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….

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….

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….

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....

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….

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….

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….

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….

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….

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….

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….

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….

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….

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….

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….

Doubles semi-final results from 2018 IRF World Junior Championships

Bolivia could sweep gold in boys doubles at the 30th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, but in girls doubles there are five different countries represented in the six teams in the finals. Only Mexico has two girls teams playing for gold on Saturday.

The Boy’s U18 final will be a repeat of a Group Stage match between Bolivians Gerson Miranda and Fernando Ruiz and Mexicans Sebastian Fernandez and Rodrigo Rodriguez that was one of the best matches of the tournament, which was won by Bolivia in a tie-breaker. The teams reached the final with comfortable wins in semi-finals. Miranda and Ruiz defeated the USA’s Ricardo Diaz and Dane Elkins, 15-8, 15-5, while Fernandez and Rodriguez beat Julian Homberger and Andres Montero of Costa Rica, 15-6, 15-4.

Mexico could also win the Girl’s U18 gold medal, as Mexicans Ana Laura Flores and Abril Sacristan will play Maria Jose Muñoz and Ana Lucia Sarmiento of Ecuador in the final. As with the boys final, Mexico and Ecuador played earlier in the week in a Group Stage match, which was won by the Mexicans. In the semi-finals, Flores and Sacristan defeated USA sisters Hannah Carver and Megan Carver, 15-8, 15-9, while Muñoz and Sarmiento beat Canadians Alexis Iwaasa and Marjolaine Parent, 15-6, 15-3.

Bolivian Valeria Centellas will be trying to become 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 is the defending World Junior Champion in Girl’s U16 Doubles, and she’ll have a chance to win U16 gold again on Saturday with partner Micaela Meneses.

Their opponent in the final is a surprise, as Canadians Juliette Parent and Cassie Prentice upset 2nd seeds Maria Gutierrez and Ximena Martinez of Mexico, 15-8, 15-12, in the semi-finals. Centellas and Meneses beat Costa Ricans Sofia Freer and Maricruz Ortiz, 15-3, 15-3, in the other semi.

You can watch some of the finals from San Luis Potosi via the IRF Facebook page.

30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - November 3-10, 2018

U18 Boy's Doubles

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Gerson Miranda & Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia) d. 5. Ricardo Diaz & Dane Elkins (USA), 15-8, 15-5
3. Sebastian Fernandez & Rodrigo Rodriguez (Mexico) d. 2. Julian Homberger & Andres Montero (Costa Rica), 15-6, 15-4

Final - Saturday

1. Gerson Miranda & Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia) v. 3. Sebastian Fernandez & Rodrigo Rodriguez (Mexico) - 4 PM

U16 Boy's Doubles

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Diego Garcia & Roberto Arellano (Bolivia) d. 5. Ian Frattinger & Sean Sauvé (Canada), 15-7, 15-6
2. Sebastian Longoria & Jose Ramos (Mexico) d. 3. Juan Flores & Esteban Janon (Ecuador), injury forfeit

Final - Saturday

1. Diego Garcia & Roberto Arellano (Bolivia) v. 2. Sebastian Longoria & Jose Ramos (Mexico) - 3 PM

U14 Boy's Doubles

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Andrew Gleason & Timmy Hansen (USA) d. 4. Juan Rodriguez & Duvan Torres (Colombia), 15-6, 15-6
3. Luis Aguilar & Mateo Claros (Bolivia) d. 2. Sebastian Hernandez & Omar Gonzalez (Mexico), 15-12, 15-12

Final - Saturday

1. Andrew Gleason & Timmy Hansen (USA) v. 3. Luis Aguilar & Mateo Claros (Bolivia) - 2 PM

U18 Girl's Doubles - Round Robin

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico) d. 4. Hannah Carver & Megan Carver (USA), 15-8, 15-9
2. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador) d. 3. Alexis Iwaasa & Marjolaine Parent (Canada), 15-6, 15-3

Final - Saturday

1. Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico) v. 2. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador) - 4 PM

U16 Girl's Doubles

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Valeria Centellas & Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) d. 5. Sofia Freer & Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica), 15-3, 15-3
3. Juliette Parent & Cassie Prentice (Canada) d. 2. Maria Gutierrez & Ximena Martinez (Mexico), 15-8, 15-12

Final - Saturday

1. Valeria Centellas & Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) v. 3. Juliette Parent & Cassie Prentice (Canada) - 3 PM

U14 Girl's Doubles

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Jessica Balderrama & Daniela Rico (Mexico) d. 4. Luz Abigail Rivera & Abigail Solano (Costa Rica), 15-1, 15-4
2. Heather Mahoney & Julia Stein (USA) d. 3. Ofelia Wilscam & Tamara Wilscam (Canada), 15-7, 15-11

Final - Saturday

1. Jessica Balderrama & Daniela Rico (Mexico) v. 2. Heather Mahoney & Julia Stein (USA) - 2 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Mejia v Martinez encore at 2018 IRF World Junior Championships

Montserrat Mejia of Mexico will have a chance to defend her Girl’s U18 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championship on Saturday, and she’ll face the same player she beat in last year's final: Guatemalan Gabriela Martinez. But when they meet in the final this year in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Martinez will be coming in as the IRF World Champion in Women’s Singles, yet she lost to Mejia in the Group Stage of this year’s World Juniors, so Mejia maybe the kryptonite to Guatemala’s Supergirl.

In their respective semi-finals matches, Mejia defeated Angelica Barrios of Bolivia, 15-14, 15-8, and Martinez beat Ana Laura Flores of Mexico, 15-5, 15-3.

Mejia is the only Mexican in a girls singles final, although Mexicans will take home five of the six bronze medals in singles. In the Girl’s U16 final, Bolivian Valeria Centellas faces Costa Rican Maricruz Ortiz, and in Girl’s U14 final Micaela Meneses of Bolivia plays Heather Mahoney of the USA.

The Boy’s U18 final is an all-Mexican showdown between last year’s U18 finalist Eduardo Portillo and Sebastian Fernandez, the 2017 U16 gold medalist. They both defeated Bolivians in the semi-finals. Portillo took out the top seed Fernando Ruiz, 15-10, 15-10, and Fernandez beat Gerson Miranda, 15-10, 15-4.

In Boy’s U16, #1 seed Jose Ramos of Mexico will play #2 seed Diego Garcia of Bolivia, but the Boy’s U14 final sees 3rd Andrew Gleason of the USA take on 5th seed Luis Aguilar of Bolivia, as Gleason and Aguliar upset the 1st and 2nd seeds, respectively, in the semi-finals.

You can watch some of the action from San Luis Potosi via the IRF Facebook page.

30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - November 3-10, 2018

U18 Boy's Singles

Semi-finals - Friday

4. Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) d. 1. Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-10
2. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) d. 3. Gerson Miranda (Bolivia), 15-10, 15-4

Final - Saturday

2. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) v. 4. Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) - 1 PM

U16 Boy's Singles

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Jose Ramos (Mexico) d. 12. Guillermo Ortega (Mexico), 15-0, 15-10
2. Diego Garcia (Bolivia) d. 3. Juan Flores (Ecuador), 15-1, 15-2

Final - Saturday

1. Jose Ramos (Mexico) v. 2. Diego Garcia (Bolivia) - Noon

U14 Boy's Singles

Semi-finals - Friday

5. Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) d. 1. Timmy Hansen (USA), 15-9, 15-8
3. Andrew Gleason (USA) d. 2. Andres Ruelas (Mexico), 15-12, 15-4

Final - Saturday

3. Andrew Gleason (USA) v. 5. Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) - 11 AM

U18 Girl's Singles

Semi-finals - Friday

4. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. 1. Ana Laura Flores (Mexico), 15-5, 15-3
3. Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. 2. Angelica Barrios (Bolivia), 15-14, 15-8

Final - Saturday

3. Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) v. 4. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - Noon

U16 Girl's Singles

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Valeria Centellas (Bolivia) d. 4. Guadalupe Griffin (Mexico), 15-5, 15-10
3. Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) d. 2. Maria Gutierrez (Mexico), 15-8, 15-5

Final - Saturday

1. Valeria Centellas (Bolivia) v. 3. Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) - Noon

U14 Girl's Singles

Semi-finals - Friday

4. Heather Mahoney (USA) d. 1. Daniela Rico (Mexico), 15-12, 12-15, 11-9
2. Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) d. 3. Karime Estrella (Mexico), 15-8, 15-5

Final - Saturday

2. Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) v. 4. Heather Mahoney (USA) - 11 AM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Martinez on track at 2018 IRF World Junior Championships

Guatemalan Gabriela Martinez won her first match in the medal round of Girl’s U18 at the 30th edition of the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, as she defeated Canadian Alexis Iwaasa in the quarterfinals Thursday, 15-9, 15-5. Martinez will face top seed Ana Laura Flores of Mexico in the semi-finals, as Flores beat Maria Jose Muñoz of Ecuador, 15-3, 15-2, in the quarters.

Martinez is trying to become the first girl to win a World Junior Championship in singles in the same year she won the Women’s Singles World Championship, which she did in August. However, even if she does win gold in Girl’s U18 Singles, Martinez may not be the only female to win both IRF World Championships and Junior World Championships in the same year, as Bolivian Valeria Centellas won Women’s Doubles at Worlds this year, and is the top seed in Girl’s U16 Singles and Doubles (Martinez isn’t playing doubles).

In Boy’s U18, Eduardo Portillo of Mexico beat Nathan Martinez of Guatemala, 15-3, 15-2, in the quarterfinals to take a step towards getting back to the final for a second consecutive year. He’ll play Bolivian Fernando Ruiz in the semis, as Ruiz survived a tie-breaker against Dane Elkins of the USA, 15-4, 8-15, 11-5.

You can watch some of the action from San Luis Potosi via the IRF Facebook page.

30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - November 3-10, 2018

U18 Boy's Singles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia) d. 9. Dane Elkins (USA), 15-4, 8-15, 11-5
4. Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) d. 12. Nathan Martinez (Guatemala), 15-3, 15-2

3. Gerson Miranda (Bolivia) d. 11. Ricardo Diaz (USA), 15-13, 15-12
2. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) d. 7. Sergio Acuña (Costa Rica), 13-1, injury forfeit

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia) v. 4. Eduardo Portillo (Mexico)
2. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) v. 3. Gerson Miranda (Bolivia)

U16 Boy's Singles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Jose Ramos (Mexico) d. 8. Cayden Akins (USA), 15-3, 15-8
12. Guillermo Ortega (Mexico) d. 4. Adrian Jaldin (Bolivia), 4-15, 15-3, 11-9

3. Juan Flores (Ecuador) d. 6. Shail Thakur (USA), 3-15, 15-9, 11-2
2. Diego Garcia (Bolivia) d. 10. Esteban Janon (Ecuador), 15-3, injury forfeit

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Jose Ramos (Mexico) v. 12. Guillermo Ortega (Mexico)
2. Diego Garcia (Bolivia) v. 3. Juan Flores (Ecuador)

U14 Boy's Singles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Timmy Hansen (USA) d. 8. Juan Rodriguez (Colombia), 15-14, 15-6
5. Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) d. 4. Sebastian Hernandez (Mexico), 15-8, 15-7

3. Andrew Gleason (USA) d. 6. Mateo Claros (Bolivia), 15-3, 15-10
2. Andres Ruelas (Mexico) d. 7. Bruno Vasquez (Ecuador), 15-12, 15-14

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Timmy Hansen (USA) v. 5. Luis Aguilar (Bolivia)
2. Andres Ruelas (Mexico) v. 3. Andrew Gleason (USA)

U18 Girl's Singles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Ana Laura Flores (Mexico) d. 9. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador), 15-3, 15-2
4. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) d. 5. Alexis Iwaasa (Canada), 15-9, 15-5

3. Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) d. 11. Elyse Duffie (USA), 15-2, 15-0
2. Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) d. 7. Graciana Wargo (USA), 15-1, 15-2

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Ana Laura Flores (Mexico) v. 4. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala)
2. Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) v. 3. Montserrat Mejia (Mexico)

U16 Girl's Singles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Valeria Centellas (Bolivia) d. 8. Juliette Parent (Canada), 15-0, 15-9
4. Guadalupe Griffin (Mexico) d. 5. Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador), 15-9, 15-6

3. Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) d. 6. Cassie Prentice (Canada), 15-2, 15-4
2. Maria Gutierrez (Mexico) d. 10. Annie Roberts (USA), 15-12, 15-10

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Valeria Centellas (Bolivia) v. 4. Guadalupe Griffin (Mexico)
2. Maria Gutierrez (Mexico) v. 3. Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica)

U14 Girl's Singles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Daniela Rico (Mexico) d. 9. Jasmin Aguilar (Guatemala), 15-4, 15-9
4. Heather Mahoney (USA) d. 5. Julia Stein (USA), 15-5, 15-3

3. Karime Estrella (Mexico) d. 6. Paula Mansilla (Chile), 15-0, 15-1
2. Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) d. 10. Tamara Wilscam (Canada), 15-0, 15-0

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Daniela Rico (Mexico) v. 4. Heather Mahoney (USA)
2. Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) v. 3. Karime Estrella (Mexico)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Doubles quarterfinal results from 2018 IRF World Junior Championships

The USA’s Ricardo Diaz and Dane Elkins, seeded 5th in Boy’s U18 Doubles, upset the 4th seeds Nathan Martinez and Jose Salvatierra of Guatemala, 7-15, 15-7, 11-8, in the quarterfinals at the 30th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico Thursday. Diaz and Elkins will face top seeds Gerson Miranda and Fernando Ruiz of Bolivia in the semi-finals Friday.

Miranda and Ruiz were walkover winners against the Canadian team of Simon Comeau and Kyle Dick, who were late withdrawals from the event.

There were no upsets on the other side of the draw, as 2nd seeds Julian Homberger and Andres Montero of Costa Rica beat 7th seeds Rafael Gatica and Johan Igor of Chile, 15-2, 15-9, and 3rd seeds Sebastian Fernandez and Rodrigo Rodriguez from Mexico defeated 6th seeds Sergio Ortega and Marco Sarmiento of Honduras, 15-7, 15-7.

There was a round robin between the five teams in Girl’s U18 Doubles, but apparently that’s not enough to determine the medalists, as there’s going to be a medal round of four team beginning on Friday. Mexicans Ana Laura Flores and Abril Sacristan will play the USA’s Hannah Carver and Megan Carver in one semi, and Ecuadorans Maria Jose Muñoz and Ana Lucia Sarmiento will play Canadians Alexis Iwaasa and Marjolaine Parent in the other semi. In the round robin, Mexico and Ecuador won these respective match-up, so we’ll see if they can do it again.

You can watch some of the action from San Luis Potosi via the IRF Facebook page.

30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - November 3-10, 2018

U18 Boy's Doubles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Gerson Miranda & Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia) d. Simon Comeau & Kyle Dick (Canada), forfeit
5. Ricardo Diaz & Dane Elkins (USA) d. 4. Nathan Martinez & Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 7-15, 15-7, 11-8

3. Sebastian Fernandez & Rodrigo Rodriguez (Mexico) d. 6. Sergio Ortega & Marco Sarmiento (Honduras), 15-7, 15-7
2. Julian Homberger & Andres Montero (Costa Rica) d. 7. Rafael Gatica & Johan Igor (Chile), 15-2, 15-9

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Gerson Miranda & Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia) v. 5. Ricardo Diaz & Dane Elkins (USA)
2. Julian Homberger & Andres Montero (Costa Rica) v. 3. Sebastian Fernandez & Rodrigo Rodriguez (Mexico)

U16 Boy's Doubles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Diego Garcia & Roberto Arellano (Bolivia) d. 8. Luis Perez & Bairon Rosil (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-2
5. Ian Frattinger & Sean Sauvé (Canada) d. 4. Esteban Rodriguez & Tomas Sanchez (Costa Rica), 5-15, 15-7, 11-8

3. Juan Flores & Esteban Janon (Ecuador) d. 6. Jaime Mansilla & Diego Gatica (Chile), 15-2, 15-14
2. Sebastian Longoria & Jose Ramos (Mexico) d. 7. Krish Thakur & Sahil Thakur (USA), 15-8, 15-0

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Diego Garcia & Roberto Arellano (Bolivia) v. 5. Ian Frattinger & Sean Sauvé (Canada)
2. Sebastian Longoria & Jose Ramos (Mexico) v. 3. Juan Flores & Esteban Janon (Ecuador)

U14 Boy's Doubles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Andrew Gleason & Timmy Hansen (USA) d. 9. Josue Garrido & Bruno Vasquez (Ecuador), 15-4, 15-4
4. Juan Rodriguez & Duvan Torres (Colombia) v. 5. Daniel Hanrahan & Keelan O’Gorman (Ireland), 15-5, 15-6

3. Luis Aguilar & Mateo Claros (Bolivia) d. 6. Luis Guillen & Antonio Sanchez (Costa Rica), 15-4, 15-4
2. Sebastian Hernandez & Omar Gonzalez (Mexico) v. 10. Jose Caceres & Kevin Flores (Guatemala), 15-6, 15-2

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Andrew Gleason & Timmy Hansen (USA) v. 4. Juan Rodriguez & Duvan Torres (Colombia)
2. Sebastian Hernandez & Omar Gonzalez (Mexico) v. 3. Luis Aguilar & Mateo Claros (Bolivia)

U18 Girl's Doubles - Round Robin

Thursday - Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico) d. Hannah Carver & Megan Carver (USA), 15-3, 15-0
Alexis Iwaasa & Marjolaine Parent (Canada) d. Aranxa Anguizola & Aslhy Barrantes (Costa Rica), 15-2, 15-2

Standings

1. Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico) - 4-0
2. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador) - 3-1
3. Alexis Iwaasa & Marjolaine Parent (Canada) - 2-2
4. Hannah Carver & Megan Carver (USA) - 1-3
5. Aranxa Anguizola & Aslhy Barrantes (Costa Rica) - 0-4

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico) v. 4. Hannah Carver & Megan Carver (USA)
2. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador) v. 3. Alexis Iwaasa & Marjolaine Parent (Canada)

U16 Girl's Doubles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Valeria Centellas & Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) - BYE
5. Sofia Freer & Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) d. 4. Annie Roberts & Erin Slutzky (USA), 15-3, 15-8

3. Juliette Parent & Cassie Prentice (Canada) d. 6. Paula Mansilla & Josefina Toro (Chile), 15-9, 15-6
2. Maria Gutierrez & Ximena Martinez (Mexico) - BYE

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Valeria Centellas & Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) v. 5. Sofia Freer & Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica)
2. Maria Gutierrez & Ximena Martinez (Mexico) v. 3. Juliette Parent & Cassie Prentice (Canada)

U14 Girl's Doubles

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Jessica Balderrama & Daniela Rico (Mexico) v. 4. Luz Abigail Rivera & Abigail Solano (Costa Rica)
2. Heather Mahoney & Julia Stein (USA) v. 3. Ofelia Wilscam & Tamara Wilscam (Canada)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Singles results from 2018 IRF World Junior Championships

Guatemalan Gabriela Martinez will begin her quest to finish off her junior years with a gold medal in Girl’s U18 to go with the Women’s Singles World Championship she won in August. She’ll play Canadian Alexis Iwaasa in the quarterfinals Thursday at the 30th edition of the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

A win against Iwaasa, and Martinez will likely play top seed Ana Laura Flores of Mexico in the semi-finals. Then if she makes the final, Martinez could face another Mexican in Montserrat Mejia, who is the defending Girl’s U18 gold medalist, as she defeated Martinez in last year’s final. Mejia also beat Martinez in the group stage earlier in the week. So, Martinez’s work is cut out for her.

In the Boy’s U18 division, Eduardo Portillo of Mexico is trying to get back to the final for a second consecutive year, and he beat Johan Igor of Chile, 15-1, 15-7. Portillo will face Nathan Martinez of Guatemala in the quarters, as Martinez defeated Pablo Freer of Costa Rica, 12-15, 15-4, 11-6, in the Round of 16.

You can watch some of the action from San Luis Potosi via the IRF Facebook page.

30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - November 3-10, 2018

U18 Boy's Singles

Round of 16

1. Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia) d. 16. Simon Comeau (Canada), forfeit
9. Dane Elkins (USA) d. 8. Felipe Cardona (Colombia), 15-10, 15-14

12. Nathan Martinez (Guatemala) d. 5. Pablo Freer (Costa Rica), 12-15, 15-4, 11-6
4. Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) d. 13. Johan Igor (Chile), 15-1, 15-7

3. Gerson Miranda (Bolivia) d. 14. Kyle Dick (Canada), forfeit
11. Ricardo Diaz (USA) d. 6. Marco Sarmiento (Honduras), 15-3, 15-3

7. Sergio Acuña (Costa Rica) d. 10. Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala), 15-7, 11-15, 11-1
2. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) d. 16. Sergio Ortega (Honduras), 15-4, 15-4

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia) v. 9. Dane Elkins (USA)
4. Eduardo Portillo (Mexico) v. 12. Nathan Martinez (Guatemala)

3. Gerson Miranda (Bolivia) v. 11. Ricardo Diaz (USA)
2. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) v. 7. Sergio Acuña (Costa Rica)

U16 Boy's Singles

Round of 32

1. Jose Ramos (Mexico) - BYE
16. Diego Gatica (Chile) d. 17. Paul Hynes (Ireland), 15-11, 15-14

9. Sean Sauvé (Canada) - BYE
8. Cayden Akins (USA) - BYE

5. Tomas Sanchez (Costa Rica) - BYE
12. Guillermo Ortega (Mexico) d. 21. Tomas Oyhanart (Argentina), 15-0, 15-4

13. Rafael Gatica (Chile) d. 20. Juan Segovia (Colombia), 15-6, 15-10
4. Adrian Jaldin (Bolivia) - BYE

3. Juan Flores (Ecuador) - BYE
19. Federico Viveros (Colombia) d. 14. Hector Sierra (Guatemala), 15-14, 15-9

11. Ian Frattinger (Canada) - BYE
6. Shail Thakur (USA) - BYE

7. Esteban Rodriguez (Costa Rica) - BYE
10. Esteban Janon (Ecuador) - BYE

15. Luis Perez (Guatemala) d. 18. Philip Moloney (Ireland), 15-1, 15-13
2. Diego Garcia (Bolivia) - BYE

Round of 16

1. Jose Ramos (Mexico) d. 16. Diego Gatica (Chile), 15-3, 15-4
8. Cayden Akins (USA) d. 9. Sean Sauvé (Canada), 15-13, 11-15, 11-7

12. Guillermo Ortega (Mexico) d. 5. Tomas Sanchez (Costa Rica), 15-12, 15-6
4. Adrian Jaldin (Bolivia) d. 13. Rafael Gatica (Chile), 15-6, 15-10

3. Juan Flores (Ecuador) d. 19. Federico Viveros (Colombia), 15-3, 15-5
6. Shail Thakur (USA) d. 11. Ian Frattinger (Canada), 6-15, 15-14, 11-7

10. Esteban Janon (Ecuador) d. 7. Esteban Rodriguez (Costa Rica), 15-4, 15-8
2. Diego Garcia (Bolivia) d. 15. Luis Perez (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-1

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Jose Ramos (Mexico) v. 8. Cayden Akins (USA)
4. Adrian Jaldin (Bolivia) v. 12. Guillermo Ortega (Mexico)

3. Juan Flores (Ecuador) v. 6. Shail Thakur (USA)
2. Diego Garcia (Bolivia) v. 10. Esteban Janon (Ecuador)

U14 Boy's Singles

Round of 32

1. Timmy Hansen (USA) - BYE
17. Bairon Rosil (Guatemala) d. 16. Christian Pocsai (Canada), 15-14, 15-9

9. Nathan Jauvin (Canada) - BYE
8. Juan Rodriguez (Colombia) - BYE

5. Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) - BYE
12. Jaime Mansilla (Chile) d. 21. Guillermo Gutierrez (Colombia), 15-1, 15-5

13. Antonio Sanchez (Costa Rica) d. 20. Manuel Oyhanart (Argentina), 15-3, 15-3
4. Sebastian Hernandez (Mexico) - BYE

3. Andrew Gleason (USA) - BYE
19. Josue Garrido (Ecuador) v. 14. Daniel Hanrahan (Ireland), 15-8, 15-5

11. Luis Gillen (Costa Rica) - BYE
6. Mateo Claros (Bolivia) - BYE

7. Bruno Vasquez (Ecuador) - BYE
10. Benjamin Vivar (Chile) - BYE

18. Kevin Flores (Guatemala) d. 15. Keelan O’Gorman (Ireland), 15-10, 15-6
2. Andres Ruelas (Mexico) - BYE

Round of 16

1. Timmy Hansen (USA) d. 17. Bairon Rosil (Guatemala), 15-0, 15-6
8. Juan Rodriguez (Colombia) d. 9. Nathan Jauvin (Canada), 15-3, 14-15, 11-0

5. Luis Aguilar (Bolivia) d. 12. Jaime Mansilla (Chile), 15-10, 15-13
4. Sebastian Hernandez (Mexico) d. 13. Antonio Sanchez (Costa Rica), 15-9, 15-7

3. Andrew Gleason (USA) d. 19. Josue Garrido (Ecuador), 15-3, 15-4
6. Mateo Claros (Bolivia) d. 11. Luis Gillen (Costa Rica), 15-2, 14-15, 11-4

7. Bruno Vasquez (Ecuador) d. 10. Benjamin Vivar (Chile), 15-5, 15-4
2. Andres Ruelas (Mexico) d. 18. Kevin Flores (Guatemala), 15-1, 15-6

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Timmy Hansen (USA) v. 8. Juan Rodriguez (Colombia)
4. Sebastian Hernandez (Mexico) v. 5. Luis Aguilar (Bolivia)

3. Andrew Gleason (USA) v. 6. Mateo Claros (Bolivia)
2. Andres Ruelas (Mexico) v. 7. Bruno Vasquez (Ecuador)

U18 Girl's Singles

Round of 16

1. Ana Laura Flores (Mexico) - BYE
9. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador) d. 8. Marjolaine Parent (Canada), 15-3, 15-2

5. Alexis Iwaasa (Canada) - BYE
4. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - BYE

3. Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - BYE
11. Elyse Duffie (USA) d. 6. Martina Katz (Argentina), 15-9, 15-7

7. Graciana Wargo (USA) d. 10. Aranxa Anguizola (Costa Rica), 15-5, 15-5
2. Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) - BYE

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Ana Laura Flores (Mexico) v. 9. Maria Jose Muñoz (Ecuador)
4. Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) v. 5. Alexis Iwaasa (Canada)

3. Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) v. 11. Elyse Duffie (USA)
2. Angelica Barrios (Bolivia) v. 7. Graciana Wargo (USA)

U16 Girl's Singles

Round of 16

1. Valeria Centellas (Bolivia) - BYE
8. Juliette Parent (Canada) d. 9. Jasmin Aguilar (Guatemala), 15-6, 15-0

5. Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador) d. 12. Fabiana Landi (Ecuador), 15-2, 15-3
4. Guadalupe Griffin (Mexico) d. 13. Martina Katz (Argentina), 15-6, 15-6

3. Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) d. 14. Aslhy Barrantes (Costa Rica), 15-1, 15-1
6. Cassie Prentice (Canada) d. 11. Josefina Toro (Chile), 15-10, 15-8

10. Annie Roberts (USA) d. 7. Erin Slutzky (USA), 15-10, 15-7
2. Maria Gutierrez (Mexico) - BYE

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Valeria Centellas (Bolivia) v. 8. Juliette Parent (Canada)
4. Guadalupe Griffin (Mexico) v. 5. Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador)

3. Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica) v. 6. Cassie Prentice (Canada)
2. Maria Gutierrez (Mexico) v. 10. Annie Roberts (USA)

U14 Girl's Singles

Round of 16

1. Daniela Rico (Mexico) - BYE
9. Jasmin Aguilar (Guatemala) d. 8. Abigail Solano (Costa Rica), 6-15, 15-7, 11-4

5. Julia Stein (USA) - BYE
4. Heather Mahoney (USA) - BYE

3. Jarime Estrella (Mexico) - BYE
6. Paula Mansilla (Chile) d. 11. Ofelia Wilscam (Canada), 15-10, 15-4

10. Tamara Wilscam (Canada) d. 7. Luz Abigail Rivera (Costa Rica), 15-0, 15-8
2. Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) - BYE

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Daniela Rico (Mexico) v. 9. Jasmin Aguilar (Guatemala)
4. Heather Mahoney (USA) v. 5. Julia Stein (USA)

3. Jarime Estrella (Mexico) v. 6. Paula Mansilla (Chile)
2. Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) v. 10. Tamara Wilscam (Canada)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Doubles results from the 2018 IRF World Junior Championships

Bolivians Gerson Miranda and Fernando Ruiz defeated Mexicans Sebastian Fernandez and Rodrigo Rodriguez, 15-13, 5-15, 11-6, in the last round of the group stage of Boy’s U18 doubles at the 30th International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico on Wednesday to claim the top seeding for the medal round that will begin on Thursday. The Mexicans are seeded 3rd.

Miranda and Ruiz will get a walkover win in the quarters, as the Canadian team was a late withdrawal from the tournament, so they await the winners of 4th seeds Nathan Martinez and Jose Salvatierra of Guatemala and 5th seeds Ricardo Diaz and Dane Elkins from the USA.

On the other side of the draw, Fernandez and Rodriguez will play Hondurans Sergio Ortega and Marco Sarmiento with the winners to play either 2nd seeds Julian Homberger and Andres Montero from Costa Rica or 7th seeds Rafael Gatica and Johan Igor of Chile.

In Girl’s U18 doubles, Mexicans Ana Laura Flores and Abril Sacristan won a battle of undefeated teams Wednesday, as they defeated Maria Jose Muñoz and Ana Lucia Sarmiento of Ecuador, 15-6, 15-5. The win likely assures Mexico the gold medal, as even if they lose their last match to the USA’s Hannah Carver and Megan Carver they would have the same record as Ecuador - 3 wins and 1 loss - but have won the head to head match.

The Carver sisters are 1-2 after losing to Canadians Alexis Iwaasa and Marjolaine Parent, 15-7, 15-6, on Wednesday, so they have the same record as Canada. But the Canadians play winless Costa Rica Thursday, while the USA plays undefeated Mexico, so Canada will likely finish 3rd and the USA 4th.

You can watch some of the action from San Luis Potosi via the IRF Facebook page.

30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - November 3-10, 2018

U18 Boy's Doubles

Group A

Wednesday - Gerson Miranda & Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia) d. Sebastian Fernandez & Rodrigo Rodriguez (Mexico), 15-13, 5-15, 11-6
Ricardo Diaz & Dane Elkins (USA) d. Rafael Gatica & Johan Igor (Chile), 15-11, 15-6

Group B

Wednesday - Julian Homberger & Andres Montero (Costa Rica) d. Sergio Ortega & Marco Sarmiento (Honduras), 15-6, 15-6
Nathan Martinez & Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Simon Comeau & Kyle Dick (Canada), forfeit

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Gerson Miranda & Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia) d. Simon Comeau & Kyle Dick (Canada), forfeit
4. Nathan Martinez & Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) v. 5. Ricardo Diaz & Dane Elkins (USA)

3. Sebastian Fernandez & Rodrigo Rodriguez (Mexico) v. 6. Sergio Ortega & Marco Sarmiento (Honduras)
2. Julian Homberger & Andres Montero (Costa Rica) v. 7. Rafael Gatica & Johan Igor (Chile)

U16 Boy's Doubles

Round of 16 - Wednesday

1. Diego Garcia & Roberto Arellano (Bolivia) - BYE
8. Luis Perez & Bairon Rosil (Guatemala) d. 9. Juan Segovia & Federico Viveros (Colombia), 15-9, 15-2

5. Ian Frattinger & Sean Sauvé (Canada) - BYE
4. Esteban Rodriguez & Tomas Sanchez (Costa Rica) - BYE

3. Juan Flores & Esteban Janon (Ecuador) - BYE
6. Jaime Mansilla & Diego Gatica (Chile)

7. Krish Thakur & Sahil Thakur (USA) d. 10. Paul Hynes & Philip Moloney (Ireland), 15-6, 15-8
2. Sebastian Longoria & Jose Ramos (Mexico) - BYE

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Diego Garcia & Roberto Arellano (Bolivia) v. 8. Luis Perez & Bairon Rosil (Guatemala)
4. Esteban Rodriguez & Tomas Sanchez (Costa Rica) v. 5. Ian Frattinger & Sean Sauvé (Canada)

3. Juan Flores & Esteban Janon (Ecuador) v. 6. Jaime Mansilla & Diego Gatica (Chile)
2. Sebastian Longoria & Jose Ramos (Mexico) v. 7. Krish Thakur & Sahil Thakur (USA)

U14 Boy's Doubles

Round of 16 - Wednesday

1. Andrew Gleason & Timmy Hansen (USA) - BYE
9. Josue Garrido & Bruno Vasquez (Ecuador) d. 8. Nathan Jauvin & Christian Pocsai (Canada), 15-1, 6-15, 11-6

5. Daniel Hanrahan & Keelan O’Gorman (Ireland) - BYE
4. Juan Rodriguez & Duvan Torres (Colombia) - BYE

3. Luis Aguilar & Mateo Claros (Bolivia) - BYE
6. Luis Guillen & Antonio Sanchez (Costa Rica) - BYE

10. Jose Caceres & Kevin Flores (Guatemala) d. 7. Jose Fernandez & Benjamin Vivar (Chile), 15-2, 15-8
2. Sebastian Hernandez & Omar Gonzalez (Mexico) - BYE

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Andrew Gleason & Timmy Hansen (USA) v. 9. Josue Garrido & Bruno Vasquez (Ecuador)
4. Juan Rodriguez & Duvan Torres (Colombia) v. 5. Daniel Hanrahan & Keelan O’Gorman (Ireland)

3. Luis Aguilar & Mateo Claros (Bolivia) v. 6. Luis Guillen & Antonio Sanchez (Costa Rica)
2. Sebastian Hernandez & Omar Gonzalez (Mexico) v. 10. Jose Caceres & Kevin Flores (Guatemala)

U18 Girl's Doubles - Round Robin

Wednesday - Alexis Iwaasa & Marjolaine Parent (Canada) d. Hannah Carver & Megan Carver (USA), 15-7, 15-6
Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico) d. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador), 15-6, 15-5

Standings

1. Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico) - 3-0
2. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador) - 3-1
4. Hannah Carver & Megan Carver (USA) - 1-2
4. Alexis Iwaasa & Marjolaine Parent (Canada) - 1-2
5. Aranxa Anguizola & Aslhy Barrantes (Costa Rica) - 0-3

U16 Girl's Doubles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Valeria Centellas & Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) - BYE
4. Annie Roberts & Erin Slutzky (USA) v. 5. Sofia Freer & Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica)

3. Juliette Parent & Cassie Prentice (Canada) v. 6. Paula Mansilla & Josefina Toro (Chile)
2. Maria Gutierrez & Ximena Martinez (Mexico) - BYE

U14 Girl's Doubles - Round Robin Group Stage

Wednesday - Jessica Balderrama & Daniela Rico (Mexico) d. Luz Abigail Rivera & Abigail Solano (Costa Rica), 15-0, 15-2
Heather Mahoney & Julia Stein (USA) d. Ofelia Wilscam & Tamara Wilscam (Canada), 15-5, 15-4

Standings

1. Jessica Balderrama & Daniela Rico (Mexico) - 3-0
2. Heather Mahoney & Julia Stein (USA) - 2-1
3. Ofelia Wilscam & Tamara Wilscam (Canada) - 1-2
4. Luz Abigail Rivera & Abigail Solano (Costa Rica) - 0-3

Semi-finals - Friday

1. Jessica Balderrama & Daniela Rico (Mexico) v. 4. Luz Abigail Rivera & Abigail Solano (Costa Rica)
2. Heather Mahoney & Julia Stein (USA) v. 3. Ofelia Wilscam & Tamara Wilscam (Canada)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Doubles competitions at the 2018 IRF World Junior Championships

The doubles divisions of the 30th edition of the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Junior Racquetball Championships in San Luis Potosi, Mexico are a mixture of round robin events and medal rounds. The Girl’s U18 and U14 divisions are round robin format competitions. The other divisions have straight draws for the medal rounds.

The Boy’s U16 and U14 medal rounds begin Wednesday, but Boy’s U18 will have one more round of their group stage before Wednesday before their medal round begins on Thursday.

You can watch some of the action from San Luis Potosi via the IRF Facebook page.

30th IRF World Junior Racquetball Championships
San Luis Potosi, Mexico - November 3-10, 2018

U18 Boy's Doubles

Group A

Wednesday - Sebastian Fernandez & Rodrigo Rodriguez (Mexico) v. Gerson Miranda & Fernando Ruiz (Bolivia)
Ricardo Diaz & Dane Elkins (USA) v. Rafael Gatica & Johan Igor (Chile)

Group B

Wednesday - Julian Homberger & Andres Montero (Costa Rica) v. Sergio Ortega & Marco Sarmiento (Honduras)
Nathan Martinez & Jose Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Simon Comeau & Kyle Dick (Canada), forfeit

U16 Boy's Doubles

Round of 16 - Wednesday

1. Diego Garcia & Roberto Arellano (Bolivia) - BYE
8. Luis Perez & Bairon Rosil (Guatemala) v. 9. Juan Segovia & Federico Viveros (Colombia)

5. Ian Frattinger & Sean Sauvé (Canada) - BYE
4. Esteban Rodriguez & Tomas Sanchez (Costa Rica) - BYE

3. Juan Flores & Esteban Janon (Ecuador) - BYE
6. Jaime Mansilla & Diego Gatica (Chile)

7. Krish Thakur & Sahil Thakur (USA) v. 10. Paul Hynes & Philip Moloney (Ireland)
2. Sebastian Longoria & Jose Ramos (Mexico) - BYE

U14 Boy's Doubles

Round of 16 - Wednesday

1. Andrew Gleason & Timmy Hansen (USA) - BYE
8. Nathan Jauvin & Christian Pocsai (Canada) v. 9. Josue Garrido & Bruno Vasquez (Ecuador)

5. Daniel Hanrahan & Keelan O’Gorman (Ireland) - BYE
4. Juan Rodriguez & Duvan Torres (Colombia) - BYE

3. Luis Aguilar & Mateo Claros (Bolivia) - BYE
6. Luis Guillen & Antonio Sanchez (Costa Rica) - BYE

7. Jose Fernandez & Benjamin Vivar (Chile) v. 10. Jose Caceres & Kevin Flores (Guatemala)
2. Sebastian Hernandez & Omar Gonzalez (Mexico) - BYE

U18 Girl's Doubles - Round Robin

Wednesday - Hannah Carver & Megan Carver (USA) v. Alexis Iwaasa & Marjolaine Parent (Canada)
Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador) v. Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico)

Standings

1. Maria Jose Muñoz & Ana Lucia Sarmiento (Ecuador) - 3-0
2. Ana Laura Flores & Abril Sacristan (Mexico) - 2-0
3. Hannah Carver & Megan Carver (USA) - 1-1
4. Alexis Iwaasa & Marjolaine Parent (Canada) - 0-2
5. Aranxa Anguizola & Aslhy Barrantes (Costa Rica) - 0-3

U16 Girl's Doubles

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1. Valeria Centellas & Micaela Meneses (Bolivia) - BYE
4. Annie Roberts & Erin Slutzky (USA) v. 5. Sofia Freer & Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica)

3. Juliette Parent & Cassie Prentice (Canada) v. 6. Paula Mansilla & Josefina Toro (Chile)
2. Maria Gutierrez & Ximena Martinez (Mexico) - BYE

U14 Girl's Doubles - Round Robin

Wednesday - Jessica Balderrama & Daniela Rico (Mexico) v. Luz Abigail Rivera & Abigail Solano (Costa Rica)
Heather Mahoney & Julia Stein (USA) v. Ofelia Wilscam & Tamara Wilscam (Canada)

Standings

1. Jessica Balderrama & Daniela Rico (Mexico) - 2-0
2. Ofelia Wilscam & Tamara Wilscam (Canada) - 1-1
2. Heather Mahoney & Julia Stein (USA) - 1-1
4. Luz Abigail Rivera & Abigail Solano (Costa Rica) - 0-2

Follow the bouncing ball….