With a new year about to begin, you may be looking to make some resolutions regarding your racquetball game. To help you make your resolutions, we here at The Racquetball Blog would like to ask you a question: What kind of racquetball player are you?
Generally, there are three types of racquetball players: 1) power players, 2) shooters, and 3) what we’ll call all-rounders (borrowing a term from cricket), as these are players who not especially powerful or really shooters. How do you determine which category you fall into? Well, what do you do when you’re in trouble?
When someone is in trouble they will go to their strength - that is, bring out their big weapon, so when a power player is down in a game, he or she will try to amp up the power to get out trouble. Similarly, a shooter will try to shoot themselves out of trouble, going for winners with every swing of their racquet. That is, when people are in trouble, they will try to bring out their big weapon, whether that be power or shooting.
Now, all round players - those who are not especially powerful or a real shooter - don’t have a weapon to go to, so they don’t have a big asset to apply when they are in trouble. All rounders need to work hard during their matches to grind out wins. Being fit is important in sports, but it’s especially important if you have an all round game style, because you don’t have a big weapon that can serve as a “Get out of Jail Free” card.
Now, as you get better at racquetball, you’ll develop both skills of being able to play with power and shooting the ball. But still you’ll likely do one better than the other. If you can do both really well, then your name might be Kane Waselenchuk, who is great because he is both a power player and a shooter. But that doesn’t make him an all rounder.
Rocky Carson is a classic all rounder, as he has plenty of power and can certainly shoot the ball, but we wouldn’t call him a power player or a shooter. However, Carson is in great shape, and certainly grinds out wins. Indeed, he’s spoken more than once about how he loves to compete, so grinding out wins is exactly what he likes to do.
Once you know the type of player you are, then you next want to know the type of player you are playing. A power player versus a shooter will be a contest of who can take who out of their game: can the power player overpower the shooter so he or she can’t get set up to shoot the ball, or can the shooter put the ball out of reach so the power player cannot crush it like he or she wants?
A classic example of this happened in the Men’s Singles final of the 2016 Pan American Championships, when Daniel De La Rosa played Jake Bredenbeck. De La Rosa is a shooter and Bredenbeck is a prototypical power player. The match was in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, which is at altitude. Balls will travel further at altitude, so a player needs to adjust to that if they are unaccustomed to it. But San Luis Potosi is De La Rosa’s hometown, while Bredenbeck grew up in the relatively low lands of Minnesota. On that day, in those circumstances, the shooter beat the power player, and did so convincingly.
But the trickier match ups are when like plays like. That is, when a power player plays another power player, or a shooter plays another shooter. These are situations where fire is fighting fire, and it becomes a case of which fire is hotter, which is always tricky. So matches between players like Bredenbeck and Alejandro Cardona - both power players - or between De La Rosa and Andree Parrilla - both shooters are difficult to plan for, because each player is trying to do the same thing.
So, before making your racquetball New Year’s resolutions first ask yourself what kind of player you are. Once you have a good handle on that, then you will be in a better position to move forward and make plans for the new year.
Follow the bouncing ball…..
Monday, December 31, 2018
Thursday, December 27, 2018
Top 10 Racquetball Stories of the Year
2018 has been a big year for racquetball, which made picking a top 10 stories of the year list a bit difficult. This is the 11th time The Racquetball Blog has named its Top Racquetball Stories of the year, and some of the newsmakers have been on past lists, but not the person in the #1 spot!
Top Racquetball Stories of 2018
10. Montserrat Mejia. Mejia and Alexandra Herrera upset Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas in Women’s Doubles at the Mexican qualifying event for the 2018 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships, so they represented Mexico in Women’s Doubles for the first time at Worlds in Costa Rica, and were the silver medalists. Also, Mejia successfully defended her title in Girl’s U18 Singles at the 2018 IRF World Junior Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, where she defeated Gabriela Martinez in the final for the 2nd consecutive year.
9. USA Racquetball. USA Racquetball encountered controversy that landed it in the pages of USA Today, and not in a good way. The exact nature of the events remains unexplained, but included the involvement of the US Center for SafeSport. This led to the release of two staff, including Executive Director Jason Thoerner. The organization is likely still dealing with the aftermath of this, but they have hired Mike Wedel to replace Thoerner as Executive Director. Early indications, including an interview done on The Racquetball Show podcast, suggest Wedel is a good hire.
8. Daniel De La Rosa. De La Rosa won gold for Mexico in Men’s Doubles with Alvaro Beltran at the 2018 IRF World Championships and the pair also won the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Men’s Doubles division at the US Open. He was also a double gold medalist at the 2018 Central American & Caribbean Games, as De La Rosa won both Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles with Beltran.
7. Valeria Centellas & Yazmine Sabja. This Bolivian pair won Women’s Doubles at the 2018 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships, and became the first South American team to do so. Both had good years individually also. Centellas, 17, won gold in Girls U16 singles and doubles at the IRF World Junior Championships. 2018 marked Sabja's return to competitive racquetball, as she was playing her first competitions since 2009, and was silver medalist in Women's Singles at the 2018 South American Games.
6. Samantha Salas. Salas ends the year as the #2 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT). She won her 3rd career LPRT title in June, and has been a finalist at the first four events of the 2018-19 season. Also, Salas captured gold for Mexico in Women’s Doubles with Paola Longoria at the 2018 Central American & Caribbean Games.
5. Rodrigo Montoya. Montoya, from Mexico, became the 11th player to win Men’s Singles at the IRF World Championships, when he defeated Charlie Pratt (USA) at the 2018 IRF World Championships in Costa Rica in August. Montoya also won Men’s Doubles at the 2018 Pan American Championships with Alvaro Beltran.
4. Gabriela Martinez. The 19 year old Guatemalan became the first teenager - and 9th woman overall - to win Women’s Singles at the 2018 IRF World Championships in Costa Rica, where she defeated Paola Longoria in the final. Martinez was also silver medalist in singles and doubles (with Maria Renee Rodriguez) at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games, and she and Rodriguez were also finalists in Women’s Doubles at the 2018 Pan American Championships, when they beat Longoria and Alexandra Herrera in the preliminary round but lost to them in the final. Martinez also reached the LPRT semi-finals at the US Open for the first time. Overall, it was a great year, but when Martinez was playing her last match as a junior - the final of Girl’s U18 Singles at the 2018 IRF World Junior Championships - she lost to Mexican Monserrat Mejia for the 2nd consecutive year.
3. Paola Longoria. It was a strange year for Longoria, as she had success - she continues to be the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), won her 9th US Open, and won gold in both singles and doubles at the 2018 Central American & Caribbean Games - but Longoria also lost four singles matches to four different opponents. Four losses in a year would be great for most players, but the bar is much higher for Longoria, who has gone through some years undefeated. She lost a few times in 2017 also, so are we seeing a trend? Or is it that the competition is becoming better? Two of her losses were to younger players (Gabriela Martinez & Maria Jose Vargas), and two were to veterans who have beaten her previously (Rhonda Rajsich & Samantha Salas). Longoria will turn 30 in 2019, so she’s one of the veteran players on the LPRT, but we’re sure there are several good seasons ahead of her.
2. Kane Waselenchuk. Waselenchuk has been on our list of top newsmakers for 11 straight years, because he’s been the best male racquetball player during that period. Has he won all the tournaments he’s entered or has he been the #1 player throughout that period? No, but like Serena Williams over the last two decades of women’s tennis, if Waselenchuk is in the draw, you expect him to win. Waselenchuk dropped a bombshell during his post-match interview in June, when he suggested there was a 90% chance he would retire, but that 10% has come through, and racquetball is all the better for it.
1. Alejandro Landa. Landa’s never been one of our top stories of the year, although he was an honorable mention in 2017, as he won Men’s Singles and Doubles (with Polo Gutierrez) at the 2017 Pan American Championships. But Landa never had a year like he did in 2018. He’s the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), and a two time winner on tour; only Waselenchuk won more IRT events in 2018 than Landa. Few - if any - people would have seen this coming 12 months ago, so you would have got long odds on it happening, if you were looking to bet on it. But this is one of the great things about sports: the unexpected can happen. Was he helped by circumstances? Sure, but everyone who has success is, and no one gave Landa those titles or the #1 ranking. He earned them, and good on him for doing so.
Honorable mentions: Rhonda Rajsich successfully defended her title in Women’s Singles at the 2018 Pan American Championships in Chile with one of her career best performances in the final, when she defeated Longoria in three games. Rocky Carson was the #1 player on the IRT at the end of the 2017-18 season; while everyone spent so much time speculating on who the next #1 player would be after Waselenchuk, Carson went out and became that guy. Sudsy Monchik won Men’s Doubles with Rocky Carson at the 2018 USA Racquetball Doubles Championships, and were finalists in Men’s Doubles at the 2018 IRF World Championships. Maria Jose Vargas. won her 3rd LPRT title in March, and finished 2018 as the 4th ranked LPRT player; she also won gold for Argentina in Women’s Singles and Doubles (with Natalia Mendez) at the 2018 South American Games.
Overall, 2018 was a great year for racquetball, and we look forward to another great year in 2019, which will be highlighted by the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. If you enjoy The Racquetball Blog tell all your friends, and follow us on Twitter (@racquetballblog) and on Facebook.
Best wishes to you for 2019.
Follow the bouncing ball….
Top Racquetball Stories of 2018
10. Montserrat Mejia. Mejia and Alexandra Herrera upset Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas in Women’s Doubles at the Mexican qualifying event for the 2018 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships, so they represented Mexico in Women’s Doubles for the first time at Worlds in Costa Rica, and were the silver medalists. Also, Mejia successfully defended her title in Girl’s U18 Singles at the 2018 IRF World Junior Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, where she defeated Gabriela Martinez in the final for the 2nd consecutive year.
9. USA Racquetball. USA Racquetball encountered controversy that landed it in the pages of USA Today, and not in a good way. The exact nature of the events remains unexplained, but included the involvement of the US Center for SafeSport. This led to the release of two staff, including Executive Director Jason Thoerner. The organization is likely still dealing with the aftermath of this, but they have hired Mike Wedel to replace Thoerner as Executive Director. Early indications, including an interview done on The Racquetball Show podcast, suggest Wedel is a good hire.
8. Daniel De La Rosa. De La Rosa won gold for Mexico in Men’s Doubles with Alvaro Beltran at the 2018 IRF World Championships and the pair also won the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Men’s Doubles division at the US Open. He was also a double gold medalist at the 2018 Central American & Caribbean Games, as De La Rosa won both Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles with Beltran.
7. Valeria Centellas & Yazmine Sabja. This Bolivian pair won Women’s Doubles at the 2018 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships, and became the first South American team to do so. Both had good years individually also. Centellas, 17, won gold in Girls U16 singles and doubles at the IRF World Junior Championships. 2018 marked Sabja's return to competitive racquetball, as she was playing her first competitions since 2009, and was silver medalist in Women's Singles at the 2018 South American Games.
6. Samantha Salas. Salas ends the year as the #2 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT). She won her 3rd career LPRT title in June, and has been a finalist at the first four events of the 2018-19 season. Also, Salas captured gold for Mexico in Women’s Doubles with Paola Longoria at the 2018 Central American & Caribbean Games.
5. Rodrigo Montoya. Montoya, from Mexico, became the 11th player to win Men’s Singles at the IRF World Championships, when he defeated Charlie Pratt (USA) at the 2018 IRF World Championships in Costa Rica in August. Montoya also won Men’s Doubles at the 2018 Pan American Championships with Alvaro Beltran.
4. Gabriela Martinez. The 19 year old Guatemalan became the first teenager - and 9th woman overall - to win Women’s Singles at the 2018 IRF World Championships in Costa Rica, where she defeated Paola Longoria in the final. Martinez was also silver medalist in singles and doubles (with Maria Renee Rodriguez) at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games, and she and Rodriguez were also finalists in Women’s Doubles at the 2018 Pan American Championships, when they beat Longoria and Alexandra Herrera in the preliminary round but lost to them in the final. Martinez also reached the LPRT semi-finals at the US Open for the first time. Overall, it was a great year, but when Martinez was playing her last match as a junior - the final of Girl’s U18 Singles at the 2018 IRF World Junior Championships - she lost to Mexican Monserrat Mejia for the 2nd consecutive year.
3. Paola Longoria. It was a strange year for Longoria, as she had success - she continues to be the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), won her 9th US Open, and won gold in both singles and doubles at the 2018 Central American & Caribbean Games - but Longoria also lost four singles matches to four different opponents. Four losses in a year would be great for most players, but the bar is much higher for Longoria, who has gone through some years undefeated. She lost a few times in 2017 also, so are we seeing a trend? Or is it that the competition is becoming better? Two of her losses were to younger players (Gabriela Martinez & Maria Jose Vargas), and two were to veterans who have beaten her previously (Rhonda Rajsich & Samantha Salas). Longoria will turn 30 in 2019, so she’s one of the veteran players on the LPRT, but we’re sure there are several good seasons ahead of her.
2. Kane Waselenchuk. Waselenchuk has been on our list of top newsmakers for 11 straight years, because he’s been the best male racquetball player during that period. Has he won all the tournaments he’s entered or has he been the #1 player throughout that period? No, but like Serena Williams over the last two decades of women’s tennis, if Waselenchuk is in the draw, you expect him to win. Waselenchuk dropped a bombshell during his post-match interview in June, when he suggested there was a 90% chance he would retire, but that 10% has come through, and racquetball is all the better for it.
1. Alejandro Landa. Landa’s never been one of our top stories of the year, although he was an honorable mention in 2017, as he won Men’s Singles and Doubles (with Polo Gutierrez) at the 2017 Pan American Championships. But Landa never had a year like he did in 2018. He’s the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), and a two time winner on tour; only Waselenchuk won more IRT events in 2018 than Landa. Few - if any - people would have seen this coming 12 months ago, so you would have got long odds on it happening, if you were looking to bet on it. But this is one of the great things about sports: the unexpected can happen. Was he helped by circumstances? Sure, but everyone who has success is, and no one gave Landa those titles or the #1 ranking. He earned them, and good on him for doing so.
Honorable mentions: Rhonda Rajsich successfully defended her title in Women’s Singles at the 2018 Pan American Championships in Chile with one of her career best performances in the final, when she defeated Longoria in three games. Rocky Carson was the #1 player on the IRT at the end of the 2017-18 season; while everyone spent so much time speculating on who the next #1 player would be after Waselenchuk, Carson went out and became that guy. Sudsy Monchik won Men’s Doubles with Rocky Carson at the 2018 USA Racquetball Doubles Championships, and were finalists in Men’s Doubles at the 2018 IRF World Championships. Maria Jose Vargas. won her 3rd LPRT title in March, and finished 2018 as the 4th ranked LPRT player; she also won gold for Argentina in Women’s Singles and Doubles (with Natalia Mendez) at the 2018 South American Games.
Overall, 2018 was a great year for racquetball, and we look forward to another great year in 2019, which will be highlighted by the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. If you enjoy The Racquetball Blog tell all your friends, and follow us on Twitter (@racquetballblog) and on Facebook.
Best wishes to you for 2019.
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, December 20, 2018
10 years of top 10 lists
If you’ve been following the bouncing ball loyally, then you know that The Racquetball Blog had its 10th anniversary this past July. Each of the last 10 years we have complied a "Best Stories of the Year” list, and this year will be no different.
However, this year’s list will be out next week. Today - because it’s a Throwback Thursday! - we’re going to review our decade of "Best Stories.” Two people have been newsworthy enough - in our ever so humble opinion - to be in the top 10 each year: Paola Longoria and Kane Waselenchuk.
Usually, Longoria and Waselenchuk have been so notable that we’ve put them in the top three. Longoiria’s been #1 five times (2011-2014) and Waselenchuk three (2008-2010). Three times they were #1 and #2 (Longoria was ahead each of those years). Waselenchuk’s always been in the top three, but in 2010 we put Longoria 8th! What the what?!?
The next two most frequent racquetball newsmakers of the past decade are Rhonda Rajsich and Rocky Carson, who have appeared on our year end list 8 and 7 times, respectively. Alvaro Beltran has made the list 4 times and Samantha Salas 3. Other players who have had notable years in the last decade include Cristina Amaya (2013), Kristen Bellows (2009), Ben Croft (2010), Krystal Csuk (2012), Daniel De La Rosa (2013, 2014), Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (2014), Ruben Gonzalez (2011), David Horn (2017), Jack Huczek (2010), Brenda Kyzer (2008), Frédérique Lambert (2016, 2017), Jason Mannino (2009, 2010), Gabriela Martinez (2016), Sudsy Monchik (2015, 2017), Charlie Pratt (2017), Jose Rojas (2013), Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger (2016), Veronica Sotomayor (2008, 2015), Cliff Swain (2015) and Maria Jose Vargas (2013, 2014).
We have highlighted performances at the International Racquetball Federation’s (IRF) World Junior Championships by Bolivians (2009, 2017), Mexicans (2013, 2017) and the USA (2008). Other international competitions have also been notable in the past 10 years, including the Pan American Games (2009, 2011, 2015), and the World Games (2009).
There have been significant developments in the pro racquetball over the decade also, which has put each of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) - which was the Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) back in 2008 - and World Racquetball Tour (WRT) in our year end top 10 more than once.
All in all it’s been quite a decade, and when we look back over the top 100+ stories of it, it’s pretty amazing. In 2008, the US Open was still in Memphis, there was no World Racquetball Tour (WRT), and video streaming of matches over the internet was just beginning. Now, video streaming is common place, the US Open is in Minneapolis, and the WRT — actually, we’re not sure what’s going on with the WRT.
We do have a handle on what will be on The Racquetball Blog’s Top 10 Racquetball Stories of 2018, and you can probably guess who two of the year’s newsmakers will be, but we’ll reveal the entire list next week.
Follow the bouncing ball….
However, this year’s list will be out next week. Today - because it’s a Throwback Thursday! - we’re going to review our decade of "Best Stories.” Two people have been newsworthy enough - in our ever so humble opinion - to be in the top 10 each year: Paola Longoria and Kane Waselenchuk.
Usually, Longoria and Waselenchuk have been so notable that we’ve put them in the top three. Longoiria’s been #1 five times (2011-2014) and Waselenchuk three (2008-2010). Three times they were #1 and #2 (Longoria was ahead each of those years). Waselenchuk’s always been in the top three, but in 2010 we put Longoria 8th! What the what?!?
The next two most frequent racquetball newsmakers of the past decade are Rhonda Rajsich and Rocky Carson, who have appeared on our year end list 8 and 7 times, respectively. Alvaro Beltran has made the list 4 times and Samantha Salas 3. Other players who have had notable years in the last decade include Cristina Amaya (2013), Kristen Bellows (2009), Ben Croft (2010), Krystal Csuk (2012), Daniel De La Rosa (2013, 2014), Sebastian Franco & Alejandro Herrera (2014), Ruben Gonzalez (2011), David Horn (2017), Jack Huczek (2010), Brenda Kyzer (2008), Frédérique Lambert (2016, 2017), Jason Mannino (2009, 2010), Gabriela Martinez (2016), Sudsy Monchik (2015, 2017), Charlie Pratt (2017), Jose Rojas (2013), Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger (2016), Veronica Sotomayor (2008, 2015), Cliff Swain (2015) and Maria Jose Vargas (2013, 2014).
We have highlighted performances at the International Racquetball Federation’s (IRF) World Junior Championships by Bolivians (2009, 2017), Mexicans (2013, 2017) and the USA (2008). Other international competitions have also been notable in the past 10 years, including the Pan American Games (2009, 2011, 2015), and the World Games (2009).
There have been significant developments in the pro racquetball over the decade also, which has put each of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) - which was the Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) back in 2008 - and World Racquetball Tour (WRT) in our year end top 10 more than once.
All in all it’s been quite a decade, and when we look back over the top 100+ stories of it, it’s pretty amazing. In 2008, the US Open was still in Memphis, there was no World Racquetball Tour (WRT), and video streaming of matches over the internet was just beginning. Now, video streaming is common place, the US Open is in Minneapolis, and the WRT — actually, we’re not sure what’s going on with the WRT.
We do have a handle on what will be on The Racquetball Blog’s Top 10 Racquetball Stories of 2018, and you can probably guess who two of the year’s newsmakers will be, but we’ll reveal the entire list next week.
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Longoria at double winner at 2018 LPRT Christmas Classic
Paola Longoria won twice on Sunday, as she won both singles and doubles at the 2018 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland, and provided more evidence of why she is the #1 player on the LPRT. In the singles final, Longoria defeated Alexandra Herrera, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7, and then teamed up with Kelani Bailey Lawrence to beat Herrera and Frédérique Lambert in the doubles final, 15-7, 15-10.
Longoria won each of her four singles matches en route to the title in three straight games giving up an average of 3.92 points per game, including handing out two doughnuts. The win maintains Longoria's undefeated season.
Longoria usually plays doubles with fellow Mexican Samantha Salas, but Salas wasn’t in Maryland reportedly due to travel difficulties. So she teamed up with Bailey Lawrence, who is only ranked 32nd in singles and 21st in doubles on the LPRT. But Bailey Lawrence is half of the current USA Racquetball National Doubles Champions, winning the title with Sharon Jackson last February. Her low LPRT ranking is mainly due to not playing many events.
At the start of the doubles final, it looked like 2nd seeds Herrera and Lambert, who were also playing together for the first time, would cause the upset as they put 6 points on the board before Longoria and Bailey Lawrence scored. Most of those points began with Lambert hitting a drive Z serve to Bailey Lawrence, as they were both playing on the right side. However, once the top seeds Longoria and Bailey Lawrence got going they held their lefty-righty opponents (Herrera is left handed & Lambert right handed) to only one more point while scoring 15 of their own, winning 15-7.
Longoria and Bailey Lawrence took an early lead at 4-1 in game two, and never trailed from there, as they went on to win it 15-10 and take the match in two straight games.
The LPRT will next be in action in 2019 at the Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina, January 25-27. If you missed any of the action from Maryland, check out the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT LiveStream channel.
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic Pro-Am, December 14-16, 2018
Laurel, Maryland
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria d. 3) Alexandra Herrera, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert, 15-7, 15-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria won each of her four singles matches en route to the title in three straight games giving up an average of 3.92 points per game, including handing out two doughnuts. The win maintains Longoria's undefeated season.
Longoria usually plays doubles with fellow Mexican Samantha Salas, but Salas wasn’t in Maryland reportedly due to travel difficulties. So she teamed up with Bailey Lawrence, who is only ranked 32nd in singles and 21st in doubles on the LPRT. But Bailey Lawrence is half of the current USA Racquetball National Doubles Champions, winning the title with Sharon Jackson last February. Her low LPRT ranking is mainly due to not playing many events.
At the start of the doubles final, it looked like 2nd seeds Herrera and Lambert, who were also playing together for the first time, would cause the upset as they put 6 points on the board before Longoria and Bailey Lawrence scored. Most of those points began with Lambert hitting a drive Z serve to Bailey Lawrence, as they were both playing on the right side. However, once the top seeds Longoria and Bailey Lawrence got going they held their lefty-righty opponents (Herrera is left handed & Lambert right handed) to only one more point while scoring 15 of their own, winning 15-7.
Longoria and Bailey Lawrence took an early lead at 4-1 in game two, and never trailed from there, as they went on to win it 15-10 and take the match in two straight games.
The LPRT will next be in action in 2019 at the Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina, January 25-27. If you missed any of the action from Maryland, check out the LPRT YouTube channel or the LPRT LiveStream channel.
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic Pro-Am, December 14-16, 2018
Laurel, Maryland
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria d. 3) Alexandra Herrera, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert, 15-7, 15-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Herrera & Longoria into final at 2018 LPRT Christmas Classic
Alexandra Herrera broke the glass slipper that Michelle De La Rosa was wearing at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2018 LPRT Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland, as Herrera beat De La Rosa in three straight games, 11-1, 11-0, 11-8. De La Rosa had beaten 2nd seed Frédérique Lambert and 7th seed Cristina Amaya to reach the semis, but couldn’t by 3rd seed Herrera.
Herrera will play LPRT #1 Paola Longoria in the final on Sunday, as Longoria defeated 5th seed Rhonda Rajsich in the other semi-final, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7.
Both Longoria and Herrera could be double winners Sunday, as they will face off in the LPRT doubles final also. In the semi-finals, Longoria and Kelani Bailey Lawrence defeated Sheryl Lotts and Rhonda Rajsich, 15-9, 15-8, while Herrera and Frédérique Lambert won two close games against Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas, 15-12, 15-14.
The finals will be Sunday with singles final at noon and doubles final at 1 PM eastern time. You can watch the action from Laurel live via the LPRT LiveStream channel or the LPRT Facebook page.
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic Pro-Am, December 14-16, 2018
Laurel, Maryland
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 5) Rhonda Rajsich, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 15) Michelle De La Rosa, 11-1, 11-0, 11-8
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria v. 3) Alexandra Herrera - Noon
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-9, 15-8
2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert d. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-12, 15-14
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert - 1 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Herrera will play LPRT #1 Paola Longoria in the final on Sunday, as Longoria defeated 5th seed Rhonda Rajsich in the other semi-final, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7.
Both Longoria and Herrera could be double winners Sunday, as they will face off in the LPRT doubles final also. In the semi-finals, Longoria and Kelani Bailey Lawrence defeated Sheryl Lotts and Rhonda Rajsich, 15-9, 15-8, while Herrera and Frédérique Lambert won two close games against Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas, 15-12, 15-14.
The finals will be Sunday with singles final at noon and doubles final at 1 PM eastern time. You can watch the action from Laurel live via the LPRT LiveStream channel or the LPRT Facebook page.
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic Pro-Am, December 14-16, 2018
Laurel, Maryland
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 5) Rhonda Rajsich, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 15) Michelle De La Rosa, 11-1, 11-0, 11-8
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria v. 3) Alexandra Herrera - Noon
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-9, 15-8
2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert d. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-12, 15-14
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert - 1 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
De La Rosa continues to roll at 2018 LPRT Christmas Classic
Michelle De La Rosa will play in only her second semi-final on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Saturday, as she defeated Cristina Amaya, 11-9, 11-5, 2-11, 11-4, in the quarterfinals of the 2018 LPRT Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland. De La Rosa’s first semi-final was over two years ago: September 2016 in the Paola Longoria Experience, when she beat then 2nd seed Rhonda Rajsich in the quarters and lost to Frédérique Lambert in semis. In Laurel, De La Rosa beat 2nd seed Lambert in the Round of 16 yesterday.
Alexandra Herrera will play De La Rosa in the semi-finals later today, as Herrera, the 3rd seed, beat 6th seed Natalia Mendez in the quarters, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8.
On the top of the draw, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria beat 8th seed Carla Muñoz, 11-4, 11-1, 11-0, in the quarterfinals, and in the semi-finals, she’ll play 5th seed Rajsich, who was an upset winner over 4th seed Maria Jose Vargas, 12-10, 11-9, 11-1, in the quarters.
The semi-finals will be Saturday afternoon at 4 PM and 5 PM, and you can watch the action from Laurel live via the LPRT LiveStream channel or the LPRT Facebook page. The doubles semis will follow at 6 and 7 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final at 1 PM. All times eastern.
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic Pro-Am, December 14-16, 2018
Laurel, Maryland
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 8) Carla Muñoz, 11-4, 11-1, 11-0
5) Rhonda Rajsich d. 4) Maria Jose Vargas, 12-10, 11-9, 11-1
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 6) Natalia Mendez, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8
15) Michelle De La Rosa d. 7) Cristina Amaya, 11-9, 11-5, 2-11, 11-4
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 5) Rhonda Rajsich - 5 PM
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 15) Michelle De La Rosa - 4 PM
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 7 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Alexandra Herrera will play De La Rosa in the semi-finals later today, as Herrera, the 3rd seed, beat 6th seed Natalia Mendez in the quarters, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8.
On the top of the draw, LPRT #1 Paola Longoria beat 8th seed Carla Muñoz, 11-4, 11-1, 11-0, in the quarterfinals, and in the semi-finals, she’ll play 5th seed Rajsich, who was an upset winner over 4th seed Maria Jose Vargas, 12-10, 11-9, 11-1, in the quarters.
The semi-finals will be Saturday afternoon at 4 PM and 5 PM, and you can watch the action from Laurel live via the LPRT LiveStream channel or the LPRT Facebook page. The doubles semis will follow at 6 and 7 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final at 1 PM. All times eastern.
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic Pro-Am, December 14-16, 2018
Laurel, Maryland
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 8) Carla Muñoz, 11-4, 11-1, 11-0
5) Rhonda Rajsich d. 4) Maria Jose Vargas, 12-10, 11-9, 11-1
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 6) Natalia Mendez, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8
15) Michelle De La Rosa d. 7) Cristina Amaya, 11-9, 11-5, 2-11, 11-4
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 5) Rhonda Rajsich - 5 PM
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 15) Michelle De La Rosa - 4 PM
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 7 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, December 14, 2018
De La Rosa upsets Lambert to advance to quarters at 2018 LPRT Christmas Classic
Michelle De La Rosa got the big upset of the Round of 16 at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland, as she took out 2nd seed Frédérique Lambert in decisive fashion, winning in three straight games, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7. Lambert did fight off several match points in game three, but the writing was on the wall by the point, so it was just delaying the inevitable.
De La Rosa’s puts her in the quarterfinals on Saturday, when she’ll play 7th seed Cristina Amaya, who was also a straight game winner, beating Cassi Lee, 11-3, 11-9, 11-3.
The winner of De La Rosa and Amaya will play the winner of 3rd seed Alexandra Herrera and 6th seed Natalia Mendez. in the 16s, Herrera beat Laura Brandt, 11-1, 11-1, 11-0, and Mendez defeated Danielle Maddux - De La Rosa’s younger sister - 11-8, 11-4, 11-2. Maddux had a chance to avenge that defeat in doubles, as she and De La Rosa faced Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas, but it was not to be, as Mendez and Vargas came back from a game down to win, 13-15, 15-11, 11-4.
There were two more five game matches on the top of the singles draw, as two young players pushed two veterans into tie-breakers. But the vets didn’t crumble. Fourth seed Vargas came back from 0-2 down to defeat Lucia Gonzalez, 10-12, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8, and 5th seed Rhonda Rajsich outlasted Masiel Rivera, 11-2, 11-6, 5-11, 6-11, 11-2.
Rajsich also played a tie-breaker in doubles, as she and Sheryl Lotts beat Cristina Amaya and Carla Muñoz, 6-15, 15-7, 11-5, which was a measure of revenge for Lotts, who had lost to Muñoz in singles, 12-10, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9.
The quarterfinals will be Saturday at 11 AM and noon, and you can watch the action from Laurel live via the LPRT LiveStream channel or the LPRT Facebook page. The singles semi-finals will be 4 and 5 PM followed by the doubles semis at 6 and 7 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final at 1 PM. All times eastern.
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic Pro-Am, December 14-16, 2018
Laurel, Maryland
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 11-0, 11-4, 11-3
8) Carla Muñoz d. 9) Sheryl Lotts, 12-10, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9
5) Rhonda Rajsich d. 12) Masiel Rivera, 11-2, 11-6, 5-11, 6-11, 11-2
4) Maria Jose Vargas d. 13) Lucia Gonzalez, 10-12, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 19) Laura Brandt, 11-1, 11-1, 11-0
6) Natalia Mendez d. 22) Danielle Maddux, 11-8, 11-4, 11-2
7) Cristina Amaya d. 10) Cassi Lee, 11-3, 11-9, 11-3
15) Michelle De La Rosa d. 2) Frédérique Lambert, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 8) Carla Muñoz - Noon
4) Maria Jose Vargas v. 5) Rhonda Rajsich - Noon
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 6) Natalia Mendez - 11 AM
7) Cristina Amaya v. 15) Michelle De La Rosa - 11 AM
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 8) Cassi Lee & Hollie Scott, 15-3, 15-6
5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich d. 4) Cristina Amaya & Carla Muñoz, 6-15, 15-7, 11-5
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 6) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux, 13-15, 15-11, 11-4
2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert d. 7) Valeria Centellas & Masiel Rivera, 15-2, 15-5
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 7 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
De La Rosa’s puts her in the quarterfinals on Saturday, when she’ll play 7th seed Cristina Amaya, who was also a straight game winner, beating Cassi Lee, 11-3, 11-9, 11-3.
The winner of De La Rosa and Amaya will play the winner of 3rd seed Alexandra Herrera and 6th seed Natalia Mendez. in the 16s, Herrera beat Laura Brandt, 11-1, 11-1, 11-0, and Mendez defeated Danielle Maddux - De La Rosa’s younger sister - 11-8, 11-4, 11-2. Maddux had a chance to avenge that defeat in doubles, as she and De La Rosa faced Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas, but it was not to be, as Mendez and Vargas came back from a game down to win, 13-15, 15-11, 11-4.
There were two more five game matches on the top of the singles draw, as two young players pushed two veterans into tie-breakers. But the vets didn’t crumble. Fourth seed Vargas came back from 0-2 down to defeat Lucia Gonzalez, 10-12, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8, and 5th seed Rhonda Rajsich outlasted Masiel Rivera, 11-2, 11-6, 5-11, 6-11, 11-2.
Rajsich also played a tie-breaker in doubles, as she and Sheryl Lotts beat Cristina Amaya and Carla Muñoz, 6-15, 15-7, 11-5, which was a measure of revenge for Lotts, who had lost to Muñoz in singles, 12-10, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9.
The quarterfinals will be Saturday at 11 AM and noon, and you can watch the action from Laurel live via the LPRT LiveStream channel or the LPRT Facebook page. The singles semi-finals will be 4 and 5 PM followed by the doubles semis at 6 and 7 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final at 1 PM. All times eastern.
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic Pro-Am, December 14-16, 2018
Laurel, Maryland
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 11-0, 11-4, 11-3
8) Carla Muñoz d. 9) Sheryl Lotts, 12-10, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9
5) Rhonda Rajsich d. 12) Masiel Rivera, 11-2, 11-6, 5-11, 6-11, 11-2
4) Maria Jose Vargas d. 13) Lucia Gonzalez, 10-12, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 19) Laura Brandt, 11-1, 11-1, 11-0
6) Natalia Mendez d. 22) Danielle Maddux, 11-8, 11-4, 11-2
7) Cristina Amaya d. 10) Cassi Lee, 11-3, 11-9, 11-3
15) Michelle De La Rosa d. 2) Frédérique Lambert, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 8) Carla Muñoz - Noon
4) Maria Jose Vargas v. 5) Rhonda Rajsich - Noon
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 6) Natalia Mendez - 11 AM
7) Cristina Amaya v. 15) Michelle De La Rosa - 11 AM
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 8) Cassi Lee & Hollie Scott, 15-3, 15-6
5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich d. 4) Cristina Amaya & Carla Muñoz, 6-15, 15-7, 11-5
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 6) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux, 13-15, 15-11, 11-4
2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert d. 7) Valeria Centellas & Masiel Rivera, 15-2, 15-5
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 7 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
LPRT 2018 Christmas Classic - Round of 32
The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Christmas Classic is underway in Laurel, Maryland, and there have already been three 5 game matches. Laura Brandt came back from 2-1 down to defeat Jennifer Dering, 11-8, 1-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4, and in a see-saw battle. Michelle De La Rosa squeaked out a victory over Hollie Scott, 11-1, 9-11, 11-4, 3-11, 12-10, and De La Rosa’s sister (their maiden name was Key), Danielle Maddux was an upset winner over Adrienne Haynes, 11-4, 5-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-4.
De La Rosa was up 10-7 on Scott, only to see Scott tie the game at 10-10. De La Rosa managed to pull it out, winning it with a forehand kill shot after a weak backhand return of a drive Z serve to the left side.
De La Rosa will play 2nd seed Frédérique Lambert in the Round of 16, while Brandt will take on 3rd seed Alexandra Herrera, and Maddux faces 6th seed Natalia Mendez.
Also of note, Lucia Gonzalez defeated Valeria Centellas in four games, 12-10, 4-11, 11-8, 12-10. Gonzalez plays 4th seed Maria Jose Vargas in the 16s.
You can watch the action from Laurel all weekend live via the LPRT LiveStream channel or the LPRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 begins at 3 PM on Friday, with the quarterfinals on Saturday at 11 AM and nnon. The semi-finals will be 4 and 5 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times eastern.
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic Pro-Am, December 14-16, 2018
Laurel, Maryland
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 17) Amie Brewer, 11-7, 11-0, 11-4
9) Sheryl Lotts - BYE
8) Carla Muñoz - BYE
5) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
12) Masiel Rivera d. 21) Katharine Neils, 11-0, 11-8, 11-1
13) Lucia Gonzalez d. 20) Valeria Centellas, 12-10, 4-11, 11-8, 12-10
4) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
19) Laura Brandt d. 14) Jennifer Dering, 11-8, 1-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4
22) Danielle Maddux d. 11) Adrienne Haynes, 11-4, 5-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-4
6) Natalia Mendez - BYE
7) Cristina Amaya - BYE
10) Cassi Lee - BYE
15) Michelle De La Rosa d. 18) Hollie Scott, 11-1, 9-11, 11-4, 3-11, 12-10
2) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria v. 16) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - 6 PM
8) Carla Muñoz v. 9) Sheryl Lotts - 6 PM
5) Rhonda Rajsich v. 12) Masiel Rivera - 3 PM
4) Maria Jose Vargas v. 13) Lucia Gonzalez - 3 PM
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 19) Laura Brandt - 4 PM
6) Natalia Mendez v. 22) Danielle Maddux - 4 PM
7) Cristina Amaya v. 10) Cassi Lee - 5 PM
2) Frédérique Lambert v. 15) Michelle De La Rosa - 5 PM
Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 8) Cassi Lee & ? - 8 PM
4) Cristina Amaya & Carla Muñoz v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 8 PM
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 6) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux - 7 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert v. 7) Valeria Centellas & Masiel Rivera - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
De La Rosa was up 10-7 on Scott, only to see Scott tie the game at 10-10. De La Rosa managed to pull it out, winning it with a forehand kill shot after a weak backhand return of a drive Z serve to the left side.
De La Rosa will play 2nd seed Frédérique Lambert in the Round of 16, while Brandt will take on 3rd seed Alexandra Herrera, and Maddux faces 6th seed Natalia Mendez.
Also of note, Lucia Gonzalez defeated Valeria Centellas in four games, 12-10, 4-11, 11-8, 12-10. Gonzalez plays 4th seed Maria Jose Vargas in the 16s.
You can watch the action from Laurel all weekend live via the LPRT LiveStream channel or the LPRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 begins at 3 PM on Friday, with the quarterfinals on Saturday at 11 AM and nnon. The semi-finals will be 4 and 5 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times eastern.
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic Pro-Am, December 14-16, 2018
Laurel, Maryland
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 17) Amie Brewer, 11-7, 11-0, 11-4
9) Sheryl Lotts - BYE
8) Carla Muñoz - BYE
5) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
12) Masiel Rivera d. 21) Katharine Neils, 11-0, 11-8, 11-1
13) Lucia Gonzalez d. 20) Valeria Centellas, 12-10, 4-11, 11-8, 12-10
4) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
19) Laura Brandt d. 14) Jennifer Dering, 11-8, 1-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4
22) Danielle Maddux d. 11) Adrienne Haynes, 11-4, 5-11, 11-8, 3-11, 11-4
6) Natalia Mendez - BYE
7) Cristina Amaya - BYE
10) Cassi Lee - BYE
15) Michelle De La Rosa d. 18) Hollie Scott, 11-1, 9-11, 11-4, 3-11, 12-10
2) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria v. 16) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - 6 PM
8) Carla Muñoz v. 9) Sheryl Lotts - 6 PM
5) Rhonda Rajsich v. 12) Masiel Rivera - 3 PM
4) Maria Jose Vargas v. 13) Lucia Gonzalez - 3 PM
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 19) Laura Brandt - 4 PM
6) Natalia Mendez v. 22) Danielle Maddux - 4 PM
7) Cristina Amaya v. 10) Cassi Lee - 5 PM
2) Frédérique Lambert v. 15) Michelle De La Rosa - 5 PM
Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 8) Cassi Lee & ? - 8 PM
4) Cristina Amaya & Carla Muñoz v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 8 PM
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 6) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux - 7 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert v. 7) Valeria Centellas & Masiel Rivera - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, December 13, 2018
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic - Preview
The Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland has become a tradition on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) schedule, and the tradition continues this weekend, as 22 LPRT players will face off in Maryland for the last LPRT event of 2018. LPRT #1 Paola Longoria heads a field of 22 players that includes 8 of the top 11 LPRT players.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this weekend’s event comes in doubles, where Longoria will play with Kelani Bailey Lawrence for the 1st time, as her usual partner Samantha Salas won’t be in Maryland. Longoria had previously played with Alexandra Herrera, but Herrera is playing with Frédérique Lambert. Nonetheless, Longoria and Bailey Lawrence are the #1 seeds with Herrera and Lambert #2.
Those two teams could meet in the final, but the road to the final could be tricky for Herrera and Lambert, who will need to play first play Valeria Centellas and Masiel Rivera, and Centellas is half of the current Women’s Doubles World Champions (she won the title last August with Yazmine Sabja). If they win that match, Herrera and Lambert will have to play the winner of 3rd seeds Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas and sister act 6th seeds Michelle De La Rosa and Danielle Maddux, which will also not be an easy match.
You can watch the action from Laurel all weekend live via the LPRT LiveStream channel or the LPRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 begins at 3 PM on Friday, with the quarterfinals on Saturday at 11 AM and nnon. The semi-finals will be 4 and 5 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times eastern.
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic Pro-Am, December 14-16, 2018
Laurel, Maryland
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 17) Amie Brewer - 11 AM
9) Sheryl Lotts - BYE
8) Carla Muñoz - BYE
5) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
12) Masiel Rivera v. 21) Katharine Neils - 10 AM
13) Lucia Gonzalez v. 20) Valeria Centellas - 10 AM
4) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
14) Jennifer Dering v. 19) Laura Brandt - 10 AM
11) Adrienne Haynes v. 22) Danielle Maddux - 11 AM
6) Natalia Mendez - BYE
7) Cristina Amaya - BYE
10) Cassi Lee - BYE
15) Michelle De La Rosa v. 18) Hollie Scott - 11 AM
2) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 8) Cassi Lee & ? - 8 PM
4) Cristina Amaya & Carla Muñoz v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 8 PM
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 6) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux - 7 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert v. 7) Valeria Centellas & Masiel Rivera - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this weekend’s event comes in doubles, where Longoria will play with Kelani Bailey Lawrence for the 1st time, as her usual partner Samantha Salas won’t be in Maryland. Longoria had previously played with Alexandra Herrera, but Herrera is playing with Frédérique Lambert. Nonetheless, Longoria and Bailey Lawrence are the #1 seeds with Herrera and Lambert #2.
Those two teams could meet in the final, but the road to the final could be tricky for Herrera and Lambert, who will need to play first play Valeria Centellas and Masiel Rivera, and Centellas is half of the current Women’s Doubles World Champions (she won the title last August with Yazmine Sabja). If they win that match, Herrera and Lambert will have to play the winner of 3rd seeds Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas and sister act 6th seeds Michelle De La Rosa and Danielle Maddux, which will also not be an easy match.
You can watch the action from Laurel all weekend live via the LPRT LiveStream channel or the LPRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 begins at 3 PM on Friday, with the quarterfinals on Saturday at 11 AM and nnon. The semi-finals will be 4 and 5 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times eastern.
2018 LPRT Christmas Classic Pro-Am, December 14-16, 2018
Laurel, Maryland
Round of 32 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 17) Amie Brewer - 11 AM
9) Sheryl Lotts - BYE
8) Carla Muñoz - BYE
5) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
12) Masiel Rivera v. 21) Katharine Neils - 10 AM
13) Lucia Gonzalez v. 20) Valeria Centellas - 10 AM
4) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
14) Jennifer Dering v. 19) Laura Brandt - 10 AM
11) Adrienne Haynes v. 22) Danielle Maddux - 11 AM
6) Natalia Mendez - BYE
7) Cristina Amaya - BYE
10) Cassi Lee - BYE
15) Michelle De La Rosa v. 18) Hollie Scott - 11 AM
2) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 8) Cassi Lee & ? - 8 PM
4) Cristina Amaya & Carla Muñoz v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 8 PM
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 6) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux - 7 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Frédérique Lambert v. 7) Valeria Centellas & Masiel Rivera - 7 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Waselenchuk defeats Beltran to win 2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
Kane Waselenchuk defeated Alvaro Beltran, 15-6, 15-12, to win the 2018 International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon on Saturday for his 2nd win of the 2018-19 IRT season. There have only been three events so far this season, and Waselenchuk’s won two of them; he didn’t play in the first event.
Waselenchuk reached the final with a comfortable win over defending Pelham Memorial champion Charles Pratt in the semi-finals, 15-3, 15-5, while Beltran needed a tie-breaker to defeat IRT #2 Rocky Carson, 7-15, 15-10, 11-5, in the other semi.
Waselenchuk jumped out to a 5-0 lead in game one of the final, and never let Beltran get within three in that game, as he went on to win 15-6. He began the game with a drive serve to the left side for an ace, and ended it with a soft forehand shot, which are both characteristic plays for Waselenchuk.
Game two was a long battle. After 33 rallies, they were tied at 4-4. In contrast, game one had 39 rallies total. They then spent 15 rallies at 4-4 before Beltran skipped a backhand serve return of a lob Z to the left side to make it 5-4 in favor of Waselenchuk.
Waselenchuk ran the lead up to four at 10-6, so Beltran called a timeout. It looked like Waselenchuk might run away with the game, and he did extend the lead to 13-6, getting his 13th point with a drive serve ace to the right side.
But Beltran kept working, and got a couple points back, which caused Waselenchuk to call a timeout when he got the serve back at 13-8. However, coming out of the timeout, Waselenchuk skipped a forehand shot to give the serve back to Beltran.
Beltran hit a drive serve ace of his own to the left side, so to the lefthanded Waselenchuk’s forehand, and got another point when Waselenchuk skipped a forehand return of a lob nick serve to the left side, which made the score 13-10.
After an exchange of sideouts, Waselenchuk made it 14-10 with a forehand winner down the right side. But Beltran denied Waselenchuk’s first match point with a great forehand pinch return winner off a lob Z serve to the right side. That led to two more points, as good serves by Beltran forced serve return errors by Waselenchuk.
But at 14-12, Beltran hit a loose drive serve to the left that came far off the back wall to set up Waselenchuk, who drove the ball down the left side for an easy winner. Waselenchuk won the match on his second match point, as he ended a rally, where Beltran dove twice to keep the rally going, with a soft forehand in the front right court.
Game two took 63 min and there were 94 rallies, which might make it one of the longest games in IRT history.
If you missed the final, or any of the other action from Portland, go to the IRT YouTube channel. The IRT will next be in action on the first weekend of 2019, when they’ll play the LA Open in Canoga Park, California, January 3-6, 2019.
2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
November 29-December 1 - Portland, Oregon
Final - Saturday
8) Kane Waselenchuk d. 6) Alvaro Beltran, 15-6, 15-12
Semi-finals - Saturday
8) Kane Waselenchuk d. Charles Pratt, 15-3, 15-5
6) Alvaro Beltran d. 2) Rocky Carson, 7-15, 15-10, 11-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
Waselenchuk reached the final with a comfortable win over defending Pelham Memorial champion Charles Pratt in the semi-finals, 15-3, 15-5, while Beltran needed a tie-breaker to defeat IRT #2 Rocky Carson, 7-15, 15-10, 11-5, in the other semi.
Waselenchuk jumped out to a 5-0 lead in game one of the final, and never let Beltran get within three in that game, as he went on to win 15-6. He began the game with a drive serve to the left side for an ace, and ended it with a soft forehand shot, which are both characteristic plays for Waselenchuk.
Game two was a long battle. After 33 rallies, they were tied at 4-4. In contrast, game one had 39 rallies total. They then spent 15 rallies at 4-4 before Beltran skipped a backhand serve return of a lob Z to the left side to make it 5-4 in favor of Waselenchuk.
Waselenchuk ran the lead up to four at 10-6, so Beltran called a timeout. It looked like Waselenchuk might run away with the game, and he did extend the lead to 13-6, getting his 13th point with a drive serve ace to the right side.
But Beltran kept working, and got a couple points back, which caused Waselenchuk to call a timeout when he got the serve back at 13-8. However, coming out of the timeout, Waselenchuk skipped a forehand shot to give the serve back to Beltran.
Beltran hit a drive serve ace of his own to the left side, so to the lefthanded Waselenchuk’s forehand, and got another point when Waselenchuk skipped a forehand return of a lob nick serve to the left side, which made the score 13-10.
After an exchange of sideouts, Waselenchuk made it 14-10 with a forehand winner down the right side. But Beltran denied Waselenchuk’s first match point with a great forehand pinch return winner off a lob Z serve to the right side. That led to two more points, as good serves by Beltran forced serve return errors by Waselenchuk.
But at 14-12, Beltran hit a loose drive serve to the left that came far off the back wall to set up Waselenchuk, who drove the ball down the left side for an easy winner. Waselenchuk won the match on his second match point, as he ended a rally, where Beltran dove twice to keep the rally going, with a soft forehand in the front right court.
Game two took 63 min and there were 94 rallies, which might make it one of the longest games in IRT history.
If you missed the final, or any of the other action from Portland, go to the IRT YouTube channel. The IRT will next be in action on the first weekend of 2019, when they’ll play the LA Open in Canoga Park, California, January 3-6, 2019.
2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
November 29-December 1 - Portland, Oregon
Final - Saturday
8) Kane Waselenchuk d. 6) Alvaro Beltran, 15-6, 15-12
Semi-finals - Saturday
8) Kane Waselenchuk d. Charles Pratt, 15-3, 15-5
6) Alvaro Beltran d. 2) Rocky Carson, 7-15, 15-10, 11-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
Waselenchuk & Pratt to face off in semi-finals at 2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
Kane Waselenchuk took another step towards reclaiming the #1 position on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Friday at the 2018 Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon, as he defeated current #1 Alejandro Landa, 15-9, 15-8, in the quarterfinals. Waselenchuk will play defending Pelham Memorial champion Charles Pratt in the semi-finals on Saturday after Pratt beat David Horn in two close games, 15-10, 15-14.
Waselenchuk and Landa were close early in game one of their match, and tied at 4-4. But Waselenchuk won the next five points to lead 9-4. Landa called a timeout, and took the serve back and scored two points to make it 9-6. But that was as close as he got, as Waselenchuk went on to win, 15-10.
Game two had a similar story. A tie at 3-3, and then a 8-3 lead for Waselenchuk. This time Landa came back to within one at 9-8. But when Waselenchuk took the serve back at that point he kept Landa out of the service box while scoring the last six points of the match, winning game two 15-8.
In a battle of the Team USA men’s singles players from this past summer’s International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships, Horn and Pratt went toe to toe. But except for a 2-0 lead for Horn in game one, Pratt never trailed. After winning the first game, 15-10, he took a big lead in game two at 8-1.
Horn is a battler, though, and he tied the score at 8-8, and then again at 14-14, when it looked like he was going to force a tie-breaker after fighting off two match points. But Pratt got the serve back with a forehand cross court winner. Then on match point #3, Pratt hit a drive jam serve to the left side that came off the back wall and around to the right side that went for an ace, as Horn could not catch up to it.
The other semi-final will be between familiar foes. IRT #2 Rocky Carson will play #8 Alvaro Beltran for the 48th time on tour. Carson holds a 26-21 advantage over their long careers, although this will be their first showdown in 2018. They met twice in 2017, and split those matches: Carson won in Florida in April, and Beltran in Sioux Falls, SD in January.
In the quarterfinals, Carson beat 7th seed Samuel Murray, 15-4, 15-10, while Beltran upset fellow Mexican Daniel De La Rosa, the IRT’s #3 player, 15-8, 15-8.
The semi-finals will be at 11 AM and noon Saturday, and will be streamed live on the IRT Network and the IRT YouTube channel. The final will be Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
November 29-December 1 - Portland, Oregon
Quarterfinals - Friday
8) Kane Waselenchuk d. 1) Alejandro Landa, 15-9, 15-8
Charles Pratt d. David Horn, 15-10, 15-14
6) Alvaro Beltran d. 3) Daniel De La Rosa, 15-8, 15-8
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Samuel Murray, 15-4, 15-10
Semi-finals - Saturday
8) Kane Waselenchuk v. Charles Pratt - Noon
2) Rocky Carson v. 6) Alvaro Beltran - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Waselenchuk and Landa were close early in game one of their match, and tied at 4-4. But Waselenchuk won the next five points to lead 9-4. Landa called a timeout, and took the serve back and scored two points to make it 9-6. But that was as close as he got, as Waselenchuk went on to win, 15-10.
Game two had a similar story. A tie at 3-3, and then a 8-3 lead for Waselenchuk. This time Landa came back to within one at 9-8. But when Waselenchuk took the serve back at that point he kept Landa out of the service box while scoring the last six points of the match, winning game two 15-8.
In a battle of the Team USA men’s singles players from this past summer’s International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships, Horn and Pratt went toe to toe. But except for a 2-0 lead for Horn in game one, Pratt never trailed. After winning the first game, 15-10, he took a big lead in game two at 8-1.
Horn is a battler, though, and he tied the score at 8-8, and then again at 14-14, when it looked like he was going to force a tie-breaker after fighting off two match points. But Pratt got the serve back with a forehand cross court winner. Then on match point #3, Pratt hit a drive jam serve to the left side that came off the back wall and around to the right side that went for an ace, as Horn could not catch up to it.
The other semi-final will be between familiar foes. IRT #2 Rocky Carson will play #8 Alvaro Beltran for the 48th time on tour. Carson holds a 26-21 advantage over their long careers, although this will be their first showdown in 2018. They met twice in 2017, and split those matches: Carson won in Florida in April, and Beltran in Sioux Falls, SD in January.
In the quarterfinals, Carson beat 7th seed Samuel Murray, 15-4, 15-10, while Beltran upset fellow Mexican Daniel De La Rosa, the IRT’s #3 player, 15-8, 15-8.
The semi-finals will be at 11 AM and noon Saturday, and will be streamed live on the IRT Network and the IRT YouTube channel. The final will be Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
November 29-December 1 - Portland, Oregon
Quarterfinals - Friday
8) Kane Waselenchuk d. 1) Alejandro Landa, 15-9, 15-8
Charles Pratt d. David Horn, 15-10, 15-14
6) Alvaro Beltran d. 3) Daniel De La Rosa, 15-8, 15-8
2) Rocky Carson d. 7) Samuel Murray, 15-4, 15-10
Semi-finals - Saturday
8) Kane Waselenchuk v. Charles Pratt - Noon
2) Rocky Carson v. 6) Alvaro Beltran - 11 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, November 30, 2018
Horn & Pratt win in 16s at 2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
Two upsets in the Round of 16 at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 2018 Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon, as USA Racquetball National Junior Team coaches David Horn and Charles Pratt won their matches and will play each other in the quarterfinals. Horn beat 5th seed Mario Mercado, 15-12, 15-4, while Pratt, the defending champion of this event, ousted 4th seed Sebastian Franco, 15-4, 15-7.
IRT #1 Alejandro Landa won his first match by defeating 16th seed Jake Bredenbeck, 15-6, 15-12, and will play former #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the quarterfinals, as Waselenchuk beat Tony Carson, 15-11, 15-4, in the 16s.
The biggest upset almost went to 18th seed Robert Collins, who pushed IRT #2 Rocky Carson to a tie-breaker, and was up in the breaker before Carson pulled things together to comeback and win, 15-4, 8-15, 11-6. Carson will face 7th seed Samuel Murray in the quarters after Murray defeated Jansen Allen, 15-4, 15-12.
Finally, fellow Mexicans Daniel De La Rosa and Alvaro Beltran will square off in the quarters after winning their respective Round of 16 matches. De La Rosa beat Adam Manilla, 15-5, 6-15, 11-4, and Beltran got the better of Jose Diaz, 15-9, 15-11.
The quarterfinals will begin at 5 PM in Portland, and will be streamed live on the IRT Network and the IRT YouTube channel. The semi-finals will be 11 AM and noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
November 29-December 1 - Portland, Oregon
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa d. Jake Bredenbeck, 15-6, 15-12
8) Kane Waselenchuk d. Tony Carson, 15-11, 15-4
David Horn d. 5) Mario Mercado, 15-12, 15-4
Charles Pratt d. 4) Sebastian Franco, 15-4, 15-7
3) Daniel De La Rosa d. Adam Manilla, 15-5, 6-15, 11-4
6) Alvaro Beltran d. Jose Diaz, 15-9, 15-11
7) Samuel Murray d. Jansen Allen, 15-4, 15-12
2) Rocky Carson d. Robert Collins, 15-4, 8-15, 11-6
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa v. 8) Kane Waselenchuk - 7 PM
David Horn v. Charles Pratt - 8 PM
3) Daniel De La Rosa v. 6) Alvaro Beltran - 5 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Samuel Murray - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
IRT #1 Alejandro Landa won his first match by defeating 16th seed Jake Bredenbeck, 15-6, 15-12, and will play former #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the quarterfinals, as Waselenchuk beat Tony Carson, 15-11, 15-4, in the 16s.
The biggest upset almost went to 18th seed Robert Collins, who pushed IRT #2 Rocky Carson to a tie-breaker, and was up in the breaker before Carson pulled things together to comeback and win, 15-4, 8-15, 11-6. Carson will face 7th seed Samuel Murray in the quarters after Murray defeated Jansen Allen, 15-4, 15-12.
Finally, fellow Mexicans Daniel De La Rosa and Alvaro Beltran will square off in the quarters after winning their respective Round of 16 matches. De La Rosa beat Adam Manilla, 15-5, 6-15, 11-4, and Beltran got the better of Jose Diaz, 15-9, 15-11.
The quarterfinals will begin at 5 PM in Portland, and will be streamed live on the IRT Network and the IRT YouTube channel. The semi-finals will be 11 AM and noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
November 29-December 1 - Portland, Oregon
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa d. Jake Bredenbeck, 15-6, 15-12
8) Kane Waselenchuk d. Tony Carson, 15-11, 15-4
David Horn d. 5) Mario Mercado, 15-12, 15-4
Charles Pratt d. 4) Sebastian Franco, 15-4, 15-7
3) Daniel De La Rosa d. Adam Manilla, 15-5, 6-15, 11-4
6) Alvaro Beltran d. Jose Diaz, 15-9, 15-11
7) Samuel Murray d. Jansen Allen, 15-4, 15-12
2) Rocky Carson d. Robert Collins, 15-4, 8-15, 11-6
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa v. 8) Kane Waselenchuk - 7 PM
David Horn v. Charles Pratt - 8 PM
3) Daniel De La Rosa v. 6) Alvaro Beltran - 5 PM
2) Rocky Carson v. 7) Samuel Murray - 6 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Tony Carson defeats Parrilla to reach 16s at 2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
Tony Carson, former top 10 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT), upset 9th seed Andree Parrilla in the last round of qualifying Thursday night, 15-7, 15-12, to book his place in the Round of 16 at the 2018 Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions in Portland, Oregon on Friday. Carson, who now lives in Oregon, will play Kane Waselenchuk in the 16s.
Only one other upset in the last round of qualifying, as 18th seed Robert Collins won a close match with 15th seed Felipe Camacho, 15-13, 14-15, 11-3. Collins will play 2nd seed Rocky Carson in the Round of 16 Friday.
Charles Pratt successfully took his first steps to defending his Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions title Thursday, as he blanked Troy Brooks, 15-0, 15-0, and then defeated Mauro Rojas, 15-8, 15-7. Pratt plays 4th seed Sebastian Franco in the 16s Friday.
Alejandro Landa’s first match as the IRT #1 player will be against 16th seed Jake Bredenbeck in the Round of 16, as Bredenbeck beat Thomas Carter, 15-9, 15-13, on Thursday.
Look for the IRT Round of 16 live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network, or the IRT YouTube channel, with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 5 PM on. Also, the semi-finals will be at 11 AM and noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
November 29-December 1 - Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Thomas Carter d. Tim Prigo, 15-9, 12-15, 11-4
Jake Bredenbeck d. Kadim Carrasco, 15-7, 15-5
Andree Parrilla - BYE
Tony Carson d. Dylan Reid, 15-13, 15-10
Tim Landeryou d. Justus Benson, 15-10, 15-3
David Horn - BYE
Charles Pratt d. Troy Brooks, 15-0, 15-0
Mauro Rojas d. Sunji Spencer, 15-2, 15-6
Nicholas Riffel d. Ricardo Diaz, 14-15, 15-0, 11-8
Adam Manilla d. Nick Baida, 15-3, 15-3
Jose Diaz - BYE
Set Cubillos d. Scott McClellan, 11-15, 15-5, 11-8
Nick Montalbano d. John Wolfe, 15-6, 15-3
Jansen Allen - BYE
Felipe Camacho d. Sam Bredenbeck, 15-13, 12-15, 11-5
Robert Collins d. Michael Arterburn, 15-0, 15-0
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q8) Jake Bredenbeck d. Thomas Carter, 15-9, 15-13
Q1) Tony Carson d. Andree Parrilla, 15-7, 15-12
Q4) David Horn d. Tim Landeryou, 15-0, 15-5
Q5) Charles Pratt d. Mauro Rojas, 15-8, 15-7
Q6) Adam Manilla d. Nicholas Riffel, 15-10, 15-8
Q3) Jose Diaz d. Set Cubillos, 15-12, 15-5
Q2) Jansen Allen d. Nick Montalbano, 15-14, 15-4
Q7) Robert Collins d. Felipe Camacho, 15-13, 14-15, 11-3
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa v. Jake Bredenbeck - 11 AM
8) Kane Waselenchuk v. Tony Carson - 11 AM
5) Mario Mercado v. David Horn - 11 AM
4) Sebastian Franco v. Charles Pratt - 11 AM
3) Daniel De La Rosa v. Adam Manilla - 10 AM
6) Alvaro Beltran v. Jose Diaz - 10 AM
7) Samuel Murray v. Jansen Allen - 10 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. Robert Collins - 10 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Only one other upset in the last round of qualifying, as 18th seed Robert Collins won a close match with 15th seed Felipe Camacho, 15-13, 14-15, 11-3. Collins will play 2nd seed Rocky Carson in the Round of 16 Friday.
Charles Pratt successfully took his first steps to defending his Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions title Thursday, as he blanked Troy Brooks, 15-0, 15-0, and then defeated Mauro Rojas, 15-8, 15-7. Pratt plays 4th seed Sebastian Franco in the 16s Friday.
Alejandro Landa’s first match as the IRT #1 player will be against 16th seed Jake Bredenbeck in the Round of 16, as Bredenbeck beat Thomas Carter, 15-9, 15-13, on Thursday.
Look for the IRT Round of 16 live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network, or the IRT YouTube channel, with the quarterfinals Friday afternoon from 5 PM on. Also, the semi-finals will be at 11 AM and noon Saturday with the final Saturday night at 7:00 PM. All times Pacific.
2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
November 29-December 1 - Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Thomas Carter d. Tim Prigo, 15-9, 12-15, 11-4
Jake Bredenbeck d. Kadim Carrasco, 15-7, 15-5
Andree Parrilla - BYE
Tony Carson d. Dylan Reid, 15-13, 15-10
Tim Landeryou d. Justus Benson, 15-10, 15-3
David Horn - BYE
Charles Pratt d. Troy Brooks, 15-0, 15-0
Mauro Rojas d. Sunji Spencer, 15-2, 15-6
Nicholas Riffel d. Ricardo Diaz, 14-15, 15-0, 11-8
Adam Manilla d. Nick Baida, 15-3, 15-3
Jose Diaz - BYE
Set Cubillos d. Scott McClellan, 11-15, 15-5, 11-8
Nick Montalbano d. John Wolfe, 15-6, 15-3
Jansen Allen - BYE
Felipe Camacho d. Sam Bredenbeck, 15-13, 12-15, 11-5
Robert Collins d. Michael Arterburn, 15-0, 15-0
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q8) Jake Bredenbeck d. Thomas Carter, 15-9, 15-13
Q1) Tony Carson d. Andree Parrilla, 15-7, 15-12
Q4) David Horn d. Tim Landeryou, 15-0, 15-5
Q5) Charles Pratt d. Mauro Rojas, 15-8, 15-7
Q6) Adam Manilla d. Nicholas Riffel, 15-10, 15-8
Q3) Jose Diaz d. Set Cubillos, 15-12, 15-5
Q2) Jansen Allen d. Nick Montalbano, 15-14, 15-4
Q7) Robert Collins d. Felipe Camacho, 15-13, 14-15, 11-3
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa v. Jake Bredenbeck - 11 AM
8) Kane Waselenchuk v. Tony Carson - 11 AM
5) Mario Mercado v. David Horn - 11 AM
4) Sebastian Franco v. Charles Pratt - 11 AM
3) Daniel De La Rosa v. Adam Manilla - 10 AM
6) Alvaro Beltran v. Jose Diaz - 10 AM
7) Samuel Murray v. Jansen Allen - 10 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. Robert Collins - 10 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Thursday, November 29, 2018
2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions - Preview
How much can change in a year? Sometimes a great deal. Last year at this time Alejandro Landa, Sebastian Franco and Charles Pratt had never won a Tier 1 event on the the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). Now, all of them have, and Landa’s won two. Those two wins have helped put Landa on top of the IRT rankings and have him as the top seed for the 2018 Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions that begins today in Portland, Oregon.
Franco is the 4th seed, and Pratt, who is the defending Pelham Memorial champion, is the 13th seed, and may play Franco in the Round of 16. Neither Franco or Landa were in the draw last year.
Kane Waselenchuk was in the Pelham Memorial draw last year as the top seed, but was a late withdrawal. This year he is 6th on the latest IRT rankings, and seeded 8th in Portland. Thus, Waselenchuk could face Landa in the quarterfinals.
With 36 players in the draw, the Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions has one of the largest fields on tour, which may partly reflect that this is the first IRT Tier 1 event since the US Open in early October. Indeed, the top 18 IRT players are in the draw, including #2 Rocky Carson, #3 Daniel De La Rosa, and #5 Samuel Murray.
Look for the Round of 16 to be streamed live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network or the IRT Facebook page 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 Pacific.
2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
November 29-December 1 - Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Thomas Carter v. Tim Prigo
Jake Bredenbeck v. Kadim Carrasco
Andree Parrilla - BYE
Tony Carson v. Dylan Reid
Justus Benson v. Tim Landeryou
David Horn - BYE
Charles Pratt v. Troy Brooks
Mauro Rojas v. Sunji Spencer
Nicholas Riffel v. Ricardo Diaz
Adam Manilla v. Nick Baida
Jose Diaz - BYE
Scott McClellan v. Set Cubillos
John Wolfe v. Nick Montalbano
Jansen Allen - BYE
Felipe Camacho v. Sam Bredenbeck
Robert Collins v. Michael Arterburn
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q8) Thomas Carter or Tim Prigo v. Jake Bredenbeck or Kadim Carrasco
Q1) Andree Parrilla v. Tony Carson or Dylan Reid
Q4) David Horn v. Justus Benson or Tim Landeryou
Q5) Charles Pratt or Troy Brooks v. Mauro Rojas or Sunji Spencer
Q6) Nicholas Riffel or Ricardo Diaz v. Adam Manilla or Nick Baida
Q3) Jose Diaz v. Scott McClellan or Set Cubillos
Q2) Jansen Allen v. John Wolfe or Nick Montalbano
Q7) Felipe Camacho or Sam Bredenbeck v. Robert Collins or Michael Arterburn
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa v. Q8 - 11 AM
8) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q1 - 11 AM
5) Mario Mercado v. Q4 - 11 AM
4) Sebastian Franco v. Q5 - 11 AM
3) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q6 - 10 AM
6) Alvaro Beltran v. Q3 - 10 AM
7) Samuel Murray v. Q2 - 10 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. Q7 - 10 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Franco is the 4th seed, and Pratt, who is the defending Pelham Memorial champion, is the 13th seed, and may play Franco in the Round of 16. Neither Franco or Landa were in the draw last year.
Kane Waselenchuk was in the Pelham Memorial draw last year as the top seed, but was a late withdrawal. This year he is 6th on the latest IRT rankings, and seeded 8th in Portland. Thus, Waselenchuk could face Landa in the quarterfinals.
With 36 players in the draw, the Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions has one of the largest fields on tour, which may partly reflect that this is the first IRT Tier 1 event since the US Open in early October. Indeed, the top 18 IRT players are in the draw, including #2 Rocky Carson, #3 Daniel De La Rosa, and #5 Samuel Murray.
Look for the Round of 16 to be streamed live Friday from 10 AM via the IRT Network or the IRT Facebook page 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 Pacific.
2018 IRT Pelham Memorial Tournament of Champions
November 29-December 1 - Portland, Oregon
Qualifying Round 1 - Thursday
Thomas Carter v. Tim Prigo
Jake Bredenbeck v. Kadim Carrasco
Andree Parrilla - BYE
Tony Carson v. Dylan Reid
Justus Benson v. Tim Landeryou
David Horn - BYE
Charles Pratt v. Troy Brooks
Mauro Rojas v. Sunji Spencer
Nicholas Riffel v. Ricardo Diaz
Adam Manilla v. Nick Baida
Jose Diaz - BYE
Scott McClellan v. Set Cubillos
John Wolfe v. Nick Montalbano
Jansen Allen - BYE
Felipe Camacho v. Sam Bredenbeck
Robert Collins v. Michael Arterburn
Qualifying Round 2 - Thursday
Q8) Thomas Carter or Tim Prigo v. Jake Bredenbeck or Kadim Carrasco
Q1) Andree Parrilla v. Tony Carson or Dylan Reid
Q4) David Horn v. Justus Benson or Tim Landeryou
Q5) Charles Pratt or Troy Brooks v. Mauro Rojas or Sunji Spencer
Q6) Nicholas Riffel or Ricardo Diaz v. Adam Manilla or Nick Baida
Q3) Jose Diaz v. Scott McClellan or Set Cubillos
Q2) Jansen Allen v. John Wolfe or Nick Montalbano
Q7) Felipe Camacho or Sam Bredenbeck v. Robert Collins or Michael Arterburn
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Alejandro Landa v. Q8 - 11 AM
8) Kane Waselenchuk v. Q1 - 11 AM
5) Mario Mercado v. Q4 - 11 AM
4) Sebastian Franco v. Q5 - 11 AM
3) Daniel De La Rosa v. Q6 - 10 AM
6) Alvaro Beltran v. Q3 - 10 AM
7) Samuel Murray v. Q2 - 10 AM
2) Rocky Carson v. Q7 - 10 AM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Alejandro Landa is the #1 IRT player
Alejandro Landa is the #1 player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). Yes, that’s right. Landa is #1. No, we don’t have that wrong. Why should that be a surprise? No one has won more IRT events in 2018 than Landa, although Kane Waselenchuk has won the same number: 2.
But people are all a twitter, if not actually on Twitter, about the latest IRT rankings, and perhaps not so much because Landa is #1 as that Waselenchuk is #6. Many people - those at The Racquetball Blog included - argue Waselenchuk is the best men’s racquetball player ever. He’s undefeated at the US Open since 2003 and has been the dominant player on the IRT for most of the last 15 years, so it seems a safe argument.
But the IRT rankings are based on players’ results from the past 12 months. Very much a “what have you done lately?” type of system. Waselenchuk was hurt for much of the first part of 2018 - and didn’t play the last event in 2017 or the first event of this season - so despite winning five times last season, Waselenchuk finds himself at #6, because four of those wins came in the first part of the season, which is now more than 12 months ago.
Tennis uses a similar system, although they stress performances from the past 52 weeks including the 4 Grand Slam events as well as other high level competitions. Tennis differs from racquetball in having more regularly scheduled events, so there are many opportunities for players to earn ranking points.
Waselenchuk, who’s now healthy, and once again won the US Open in October, hasn’t had the chance to defend his other wins from the fall of 2017, because there haven’t been tournaments at the same time this fall. That’s not his fault, yet it’s cost Waselenchuk in the rankings.
There are two questions. One, does this matter? Two, if this ranking system isn’t going to be used, what will replace it? Whether it matters is debatable, as we’d fully expect Waselenchuk to win the next event he enters. Although he may play Rocky Carson, IRT #2, or Daniel De La Rosa, #3, in the quarterfinals, and those are players Waselenchuk generally doesn’t face until a final, or at least a semi-final. Those would be marquee matches, which the IRT should want to have in a semi or a final, not a quarterfinal. So, in that regard it’s not great.
There are other ranking systems. USA Racquetball and Racquetball Canada uses a system that is based on head to head results, such that you can only move ahead of Player X if you defeat Player X twice consecutively, or defeat two players ranked higher than Player X within a 13 month period.
Perhaps of interest, Waselenchuk is ranked #1 on the USA Racquetball (USAR) rankings. Also, Andree Parrilla is #2 on the USAR rankings but 9th on the IRT rankings, and going the other way, Mario Mercado, 7th on the IRT, is 16th on the USAR. Landa is 5th on the USAR.
While there are good points to this system - players can move up the rankings quickly - it doesn’t reward participation, which a tour should want to do from a business perspective. You want to have your best players playing regularly, if not actually at every big event, because your tournament organizers will want to know that if they host an event, the best players are going to show up. One way to give the players an incentive for showing up is to have rankings reward participation.
That participation component can lead to players getting high rankings without winning big events, which has happened in tennis where players have been ranked #1 without winning a Grand Slam event, and it happened on the IRT last season, when Carson was the #1 player at season’s end despite not winning a Tier 1 event.
But with a varying schedule perhaps the IRT would be better off by counting events rather than time. That is, rather than the strict 12 month period in use now, perhaps rankings should be based on the period covering the last 15, say, events (Tier 1 or Grand Slam) played with players able to drop results from 2 events. So, rankings would be a maximum of 13 Tier 1 or Grand Slam events. They would also want to accommodate results from lower Tier events somehow.
Of course, another system could be used, or the current system could just be maintained with the acknowledgement that no system is perfect. But one purpose of ranking the players is to generate interest and debate, so in that regard: mission accomplished!
The IRT will be in action this weekend in Portland, Oregon for the John Pelham Memorial tournament, which was won by Charlie Pratt last year.
IRT Rankings - November 26, 2018
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 2116.30
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 2112.18
3 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 1986.16
4 Sebastian FRANCO (Colombia) 1674.15
5 Samuel MURRAY (Canada) 1628.03
6 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 1500.42
7 Mario MERCADO (Colombia) 1496.02
8 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 1490.01
9 Andree PARRILLA (Mexico) 1432.15
10 Jansen ALLEN (USA) 1152.02
11 Jose DIAZ (USA) 1146
12 David HORN (USA) 1064.02
13 Charlie PRATT (USA) 972.14
14 Adam MANILLA (USA) 786.01
15 Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica) 670.04
16 Jake BREDENBECK (USA) 633.01
17 Thomas CARTER (USA) 620.03
18 Robert COLLINS (USA) 480.05
19 Gerardo FRANCO (Mexico) 467.01
20 Rodrigo MONTOYA (Mexico) 454
Follow the bouncing ball....
But people are all a twitter, if not actually on Twitter, about the latest IRT rankings, and perhaps not so much because Landa is #1 as that Waselenchuk is #6. Many people - those at The Racquetball Blog included - argue Waselenchuk is the best men’s racquetball player ever. He’s undefeated at the US Open since 2003 and has been the dominant player on the IRT for most of the last 15 years, so it seems a safe argument.
But the IRT rankings are based on players’ results from the past 12 months. Very much a “what have you done lately?” type of system. Waselenchuk was hurt for much of the first part of 2018 - and didn’t play the last event in 2017 or the first event of this season - so despite winning five times last season, Waselenchuk finds himself at #6, because four of those wins came in the first part of the season, which is now more than 12 months ago.
Tennis uses a similar system, although they stress performances from the past 52 weeks including the 4 Grand Slam events as well as other high level competitions. Tennis differs from racquetball in having more regularly scheduled events, so there are many opportunities for players to earn ranking points.
Waselenchuk, who’s now healthy, and once again won the US Open in October, hasn’t had the chance to defend his other wins from the fall of 2017, because there haven’t been tournaments at the same time this fall. That’s not his fault, yet it’s cost Waselenchuk in the rankings.
There are two questions. One, does this matter? Two, if this ranking system isn’t going to be used, what will replace it? Whether it matters is debatable, as we’d fully expect Waselenchuk to win the next event he enters. Although he may play Rocky Carson, IRT #2, or Daniel De La Rosa, #3, in the quarterfinals, and those are players Waselenchuk generally doesn’t face until a final, or at least a semi-final. Those would be marquee matches, which the IRT should want to have in a semi or a final, not a quarterfinal. So, in that regard it’s not great.
There are other ranking systems. USA Racquetball and Racquetball Canada uses a system that is based on head to head results, such that you can only move ahead of Player X if you defeat Player X twice consecutively, or defeat two players ranked higher than Player X within a 13 month period.
Perhaps of interest, Waselenchuk is ranked #1 on the USA Racquetball (USAR) rankings. Also, Andree Parrilla is #2 on the USAR rankings but 9th on the IRT rankings, and going the other way, Mario Mercado, 7th on the IRT, is 16th on the USAR. Landa is 5th on the USAR.
While there are good points to this system - players can move up the rankings quickly - it doesn’t reward participation, which a tour should want to do from a business perspective. You want to have your best players playing regularly, if not actually at every big event, because your tournament organizers will want to know that if they host an event, the best players are going to show up. One way to give the players an incentive for showing up is to have rankings reward participation.
That participation component can lead to players getting high rankings without winning big events, which has happened in tennis where players have been ranked #1 without winning a Grand Slam event, and it happened on the IRT last season, when Carson was the #1 player at season’s end despite not winning a Tier 1 event.
But with a varying schedule perhaps the IRT would be better off by counting events rather than time. That is, rather than the strict 12 month period in use now, perhaps rankings should be based on the period covering the last 15, say, events (Tier 1 or Grand Slam) played with players able to drop results from 2 events. So, rankings would be a maximum of 13 Tier 1 or Grand Slam events. They would also want to accommodate results from lower Tier events somehow.
Of course, another system could be used, or the current system could just be maintained with the acknowledgement that no system is perfect. But one purpose of ranking the players is to generate interest and debate, so in that regard: mission accomplished!
The IRT will be in action this weekend in Portland, Oregon for the John Pelham Memorial tournament, which was won by Charlie Pratt last year.
IRT Rankings - November 26, 2018
Rank - Player - Country - Points
1 Alejandro LANDA (Mexico) 2116.30
2 Rocky CARSON (USA) 2112.18
3 Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) 1986.16
4 Sebastian FRANCO (Colombia) 1674.15
5 Samuel MURRAY (Canada) 1628.03
6 Kane WASELENCHUK (Canada) 1500.42
7 Mario MERCADO (Colombia) 1496.02
8 Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) 1490.01
9 Andree PARRILLA (Mexico) 1432.15
10 Jansen ALLEN (USA) 1152.02
11 Jose DIAZ (USA) 1146
12 David HORN (USA) 1064.02
13 Charlie PRATT (USA) 972.14
14 Adam MANILLA (USA) 786.01
15 Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica) 670.04
16 Jake BREDENBECK (USA) 633.01
17 Thomas CARTER (USA) 620.03
18 Robert COLLINS (USA) 480.05
19 Gerardo FRANCO (Mexico) 467.01
20 Rodrigo MONTOYA (Mexico) 454
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, November 25, 2018
Murray & Lambert win at Racquetball Canada National Team Event
The top seeds Samuel Murray and Frédérique Lambert won the Men's and Women's divisions, respectively, at the first Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event of the season on the weekend in Valleyfield, Québec. Murray and Lambert are the #1 ranked Canadian racquetball players, and their wins will help them qualify for the 2019 Pan American Games racquetball team that will compete in Lima, Peru next year.
Murray had to come back to win in the final, as 2nd seed Coby Iwaasa won the first game of the final only to see Murray win the next two to take the title, 9-15, 15-6, 11-6. Lambert had a comfortable win in the women’s final by defeating 2nd seed Jen Saunders in two straight games, 15-8, 15-3.
Iwaasa got to the final with a win over 3rd seed Tim Landeryou, 15-8, 15-13, in one men’s semi-final, while Murray had a forfeit win against Pedro Castro in the other. In the women’s semis, Lambert beat 5th seed Danielle Drury, 15-8, 15-10, and Saunders defeated 3rd seed Christine Richardson, 15-10, 15-13.
These results will be used to select Team Canada for the 2019 Pan American Championships, as well as the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru in July / August next year. The final qualification event for Worlds will be the 2019 Canadian National Championships in Langley, British Columbia, May 19-25 2019.
2018 Racquetball Canada Selection Event
November 23-25, Valleyfield, Québec
Men's Open
Final
1) Samuel Murray d. 2) Coby Iwaasa, 9-15, 15-6, 11-6
3rd Place
3) Tim Landeryou d. 4) Pedro Castro, forfeit
Semi-finals
1) Samuel Murray d. 4) Pedro Castro, forfeit
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 3) Tim Landeryou, 15-8, 15-13
Quarterfinals
1) Samuel Murray d. 9) Trevor Webb, 15-1, 15-13
4) Pedro Castro d. 6) Nicolas Bousquet, 17-15, 16-14
3) Tim Landeryou d. 6) James Landeryou, 15-8, 15–10
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 7) Lee Connell, 15-9, 15-7
Women's Open
Final
1) Frédérique Lambert d. 2) Jen Saunders, 15-8, 15-3
3rd place
5) Danielle Drury d. 3) Christine Richardson, 16-14, 6-15, 12-10
Semi-finals
1) Frédérique Lambert d. 5) Danielle Drury, 15-8, 15-10
2) Jen Saunders d. 3) Christine Richardson, 15-10, 15-13
Quarterfinals
1) Frédérique Lambert d. 9) Cassie Prentice, 15-1, 15-2
5) Danielle Drury d. 4) Alexis Iwaasa, 15-2, 16-14
3) Christine Richardson d. 6) Michèle Morissette, 15-4, 15-7
2) Jen Saunders d. 7) Erin Geeraert, 15-7, 15-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Murray had to come back to win in the final, as 2nd seed Coby Iwaasa won the first game of the final only to see Murray win the next two to take the title, 9-15, 15-6, 11-6. Lambert had a comfortable win in the women’s final by defeating 2nd seed Jen Saunders in two straight games, 15-8, 15-3.
Iwaasa got to the final with a win over 3rd seed Tim Landeryou, 15-8, 15-13, in one men’s semi-final, while Murray had a forfeit win against Pedro Castro in the other. In the women’s semis, Lambert beat 5th seed Danielle Drury, 15-8, 15-10, and Saunders defeated 3rd seed Christine Richardson, 15-10, 15-13.
These results will be used to select Team Canada for the 2019 Pan American Championships, as well as the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru in July / August next year. The final qualification event for Worlds will be the 2019 Canadian National Championships in Langley, British Columbia, May 19-25 2019.
2018 Racquetball Canada Selection Event
November 23-25, Valleyfield, Québec
Men's Open
Final
1) Samuel Murray d. 2) Coby Iwaasa, 9-15, 15-6, 11-6
3rd Place
3) Tim Landeryou d. 4) Pedro Castro, forfeit
Semi-finals
1) Samuel Murray d. 4) Pedro Castro, forfeit
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 3) Tim Landeryou, 15-8, 15-13
Quarterfinals
1) Samuel Murray d. 9) Trevor Webb, 15-1, 15-13
4) Pedro Castro d. 6) Nicolas Bousquet, 17-15, 16-14
3) Tim Landeryou d. 6) James Landeryou, 15-8, 15–10
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 7) Lee Connell, 15-9, 15-7
Women's Open
Final
1) Frédérique Lambert d. 2) Jen Saunders, 15-8, 15-3
3rd place
5) Danielle Drury d. 3) Christine Richardson, 16-14, 6-15, 12-10
Semi-finals
1) Frédérique Lambert d. 5) Danielle Drury, 15-8, 15-10
2) Jen Saunders d. 3) Christine Richardson, 15-10, 15-13
Quarterfinals
1) Frédérique Lambert d. 9) Cassie Prentice, 15-1, 15-2
5) Danielle Drury d. 4) Alexis Iwaasa, 15-2, 16-14
3) Christine Richardson d. 6) Michèle Morissette, 15-4, 15-7
2) Jen Saunders d. 7) Erin Geeraert, 15-7, 15-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, November 19, 2018
Weekend Round Up - Horn & Amaya win in Illinois
David Horn won the 2018 Turkey Shoot Open - a Tier 5 event on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) - in Lombard, Illinois on the weekend by defeating Jake Bredenbeck in the final, 15-8, 13-15, 11-3. Horn beat Geoff Goldblatt, 15-3, 15-9, in one semi-final, while Bredenbeck defeated Thomas Carter, 15-13, 15-6, in the other.
Cristina Amaya won the Women’s Open division of the Turkey Shoot, as she got an injury forfeit win over Adriana Riveros in the final. In the semi-finals, Amaya defeated Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-14, 5-15, 11-0, and Riveros beat Valeria Centellas in two close games, 15-10, 15-14.
Centellas’s performance in Illinois was impressive, as she was coming off a week of racquetball at the 2018 World Junior Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, where she won gold in both Girl’s U16 Singles and Doubles. In Women’s Open at the Turkey Shoot, she beat Sharon Jackson and Lexi York before falling to Riveros in two close games.
It’s Thanksgiving in the USA this week, so no big tournaments there. But the 1st Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event of the season will happen in Valleyfield, Québec this weekend.
2018 Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Women’s Open Final
1) Cristina Amaya d. 2) Adriana Riveros, injury forfeit
Semi-finals
1) Cristina Amaya d. 5) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-14, 5-15, 11-0
2) Adriana Riveros d. 14) Valeria Centellas, 15-10, 15-14
Quarterfinals
1) Cristina Amaya d. 9) Susana Acosta, 15-10, 15-7
5) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 4) Sheryl Lotts, 12-15, 15-9, 11-0
14) Valeria Centellas d. 11) Lexi York, 15-14, 15-9
2) Adriana Riveros d. 7) Stefanny Barrios, 12-15, 15-12, 11-6
Men’s Pro Singles - Final
1) David Horn d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-8, 13-15, 11-3
Semi-finals
1) David Horn d. 4) Geoff Goldblatt, 15-3, 15-9
2) Jake Bredenbeck d. 3) Thomas Carter, 15-13, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
Cristina Amaya won the Women’s Open division of the Turkey Shoot, as she got an injury forfeit win over Adriana Riveros in the final. In the semi-finals, Amaya defeated Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-14, 5-15, 11-0, and Riveros beat Valeria Centellas in two close games, 15-10, 15-14.
Centellas’s performance in Illinois was impressive, as she was coming off a week of racquetball at the 2018 World Junior Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, where she won gold in both Girl’s U16 Singles and Doubles. In Women’s Open at the Turkey Shoot, she beat Sharon Jackson and Lexi York before falling to Riveros in two close games.
It’s Thanksgiving in the USA this week, so no big tournaments there. But the 1st Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event of the season will happen in Valleyfield, Québec this weekend.
2018 Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Women’s Open Final
1) Cristina Amaya d. 2) Adriana Riveros, injury forfeit
Semi-finals
1) Cristina Amaya d. 5) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-14, 5-15, 11-0
2) Adriana Riveros d. 14) Valeria Centellas, 15-10, 15-14
Quarterfinals
1) Cristina Amaya d. 9) Susana Acosta, 15-10, 15-7
5) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 4) Sheryl Lotts, 12-15, 15-9, 11-0
14) Valeria Centellas d. 11) Lexi York, 15-14, 15-9
2) Adriana Riveros d. 7) Stefanny Barrios, 12-15, 15-12, 11-6
Men’s Pro Singles - Final
1) David Horn d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-8, 13-15, 11-3
Semi-finals
1) David Horn d. 4) Geoff Goldblatt, 15-3, 15-9
2) Jake Bredenbeck d. 3) Thomas Carter, 15-13, 15-6
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Longoria defeats Salas to win 2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot Open
Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), captured the 2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot Open in Lombard, Illinois by defeating LPRT #2 Samantha Salas, 10-12, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7, in a hard fought final. Longoria and Salas have met in all four LPRT finals this season with Longoria winning each time with the previous three wins in three straight games.
It looked like that story line would repeat today, as Longoria got to 10 first in a long first game, when she led 10-6. But a Salas backhand return prevented that game point. Salas scored got her 7th point, but then hit an unsuccessful ceiling ball to give the serve back to Longoria.
However, Longoria’s 2nd game point failed when she skipped a forehand pinch shot while being a little off balance. After Salas hit a drive serve to the right side for an ace, making it 10-8, Longoria called a time out. That didn’t stop the Salas train, as she got three more points on consecutive rallies - two forehand winners and another drive serve ace, which went to the left side.
Then on her 1st game point, Salas made an unforced error by skipping a forehand shot. But Longoria didn’t take advantage of that opportunity, because she skipped a drive serve, which is a very rare error. Salas won the game with a backhand cross court shot that was the third shot after a drive serve to the left and a backhand return down the line.
Longoria seemed very displeased at losing that game, and she stayed on the court hitting balls after it was over.
In game two, Longoria jumped out to a 5-0 lead, and maintained the advantage to win 11-3. She made a tactical change from drive serving to lob serving to the left side: Salas’s backhand side, and it was effective.
Longoria had the early lead in game three also, when she went up 5-1. Salas dug in and cut the lead to two at 5-3. However, Salas got no closer, as Longoria then took the score to 8-3, and won it at 11-4.
In game four, they were toe to toe, and tied at 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Longoria was generally ahead, but Salas had the lead at 7-6, so it looked like she might force a tie-breaking fifth game. Longoria, however, got the serve back with a soft forehand pinch shot. Salas had a great opportunity to take the serve right back, as she got a set up off the back wall on her backhand, yet she plowed it right into the floor. Annoyed Salas called a timeout.
Longoria saw her advantage, and she seized it. When play resumed, Longoria won the next three rallies all with backhand winners to take the fourth game 11-7, and win the match 3-1. The match winning rally began with a lob to the left side that Salas returned down the line, and then set up to cover the line. However, Longoria hit her backhand cross court, and although Salas dove for the ball, she couldn’t get to it.
Longoria and Salas teamed up to win the doubles title, as they beat 2nd seeds Alexandra Herrera and Carla Muñoz, 15-2, 15-9. Herrera and Muñoz were up 9-5 in game two, but Longoria and Salas scored 10 straight points to win it in two straight games.
LPRT Turkey Shoot matches are archived at the LPRT LiveStream channel, the LPRT Facebook page or the LPRT YouTube channel. The LPRT will be back in action next month, when they play LPRT Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland, December 14-16.
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Samantha Salas, 10-12, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz, 15-2, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball….
It looked like that story line would repeat today, as Longoria got to 10 first in a long first game, when she led 10-6. But a Salas backhand return prevented that game point. Salas scored got her 7th point, but then hit an unsuccessful ceiling ball to give the serve back to Longoria.
However, Longoria’s 2nd game point failed when she skipped a forehand pinch shot while being a little off balance. After Salas hit a drive serve to the right side for an ace, making it 10-8, Longoria called a time out. That didn’t stop the Salas train, as she got three more points on consecutive rallies - two forehand winners and another drive serve ace, which went to the left side.
Then on her 1st game point, Salas made an unforced error by skipping a forehand shot. But Longoria didn’t take advantage of that opportunity, because she skipped a drive serve, which is a very rare error. Salas won the game with a backhand cross court shot that was the third shot after a drive serve to the left and a backhand return down the line.
Longoria seemed very displeased at losing that game, and she stayed on the court hitting balls after it was over.
In game two, Longoria jumped out to a 5-0 lead, and maintained the advantage to win 11-3. She made a tactical change from drive serving to lob serving to the left side: Salas’s backhand side, and it was effective.
Longoria had the early lead in game three also, when she went up 5-1. Salas dug in and cut the lead to two at 5-3. However, Salas got no closer, as Longoria then took the score to 8-3, and won it at 11-4.
In game four, they were toe to toe, and tied at 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Longoria was generally ahead, but Salas had the lead at 7-6, so it looked like she might force a tie-breaking fifth game. Longoria, however, got the serve back with a soft forehand pinch shot. Salas had a great opportunity to take the serve right back, as she got a set up off the back wall on her backhand, yet she plowed it right into the floor. Annoyed Salas called a timeout.
Longoria saw her advantage, and she seized it. When play resumed, Longoria won the next three rallies all with backhand winners to take the fourth game 11-7, and win the match 3-1. The match winning rally began with a lob to the left side that Salas returned down the line, and then set up to cover the line. However, Longoria hit her backhand cross court, and although Salas dove for the ball, she couldn’t get to it.
Longoria and Salas teamed up to win the doubles title, as they beat 2nd seeds Alexandra Herrera and Carla Muñoz, 15-2, 15-9. Herrera and Muñoz were up 9-5 in game two, but Longoria and Salas scored 10 straight points to win it in two straight games.
LPRT Turkey Shoot matches are archived at the LPRT LiveStream channel, the LPRT Facebook page or the LPRT YouTube channel. The LPRT will be back in action next month, when they play LPRT Christmas Classic in Laurel, Maryland, December 14-16.
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Samantha Salas, 10-12, 11-3, 11-4, 11-7
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz, 15-2, 15-9
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Longoria & Salas into final at 2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot Open
Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), is through to the final at the 2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot Open in Lombard, Illinois after she beat 4th seed Maria Jose Vargas, 11-5, 11-2, 11-7, in the semi-finals. Longoria will play LPRT #2 Samantha Salas in the final, as Salas came back from a game down to defeat 3rd seed Alexandra Herrera, 3-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5, in the other semi-final.
Longoria and Vargas were toe to toe early in game one. But Longoria took a timeout leading 5-4, and when play resumed she hit three consecutive drive serve aces to lead 8-4 and crack the game open. Longoria outscored Vargas 17-3, including those aces, after she took that timeout to the end of the second game.
Credit Vargas for not rolling over, as she played tough in game three. Longoria was up 6-2 and 7-3, but Vargas cut the difference to one, when she trailed 8-7. Vargas lost the next rally on a baffling no hinder call that we thought could have been an avoidable against Longoria, who’d hit the ball back to herself and Vargas couldn’t swing because Longoria was in the way.
Vargas only served once after that, as Longoria got the final three points of the game and match. She reached match point with an ace serve that Longoria drove into the left wall to jam out just over the short line. Longoria won it with a backhand after a weak serve return from Vargas that Longoria forced by driving the ball to the left side. Classic three shot rally.
Aside from losing the first game, Salas was also dominant in her match against the left-handed Herrera. They were tied at 5-5 in game three, but that was as close as Herrera got - and she didn’t score a point after that in that game.
Longoria and Salas will be partners, as well as foes, Sunday, as they’ll play together in the doubles final against Herrera and Carla Muñoz. In Saturday’s doubles semi-finals, Longoria and Salas - the #1 seeds - beat Sheryl Lotts and Rhonda Rajsich, 15-11, 15-8, and Herrera and Muñoz - the #2 seeds - defeated Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas, 15-10, 15-12.
Both semis were close up to the mid game, only to see the higher seeds pull away at the end. Lotts and Rajsich actually led late in game one against Longoria and Salas, but they couldn’t close it out. Longoria and Salas used that momentum to take an early lead in game two, but Lotts and Rajsich came back to within one, but that was as close as they could get as the top seeds finished off the match in two straight games.
The singles final will be live via the LPRT LiveStream channel, the LPRT Facebook page or the LPRT YouTube channel at noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times central.
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 4) Maria Jose Vargas, 11-5, 11-2, 11-7
2) Samantha Salas d. 3) Alexandra Herrera, 3-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria v. Samantha Salas - Noon
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-11, 15-8
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-10, 15-12
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz - 1 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Longoria and Vargas were toe to toe early in game one. But Longoria took a timeout leading 5-4, and when play resumed she hit three consecutive drive serve aces to lead 8-4 and crack the game open. Longoria outscored Vargas 17-3, including those aces, after she took that timeout to the end of the second game.
Credit Vargas for not rolling over, as she played tough in game three. Longoria was up 6-2 and 7-3, but Vargas cut the difference to one, when she trailed 8-7. Vargas lost the next rally on a baffling no hinder call that we thought could have been an avoidable against Longoria, who’d hit the ball back to herself and Vargas couldn’t swing because Longoria was in the way.
Vargas only served once after that, as Longoria got the final three points of the game and match. She reached match point with an ace serve that Longoria drove into the left wall to jam out just over the short line. Longoria won it with a backhand after a weak serve return from Vargas that Longoria forced by driving the ball to the left side. Classic three shot rally.
Aside from losing the first game, Salas was also dominant in her match against the left-handed Herrera. They were tied at 5-5 in game three, but that was as close as Herrera got - and she didn’t score a point after that in that game.
Longoria and Salas will be partners, as well as foes, Sunday, as they’ll play together in the doubles final against Herrera and Carla Muñoz. In Saturday’s doubles semi-finals, Longoria and Salas - the #1 seeds - beat Sheryl Lotts and Rhonda Rajsich, 15-11, 15-8, and Herrera and Muñoz - the #2 seeds - defeated Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas, 15-10, 15-12.
Both semis were close up to the mid game, only to see the higher seeds pull away at the end. Lotts and Rajsich actually led late in game one against Longoria and Salas, but they couldn’t close it out. Longoria and Salas used that momentum to take an early lead in game two, but Lotts and Rajsich came back to within one, but that was as close as they could get as the top seeds finished off the match in two straight games.
The singles final will be live via the LPRT LiveStream channel, the LPRT Facebook page or the LPRT YouTube channel at noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times central.
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 4) Maria Jose Vargas, 11-5, 11-2, 11-7
2) Samantha Salas d. 3) Alexandra Herrera, 3-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5
Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria v. Samantha Salas - Noon
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-11, 15-8
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas, 15-10, 15-12
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz - 1 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Top 4 are the final 4 at 2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot Open
The final four at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2018 Turkey Shoot Open in Lombard, Illinois are the top four seeds, led by LPRT #1 Paola Longoria, who beat 9th seed Adriana Riveros, 11-3, 11-2, 11-4, in the quarterfinals. Longoria will play 4th seed Maria Jose Vargas, who was also a straight game winner against 5th seed Rhonda Rajsich, 12-10, 11-3, 11-1.
But the other two seeds had to comeback to win their quarterfinal matches, as each were a game away from being out of the tournament. Samantha Salas, the 2nd seed, was actually outscored by 7th seed Cristina Amaya, in part because Amaya blanked her in game three of their match to go up 2-1 in games.
Amaya was three points away from the win in game four, when they were tied at 8-8. But Salas got a sideout via an avoidable hinder call to get the serve back, and scored three points on the next three rallies to force the tie-breaker.
The breaker was a long game, which was close all the way. There were 10 rallies at 4-4, for example. Amaya broke the tie, and went up two to lead 6-4. But Salas called a timeout at that point, and a few sideouts followed.
The Salas scored three points with ace drive serves: two to the left and one to the right, which made the score 7-6. She maintained the lead to the end, although it took 20 rallies to get the last four points. Amaya fought off three match points, but could only score one point of her own, so eventually Salas won the game, 11-7, with a low forehand wide angle shot.
Fourth seed Alexandra Herrera lost two close games in her match with 6th seed Natalia Mendez, but then won three games by a comfortable margin to win the match in five games, 9-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-3, 11-4.
Check out the semi-finals live via the LPRT LiveStream channel, the LPRT Facebook page or the LPRT YouTube channel. The semis will be at 4:30 and 5:30 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times central.
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 9) Adriana Riveros, 11-3, 11-2, 11-4
4) Maria Jose Vargas d. 5) Rhonda Rajsich, 12-10, 11-3, 11-1
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 6) Natalia Mendez, 9-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-3, 11-4
2) Samantha Salas d. 7) Cristina Amaya, 11-3, 6-11, 0-11, 11-8, 11-7
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 4) Maria Jose Vargas - 5:30 PM
2) Samantha Salas v. 3) Alexandra Herrera - 4:30 PM
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 9:30 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - 8:30 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
But the other two seeds had to comeback to win their quarterfinal matches, as each were a game away from being out of the tournament. Samantha Salas, the 2nd seed, was actually outscored by 7th seed Cristina Amaya, in part because Amaya blanked her in game three of their match to go up 2-1 in games.
Amaya was three points away from the win in game four, when they were tied at 8-8. But Salas got a sideout via an avoidable hinder call to get the serve back, and scored three points on the next three rallies to force the tie-breaker.
The breaker was a long game, which was close all the way. There were 10 rallies at 4-4, for example. Amaya broke the tie, and went up two to lead 6-4. But Salas called a timeout at that point, and a few sideouts followed.
The Salas scored three points with ace drive serves: two to the left and one to the right, which made the score 7-6. She maintained the lead to the end, although it took 20 rallies to get the last four points. Amaya fought off three match points, but could only score one point of her own, so eventually Salas won the game, 11-7, with a low forehand wide angle shot.
Fourth seed Alexandra Herrera lost two close games in her match with 6th seed Natalia Mendez, but then won three games by a comfortable margin to win the match in five games, 9-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-3, 11-4.
Check out the semi-finals live via the LPRT LiveStream channel, the LPRT Facebook page or the LPRT YouTube channel. The semis will be at 4:30 and 5:30 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times central.
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria d. 9) Adriana Riveros, 11-3, 11-2, 11-4
4) Maria Jose Vargas d. 5) Rhonda Rajsich, 12-10, 11-3, 11-1
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 6) Natalia Mendez, 9-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-3, 11-4
2) Samantha Salas d. 7) Cristina Amaya, 11-3, 6-11, 0-11, 11-8, 11-7
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 4) Maria Jose Vargas - 5:30 PM
2) Samantha Salas v. 3) Alexandra Herrera - 4:30 PM
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 9:30 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - 8:30 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Friday, November 16, 2018
Seven of top eight seeds into quarterfinals at 2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot Open
The top seven seeds are in the quarterfinals at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2018 Turkey Shoot Open in Lombard, Illinois, including LPRT #1 Paola Longoria, who had a comfortable win over 17th seed Masiel Rivera, 11-3, 11-0, 11-1, in the Round of 16. She’ll play 9th seed Adriana Riveros, who was the only lower seed to win in the 16s, as Riveros beat 8th seed Carla Muñoz, 11-1, 11-4, 2-11, 11-9.
Veteran Cheryl Gudinas almost reached the quarterfinals, as she went the distance with 6th seed Natalia Mendez, only to have Mendez win in the breaker, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5.
Look for this weekend’s action live via the LPRT LiveStream channel, the LPRT Facebook page or the LPRT YouTube channel. The quarterfinals will be Saturday at 10 and 11 AM with the semi-finals at 4:30 and 5:30 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times central.
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria d. 17) Masiel Rivera, 11-3, 11-0, 11-1
9) Adriana Riveros d. 8) Carla Muñoz, 11-1, 11-4, 2-11, 11-9
5) Rhonda Rajsich d. 21) Steffany Barrios, 11-6, 11-5, 7-11, 11-3
4) Maria Jose Vargas d. 20) Michelle De La Rosa, 11-7, 11-5, 12-10
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 14) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-5, 11-3, 11-1
6) Natalia Mendez d. 22) Cheryl Gudinas, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5
7) Cristina Amaya d. 23) Linda Tyler, 11-6, 11-5, 11-3
2) Samantha Salas d. 15) Brenda Laime, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 9) Adriana Riveros - 11 AM
4) Maria Jose Vargas v. 5) Rhonda Rajsich - 11 AM
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 6) Natalia Mendez - 10 AM
2) Samantha Salas v. 7) Cristina Amaya - 10 AM
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 8) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux, 15-5, 15-7
5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich d. 4) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros, 15-6, 15-9
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 6) Susana Acosta & Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-9, 15-8
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v. 7) Brenda Laime & Masiel Rivera, 12-15, 15-11, 11-5
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 9:30 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - 8:30 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Veteran Cheryl Gudinas almost reached the quarterfinals, as she went the distance with 6th seed Natalia Mendez, only to have Mendez win in the breaker, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5.
Look for this weekend’s action live via the LPRT LiveStream channel, the LPRT Facebook page or the LPRT YouTube channel. The quarterfinals will be Saturday at 10 and 11 AM with the semi-finals at 4:30 and 5:30 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times central.
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria d. 17) Masiel Rivera, 11-3, 11-0, 11-1
9) Adriana Riveros d. 8) Carla Muñoz, 11-1, 11-4, 2-11, 11-9
5) Rhonda Rajsich d. 21) Steffany Barrios, 11-6, 11-5, 7-11, 11-3
4) Maria Jose Vargas d. 20) Michelle De La Rosa, 11-7, 11-5, 12-10
3) Alexandra Herrera d. 14) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 11-5, 11-3, 11-1
6) Natalia Mendez d. 22) Cheryl Gudinas, 9-11, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5
7) Cristina Amaya d. 23) Linda Tyler, 11-6, 11-5, 11-3
2) Samantha Salas d. 15) Brenda Laime, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9
Quarterfinals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria v. 9) Adriana Riveros - 11 AM
4) Maria Jose Vargas v. 5) Rhonda Rajsich - 11 AM
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 6) Natalia Mendez - 10 AM
2) Samantha Salas v. 7) Cristina Amaya - 10 AM
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 8) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux, 15-5, 15-7
5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich d. 4) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros, 15-6, 15-9
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 6) Susana Acosta & Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-9, 15-8
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v. 7) Brenda Laime & Masiel Rivera, 12-15, 15-11, 11-5
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 9:30 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v. 3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - 8:30 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Round of 32 at 2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot
One veteran wins and two lose in the Round of 32 at the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2018 Turkey Shoot Open in Lombard, Illinois. Cheryl Gudinas was the winner, as she went the distance with 11th seed Sheryl Lotts, winning in five games, 11-9, 7-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-7. However, Susana Acosta lost to Michelle De La Rosa, 11-5, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9, and Adrienne Haynes was upset by young Steffany Barrios, the 21st seed, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-3.
Next up for Gudinas will be 6th seed Natalia Mendez, while De La Rosa plays 4th seed Maria Jose Vargas, and Barrios faces 5th seed Rhonda Rajsich in the Round of 16 later today.
Also in the 32s, Maria Renee Rodriguez defeated Kelani Bailey Lawrence in a battle of two young up and coming players, 12-10, 11-9, 11-7, and Valeria Centellas couldn’t translate her success at the 2018 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Championships success - gold medals in both singles and doubles in the Girl’s U16 divisions - into a win against veteran Cristina Amaya, who won in three games, 11-7, 11-2, 11-7.
Look for this weekend’s action live via the LPRT LiveStream channel or the LPRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 begins at 3 PM on Friday, with the quarterfinals on Saturday from 10 AM and the semi-finals at 4:30 and 5:30 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times central.
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Round of 32
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
17) Masiel Rivera d. 16) Montserrat Perez, 13-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8
9) Adriana Riveros d. 24) Lexi York, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4
8) Carla Muñoz d. 25) Katharine Neils, 11-1, 11-1, 11-9
5) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
21) Steffany Barrios d. 12) Adrienne Haynes, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-3
20) Michelle De La Rosa d. 13) Susana Acosta, 11-5, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9
4) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
14) Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 19) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 12-10, 11-9, 11-7
22) Cheryl Gudinas d. 11) Sheryl Lotts, 11-9, 7-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-7
6) Natalia Mendez - BYE
7) Cristina Amaya d. 26) Valeria Centellas, 11-7, 11-2, 11-7
23) Linda Tyler d. 10) Cassi Lee, 11-9, 12-10, 11-6
15) Brenda Laime d. 18) Erin Rivera, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7
2) Samantha Salas - BYE
Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria v. 17) Masiel Rivera - 6 PM
8) Carla Muñoz v. 9) Adriana Riveros - 6 PM
5) Rhonda Rajsich v. 21) Steffany Barrios - 3 PM
4) Maria Jose Vargas v. 20) Michelle De La Rosa - 3 PM
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 14) Maria Renee Rodriguez - 4 PM
6) Natalia Mendez v. 22) Cheryl Gudinas - 4 PM
7) Cristina Amaya v. 23) Linda Tyler - 5 PM
2) Samantha Salas v. 15) Brenda Laime - 5 PM
Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux d. 9) Daniela Molina & Lexi York, 15-6, 15-9
5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich d. 12) Steffany Barrios & Valeria Centellas, 11-15, 15-3, 11-3
4) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros d. 13) Adrienne Haynes & Sara Jeys, 15-11, 15-9
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 14) Cassi Lee & Linda Tyler, 15-7, 15-3
6) Susana Acosta & Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 11) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera, 13-15, 15-14, 11-6
7) Brenda Laime & Masiel Rivera d. 10) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sharon Jackson, 15-5, 12-15, 11-3
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz - BYE
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 8) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux - 9 PM
4) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 9 PM
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 6) Susana Acosta & Maria Renee Rodriguez - 8 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v. 7) Brenda Laime & Masiel Rivera - 8 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
Next up for Gudinas will be 6th seed Natalia Mendez, while De La Rosa plays 4th seed Maria Jose Vargas, and Barrios faces 5th seed Rhonda Rajsich in the Round of 16 later today.
Also in the 32s, Maria Renee Rodriguez defeated Kelani Bailey Lawrence in a battle of two young up and coming players, 12-10, 11-9, 11-7, and Valeria Centellas couldn’t translate her success at the 2018 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Championships success - gold medals in both singles and doubles in the Girl’s U16 divisions - into a win against veteran Cristina Amaya, who won in three games, 11-7, 11-2, 11-7.
Look for this weekend’s action live via the LPRT LiveStream channel or the LPRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 begins at 3 PM on Friday, with the quarterfinals on Saturday from 10 AM and the semi-finals at 4:30 and 5:30 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times central.
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Round of 32
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
17) Masiel Rivera d. 16) Montserrat Perez, 13-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8
9) Adriana Riveros d. 24) Lexi York, 11-9, 11-6, 11-4
8) Carla Muñoz d. 25) Katharine Neils, 11-1, 11-1, 11-9
5) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
21) Steffany Barrios d. 12) Adrienne Haynes, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-3
20) Michelle De La Rosa d. 13) Susana Acosta, 11-5, 4-11, 11-7, 11-9
4) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
14) Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 19) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 12-10, 11-9, 11-7
22) Cheryl Gudinas d. 11) Sheryl Lotts, 11-9, 7-11, 11-3, 9-11, 11-7
6) Natalia Mendez - BYE
7) Cristina Amaya d. 26) Valeria Centellas, 11-7, 11-2, 11-7
23) Linda Tyler d. 10) Cassi Lee, 11-9, 12-10, 11-6
15) Brenda Laime d. 18) Erin Rivera, 11-4, 11-5, 11-7
2) Samantha Salas - BYE
Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria v. 17) Masiel Rivera - 6 PM
8) Carla Muñoz v. 9) Adriana Riveros - 6 PM
5) Rhonda Rajsich v. 21) Steffany Barrios - 3 PM
4) Maria Jose Vargas v. 20) Michelle De La Rosa - 3 PM
3) Alexandra Herrera v. 14) Maria Renee Rodriguez - 4 PM
6) Natalia Mendez v. 22) Cheryl Gudinas - 4 PM
7) Cristina Amaya v. 23) Linda Tyler - 5 PM
2) Samantha Salas v. 15) Brenda Laime - 5 PM
Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux d. 9) Daniela Molina & Lexi York, 15-6, 15-9
5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich d. 12) Steffany Barrios & Valeria Centellas, 11-15, 15-3, 11-3
4) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros d. 13) Adrienne Haynes & Sara Jeys, 15-11, 15-9
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 14) Cassi Lee & Linda Tyler, 15-7, 15-3
6) Susana Acosta & Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 11) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera, 13-15, 15-14, 11-6
7) Brenda Laime & Masiel Rivera d. 10) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sharon Jackson, 15-5, 12-15, 11-3
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz - BYE
Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 8) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux - 9 PM
4) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - 9 PM
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 6) Susana Acosta & Maria Renee Rodriguez - 8 PM
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz v. 7) Brenda Laime & Masiel Rivera - 8 PM
Follow the bouncing ball….
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot Open - Preview
Chicagoland is this weekend’s locale for the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), as they will compete in the 2018 Turkey Shoot Open in Lombard, Illinois. There are 26 players competing, headlined by LPRT #1 Paola Longoria. She’s the top seed in both singles and doubles with partner Samantha Salas, who is the 2nd seed in singles.
Seven of the top 10 and 14 of the top 20 are in the field, which includes veteran Cheryl Gudinas, and US National Doubles champions Kelani Bailey Lawrence and Sharon Jackson. Also in doubles are sisters Michelle De La Rosa and Danielle Maddux (née Key), who could face Longoria and Salas in the quarterfinals.
Look for this weekend’s action live via the LPRT LiveStream channel of the LPRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 begins at 3 PM on Friday, with the quarterfinals on Saturday from 10 AM and the semi-finals at 4:30 and 5:30 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times central.
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Round of 32
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Montserrat Perez v. 17) Masiel Rivera
9) Adriana Riveros v. 24) Lexi York
8) Carla Muñoz v. 25) Katharine Neils
5) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
12) Adrienne Haynes v. 21) Steffany Barrios
13) Susana Acosta v. 20) Michelle De La Rosa
4) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
14) Maria Renee Rodriguez v. 19) Kelani Bailey Lawrence
11) Sheryl Lotts v. 22) Cheryl Gudinas
6) Natalia Mendez - BYE
7) Cristina Amaya v. 26) Valeria Centellas
10) Cassi Lee v. 23) Linda Tyler
15) Brenda Laime v. 18) Erin Rivera
2) Samantha Salas - BYE
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux v. 9) Daniela Molina & Lexi York
5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich v. 12) Steffany Barrios & Valeria Centellas
4) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros v. 13) Adrienne Haynes & Sara Jeys
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 14) Cassi Lee & Linda Tyler
6) Susana Acosta & Maria Renee Rodriguez v. 11) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera
7) Brenda Laime & Masiel Rivera v. 10) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sharon Jackson
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Seven of the top 10 and 14 of the top 20 are in the field, which includes veteran Cheryl Gudinas, and US National Doubles champions Kelani Bailey Lawrence and Sharon Jackson. Also in doubles are sisters Michelle De La Rosa and Danielle Maddux (née Key), who could face Longoria and Salas in the quarterfinals.
Look for this weekend’s action live via the LPRT LiveStream channel of the LPRT Facebook page. The Round of 16 begins at 3 PM on Friday, with the quarterfinals on Saturday from 10 AM and the semi-finals at 4:30 and 5:30 PM. The singles final will be noon Sunday with the doubles final to follow at 1 PM. All times central.
2018 LPRT Turkey Shoot, November 16-18, 2018
Lombard, Illinois
Round of 32
1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Montserrat Perez v. 17) Masiel Rivera
9) Adriana Riveros v. 24) Lexi York
8) Carla Muñoz v. 25) Katharine Neils
5) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
12) Adrienne Haynes v. 21) Steffany Barrios
13) Susana Acosta v. 20) Michelle De La Rosa
4) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
3) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
14) Maria Renee Rodriguez v. 19) Kelani Bailey Lawrence
11) Sheryl Lotts v. 22) Cheryl Gudinas
6) Natalia Mendez - BYE
7) Cristina Amaya v. 26) Valeria Centellas
10) Cassi Lee v. 23) Linda Tyler
15) Brenda Laime v. 18) Erin Rivera
2) Samantha Salas - BYE
Doubles - Round of 16
1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux v. 9) Daniela Molina & Lexi York
5) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich v. 12) Steffany Barrios & Valeria Centellas
4) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros v. 13) Adrienne Haynes & Sara Jeys
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 14) Cassi Lee & Linda Tyler
6) Susana Acosta & Maria Renee Rodriguez v. 11) Montserrat Perez & Erin Rivera
7) Brenda Laime & Masiel Rivera v. 10) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sharon Jackson
2) Alexandra Herrera & Carla Muñoz - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball….
Monday, November 12, 2018
2018 IRF World Junior Championshps - Team results
Mexican players have dominated the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships for the past several years, so it was unsurprising that they were #1 in the overall team standings again this year at the 30th IRF World Junior Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Mexico was also first in the Girl’s Team standings, but Bolivia edged them out of first in the Boy’s Team standings, although only by 16 points. (1176 to 1160).
Bolivia actually had the most gold medals across the 12 World Cup divisions - Girl’s and Boy’s U14, U16 and U18 - with six, while Mexico had four and the USA two. But perhaps most significantly Mexico swept gold in the four U18 divisions.
”The racquetball stars of the future”
When people see kids performing well, there is a tendency to predict great things for those kids when they become adults. We’d like to temper that enthusiasm, because in general, performance as a kid does not predict performance as adult very well. That is, few junior champions will be adult champions.
This applies across sports - not just to racquetball. There’s a lot of evidence for this, but just consider the results of any given sports draft. In a draft, people who are professionals at assessing talent within their sport regularly get it wrong: select one player rather than another only to see the player they didn’t select become an all star. Tom Brady was the 199th player selected in the 2000 NFL draft - the 7th player selected by the New England Patriots. Thus, NFL teams assessed 198 players as better prospects than Brady. Some of those players were good, but not Tom Brady good. There were 198 wrong selections in the 2000 NFL draft.
Now, kids still need to play sports, and players who are good at sports as adults will likely have played those sports when they were kids. Thus, we are in no way against kids playing sports and competing in junior tournaments. We just don’t want to make too much out of the results from junior tournaments.
And less should be made out of junior results, when the kids are younger. The differences between kids up to 12, 13 even 14 years of age are going to primarily be driven by maturity, rather than talent. Kids don’t mature at the same rates, so out of a given group of 13 year olds, say, the most physically mature kids will probably be the ones who win. But those kids aren’t necessarily the most talented, so they may not be the ones who are winning at 18, let alone 23.
Let’s remember that winning really only matters to adults, not to kids. Sure, it’s fun to win as a kid, but that shouldn’t be the focus for playing sports. Kids want to play sports, because it’s fun. If you make it about winning, then you’re going to be taking the fun out of it, and that’s not good.
After having fun, kids should be developing sports skills that will help them be better players - and hopefully better people, regardless of whether they continue to play any particular sport. And - fun fact! - if a kid has better skills, then the kid will likely have more fun, because the kid will be able to do more things successfully, which will boost their self esteem, and we could all use some of that.
So, congratulations to all the kids who played in San Luis Potosi last week, including all those who didn’t finish on top of the podium.
We love to see you play.
30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Boys Team Standings
1 Bolivia - 1176 points
2 Mexico - 1160
3 USA - 784
4 Costa Rica - 452
5 Ecuador - 388
6 Canada - 330
7 Chile - 272
8 Colombia - 256
9 Guatemala - 234
10 Ireland - 148
11 Honduras - 104
12 Argentina - 20
Girls Team Standings
1 Mexico - 1136 points
2 USA - 676
3 Bolivia - 656
4 Canada - 568
5 Costa Rica -408
6 Ecuador - 268
7 Guatemala - 212
8 Chile - 132
9 Argentina - 56
Overall Team Standings
1 Mexico - 2296 points
2 Bolivia - 1832
3 USA - 1460
4 Canada - 898
5 Costa Rica - 860
4 Ecuador - 656
7 Guatemala - 446
8 Chile - 404
9 Colombia - 256
10 Ireland - 148
11 Honduras - 104
12 Argentina - 76
U18 Boy's Singles
Gold - Eduardo Portillo (Mexico)
Silver - Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico)
Bronze - Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia) and Gerson Miranda (Bolivia)
U16 Boy's Singles
Gold - Diego Garcia (Bolivia)
Silver - Jose Ramos (Mexico)
Bronze - Juan Flores (Ecuador) and Guillermo Ortega (Mexico)
U14 Boy's Singles
Gold - Luis Aguilar (Bolivia)
Silver - Andrew Gleason (USA)
Bronze - Timmy Hansen (USA) and Andres Ruelas (Mexico)
U18 Girl's Singles
Gold - Montserrat Mejia (Mexico)
Silver - Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala)
Bronze - Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) and Ana Laura Flores (Mexico)
U16 Girl's Singles
Gold - Valeria Centellas (Bolivia)
Silver - Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica)
Bronze - Guadalupe Griffin (Mexico) and Maria Gutierrez (Mexico)
U14 Girl's Singles
Gold - Micaela Meneses (Bolivia)
Silver - Heather Mahoney (USA)
Bronze - Karime Estrella (Mexico) and Daniela Rico (Mexico)
U18 Boy's Doubles
Gold - Sebastian Fernandez & Rodrigo Rodriguez (Mexico)
Silver - Gerson Miranda & Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia)
Bronze - Julian Homberger & Andres Montero (Costa Rica) and Ricardo Diaz & Dane Elkins (USA)
U16 Boy's Doubles
Gold - Diego Garcia & Roberto Arellano (Bolivia)
Silver - Sebastian Longoria & Jose Ramos (Mexico)
Bronze - Ian Frattinger & Sean Sauvé (Canada) and Juan Flores & Esteban Janon (Ecuador)
U14 Boy's Doubles
Gold - Andrew Gleason & Timmy Hansen (USA)
Silver - Luis Aguilar & Mateo Claros (Bolivia)
Bronze - Juan Rodriguez & Duvan Torres (Colombia) and Sebastian Hernandez & Omar Gonzalez (Mexico)
U18 Girl's Doubles
Gold - Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico)
Silver - Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador)
Bronze - Hannah Carver & Megan Carver (USA) and Alexis Iwaasa & Marjolaine Parent (Canada)
U16 Girl's Doubles
Gold - Valeria Centellas & Micaela Meneses (Bolivia)
Silver - Juliette Parent & Cassie Prentice (Canada)
Bronze - Sofia Freer & Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) and Maria Gutierrez & Ximena Martinez (Mexico)
U14 Girl's Doubles
Gold - Heather Mahoney & Julia Stein (USA)
Silver - Jessica Balderrama & Daniela Rico (Mexico)
Bronze - Ofelia Wilscam & Tamara Wilscam (Canada) and Luz Abigail Rivera & Abigail Solano (Costa Rica)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Bolivia actually had the most gold medals across the 12 World Cup divisions - Girl’s and Boy’s U14, U16 and U18 - with six, while Mexico had four and the USA two. But perhaps most significantly Mexico swept gold in the four U18 divisions.
”The racquetball stars of the future”
When people see kids performing well, there is a tendency to predict great things for those kids when they become adults. We’d like to temper that enthusiasm, because in general, performance as a kid does not predict performance as adult very well. That is, few junior champions will be adult champions.
This applies across sports - not just to racquetball. There’s a lot of evidence for this, but just consider the results of any given sports draft. In a draft, people who are professionals at assessing talent within their sport regularly get it wrong: select one player rather than another only to see the player they didn’t select become an all star. Tom Brady was the 199th player selected in the 2000 NFL draft - the 7th player selected by the New England Patriots. Thus, NFL teams assessed 198 players as better prospects than Brady. Some of those players were good, but not Tom Brady good. There were 198 wrong selections in the 2000 NFL draft.
Now, kids still need to play sports, and players who are good at sports as adults will likely have played those sports when they were kids. Thus, we are in no way against kids playing sports and competing in junior tournaments. We just don’t want to make too much out of the results from junior tournaments.
And less should be made out of junior results, when the kids are younger. The differences between kids up to 12, 13 even 14 years of age are going to primarily be driven by maturity, rather than talent. Kids don’t mature at the same rates, so out of a given group of 13 year olds, say, the most physically mature kids will probably be the ones who win. But those kids aren’t necessarily the most talented, so they may not be the ones who are winning at 18, let alone 23.
Let’s remember that winning really only matters to adults, not to kids. Sure, it’s fun to win as a kid, but that shouldn’t be the focus for playing sports. Kids want to play sports, because it’s fun. If you make it about winning, then you’re going to be taking the fun out of it, and that’s not good.
After having fun, kids should be developing sports skills that will help them be better players - and hopefully better people, regardless of whether they continue to play any particular sport. And - fun fact! - if a kid has better skills, then the kid will likely have more fun, because the kid will be able to do more things successfully, which will boost their self esteem, and we could all use some of that.
So, congratulations to all the kids who played in San Luis Potosi last week, including all those who didn’t finish on top of the podium.
We love to see you play.
30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico
Boys Team Standings
1 Bolivia - 1176 points
2 Mexico - 1160
3 USA - 784
4 Costa Rica - 452
5 Ecuador - 388
6 Canada - 330
7 Chile - 272
8 Colombia - 256
9 Guatemala - 234
10 Ireland - 148
11 Honduras - 104
12 Argentina - 20
Girls Team Standings
1 Mexico - 1136 points
2 USA - 676
3 Bolivia - 656
4 Canada - 568
5 Costa Rica -408
6 Ecuador - 268
7 Guatemala - 212
8 Chile - 132
9 Argentina - 56
Overall Team Standings
1 Mexico - 2296 points
2 Bolivia - 1832
3 USA - 1460
4 Canada - 898
5 Costa Rica - 860
4 Ecuador - 656
7 Guatemala - 446
8 Chile - 404
9 Colombia - 256
10 Ireland - 148
11 Honduras - 104
12 Argentina - 76
U18 Boy's Singles
Gold - Eduardo Portillo (Mexico)
Silver - Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico)
Bronze - Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia) and Gerson Miranda (Bolivia)
U16 Boy's Singles
Gold - Diego Garcia (Bolivia)
Silver - Jose Ramos (Mexico)
Bronze - Juan Flores (Ecuador) and Guillermo Ortega (Mexico)
U14 Boy's Singles
Gold - Luis Aguilar (Bolivia)
Silver - Andrew Gleason (USA)
Bronze - Timmy Hansen (USA) and Andres Ruelas (Mexico)
U18 Girl's Singles
Gold - Montserrat Mejia (Mexico)
Silver - Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala)
Bronze - Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) and Ana Laura Flores (Mexico)
U16 Girl's Singles
Gold - Valeria Centellas (Bolivia)
Silver - Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica)
Bronze - Guadalupe Griffin (Mexico) and Maria Gutierrez (Mexico)
U14 Girl's Singles
Gold - Micaela Meneses (Bolivia)
Silver - Heather Mahoney (USA)
Bronze - Karime Estrella (Mexico) and Daniela Rico (Mexico)
U18 Boy's Doubles
Gold - Sebastian Fernandez & Rodrigo Rodriguez (Mexico)
Silver - Gerson Miranda & Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia)
Bronze - Julian Homberger & Andres Montero (Costa Rica) and Ricardo Diaz & Dane Elkins (USA)
U16 Boy's Doubles
Gold - Diego Garcia & Roberto Arellano (Bolivia)
Silver - Sebastian Longoria & Jose Ramos (Mexico)
Bronze - Ian Frattinger & Sean Sauvé (Canada) and Juan Flores & Esteban Janon (Ecuador)
U14 Boy's Doubles
Gold - Andrew Gleason & Timmy Hansen (USA)
Silver - Luis Aguilar & Mateo Claros (Bolivia)
Bronze - Juan Rodriguez & Duvan Torres (Colombia) and Sebastian Hernandez & Omar Gonzalez (Mexico)
U18 Girl's Doubles
Gold - Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico)
Silver - Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador)
Bronze - Hannah Carver & Megan Carver (USA) and Alexis Iwaasa & Marjolaine Parent (Canada)
U16 Girl's Doubles
Gold - Valeria Centellas & Micaela Meneses (Bolivia)
Silver - Juliette Parent & Cassie Prentice (Canada)
Bronze - Sofia Freer & Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) and Maria Gutierrez & Ximena Martinez (Mexico)
U14 Girl's Doubles
Gold - Heather Mahoney & Julia Stein (USA)
Silver - Jessica Balderrama & Daniela Rico (Mexico)
Bronze - Ofelia Wilscam & Tamara Wilscam (Canada) and Luz Abigail Rivera & Abigail Solano (Costa Rica)
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Gold is split three ways in doubles at 2018 IRF World Junior Championships
Bolivia, Mexico and the USA shared the spoils in doubles as each country won two gold medals at the 30th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Perhaps curiously, Mexico won both the Girl’s and Boy’s U18 titles; Bolivia won both Boy’s and Girl’s U16 title, and the USA won gold in both Girl’s and Boy’s U14.
Sometimes a player will win both singles and doubles at World Juniors. Three Bolivian players won both this year. Valeria Centallas won Girl’s U16 Singles and Doubles - to go with her win in Women’s Doubles at the IRF World Championships in August. She’s the first player to win doubles at Worlds and at World Juniors in the same year. Centellas’s doubles partner Micaela Meneses won Girl’s U14 Singles as well as the U16 Doubles title. Finally, Diego Garcia of Bolivia won gold in Boy’s U16 Singles and Doubles with partner Roberto Arellano.
The Boy’s U18 Doubles final followed the same storyline as the Boy’s U18 Singles final, as one side narrowly won the first game, and then the other side won games two and three convincingly. In the Doubles final, Sebastian Fernandez and Rodrigo Rodriguez of Mexico came back to defeat Gerson Miranda and Fernando Ruiz of Bolivia, 13-15, 15-6, 11-4. Fernandez ended the match with a soft forehand down the right side.
Mexicans also won the Girl’s U18 gold medal, as Ana Laura Flores and Abril Sacristan beat Maria Jose Muñoz and Ana Lucia Sarmiento of Ecuador, 15-5, 15-10, in the final. As with the boys final, Mexico and Ecuador played earlier in the week in a Group Stage match, which was also won by the Mexicans.
Bolivian Valeria Centellas became the first player to win both a IRF World Junior Championship in doubles and an IRF World Championship in doubles in the same year, as she won Women's Doubles at the 2018 IRF World Championships in August with Yasmine Sabja. Centellas and Micaela Meneses won the Girl’s U16 Doubles final by defeating Canadians Juliette Parent and Cassie Prentice, 15-8, 15-8. The win is Centellas’s second World Junior Championship in Girl’s U16 Doubles in as many years. Last year she won with Romina Rivero.
In the U14 divisions, Heather Mahoney and Julia Stein of the USA avenged a loss earlier in the week to defeat Mexicans Jessica Balderrama and Daniela Rico, 15-10, 1-15, 11-1, in the final. They teams had played earlier in the week in a preliminary round robin competition prior to the medal round, and Mexico won that match albeit in a tie-breaker.
On the boys’ side, Mahoney and Stein’s team-mates also needed a tie-breaker to win the gold medal in Boy’s U14 doubles. Andrew Gleason and Timmy Hansen came back from a game down to defeat Bolivians Luis Aguilar and Mateo Claros, 5-15, 15-3, 11-9.
If you want to see some of the action from San Luis Potosi, look to the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel.
30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - November 3-10, 2018
U18 Boy's Doubles
Final - Saturday
3. Sebastian Fernandez & Rodrigo Rodriguez (Mexico) d. 1. Gerson Miranda & Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia), 13-15, 15-6, 11-4
U16 Boy's Doubles
Final - Saturday
1. Diego Garcia & Roberto Arellano (Bolivia) d. 2. Sebastian Longoria & Jose Ramos (Mexico), 15-11, 15-6
U14 Boy's Doubles
Final - Saturday
1. Andrew Gleason & Timmy Hansen (USA) d. 3. Luis Aguilar & Mateo Claros (Bolivia), 5-15, 15-3, 11-9
U18 Girl's Doubles - Round Robin
Final - Saturday
1. Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico) d. 2. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-10
U16 Girl's Doubles
Final - Saturday
1. Valeria Centellas & Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) d. 3. Juliette Parent & Cassie Prentice (Canada), 15-8, 15-8
U14 Girl's Doubles
Final - Saturday
2. Heather Mahoney & Julia Stein (USA) d. 1. Jessica Balderrama & Daniela Rico (Mexico), 15-10, 1-15, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball….
Sometimes a player will win both singles and doubles at World Juniors. Three Bolivian players won both this year. Valeria Centallas won Girl’s U16 Singles and Doubles - to go with her win in Women’s Doubles at the IRF World Championships in August. She’s the first player to win doubles at Worlds and at World Juniors in the same year. Centellas’s doubles partner Micaela Meneses won Girl’s U14 Singles as well as the U16 Doubles title. Finally, Diego Garcia of Bolivia won gold in Boy’s U16 Singles and Doubles with partner Roberto Arellano.
The Boy’s U18 Doubles final followed the same storyline as the Boy’s U18 Singles final, as one side narrowly won the first game, and then the other side won games two and three convincingly. In the Doubles final, Sebastian Fernandez and Rodrigo Rodriguez of Mexico came back to defeat Gerson Miranda and Fernando Ruiz of Bolivia, 13-15, 15-6, 11-4. Fernandez ended the match with a soft forehand down the right side.
Mexicans also won the Girl’s U18 gold medal, as Ana Laura Flores and Abril Sacristan beat Maria Jose Muñoz and Ana Lucia Sarmiento of Ecuador, 15-5, 15-10, in the final. As with the boys final, Mexico and Ecuador played earlier in the week in a Group Stage match, which was also won by the Mexicans.
Bolivian Valeria Centellas became the first player to win both a IRF World Junior Championship in doubles and an IRF World Championship in doubles in the same year, as she won Women's Doubles at the 2018 IRF World Championships in August with Yasmine Sabja. Centellas and Micaela Meneses won the Girl’s U16 Doubles final by defeating Canadians Juliette Parent and Cassie Prentice, 15-8, 15-8. The win is Centellas’s second World Junior Championship in Girl’s U16 Doubles in as many years. Last year she won with Romina Rivero.
In the U14 divisions, Heather Mahoney and Julia Stein of the USA avenged a loss earlier in the week to defeat Mexicans Jessica Balderrama and Daniela Rico, 15-10, 1-15, 11-1, in the final. They teams had played earlier in the week in a preliminary round robin competition prior to the medal round, and Mexico won that match albeit in a tie-breaker.
On the boys’ side, Mahoney and Stein’s team-mates also needed a tie-breaker to win the gold medal in Boy’s U14 doubles. Andrew Gleason and Timmy Hansen came back from a game down to defeat Bolivians Luis Aguilar and Mateo Claros, 5-15, 15-3, 11-9.
If you want to see some of the action from San Luis Potosi, look to the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel.
30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - November 3-10, 2018
U18 Boy's Doubles
Final - Saturday
3. Sebastian Fernandez & Rodrigo Rodriguez (Mexico) d. 1. Gerson Miranda & Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia), 13-15, 15-6, 11-4
U16 Boy's Doubles
Final - Saturday
1. Diego Garcia & Roberto Arellano (Bolivia) d. 2. Sebastian Longoria & Jose Ramos (Mexico), 15-11, 15-6
U14 Boy's Doubles
Final - Saturday
1. Andrew Gleason & Timmy Hansen (USA) d. 3. Luis Aguilar & Mateo Claros (Bolivia), 5-15, 15-3, 11-9
U18 Girl's Doubles - Round Robin
Final - Saturday
1. Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico) d. 2. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador), 15-5, 15-10
U16 Girl's Doubles
Final - Saturday
1. Valeria Centellas & Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) d. 3. Juliette Parent & Cassie Prentice (Canada), 15-8, 15-8
U14 Girl's Doubles
Final - Saturday
2. Heather Mahoney & Julia Stein (USA) d. 1. Jessica Balderrama & Daniela Rico (Mexico), 15-10, 1-15, 11-1
Follow the bouncing ball….
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Mejia wins Girl's U18 at 2018 IRF World Championships
Montserrat Mejia of Mexico successfully defended her Girl’s U18 title at the 2018 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico Saturday, as she defeated Guatemalan Gabriela Martinez in the final, 15-14, 8-15, 11-6, in what was a re-match of last year’s final. Mejia also defeated Martinez earlier in a Group Stage match earlier in the week, which suggests Mejia is the kryptonite to the Guatemalan Supergirl.
Martinez certainly flew around the court during the match, as she dove to retrieve balls and keep rallies going. She had the early lead in game one at 4-1, but Mejia came back and tied it at 7-7. From there they were back and forth.
Martinez got to 14 first, but only with a one point lead, 14-13. After a short serve, Martinez hit a good lob serve that touched high on the left side wall and dropped down close to the back wall. Yet Mejia was able to hit a backhand pinch winner into the front left corner to get the serve back.
In game two, Martinez again had an early lead at 7-2, and this time she maintained it to win 15-8. Martinez hit a drive serve ace to the right side for the game winning point.
In game three, Mejia took the early lead at 3-0. But Martinez caught up at 3-3, and they were back and forth to 6-6. From there, Mejia got five unanswered points, holding Martinez off the board to win the breaker 11-6.
Mejia calmly hit a soft forehand to get to 10, and then a backhand cross court ended it on her first match point opportunity.
In Boy’s U18, Eduardo Portillo won an all Mexico battle with Sebastian Fernandez, 14-15, 15-4, 11-7. He had to come back from a game down to win, but after narrowly losing the first game Portillo was dominant giving up only 11 points (while scoring 26) over the next two games, as he won the title in a tie-breaker.
Fernandez took the lead early in game one, going up 6-1. But Portillo then strung together nine unanswered points to lead 10-6. Then Fernandez came back to tie the game at 12-12, but Portillo got to 14 first, when he led 14-13. A Fernandez backhand denied Portillo the game, and with the serve back, Fernandez called a time out.
He scored when play resumed, as Portillo skipped a backhand pinch shot from his knees. An avoidable against Fernandez, which he unsuccessfully appealed, switched the serve back to Portillo, who gave the serve right back by skipping a backhand shot. On his 2nd game point, Fernandez his a drive serve ace to the left side to close out the game 15-14.
Game two was all Portillo, as he won 15-4. In the middle of game two, Portillo began to use a backhand lob serve, placing the ball tight to the left wall - Fernandez's backhand side. It was an effective serve, and he used it for most of the second half of the match.
Portillo took a 4-0 lead in game three. Fernandez got within two at 5-3, but Portillo then ran the score to 10-3. Fernandez made it interesting late in game three, as he scored four points to trail by only three at 10-7.
However, Portillo regained serve with a forehand cross court winner off a jam serve to the left side by Fernandez that came around to the right side for Portillo to smash it. On his 3rd match point, Portillo hit a winning forehand pinch shot to seal the victory and the championship in his last match as a junior player.
Fernandez has one more year of junior eligibility, so look for him to be back next year.
Overall, Bolivia won four the six gold medals in singles with the other two going to Mexico. The USA won two silver medals with Costa Rica and Guatemala each picking up one silver.
If you want to see some of the action from San Luis Potosi, look to the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel.
30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - November 3-10, 2018
U18 Boy's Singles
Final - Saturday
4. Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) d. 2. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico), 14-15, 15-4, 11-7
U16 Boy's Singles
Final - Saturday
2. Diego Garcia (Bolivia) d. 1. Jose Ramos (Mexico), 15-4, 15-10
U14 Boy's Singles
Final - Saturday
5. Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) d. 3. Andrew Gleason (USA), 15-6, 9-15, 11-6
U18 Girl's Singles
Final - Saturday
3. Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. 4. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 15-14, 8-15, 11-6
U16 Girl's Singles
Final - Saturday
1. Valeria Centellas (Bolivia) d. 3. Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica), 9-15, 15-4, 11-3
U14 Girl's Singles
Final - Saturday
2. Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) d. 4. Heather Mahoney (USA), 15-7, 15-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
Martinez certainly flew around the court during the match, as she dove to retrieve balls and keep rallies going. She had the early lead in game one at 4-1, but Mejia came back and tied it at 7-7. From there they were back and forth.
Martinez got to 14 first, but only with a one point lead, 14-13. After a short serve, Martinez hit a good lob serve that touched high on the left side wall and dropped down close to the back wall. Yet Mejia was able to hit a backhand pinch winner into the front left corner to get the serve back.
In game two, Martinez again had an early lead at 7-2, and this time she maintained it to win 15-8. Martinez hit a drive serve ace to the right side for the game winning point.
In game three, Mejia took the early lead at 3-0. But Martinez caught up at 3-3, and they were back and forth to 6-6. From there, Mejia got five unanswered points, holding Martinez off the board to win the breaker 11-6.
Mejia calmly hit a soft forehand to get to 10, and then a backhand cross court ended it on her first match point opportunity.
In Boy’s U18, Eduardo Portillo won an all Mexico battle with Sebastian Fernandez, 14-15, 15-4, 11-7. He had to come back from a game down to win, but after narrowly losing the first game Portillo was dominant giving up only 11 points (while scoring 26) over the next two games, as he won the title in a tie-breaker.
Fernandez took the lead early in game one, going up 6-1. But Portillo then strung together nine unanswered points to lead 10-6. Then Fernandez came back to tie the game at 12-12, but Portillo got to 14 first, when he led 14-13. A Fernandez backhand denied Portillo the game, and with the serve back, Fernandez called a time out.
He scored when play resumed, as Portillo skipped a backhand pinch shot from his knees. An avoidable against Fernandez, which he unsuccessfully appealed, switched the serve back to Portillo, who gave the serve right back by skipping a backhand shot. On his 2nd game point, Fernandez his a drive serve ace to the left side to close out the game 15-14.
Game two was all Portillo, as he won 15-4. In the middle of game two, Portillo began to use a backhand lob serve, placing the ball tight to the left wall - Fernandez's backhand side. It was an effective serve, and he used it for most of the second half of the match.
Portillo took a 4-0 lead in game three. Fernandez got within two at 5-3, but Portillo then ran the score to 10-3. Fernandez made it interesting late in game three, as he scored four points to trail by only three at 10-7.
However, Portillo regained serve with a forehand cross court winner off a jam serve to the left side by Fernandez that came around to the right side for Portillo to smash it. On his 3rd match point, Portillo hit a winning forehand pinch shot to seal the victory and the championship in his last match as a junior player.
Fernandez has one more year of junior eligibility, so look for him to be back next year.
Overall, Bolivia won four the six gold medals in singles with the other two going to Mexico. The USA won two silver medals with Costa Rica and Guatemala each picking up one silver.
If you want to see some of the action from San Luis Potosi, look to the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel.
30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - November 3-10, 2018
U18 Boy's Singles
Final - Saturday
4. Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) d. 2. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico), 14-15, 15-4, 11-7
U16 Boy's Singles
Final - Saturday
2. Diego Garcia (Bolivia) d. 1. Jose Ramos (Mexico), 15-4, 15-10
U14 Boy's Singles
Final - Saturday
5. Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) d. 3. Andrew Gleason (USA), 15-6, 9-15, 11-6
U18 Girl's Singles
Final - Saturday
3. Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. 4. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala), 15-14, 8-15, 11-6
U16 Girl's Singles
Final - Saturday
1. Valeria Centellas (Bolivia) d. 3. Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica), 9-15, 15-4, 11-3
U14 Girl's Singles
Final - Saturday
2. Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) d. 4. Heather Mahoney (USA), 15-7, 15-4
Follow the bouncing ball….
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