15-11.
The two top seeds are through to the semi-finals, but they each needed tie-breakers to get there. Number 1 seed Rodrigo Montoya defeated 8th seed Jake Bredenbeck, 15-9, 9-15, 11-4, and 2nd Alejandro Cardona narrowly beat 7th seed Gerardo Franco, 15-6, 14-15, 11-10. Montoya will play Garay in one semi-final, while Cardona will face Landa.
We thought the big match of the 16s would be Martell against 12th seed Javier Mar, and it lived up to expectations, as they went tie-breaker with Martell coming out on top by the narrowest of margins, winning 6-15, 15-14, 11-10.
You can view the action live from Chihuahua starting with the quarterfinals from 1 PM Friday via the WRT website. Note the semi-finals will be at 3 and 4 PM Saturday with the final Sunday at noon.
2017 WRT, Chihuahua, Mexico June 15-18, 2017
Singles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 17) Erik Garcia, 15-10, 15-3
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 24) Alan Natera, 15-7, 15-14
5) Jaime Martell d. 12) Javier Mar, 6-15, 15-14, 11-10
20) Eduardo Garay d. 4) Andree Parrilla, 15-14, 14-15, 11-5
14) Erick Sandoval d. 3) David Horn, 8-15, 15-9, 11-1
6) Alejandro Landa d. 11) Mauricio Zelada, 15-13, 15-10
7) Gerardo Franco d. 10) Luis Avila, 15-10, 15-8
2) Alejandro Cardona d. 15) Ernest Ochoa, 15-5, 15-10
Singles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 8) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-9, 9-15, 11-4
20) Eduardo Garay d. 5) Jaime Martell, 15-9, 15-6
6) Alejandro Landa d. 14) Erick Sandoval, 15-7, 15-11
2) Alejandro Cardona d. 7) Gerardo Franco, 15-6, 14-15, 11-10
Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 20) Eduardo Garay - 4 PM
2) Alejandro Cardona v. 6) Alejandro Landa - 3 PM
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla d. 8) Ruben Estrada & Ernest Ochoa, 15-14, 15-12
4) Gerardo Franco & Christian Longoria d. 5) Luis Avila & Sebastian Fernandez, 15-9, 15-9
3) Alejandro Landa & Javier Moreno d. 6) Rafael Filippini & Mauricio Zelada, 15-10, 8-15, 11-3
2) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Sandoval d. 7) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar, 15-8, 15-9
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla v. 4) Gerardo Franco & Christian Longoria - 5 PM
2) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Sandoval v. 3) Alejandro Landa & Javier Moreno - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, June 15, 2017
2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge - Preview
The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT’s) wraps up its 2016-17 season this weekend with the 2017 Paola Longoria Challenge in Chihuahua, Mexico. The top five LPRT players will be in action this weekend, led by LPRT #1 Paola Longoria. Also in action will be LPRT #2 Frédérique Lambert, #3 Jessica Parrilla, as well as #4 Alexandra Herrera and #5 Samantha Salas.
They’ll also be playing doubles in Chihuahua, and the top pairings are Longoria and Salas as the 1st seeds and Lambert and Parrilla as the 2nd seeds. Herrera and Montserrat Mejia are the 3rd seeds with Eleni Guzman and Adriana Riveros as 4th seeds.
You can watch this weekend’s action live via the LPRT LiveStream channel. The Round of 16 begins at 3 PM on Friday, with the quarterfinals on Saturday from 9 AM to noon and the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The singles final will be 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow.
2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge, June 16-18, 2017
Chihuahua, Mexico
Round of 32
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Sofia Rascon v. 17) Danisse Maldonado
9) Natalia Mendez - BYE
8) Adriana Riveros - BYE
5) Samantha Salas - BYE
12) Eleni Guzman - BYE
13) Nancy Enriquez v. 20) Daniela Molina
4) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
3) Jessica Parrilla - BYE
14) Erin Rivera v. 19) Ana Kristin Rivera
11) Jessica Maldonado - BYE
6) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
7) Susana Acosta - BYE
10) Monserrat Mejia - BYE
15) Montserrat Perez v. 18) Maritza Franco
2) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Nancy Enriquez & Denisse Maldonado v. 9) Daniela Molina & Sofia Rascon
5) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado - BYE
4) Eleni Guzman & Adriana Riveros - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia - BYE
6) Maritza Franco & Natalia Mendez - BYE
7) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera v. 10) Paola Padilla & Paola Quiñones
2) Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla & - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
They’ll also be playing doubles in Chihuahua, and the top pairings are Longoria and Salas as the 1st seeds and Lambert and Parrilla as the 2nd seeds. Herrera and Montserrat Mejia are the 3rd seeds with Eleni Guzman and Adriana Riveros as 4th seeds.
You can watch this weekend’s action live via the LPRT LiveStream channel. The Round of 16 begins at 3 PM on Friday, with the quarterfinals on Saturday from 9 AM to noon and the semi-finals at 5 and 6 PM. The singles final will be 1 PM Sunday with the doubles final to follow.
2017 LPRT Paola Longoria Challenge, June 16-18, 2017
Chihuahua, Mexico
Round of 32
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Sofia Rascon v. 17) Danisse Maldonado
9) Natalia Mendez - BYE
8) Adriana Riveros - BYE
5) Samantha Salas - BYE
12) Eleni Guzman - BYE
13) Nancy Enriquez v. 20) Daniela Molina
4) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
3) Jessica Parrilla - BYE
14) Erin Rivera v. 19) Ana Kristin Rivera
11) Jessica Maldonado - BYE
6) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
7) Susana Acosta - BYE
10) Monserrat Mejia - BYE
15) Montserrat Perez v. 18) Maritza Franco
2) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Nancy Enriquez & Denisse Maldonado v. 9) Daniela Molina & Sofia Rascon
5) Susana Acosta & Jessica Maldonado - BYE
4) Eleni Guzman & Adriana Riveros - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera & Monserrat Mejia - BYE
6) Maritza Franco & Natalia Mendez - BYE
7) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera v. 10) Paola Padilla & Paola Quiñones
2) Frédérique Lambert & Jessica Parrilla & - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
2017 WRT Paola Longoria Challenge - Preview
The World Racquetball Tour (WRT) has the second of back to back events this weekend in Chihuahua, Mexico with the Paola Longoria Challenge. The WRT was in San Luis Potosi last weekend for the Torneo Interacional Canel’s WRT event, which was won by Alejandro Landa, who beat Jake Bredenbeck in the final.
Landa was seeded 6th last weekend, and despite the win he is 6th again this weekend. So much the worse for those on the bottom of the draw, especially 2nd seed Alejandro Cardona and 3rd seed David Horn. Landa has won 9 of the 12 WRT events he has entered.
Rodrigo Montoya is the top seed in Chihuahua, and he will want to do better than he did last week in San Luis Potosi, as he lost his quarterfinal match to Bredenbeck, because he failed to show up on time. A shocking result that should have him staying courtside throughout the weekend. Montoya and Bredenebck could meet in the quarters this week also, as Bredenbeck is seeded 8th.
Also notable in the draw is veteran Javier Moreno, who is seeded 22nd, and will play Mauricio Zelada in the Round of 16. Moreno, a left-hand player, is one of the reigning World Champions in Men’s Doubles - winning the title for the fourth time in his career last year with Alvaro Beltran in Cali, Colombia, and he’s playing doubles with Landa this weekend, so they could be the team to beat, despite being seeded 3rd.
Montoya and Andree Parrilla are the top seeds in doubles with Cardona and Erick Sandoval the 2nd seeds. The young team of Christian Longoria and Gerardo Franco are the 4th seeds.
You can view the action live from Chihuahua starting with the quarterfinals from 1 PM Friday via the WRT website. Note the semi-finals will be at 3 and 4 PM Saturday with the final Sunday at noon.
2017 WRT, Chihuahua, Mexico June 15-18, 2017
Singles - Round of 64
1) Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
32) Javier Estrada v. 33) Alejandro Mendoza
17) Erik Garcia - BYE
16) Daniel Neri - BYE
9) Christian Longoria - BYE
24) Alan Natera - BYE
25) Juan Loreto - BYE
8) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
5) Jaime Martell - BYE
28) Juan De Los Rios - BYE
21) Ruben Estrada - BYE
12) Javier Mar - BYE
13) Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
20) Eduardo Garay - BYE
29) Alfonso Luna v. 36) Alvaro Maldonado
4) Andree Parrilla - BYE
3) David Horn - BYE
30) Sebastian Longoria v. 36) Humberto Natera
19) Rodrigo Rodriguez - BYE
14) Erick Sandoval - BYE
11) Mauricio Zelada - BYE
22) Javier Moreno - BYE
27) Johan Piña - BYE
6) Alejandro Landa - BYE
7) Gerardo Franco - BYE
26) Erick Cuevas Fernandez - BYE
23) David Ortega - BYE
10) Luis Avila - BYE
15) Ernest Ochoa - BYE
18) Daniel Maldonado - BYE
31) Rogelio Castillo v. 34) Homar Prieto
2) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla - BYE
8) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar v. 9) Javier Estrada & Alan Natera
5) Luis Avila & Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
4) Gerardo Franco & Christian Longoria - BYE
3) Alejandro Landa & Javier Moreno - BYE
6) Rafael Filippini & Mauricio Zelada v. 11) Sebastian Longoria & Juan Loreto
7) Ruben Estrada & Ernest Ochoa v. 10) Daniel Maldonado & Homar Prieto
2) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Sandoval - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Landa was seeded 6th last weekend, and despite the win he is 6th again this weekend. So much the worse for those on the bottom of the draw, especially 2nd seed Alejandro Cardona and 3rd seed David Horn. Landa has won 9 of the 12 WRT events he has entered.
Rodrigo Montoya is the top seed in Chihuahua, and he will want to do better than he did last week in San Luis Potosi, as he lost his quarterfinal match to Bredenbeck, because he failed to show up on time. A shocking result that should have him staying courtside throughout the weekend. Montoya and Bredenebck could meet in the quarters this week also, as Bredenbeck is seeded 8th.
Also notable in the draw is veteran Javier Moreno, who is seeded 22nd, and will play Mauricio Zelada in the Round of 16. Moreno, a left-hand player, is one of the reigning World Champions in Men’s Doubles - winning the title for the fourth time in his career last year with Alvaro Beltran in Cali, Colombia, and he’s playing doubles with Landa this weekend, so they could be the team to beat, despite being seeded 3rd.
Montoya and Andree Parrilla are the top seeds in doubles with Cardona and Erick Sandoval the 2nd seeds. The young team of Christian Longoria and Gerardo Franco are the 4th seeds.
You can view the action live from Chihuahua starting with the quarterfinals from 1 PM Friday via the WRT website. Note the semi-finals will be at 3 and 4 PM Saturday with the final Sunday at noon.
2017 WRT, Chihuahua, Mexico June 15-18, 2017
Singles - Round of 64
1) Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
32) Javier Estrada v. 33) Alejandro Mendoza
17) Erik Garcia - BYE
16) Daniel Neri - BYE
9) Christian Longoria - BYE
24) Alan Natera - BYE
25) Juan Loreto - BYE
8) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
5) Jaime Martell - BYE
28) Juan De Los Rios - BYE
21) Ruben Estrada - BYE
12) Javier Mar - BYE
13) Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
20) Eduardo Garay - BYE
29) Alfonso Luna v. 36) Alvaro Maldonado
4) Andree Parrilla - BYE
3) David Horn - BYE
30) Sebastian Longoria v. 36) Humberto Natera
19) Rodrigo Rodriguez - BYE
14) Erick Sandoval - BYE
11) Mauricio Zelada - BYE
22) Javier Moreno - BYE
27) Johan Piña - BYE
6) Alejandro Landa - BYE
7) Gerardo Franco - BYE
26) Erick Cuevas Fernandez - BYE
23) David Ortega - BYE
10) Luis Avila - BYE
15) Ernest Ochoa - BYE
18) Daniel Maldonado - BYE
31) Rogelio Castillo v. 34) Homar Prieto
2) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Rodrigo Montoya & Andree Parrilla - BYE
8) Eduardo Garay & Javier Mar v. 9) Javier Estrada & Alan Natera
5) Luis Avila & Sebastian Fernandez - BYE
4) Gerardo Franco & Christian Longoria - BYE
3) Alejandro Landa & Javier Moreno - BYE
6) Rafael Filippini & Mauricio Zelada v. 11) Sebastian Longoria & Juan Loreto
7) Ruben Estrada & Ernest Ochoa v. 10) Daniel Maldonado & Homar Prieto
2) Alejandro Cardona & Erick Sandoval - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, June 11, 2017
Landa wins 2017 Torneo Interacional Canel’s WRT event
Alejandro Landa isn’t the #1 player on the World Racquetball Tour (WRT), but that’s only because he hasn’t played many events. When Landa enters a WRT event, he usually wins, as Landa did on Saturday, when he defeated Jake Bredenbeck, 15-6, 14-15, 11-0, to win the 2017 Torneo Interacional Canel’s WRT event in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The win was Landa’s 9th WRT title in 12 tries. He’s won at least one WRT event every year since 2013.
In the semi-finals, Landa defeated Alejandro Cardona, 15-3, 15-7, which was a measure of revenge for Landa, as Cardona got the best of him when they last met back in January at the WRT West Coast Championship in Concord, California. Cardona has beaten Landa twice in WRT events. Polo Gutierrez is the only other player to defeat Landa.
In the other semi-final, Bredenbeck beat Jordy Alonso, 15-5, 15-4.
The WRT will be back in action next weekend, when they’ll play in the Chihuahua Open in Chihuahua, Mexico, where the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) will also be in action with the Paola Longoria Challenge, June 14-18.
2017 Torneo Interacional Canel’s WRT, San Luis Potosi, Mexico June 8-10, 2017
Semi-finals
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 13) Jordy Alonso, 15-5, 15-4
6) Alejandro Landa d. 2) Alejandro Cardona, 15-3, 15-7
Final
6) Alejandro Landa d. 8) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-6, 14-15, 11-0
Follow the bouncing ball….
In the semi-finals, Landa defeated Alejandro Cardona, 15-3, 15-7, which was a measure of revenge for Landa, as Cardona got the best of him when they last met back in January at the WRT West Coast Championship in Concord, California. Cardona has beaten Landa twice in WRT events. Polo Gutierrez is the only other player to defeat Landa.
In the other semi-final, Bredenbeck beat Jordy Alonso, 15-5, 15-4.
The WRT will be back in action next weekend, when they’ll play in the Chihuahua Open in Chihuahua, Mexico, where the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) will also be in action with the Paola Longoria Challenge, June 14-18.
2017 Torneo Interacional Canel’s WRT, San Luis Potosi, Mexico June 8-10, 2017
Semi-finals
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 13) Jordy Alonso, 15-5, 15-4
6) Alejandro Landa d. 2) Alejandro Cardona, 15-3, 15-7
Final
6) Alejandro Landa d. 8) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-6, 14-15, 11-0
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, June 9, 2017
2017 Torneo Interacional Canel’s WRT - Quarterfinals
Only one of the top four seeds has made it into the semi-finals at the 2017 Torneo Interacional Canel’s World Racquetball Tour (WRT) in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Most surprising was top seed Rodrigo Montoya being forfeited from his match versus 8th seed Jake Bredenbeck, as he wasn’t at the court within the 10 min from being called to the court. This was Montoya’s first tournament as the #1 seed, and he’ll be disappointed to lose out in that fashion.
In one semi-final, Bredenbeck will face 13th seed Jordy Alonso, who was a straight game winner over 5th seed Gerardo Franco, 15-8, 15-5. In the other semi, 2nd seed Alejandro Cardona will play 6th Alejandro Landa.
In the quarterfinals, Cardona defeated Mauricio Zelada, 15-5, 15-6, and Landa upset 3rd seed David Horn, 15-12, 15-6. Landa and Horn were close all the way in game one before Landa finished it off. But in game two, Landa took a big lead at 9-2, and although Horn called a timeout at that point, he could only manage to get a few points before Landa finished off the game and match.
You can view the semi-finals live from San Luis Potosi starting at 11 AM Saturday morning via the WRT Facebook page. Note the final will be Saturday at 5 PM CDT.
2017 Torneo Interacional Canel’s WRT, San Luis Potosi, Mexico June 8-10, 2017
Quarterfinals
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 1) Rodrigo Montoya, forfeit
13) Jordy Alonso d. 5) Gerardo Franco, 15-8, 15-5
6) Alejandro Landa d. 3) David Horn, 15-12, 15-6
2) Alejandro Cardona d. 10) Mauricio Zelada, 15-5, 15-6
Semi-finals - Saturday
8) Jake Bredenbeck v. 13) Jordy Alonso - Noon
2) Alejandro Cardona v. 6) Alejandro Landa - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
In one semi-final, Bredenbeck will face 13th seed Jordy Alonso, who was a straight game winner over 5th seed Gerardo Franco, 15-8, 15-5. In the other semi, 2nd seed Alejandro Cardona will play 6th Alejandro Landa.
In the quarterfinals, Cardona defeated Mauricio Zelada, 15-5, 15-6, and Landa upset 3rd seed David Horn, 15-12, 15-6. Landa and Horn were close all the way in game one before Landa finished it off. But in game two, Landa took a big lead at 9-2, and although Horn called a timeout at that point, he could only manage to get a few points before Landa finished off the game and match.
You can view the semi-finals live from San Luis Potosi starting at 11 AM Saturday morning via the WRT Facebook page. Note the final will be Saturday at 5 PM CDT.
2017 Torneo Interacional Canel’s WRT, San Luis Potosi, Mexico June 8-10, 2017
Quarterfinals
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 1) Rodrigo Montoya, forfeit
13) Jordy Alonso d. 5) Gerardo Franco, 15-8, 15-5
6) Alejandro Landa d. 3) David Horn, 15-12, 15-6
2) Alejandro Cardona d. 10) Mauricio Zelada, 15-5, 15-6
Semi-finals - Saturday
8) Jake Bredenbeck v. 13) Jordy Alonso - Noon
2) Alejandro Cardona v. 6) Alejandro Landa - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
2017 Torneo Interacional Canel's WRT - Round of 32 & 16
The 2017 World Racquetball Tour (WRT) is playing two tournaments on back to back weekends, and the first is the Torneo Interacional Canel’s WRT event in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, which began on Friday. There have been two upsets in the Round of 16. Thirteenth seed Jordy Alonso defeated 4th seed Andre Parrilla, 15-13, 9-15, 11-9, in one match, and 10th seed Mauricio Zelada beat 7th seed Christian Longoria, 3-15, 15-13, 11-10.
Rodrigo Montoya is the top seed in San Luis Potosi, and he won his Round of 16 in two straight games, 15-6, 15-11, as did 2nd seed Alejandro Cardona, who was a winner over Erick Sandoval, 15-6, 15-7. Montoya will face Bredenbeck in the quarterfinals, and Cardona will take on Zelada.
You can view the action live from San Luis Potosi starting with the quarterfinals at 5 PM Friday via the WRT website. Note the semi-finals will be at 11 AM and noon on Saturday with the final Saturday at 5 PM.
2017 Torneo Interacional Canel’s WRT, San Luis Potosi, Mexico June 8-10, 2017
Round of 32
1) Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
16) Abraham Pena d. 17) Alvaro Maldonado, ?
24) Ernesto Ochoa d. 9) Luis Avila, 15-10, 15-2
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 25) Fabian Parrilla, 15-1, 15-3
5) Gerardo Franco - BYE
21) Gilberto Mejia d. 12) Alex David Cocco Hayes, 15-6, 15-6
13) Jordy Alonso d. 20) Rodrigo Rodriguez, 15-7, 15-13
4) Andree Parrilla - BYE
3) David Horn - BYE
14) Sebastian Fernandez d. 19) Carlos Bacmeister, 15-2, 15-6
11) Victor Camacho d. 22) Alejandro Martinez, 15-4, 15-0
6) Alejandro Landa - BYE
7) Christian Longoria - BYE
10) Mauricio Zelada d. 23) Daniel Maldonado, 15-4, 15-5
15) Eduardo Portillo d. 18) Erick Sandoval, 15-1, 15-9
2) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
Round of 16
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 16) Abraham Pena
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 24) Ernesto Ochoa, 15-12, 15-11
5) Gerardo Franco d. 21) Gilberto Mejia, 15-13, 8-15, 11-5
13) Jordy Alonso d. 4) Andree Parrilla, 15-13, 9-15, 11-9
3) David Horn d. 14) Sebastian Fernandez, 15-11, 15-9
6) Alejandro Landa d. 11) Victor Camacho, 15-7, 15-11
10) Mauricio Zelada d. 7) Christian Longoria, 3-15, 15-13, 11-10
2) Alejandro Cardona d. 18) Erick Sandoval, 15-6, 15-7
Quarterfinals
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 8) Jake Bredenbeck
5) Gerardo Franco v. 13) Jordy Alonso
3) David Horn v. 6) Alejandro Landa
2) Alejandro Cardona v. 10) Mauricio Zelada
Follow the bouncing ball….
Rodrigo Montoya is the top seed in San Luis Potosi, and he won his Round of 16 in two straight games, 15-6, 15-11, as did 2nd seed Alejandro Cardona, who was a winner over Erick Sandoval, 15-6, 15-7. Montoya will face Bredenbeck in the quarterfinals, and Cardona will take on Zelada.
You can view the action live from San Luis Potosi starting with the quarterfinals at 5 PM Friday via the WRT website. Note the semi-finals will be at 11 AM and noon on Saturday with the final Saturday at 5 PM.
2017 Torneo Interacional Canel’s WRT, San Luis Potosi, Mexico June 8-10, 2017
Round of 32
1) Rodrigo Montoya - BYE
16) Abraham Pena d. 17) Alvaro Maldonado, ?
24) Ernesto Ochoa d. 9) Luis Avila, 15-10, 15-2
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 25) Fabian Parrilla, 15-1, 15-3
5) Gerardo Franco - BYE
21) Gilberto Mejia d. 12) Alex David Cocco Hayes, 15-6, 15-6
13) Jordy Alonso d. 20) Rodrigo Rodriguez, 15-7, 15-13
4) Andree Parrilla - BYE
3) David Horn - BYE
14) Sebastian Fernandez d. 19) Carlos Bacmeister, 15-2, 15-6
11) Victor Camacho d. 22) Alejandro Martinez, 15-4, 15-0
6) Alejandro Landa - BYE
7) Christian Longoria - BYE
10) Mauricio Zelada d. 23) Daniel Maldonado, 15-4, 15-5
15) Eduardo Portillo d. 18) Erick Sandoval, 15-1, 15-9
2) Alejandro Cardona - BYE
Round of 16
1) Rodrigo Montoya d. 16) Abraham Pena
8) Jake Bredenbeck d. 24) Ernesto Ochoa, 15-12, 15-11
5) Gerardo Franco d. 21) Gilberto Mejia, 15-13, 8-15, 11-5
13) Jordy Alonso d. 4) Andree Parrilla, 15-13, 9-15, 11-9
3) David Horn d. 14) Sebastian Fernandez, 15-11, 15-9
6) Alejandro Landa d. 11) Victor Camacho, 15-7, 15-11
10) Mauricio Zelada d. 7) Christian Longoria, 3-15, 15-13, 11-10
2) Alejandro Cardona d. 18) Erick Sandoval, 15-6, 15-7
Quarterfinals
1) Rodrigo Montoya v. 8) Jake Bredenbeck
5) Gerardo Franco v. 13) Jordy Alonso
3) David Horn v. 6) Alejandro Landa
2) Alejandro Cardona v. 10) Mauricio Zelada
Follow the bouncing ball….
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