Rocky Carson and Rhonda Rajsich won Men’s and Women’s Singles, respectively, at the 2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. They play singles at National Doubles, because qualifying for the US Team involves singles results from three events: US Open, singles at National Doubles, and singles at the National Singles Championships in May, rather than team qualifying being dependent on one tournament.
In Sunday’s men’s final, Carson defeated Charlie Pratt, 15-14, 15-3, in what was a battle of doubles partners, as Carson and Pratt competed together in the US Team Qualifying Doubles division in Tempe, where they won the title on Saturday by defeating Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz in the final.
Rajsich won the women’s final by beating 3rd seed Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-7, 15-11. It was a remarkable performance by Rajsich, and perhaps a case of “what might have been” for Bailey Lawrence. In game one, Bailey Lawrence was up 7-3, and looked to be in control. But Rajsich scored 12 unanswered points to win 15-7. Bailey Lawrence served a few times in that stretch, but failed to score any points, and the the two timeouts she took weren’t effective in stopping Rajsich.
In game two, Rajsich took an injury timeout, leading 3-2. She seemed to injury her right knee chasing down the ball in the front court. Nothing seemed to be especially wrong, but 12 min went by before play resumed.
Bailey Lawrence scored five points to make the score 7-3, and it looked like she was going to take advantage of Rajsich’s injury. However, Rajsich is nothing if not a fighter, so there was no way she was going to go away quietly.
Rajsich came back and tied the score at 7-7, and then they were back and forth. Bailey Lawrence led twice and Rajsich once en route to an 11-11 tie. From there Rajsich scored three points to reach match point at 14-11. But she skipped a forehand shot to give the serve back to Bailey Lawrence.
However, Bailey Lawrence failed to take advantage, although she had a glorious chance with a backhand set up in the front court. She hit it cross court and left it up, so Rajsich was able to hit a forehand cross court shot for a winner. There are few times when a soft, drop shot is a good choice in racquetball, but that might have been a better option, given Rajsich’s condition.
With the serve back, Rajsich hit a backhand half lob serve to the right side as a second serve, and Bailey Lawrence stepped up to take an aggressive return, but hit it right into the floor. That was the last of too many unforced errors by Bailey Lawrence that helped Rajsich to victory.
If you missed any of the action from Tempe, check out the USA Racquetball Livestream site, where the matches are archived. The 2019 USA Racquetball National Singles Championships will be May 22-26 in Denver, Colorado.
2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men’s Singles
Final - Sunday
1) Rocky Carson d. 2) Charlie Pratt, 15-14, 15-3
Women's Singles
Final - Sunday
1) Rhonda Rajsich d. 3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence, 15-7, 15-11
Follow the bouncing ball....
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Carson & Pratt, Ruiz & Tisinger-Ledkins are the 2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Champions
Rocky Carson and Charlie Pratt and Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger-Ledkins are the 2019 Champions in Men’s and Women’s Doubles, respectively, as they won their finals Saturday at the 2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Carson and Pratt defeated 3rd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz, 15-8, 5-15, 11-7, while Ruiz and Tisinger-Ledkins beat Michelle De La Rosa and Danielle Maddux, 15-7, 15-7.
Carson won the US National Doubles title for the 11th time, and with the sixth different partner. He’s won the last three years running, but with three different partners: Jose Diaz in 2017, Sudsy Monchik in 2018 and now Pratt. Carson won his first six doubles titles with Jack Huczek, but the last five have been with five different partners. In addition to Diaz, Monchik and Pratt, Carson has won with Ben Croft in 2012 and Jose Rojas in 2014. In contrast, Pratt won for the first time this year.
Ruiz and Tisinger-Ledkins are also no strangers to the winner’s circle. They won for the fifth time, and fifth time in the last seven years. In addition, Ruiz won the US National Doubles title for seven straight years from 2005 to 2011. The first two years were with Laura Fenton and the last five were with Jackie Paraiso.
Singles divisions
All four semi-finals in Men’s and Women’s Singles matches were won two straight by the higher seeded player. Men’s top seed Rocky Carson defeated 5th seed Jose Diaz, 15-11, 15-8, in one semi, with Charlie Pratt - Carson’s doubles partner - beat David Horn, 15-5, 15-10. Thus, doubles partners will face off in the Men’s Singles final.
In Women’s Singles, top seed Rhonda Rajsich beat Hollie Scott, 15-11, 15-8, in the semi-finals and advanced to the the final on Sunday. Rajsich opponent in the final will be Kelani Bailey Lawrence, who was a straight gave winner over Janel Tisinger-Ledkins, 15-6, 15-12.
They are playing singles also at the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships, because qualifying for the US Team involves singles results from three events: US Open, singles at National Doubles, and singles at the National Singles Championships in May.
You can watch the action live from Tempe via the USA Racquetball Livestream site, and the matches are archived on that site for viewing later. The Men’s and Women’s Singles finals are on Sunday. Note the match times below are Mountain time.
2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's Doubles
Final - Saturday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt d. 3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz, 15-8, 5-15, 11-7
Women's Doubles
Final - Saturday
3) Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins d. 5) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux, 15-7, 15-7
Men’s Singles
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rocky Carson d. 5) Jose Diaz, 15-11, 15-8
2) Charlie Pratt d. 3) David Horn, 15-5, 15-10
Final - Sunday
1) Rocky Carson v. 2) Charlie Pratt - 12:40 PM
Women's Singles
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rhonda Rajsich d. 5) Hollie Scott, 15-11, 15-8
3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 7) Janel Tisinger-Ledkins, 15-6, 15-12
Final - Sunday
1) Rhonda Rajsich v. 3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - 11:30 AM
Follow the bouncing ball....
Carson won the US National Doubles title for the 11th time, and with the sixth different partner. He’s won the last three years running, but with three different partners: Jose Diaz in 2017, Sudsy Monchik in 2018 and now Pratt. Carson won his first six doubles titles with Jack Huczek, but the last five have been with five different partners. In addition to Diaz, Monchik and Pratt, Carson has won with Ben Croft in 2012 and Jose Rojas in 2014. In contrast, Pratt won for the first time this year.
Ruiz and Tisinger-Ledkins are also no strangers to the winner’s circle. They won for the fifth time, and fifth time in the last seven years. In addition, Ruiz won the US National Doubles title for seven straight years from 2005 to 2011. The first two years were with Laura Fenton and the last five were with Jackie Paraiso.
Singles divisions
All four semi-finals in Men’s and Women’s Singles matches were won two straight by the higher seeded player. Men’s top seed Rocky Carson defeated 5th seed Jose Diaz, 15-11, 15-8, in one semi, with Charlie Pratt - Carson’s doubles partner - beat David Horn, 15-5, 15-10. Thus, doubles partners will face off in the Men’s Singles final.
In Women’s Singles, top seed Rhonda Rajsich beat Hollie Scott, 15-11, 15-8, in the semi-finals and advanced to the the final on Sunday. Rajsich opponent in the final will be Kelani Bailey Lawrence, who was a straight gave winner over Janel Tisinger-Ledkins, 15-6, 15-12.
They are playing singles also at the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships, because qualifying for the US Team involves singles results from three events: US Open, singles at National Doubles, and singles at the National Singles Championships in May.
You can watch the action live from Tempe via the USA Racquetball Livestream site, and the matches are archived on that site for viewing later. The Men’s and Women’s Singles finals are on Sunday. Note the match times below are Mountain time.
2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's Doubles
Final - Saturday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt d. 3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz, 15-8, 5-15, 11-7
Women's Doubles
Final - Saturday
3) Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins d. 5) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux, 15-7, 15-7
Men’s Singles
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rocky Carson d. 5) Jose Diaz, 15-11, 15-8
2) Charlie Pratt d. 3) David Horn, 15-5, 15-10
Final - Sunday
1) Rocky Carson v. 2) Charlie Pratt - 12:40 PM
Women's Singles
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rhonda Rajsich d. 5) Hollie Scott, 15-11, 15-8
3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 7) Janel Tisinger-Ledkins, 15-6, 15-12
Final - Sunday
1) Rhonda Rajsich v. 3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - 11:30 AM
Follow the bouncing ball....
Friday, February 8, 2019
Friday results from 2019 USA National Doubles Championships
There are 7 different finalists in the Men’s and Women’s Doubles finals at the 2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona with Rocky Carson being the only repeat. Carson and Charlie Pratt are seeded first in Men’s Doubles, and they defeated Adam Manilla and Nicholas Riffel, 15-11, 15-9, in the semi-finals Friday. They’ll play 3rd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz, who were upset winners over 2nd seeds David Horn and Mauro Rojas, 15-9, 15-11.
The Women’s Doubles final will be completely different from last year, but exactly the same as 2013, when Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger won the title over sisters Danielle Key and Michelle Key. A few years - and some marriages - later and it’ll be Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger-Ledkins versus Danielle Maddux and Michelle De La Rosa in the 2019 final.
Both teams needed tie-breakers to get to the final. In the semi-finals, Maddux and De La Rosa narrowly defeated defending champions and top seeds Kelani Bailey Lawrence and Sharon Jackson, 9-15, 15-9, 11-10, while Ruiz and Tisinger-Ledkins came back from a game down to oust last year’s runners up Rhonda Rajsich and Sheryl Lotts, 6-15, 15-13, 11-2.
Singles divisions
There have been some great singles matches at the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Singles at doubles? Yes, because qualifying for the US Team involves singles results from three events: US Open, singles at National Doubles, and singles at the National Singles Championships in May.
Both the Men’s #1 and #2 seeds needed tie-breakers to win their respective semi-final matches. Top seed Rocky Carson had to fend off match point in game two, as he defeated Erik Garcia, 14-15, 15-14, 11-3. Carson will play 5th seed Jose Diaz in the semis, as Diaz upset 4th seed Adam Manilla, 15-13, 11-15, 11-2.
Second seed Charlie Pratt was pushed to three games in the quarterfinals by 10th seed Thomas Carter, but managed to prevail in the breaker, winning, 15-12, 6-15, 11-2. Afterwards, Pratt said “I’m a streaky player,” and he started strong, then sagged a bit - Carter led 8-0 in game two - before pulling it out in three. “Today it was me,” said Pratt.
Third seed David Horn won a close match with Jake Bredenbeck, 15-9, 15-12, to set up a showdown with Pratt in the semis.
In Women’s Singles, Hollie Scott produced the result of the day, as the 5th seed was a decisive winner over 4th seed Sheryl Lotts, 15-0, 15-6. It’s an impressive result, especially as we thought Lotts played very well at the last Ladies Professional Racquetball Event (LPRT) in January. Scott will play top seed Rhonda Rajsich in the semi-finals, as Rajsich beat 8th seed Erika Manilla, 15-4, 15-11.
On the other side of the draw, 7th seed Janel Tisinger-Ledkins defeated 2nd seed Sharon Jackson, 15-6, 7-15, 11-10, and will play 3rd seed Kelani Bailey Lawrence, who was a straight winner over Adrienne Haynes, 15-3, 15-11.
You can watch the action live from Tempe via the USA Racquetball Livestream site, and the matches are archived on that site for viewing later. The Men’s and Women’s Doubles finals will be Saturday afternoon with the Singles finals on Sunday. Note the match times below are Mountain time.
2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's Doubles
Semi-finals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt d. 4) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel, 15-11, 15-9
3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 2) David Horn & Mauro Rojas, 15-9, 15-11
Final - Saturday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt v. 3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - 7:40 PM
Women's Doubles
Semi-finals - Friday
5) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux d. 1) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sharon Jackson, 9-15, 15-9, 11-10
3) Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins d. 2) Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts, 6-15, 15-13, 11-2
Final - Saturday
3) Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins v. 5) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux - 5:20 PM
Men’s Singles
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson d. 8) Erik Garcia, 14-15, 15-14, 11-3
5) Jose Diaz d. 4) Adam Manilla, 15-13, 11-15, 11-2
3) David Horn d. 6) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-9, 15-12
2) Charlie Pratt d. 10) Thomas Carter, 15-12, 6-15, 11-2
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rocky Carson v. 5) Jose Diaz - 3 PM
2) Charlie Pratt v. 3) David Horn - 12:40 PM
Women's Singles
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rhonda Rajsich d. 8) Erika Manilla, 15-4, 15-11
5) Hollie Scott d. 4) Sheryl Lotts, 15-0, 15-6
3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 6) Adrienne Haynes, 15-3, 15-11
7) Janel Tisinger-Ledkins d. 2) Sharon Jackson, 15-6, 7-15, 11-10
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rhonda Rajsich v. 5) Hollie Scott - 11:30 AM
3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 7) Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - 1:50 PM
Follow the bouncing ball....
The Women’s Doubles final will be completely different from last year, but exactly the same as 2013, when Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger won the title over sisters Danielle Key and Michelle Key. A few years - and some marriages - later and it’ll be Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger-Ledkins versus Danielle Maddux and Michelle De La Rosa in the 2019 final.
Both teams needed tie-breakers to get to the final. In the semi-finals, Maddux and De La Rosa narrowly defeated defending champions and top seeds Kelani Bailey Lawrence and Sharon Jackson, 9-15, 15-9, 11-10, while Ruiz and Tisinger-Ledkins came back from a game down to oust last year’s runners up Rhonda Rajsich and Sheryl Lotts, 6-15, 15-13, 11-2.
Singles divisions
There have been some great singles matches at the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Singles at doubles? Yes, because qualifying for the US Team involves singles results from three events: US Open, singles at National Doubles, and singles at the National Singles Championships in May.
Both the Men’s #1 and #2 seeds needed tie-breakers to win their respective semi-final matches. Top seed Rocky Carson had to fend off match point in game two, as he defeated Erik Garcia, 14-15, 15-14, 11-3. Carson will play 5th seed Jose Diaz in the semis, as Diaz upset 4th seed Adam Manilla, 15-13, 11-15, 11-2.
Second seed Charlie Pratt was pushed to three games in the quarterfinals by 10th seed Thomas Carter, but managed to prevail in the breaker, winning, 15-12, 6-15, 11-2. Afterwards, Pratt said “I’m a streaky player,” and he started strong, then sagged a bit - Carter led 8-0 in game two - before pulling it out in three. “Today it was me,” said Pratt.
Third seed David Horn won a close match with Jake Bredenbeck, 15-9, 15-12, to set up a showdown with Pratt in the semis.
In Women’s Singles, Hollie Scott produced the result of the day, as the 5th seed was a decisive winner over 4th seed Sheryl Lotts, 15-0, 15-6. It’s an impressive result, especially as we thought Lotts played very well at the last Ladies Professional Racquetball Event (LPRT) in January. Scott will play top seed Rhonda Rajsich in the semi-finals, as Rajsich beat 8th seed Erika Manilla, 15-4, 15-11.
On the other side of the draw, 7th seed Janel Tisinger-Ledkins defeated 2nd seed Sharon Jackson, 15-6, 7-15, 11-10, and will play 3rd seed Kelani Bailey Lawrence, who was a straight winner over Adrienne Haynes, 15-3, 15-11.
You can watch the action live from Tempe via the USA Racquetball Livestream site, and the matches are archived on that site for viewing later. The Men’s and Women’s Doubles finals will be Saturday afternoon with the Singles finals on Sunday. Note the match times below are Mountain time.
2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's Doubles
Semi-finals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt d. 4) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel, 15-11, 15-9
3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 2) David Horn & Mauro Rojas, 15-9, 15-11
Final - Saturday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt v. 3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - 7:40 PM
Women's Doubles
Semi-finals - Friday
5) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux d. 1) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sharon Jackson, 9-15, 15-9, 11-10
3) Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins d. 2) Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts, 6-15, 15-13, 11-2
Final - Saturday
3) Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins v. 5) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux - 5:20 PM
Men’s Singles
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson d. 8) Erik Garcia, 14-15, 15-14, 11-3
5) Jose Diaz d. 4) Adam Manilla, 15-13, 11-15, 11-2
3) David Horn d. 6) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-9, 15-12
2) Charlie Pratt d. 10) Thomas Carter, 15-12, 6-15, 11-2
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rocky Carson v. 5) Jose Diaz - 3 PM
2) Charlie Pratt v. 3) David Horn - 12:40 PM
Women's Singles
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rhonda Rajsich d. 8) Erika Manilla, 15-4, 15-11
5) Hollie Scott d. 4) Sheryl Lotts, 15-0, 15-6
3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence d. 6) Adrienne Haynes, 15-3, 15-11
7) Janel Tisinger-Ledkins d. 2) Sharon Jackson, 15-6, 7-15, 11-10
Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Rhonda Rajsich v. 5) Hollie Scott - 11:30 AM
3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 7) Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - 1:50 PM
Follow the bouncing ball....
Day one results from 2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles
They are through the first day of competition at the USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, and it’s mostly gone according to the seeding. However, in Women’s Doubles 5th seeds Michelle De La Rosa and Danielle Maddux upset 4th seeds Erika Manilla and Hollie Scott, 15-9, 15-10, and will play top seeds Kelani Bailey Lawrence and Sharon Jackson in the semi-finals on Friday.
In men’s play, top seeds Rocky Carson and Charlie Pratt are though to the semis after beating Justus Benson and Erik Garcia, 15-7, 15-7, in the quarterfinals. They’ll play 4th seeds Adam Manilla and Nicholas Riffel, who needed a tie-breaker to defeat 5th seeds Thomas Carter and Fernando Rivera, 15-9, 10-15, 11-0.
Second seeds David Horn and Mauro Rojas defeated Sam Bredenbeck and Robert Collins, 15-3, 15-13, in the quarters. They’ll play 3rd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz, who were winners over Tim Herman and Michael Myers, 15-7, 15-4.
Singles Play
In Men’s Singles play, Thomas Carter had the only upset in the Round of 16, as Carter - seeded 10th - beat 7th Mauro Rojas, 15-9, 15-8. Carter will play 2nd seed Charlie Pratt in the quarterfinals Friday. Top seed Rocky Carson will play 8th seed Erik Garcia, who squeaked by 9th seed Robert Collins in a tie-breaker, 15-4, 6-15, 11-9.
The only other Round of 16 match to go breaker was a brother face off with Jake Bredenbeck coming out on top of his younger brother Sam, 15-13, 14-15, 11-0.
There was only one match in Women’s Singles Thursday. Eighth seed Erika Manilla defeated 9th seed Erin Boadway, 15-4, 15-5, and will play top seed Rhonda Rajsich in the semi-finals Friday.
You can watch some of the action live from Tempe via the USA Racquetball website. The Men’s and Women’s Doubles finals will be Saturday afternoon with the Singles finals on Sunday. Note the match times below are Mountain time.
2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's Doubles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt - BYE
9) Justus Benson & Erik Garcia d. 8) Luis Avila & Sebastian Fernandez, 15-12, 15-6
5) Thomas Carter & Fernando Rivera - BYE
4) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - BYE
3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
6) Tim Herman & Michael Myers - BYE
7) Sam Bredenbeck & Robert Collins - BYE
2) David Horn & Mauro Rojas - BYE
Quarterfinals - Thursday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt d. 9) Justus Benson & Erik Garcia, 15-7, 15-7
4) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel d. 5) Thomas Carter & Fernando Rivera, 15-9, 10-15, 11-0
3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 6) Tim Herman & Michael Myers, 15-7, 15-4
2) David Horn & Mauro Rojas d. 7) Sam Bredenbeck & Robert Collins, 15-3, 15-13
Semi-finals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt v. 4) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - 7:40 PM
2) David Horn & Mauro Rojas v. 3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - 5:20 PM
Women's Doubles
Quarterfinals - Thursday
1) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sharon Jackson - BYE
5) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux d. 4) Erika Manilla & Hollie Scott, 15-9, 15-10
3) Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - BYE
2) Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts - BYE
Semi-finals - Friday
1) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sharon Jackson v. 5) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux - 6:30 PM
2) Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts v. 3) Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - 4:10 PM
Men’s Singles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Rocky Carson - BYE
8) Erik Garcia d. 9) Robert Collins, 15-4, 6-15, 11-9
5) Jose Diaz d. 12) Nicholas Riffel, 15-2, 15-8
4) Adam Manilla d. 13) Justus Benson, 15-9, 15-5
3) David Horn d. 14) Ryan Patterson, 15-1, 15-2
6) Jake Bredenbeck d. 11) Sam Bredenbeck, 15-13, 14-15, 11-0
10) Thomas Carter d. 7) Mauro Rojas, 15-9, 15-8
2) Charlie Pratt - BYE
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. 8) Erik Garcia - 3:00 PM
4) Adam Manilla v. 5) Jose Diaz - 10:20 AM
3) David Horn v. 6) Jake Bredenbeck - 11:30 AM
2) Charlie Pratt v. 10) Thomas Carter - 12:40 PM
Women's Singles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
8) Erika Manilla d. 9) Erin Boadway, 15-4, 15-5
5) Hollie Scott - BYE
4) Sheryl Lotts - BYE
3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - BYE
6) Adrienne Haynes - BYE
7) Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - BYE
2) Sharon Jackson - BYE
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rhonda Rajsich v. 8) Erika Manilla - 11:30 AM
4) Sheryl Lotts v. 5) Hollie Scott - 10:20 AM
3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 6) Adrienne Haynes - 12:40 PM
2) Sharon Jackson v. 7) Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - 1:50 PM
Follow the bouncing ball....
In men’s play, top seeds Rocky Carson and Charlie Pratt are though to the semis after beating Justus Benson and Erik Garcia, 15-7, 15-7, in the quarterfinals. They’ll play 4th seeds Adam Manilla and Nicholas Riffel, who needed a tie-breaker to defeat 5th seeds Thomas Carter and Fernando Rivera, 15-9, 10-15, 11-0.
Second seeds David Horn and Mauro Rojas defeated Sam Bredenbeck and Robert Collins, 15-3, 15-13, in the quarters. They’ll play 3rd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz, who were winners over Tim Herman and Michael Myers, 15-7, 15-4.
Singles Play
In Men’s Singles play, Thomas Carter had the only upset in the Round of 16, as Carter - seeded 10th - beat 7th Mauro Rojas, 15-9, 15-8. Carter will play 2nd seed Charlie Pratt in the quarterfinals Friday. Top seed Rocky Carson will play 8th seed Erik Garcia, who squeaked by 9th seed Robert Collins in a tie-breaker, 15-4, 6-15, 11-9.
The only other Round of 16 match to go breaker was a brother face off with Jake Bredenbeck coming out on top of his younger brother Sam, 15-13, 14-15, 11-0.
There was only one match in Women’s Singles Thursday. Eighth seed Erika Manilla defeated 9th seed Erin Boadway, 15-4, 15-5, and will play top seed Rhonda Rajsich in the semi-finals Friday.
You can watch some of the action live from Tempe via the USA Racquetball website. The Men’s and Women’s Doubles finals will be Saturday afternoon with the Singles finals on Sunday. Note the match times below are Mountain time.
2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's Doubles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt - BYE
9) Justus Benson & Erik Garcia d. 8) Luis Avila & Sebastian Fernandez, 15-12, 15-6
5) Thomas Carter & Fernando Rivera - BYE
4) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - BYE
3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
6) Tim Herman & Michael Myers - BYE
7) Sam Bredenbeck & Robert Collins - BYE
2) David Horn & Mauro Rojas - BYE
Quarterfinals - Thursday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt d. 9) Justus Benson & Erik Garcia, 15-7, 15-7
4) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel d. 5) Thomas Carter & Fernando Rivera, 15-9, 10-15, 11-0
3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz d. 6) Tim Herman & Michael Myers, 15-7, 15-4
2) David Horn & Mauro Rojas d. 7) Sam Bredenbeck & Robert Collins, 15-3, 15-13
Semi-finals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt v. 4) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - 7:40 PM
2) David Horn & Mauro Rojas v. 3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - 5:20 PM
Women's Doubles
Quarterfinals - Thursday
1) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sharon Jackson - BYE
5) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux d. 4) Erika Manilla & Hollie Scott, 15-9, 15-10
3) Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - BYE
2) Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts - BYE
Semi-finals - Friday
1) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sharon Jackson v. 5) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux - 6:30 PM
2) Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts v. 3) Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - 4:10 PM
Men’s Singles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Rocky Carson - BYE
8) Erik Garcia d. 9) Robert Collins, 15-4, 6-15, 11-9
5) Jose Diaz d. 12) Nicholas Riffel, 15-2, 15-8
4) Adam Manilla d. 13) Justus Benson, 15-9, 15-5
3) David Horn d. 14) Ryan Patterson, 15-1, 15-2
6) Jake Bredenbeck d. 11) Sam Bredenbeck, 15-13, 14-15, 11-0
10) Thomas Carter d. 7) Mauro Rojas, 15-9, 15-8
2) Charlie Pratt - BYE
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rocky Carson v. 8) Erik Garcia - 3:00 PM
4) Adam Manilla v. 5) Jose Diaz - 10:20 AM
3) David Horn v. 6) Jake Bredenbeck - 11:30 AM
2) Charlie Pratt v. 10) Thomas Carter - 12:40 PM
Women's Singles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
8) Erika Manilla d. 9) Erin Boadway, 15-4, 15-5
5) Hollie Scott - BYE
4) Sheryl Lotts - BYE
3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - BYE
6) Adrienne Haynes - BYE
7) Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - BYE
2) Sharon Jackson - BYE
Quarterfinals - Friday
1) Rhonda Rajsich v. 8) Erika Manilla - 11:30 AM
4) Sheryl Lotts v. 5) Hollie Scott - 10:20 AM
3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence v. 6) Adrienne Haynes - 12:40 PM
2) Sharon Jackson v. 7) Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - 1:50 PM
Follow the bouncing ball....
Thursday, February 7, 2019
2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships - Preview
The USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships begin today at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Rocky Carson and Sudsy Monchik are the defending Men’s Doubles Champions, but Monchik isn’t competing this year, so Carson has teamed up with Charlie Pratt, and they are the top seeds. The 2nd seeds are last year’s surprise finalists David Horn and Mauro Rojas.
Both Carson and Monchik and Horn and Rojas advanced to the finals last year by winning their respective semi-finals in tie-breakers, coincidentally both finished 11-8, and the teams they beat are both back this year. Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz are seeded 3rd, and Adam Manilla and Nicholas Riffel are the 4th seeds. So, it should be another exciting championship.
The women's draw should also produce exciting matches, because all the teams are strong, although there are only five of them. Kelani Bailey Lawrence and Sharon Jackson are the defending Women’s Doubles Champions, so are the #1 seeds with Sheryl Lotts and Rhonda Rajsich seeded #2. Multiple US Doubles Champions Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger-Ledkins are the 3rd seeds. They’ve won four times together, and Ruiz has won seven more times with other partners.
The young team of Erika Manilla and Hollie Scott are the 4th seeds, but the dark horse team of the event could be 5th seeds Michelle De La Rosa and Danielle Maddux. De La Rosa and Maddux were runners up - to Ruiz and Tisinger-Ledkins - in this competition back in 2013, when the sisters were still playing under their maiden name of Key.
The big prize for all these teams to play for - in addition to being the US National Champions - is a berth on the US Team that will play at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru this August. The Pan Am Games is biggest multi-sport event racquetball is a part of, so it’s a special event.
When the Pan Am Games were in Toronto in 2015, the US Men’s Doubles team was Jansen Allen and Jose Rojas and the Women’s Team was Rajsich and Kim Russell-Waselenchuk. Of those competing this week in Tempe, only Rajsich (in 2011 & 2015) and Ruiz (2011) have played doubles at the Pan Am Games (De La Rosa did play singles at the 2015 Pan Am Games). None of the men have, although Jake Bredenback (2015) and Carson (2003, 2011, 2015) have played singles at the Pan Am Games.
Singles Play
The top players are also playing singles in Tempe, as part of qualifying for the team that will represent the USA at the Pan Am Games in August. Carson and Pratt are the #1 and #2 men’s seeds, respectively. Horn is 3rd seed and Manilla is 4th.
Rajsich is #1 seed on the women’s side with Jackson as #2 seed. The 3rd seed is Bailey-Lawrence and Lotts is the 4th seed.
You can watch some of the action live from Tempe via the USA Racquetball website. The Men’s and Women’s Doubles finals will be Saturday afternoon with the Singles finals on Sunday. Note the match times below are Mountain time.
2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's Doubles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt - BYE
8) Luis Avila & Sebastian Fernandez v. 9) Justus Benson & Erik Garcia
5) Thomas Carter & Fernando Rivera - BYE
4) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - BYE
3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
6) Tim Herman & Michael Myers - BYE
7) Sam Bredenbeck & Robert Collins - BYE
2) David Horn & Mauro Rojas - BYE
Quarterfinals - Thursday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt v. 8) Luis Avila & Sebastian Fernandez or 9) Justus Benson & Erik Garcia - 5:45 PM
4) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel v. 5) Thomas Carter & Fernando Rivera
3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 6) Tim Herman & Michael Myers - 12:20 PM
2) David Horn & Mauro Rojas v. 7) Sam Bredenbeck & Robert Collins - 1:25 PM
Women's Doubles
Quarterfinals - Thursday
1) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sharon Jackson - BYE
4) Erika Manilla & Hollie Scott v. 5) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux - 4:40 PM
3) Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - BYE
2) Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts - BYE
Men’s Singles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Rocky Carson - BYE
8) Erik Garcia v. 9) Robert Collins - 3:35 PM
5) Jose Diaz v. 12) Nicholas Riffel - 6:50 PM
4) Adam Manilla v. 13) Justus Benson - 2:30 PM
3) David Horn v. 14) Ryan Patterson - 11:15 AM
6) Jake Bredenbeck v. 11) Sam Bredenbeck - 4:40 PM
7) Mauro Rojas v. 10) Thomas Carter - 6:50 PM
2) Charlie Pratt - BYE
Women's Singles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
8) Erika Manilla v. 9) Erin Boadway - 7:55 PM
5) Hollie Scott - BYE
4) Sheryl Lotts - BYE
3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - BYE
6) Adrienne Haynes - BYE
7) Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - BYE
2) Sharon Jackson - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Both Carson and Monchik and Horn and Rojas advanced to the finals last year by winning their respective semi-finals in tie-breakers, coincidentally both finished 11-8, and the teams they beat are both back this year. Jake Bredenbeck and Jose Diaz are seeded 3rd, and Adam Manilla and Nicholas Riffel are the 4th seeds. So, it should be another exciting championship.
The women's draw should also produce exciting matches, because all the teams are strong, although there are only five of them. Kelani Bailey Lawrence and Sharon Jackson are the defending Women’s Doubles Champions, so are the #1 seeds with Sheryl Lotts and Rhonda Rajsich seeded #2. Multiple US Doubles Champions Aimee Ruiz and Janel Tisinger-Ledkins are the 3rd seeds. They’ve won four times together, and Ruiz has won seven more times with other partners.
The young team of Erika Manilla and Hollie Scott are the 4th seeds, but the dark horse team of the event could be 5th seeds Michelle De La Rosa and Danielle Maddux. De La Rosa and Maddux were runners up - to Ruiz and Tisinger-Ledkins - in this competition back in 2013, when the sisters were still playing under their maiden name of Key.
The big prize for all these teams to play for - in addition to being the US National Champions - is a berth on the US Team that will play at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru this August. The Pan Am Games is biggest multi-sport event racquetball is a part of, so it’s a special event.
When the Pan Am Games were in Toronto in 2015, the US Men’s Doubles team was Jansen Allen and Jose Rojas and the Women’s Team was Rajsich and Kim Russell-Waselenchuk. Of those competing this week in Tempe, only Rajsich (in 2011 & 2015) and Ruiz (2011) have played doubles at the Pan Am Games (De La Rosa did play singles at the 2015 Pan Am Games). None of the men have, although Jake Bredenback (2015) and Carson (2003, 2011, 2015) have played singles at the Pan Am Games.
Singles Play
The top players are also playing singles in Tempe, as part of qualifying for the team that will represent the USA at the Pan Am Games in August. Carson and Pratt are the #1 and #2 men’s seeds, respectively. Horn is 3rd seed and Manilla is 4th.
Rajsich is #1 seed on the women’s side with Jackson as #2 seed. The 3rd seed is Bailey-Lawrence and Lotts is the 4th seed.
You can watch some of the action live from Tempe via the USA Racquetball website. The Men’s and Women’s Doubles finals will be Saturday afternoon with the Singles finals on Sunday. Note the match times below are Mountain time.
2019 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships
Tempe, Arizona
US National Team Divisions
Men's Doubles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt - BYE
8) Luis Avila & Sebastian Fernandez v. 9) Justus Benson & Erik Garcia
5) Thomas Carter & Fernando Rivera - BYE
4) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel - BYE
3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz - BYE
6) Tim Herman & Michael Myers - BYE
7) Sam Bredenbeck & Robert Collins - BYE
2) David Horn & Mauro Rojas - BYE
Quarterfinals - Thursday
1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt v. 8) Luis Avila & Sebastian Fernandez or 9) Justus Benson & Erik Garcia - 5:45 PM
4) Adam Manilla & Nicholas Riffel v. 5) Thomas Carter & Fernando Rivera
3) Jake Bredenbeck & Jose Diaz v. 6) Tim Herman & Michael Myers - 12:20 PM
2) David Horn & Mauro Rojas v. 7) Sam Bredenbeck & Robert Collins - 1:25 PM
Women's Doubles
Quarterfinals - Thursday
1) Kelani Bailey Lawrence & Sharon Jackson - BYE
4) Erika Manilla & Hollie Scott v. 5) Michelle De La Rosa & Danielle Maddux - 4:40 PM
3) Aimee Ruiz & Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - BYE
2) Rhonda Rajsich & Sheryl Lotts - BYE
Men’s Singles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Rocky Carson - BYE
8) Erik Garcia v. 9) Robert Collins - 3:35 PM
5) Jose Diaz v. 12) Nicholas Riffel - 6:50 PM
4) Adam Manilla v. 13) Justus Benson - 2:30 PM
3) David Horn v. 14) Ryan Patterson - 11:15 AM
6) Jake Bredenbeck v. 11) Sam Bredenbeck - 4:40 PM
7) Mauro Rojas v. 10) Thomas Carter - 6:50 PM
2) Charlie Pratt - BYE
Women's Singles
Round of 16 - Thursday
1) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
8) Erika Manilla v. 9) Erin Boadway - 7:55 PM
5) Hollie Scott - BYE
4) Sheryl Lotts - BYE
3) Kelani Bailey Lawrence - BYE
6) Adrienne Haynes - BYE
7) Janel Tisinger-Ledkins - BYE
2) Sharon Jackson - BYE
Follow the bouncing ball....
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Murray & Saunders win at Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event
Samuel Murray and Jen Saunders won the Men's and Women's divisions, respectively, at the second Racquetball Canada National Team Selection Event of the season on the weekend in Grande Prairie, Alberta. In their respective finals, Murray defeated Coby Iwaasa, 15-10, 15-10, and Saunders beat Christine Richardson in a tie-breaker, 15-3, 12-15, 11-8. Their victories will help Murray and Saunders qualify for the 2019 Pan American Games racquetball team that will compete in Lima, Peru in August, as well as the 2019 Pan American Championships in April.
Murray, the #1 ranked men’s player, was in control throughout the final with 2nd seed Iwaasa. After an early tie at 2-2, Murray never trailed, going out to a 9-2 lead. Iwaasa did make it close at 11-8, but never got closer, as Murray won 15-10.
In game two, they were close throughout. Iwaasa actually led 6-3, and 10-8. But Murray tied it at 10-10, and got the final five points to take the game, 15-10, and the match in two straight games. Although it was close in game two, it never really felt like the match was going to go to a tie-breaker.
In the women’s final, Saunders took a big lead on Richardson in game one, going up 13-0 before winning 15-3. Richardson dug in and managed to win game two, 15-12, to force a third game tie-breaker. Richardson was up in the breaker, 7-5, but Saunders, the current Canadian champion, responded by coming back to win it, 11-8.
In the women’s 3rd place match, 4th seed Michèle Morissette was an upset winner over 3rd seed Danielle Drury, 17-15, 15-10.
But the big upset of the event happened in the men’s quarterfinals, when 6th seed Trevor Webb beat 3rd seed Tim Landeryou, 15-11, 15-8. Webb had a 14-5 lead in game one, but Landeryou fought off 10 game points before Webb finally won it on the 11th try.
In the men’s semi-finals, Webb was two points away from another upset, as he went tie-breaker with Iwaasa, and was up 9-7 in the breaker before Iwaasa was able to pull it out, winning 15-3, 14-16, 11-9. Iwaasa had two chances to end the match in two games, but Webb fought off those match points by forcing Iwaasa into skipping shots. Murray’s semi against Pedro Castro was more straight forward, as he won in two games, 15-6, 15-9. Castro defeated Webb in the 3rd place match, 15-6, 15-11.
These results will be used to select Team Canada for the 2019 Pan American Championships in Barranquilla, Colombia, April 12-20, as well as the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru in August. The final qualification event for the Pan Am Games will be the 2019 Canadian National Championships in Langley, British Columbia, May 19-25 2019.
2019 Racquetball Canada Selection Event
February 1-2, Grande Prairie, Alberta
Men's Open
Final
1) Samuel Murray d. 2) Coby Iwaasa, 15-10, 15-10
3rd Place
4) Pedro Castro d. 6) Trevor Webb, 15-6, 15-11
Semi-finals
1) Samuel Murray d. 4) Pedro Castro, 15-6, 15-9
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 6) Trevor Webb, 15-4, 14-16, 11-9
Quarterfinals
1) Samuel Murray d. 8) Tanner Prentice, 15-7, 15-2
4) Pedro Castro d. 5) Nicolas Bousquet, 15-13, 15-2
6) Trevor Webb d. 3) Tim Landeryou, 15-11, 15-8
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 7) Lee Connell, 15-4, 15-0
Women's Open
Final
1) Jen Saunders d. 2) Christine Richardson, 15-3, 12-15, 11-8
3rd place
4) Michèle Morissette d. 3) Danielle Drury, 17-15, 15-10
5th place
5) Erin Geeraert d. 6) Cassie Prentice, 15-9, 8-15, 11-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
Murray, the #1 ranked men’s player, was in control throughout the final with 2nd seed Iwaasa. After an early tie at 2-2, Murray never trailed, going out to a 9-2 lead. Iwaasa did make it close at 11-8, but never got closer, as Murray won 15-10.
In game two, they were close throughout. Iwaasa actually led 6-3, and 10-8. But Murray tied it at 10-10, and got the final five points to take the game, 15-10, and the match in two straight games. Although it was close in game two, it never really felt like the match was going to go to a tie-breaker.
In the women’s final, Saunders took a big lead on Richardson in game one, going up 13-0 before winning 15-3. Richardson dug in and managed to win game two, 15-12, to force a third game tie-breaker. Richardson was up in the breaker, 7-5, but Saunders, the current Canadian champion, responded by coming back to win it, 11-8.
In the women’s 3rd place match, 4th seed Michèle Morissette was an upset winner over 3rd seed Danielle Drury, 17-15, 15-10.
But the big upset of the event happened in the men’s quarterfinals, when 6th seed Trevor Webb beat 3rd seed Tim Landeryou, 15-11, 15-8. Webb had a 14-5 lead in game one, but Landeryou fought off 10 game points before Webb finally won it on the 11th try.
In the men’s semi-finals, Webb was two points away from another upset, as he went tie-breaker with Iwaasa, and was up 9-7 in the breaker before Iwaasa was able to pull it out, winning 15-3, 14-16, 11-9. Iwaasa had two chances to end the match in two games, but Webb fought off those match points by forcing Iwaasa into skipping shots. Murray’s semi against Pedro Castro was more straight forward, as he won in two games, 15-6, 15-9. Castro defeated Webb in the 3rd place match, 15-6, 15-11.
These results will be used to select Team Canada for the 2019 Pan American Championships in Barranquilla, Colombia, April 12-20, as well as the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru in August. The final qualification event for the Pan Am Games will be the 2019 Canadian National Championships in Langley, British Columbia, May 19-25 2019.
2019 Racquetball Canada Selection Event
February 1-2, Grande Prairie, Alberta
Men's Open
Final
1) Samuel Murray d. 2) Coby Iwaasa, 15-10, 15-10
3rd Place
4) Pedro Castro d. 6) Trevor Webb, 15-6, 15-11
Semi-finals
1) Samuel Murray d. 4) Pedro Castro, 15-6, 15-9
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 6) Trevor Webb, 15-4, 14-16, 11-9
Quarterfinals
1) Samuel Murray d. 8) Tanner Prentice, 15-7, 15-2
4) Pedro Castro d. 5) Nicolas Bousquet, 15-13, 15-2
6) Trevor Webb d. 3) Tim Landeryou, 15-11, 15-8
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 7) Lee Connell, 15-4, 15-0
Women's Open
Final
1) Jen Saunders d. 2) Christine Richardson, 15-3, 12-15, 11-8
3rd place
4) Michèle Morissette d. 3) Danielle Drury, 17-15, 15-10
5th place
5) Erin Geeraert d. 6) Cassie Prentice, 15-9, 8-15, 11-5
Follow the bouncing ball….
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