Le Roi et La Reine

Samuel Murray and Frédérique Lambert are Racquetball Canada’s King and Queen, respectively, as they were both double winners on the weekend at the 2022 Canadian National Championships in Brossard, Québec. Murray won both singles and doubles for a 4th consecutive time (it was his 6th Men’s Doubles title overall), while Lambert won her 4th Women’s Singles title (2nd consecutive) and 3rd Women’s Doubles title.

In the singles finals, Murray beat Coby Iwaasa, 15-9, 15-8, 15-8, and Lambert defeated Michèle Morissette, 15-8, 15-9, 15-5. In doubles, Murray played with his brother Tommy for a third year, and they beat Iwaasa and Kurtis Cullen in the final, 12-15, 15-14, 15-6, 15-9. Lambert teamed up with Morissette in Women’s Doubles, and they were undefeated through a five team round robin competition.

As with the National Team Selection Event in Calgary earlier this season, a rally point scoring system was used with matches being the best of five games: four games to 15, win by 1, and a tie-breaker to 11 win by 2.

These results will be combined with the results from Calgary to select Team Canada for the 2022 International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships in San Luis Potosí, Mexico August August 19-27. Murray, Lambert, Iwaasa and Morissette should all be invited to be part of the team.

If you missed any of the action from Brossard, check out the Racquetball Canada page on Facebook.

2022 Racquetball Canada National Championships May 24-28, 2022 - Brossard, Québec

Men's Open

Final

1) Samuel Murray d. 2) Coby Iwaasa, 15-9, 15-8, 15-8

3rd Place

5) Lee Connell d. 3) Trevor Webb, injury forfeit

Semi-finals

1) Samuel Murray d. 5) Lee Connell, 15-12, 15-5, 15-5
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 3) Trevor Webb, 15-13, 15-7, 15-12

Quarterfinals

1) Samuel Murray d. 8) Tanner Prentice, 15-8, 15-8, 15-11
5) Lee Connell d. 4) Kurtis Cullen, 11-15, 15-11, 15-13, 15-8

3) Trevor Webb d. 6) Etienne Chayer, 15-5, 15-5, 15-5
2) Coby Iwaasa d. 7) Michael Leduc, 14-15, 15-0, 15-7, 15-7

Women's Open

Final

1) Frédérique Lambert d. 3) Michèle Morissette, 15-8, 15-9, 15-5

3rd place

4) Danielle Drury d. 2) Juliette Parent, 15-11, 15-9, 5-15, 15-12

Semi-finals

1) Frédérique Lambert d. 4) Danielle Drury, 15-5, 15-10, 13-15, 15-12
3) Michèle Morissette d. 2) Juliette Parent, 15-14 15-6, 15-5

Quarterfinals

1) Frédérique Lambert - BYE
4) Danielle Drury d. 5) Marjolaine Parent, 15-5, 15-14, 15-6
6) Michèle Morissette d. 3) Alexis Iwaasa, 15-13, 15-10. 12-15, 15-8
2) Juliette Parent - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

Carson wins twice, others for a first time at 2022 USA Racquetball National Championships

Most athletes who reach 43 are well into retirement. Not so for Rocky Carson, who turned 43 on May 21 just prior to the start of the 2022 USA Racquetball (USAR) National Championships in College Station, Texas, where Carson won both US Team Qualifying divisions that he entered: Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles.

In singles, Carson was the top seed, and he defeated 2nd seed Alejandro Landa, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7, in the final. The win was his 9th US National Singles title with his first coming back in 2000.

In doubles, Carson and Charlie Pratt were also seeded #1, and also met the 2nd seeds in the final, as they played brothers Jake and Sam Bredenbeck. The brothers won the first game, but Carson and Pratt came back to take the next three games and win the match in four games, 9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 13-11. It’s Carson’s 12th doubles title, including wins at five of the last six championships, and his 3rd title with Pratt.

In contrast, Erika Manilla won her first US Women’s Singles title, as she defeated veteran Rhonda Rajsich in the final, 11-7, 11-8, 11-1. Manilla had a chance to win three title in Texas, but was thwarted in both the Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles finals.

Manilla played Women’s Doubles with Aimee Roehler, and they were the 2019 champions, but this year they fell to Kelani Lawrence and Hollie Scott in the final, 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8. Manilla played with her left-handed brother Adam in Mixed Doubles, and they lost to top seeds Michelle De La Rosa and Alejandro Landa, in four games, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9, 12-10.

The Women’s Doubles title is the first for Scott and second for Lawrence, who first won it in 2018 with Sharon Jackson. Overall, it’s Lawrence’s third US title, as she won Women’s Singles in 2019.

Mixed Doubles was a US Team event for the first time this year, as the International Racquetball Federation will be having Mixed Doubles at the 2022 IRF World Championships in August. De La Rosa and Landa’s win makes them the first pair to qualify to play Mixed Doubles at Worlds with USA on their backs. The title is De La Rosa’s first US Team title, and Landa’s second.

Watch the action

If you missed any of the matches from Texas, go to the USA Racquetball Facebook page, and check out the recordings of the matches that were streamed,

2022 USA Racquetball National Championships
College Station, Texas
US National Team Divisions

Men's US Team Singles - Semi-finals

1) Rocky Carson d. 5) Adam Manilla, 11-8, 11-8, 12-10
2) Alejandro Landa d. 3) Jake Bredenbeck, 11-5, 11-7, 11-4

Final

1) Rocky Carson d. 2) Alejandro Landa, 11-9, 9-111, 11-4, 11-7

Men's US Team Doubles - Final

1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck, 9-`, 11-4, 11-6, 13-11

Women's US Team Singles - Semi-finals

1) Erika Manilla d. 4) Hollie Scott, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-4
3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 2) Kelani Lawrence, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9

Women's US Team Singles - Final

1) Erika Manilla d. 3) Rhonda Rajsich, 11-7, 11-8, 11-1

Women's US Team Doubles - Final

1) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott d. 3) Erika Manilla & Aimee Roehler, 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8

US Team Mixed Doubles - Final

1) Michelle De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa d. 2) Erika Manilla & Adam Manilla, 5-11, 11-4, 11-9, 12-10

Follow the bouncing ball....

Friday results from 2022 USA Racquetball National Championships

The biggest upset in the USA National Team qualifying divisions on Friday at the 2022 USA Racquetball (USAR) National Championships in College Station, Texas came in Women’s Doubles, as 3rd seeds Erika Manilla and Aimee Roehler beat 2nd seeds Sheryl Lotts and Rhonda Rajsich, 11-8, 11-7, 13-11, in the semi-finals. Although it’s an upset by the seedlings, Manilla and Roehler (formerly Ruiz) were the National Champions in 2019, so it’s not really a surprise result.

Manilla and Roehler will take on top seeds Kelani Lawrence and Hollie Scott in Saturday’s final, as Lawrence and Scott defeated 5th seeds Michelle De La Rosa and Lexi York, 12-10, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6.

The barn burner match of the day came in Men’s Doubles, as 2nd seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Sam Bredenbeck came back from two games down to squeak by 3rd seeds Alejandro Landa and Sudsy Monchik, 8-11, 7-11, 11-3, 15-13, 13-11. They’ll play top seeds and defending champions Rocky Carson and Charlie Pratt in the final Saturday, as Carson and Pratt defeated 4th seeds David Horn and Adam Manilla, 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 11-5, in the other semi-final. So, the final is #1 versus #2.

The Mixed Doubles final will also be 1 versus 2 on Saturday, as both top seeds won their respective semi-finals on Friday. Top seeds Michelle De La Rosa and Alejandro Landa defeated 4th seeds David Horn and Hollie Scott, “(-1411)-7” [sic], 11-9, 15-13 (the score is unclear on the tournament site), and 2nd seeds Erika Manilla and Adam Manilla came back from a game down to beat 6th seeds Sam Bredenbeck and Lexi York, 10-12, 11-2, 11-7, 11-9.

Watch the action

USAR will be streaming matches from College Station via their USA Racquetball Facebook page. So check the action out there. The match times below are all central time.

2022 USA Racquetball National Championships
College Station, Texas
US National Team Divisions

Men's US Team Singles - Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Rocky Carson d. 8) Robert Collins, 8-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-7
5) Adam Manilla d. 4) David Horn, injury forfeit

3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 11) Alex Zamudio, 11-4, 11-0, 11-7
2) Alejandro Landa d. 7) Sam Bredenbeck, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5

Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Rocky Carson v. 5) Adam Manilla - 1 PM
2) Alejandro Landa v. 3) Jake Bredenbeck - 11 AM

Men's US Team Doubles - Semi-finals - Friday

1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt d. 4) David Horn & Adam Manilla, 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 11-5
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck d. 3) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik, 8-11, 7-11, 11-3, 15-13, 13-11

Final - Saturday

1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt v. 2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck - 3 PM

3rd Place - Saturday

3) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik v. 4) David Horn & Adam Manilla - PM

Women's US Team Singles - Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Erika Manilla v. 8) Annie Roberts, 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8
4) Hollie Scott v. 5) Linda Tyler, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8

3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Lexi York, 11-6, 11-5, 11-4
2) Kelani Lawrence v. 10) Shane Diaz, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3

Women's US Team Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Erika Manilla v. 4) Hollie Scott - Noon
2) Kelani Lawrence v. 3) Rhonda Rajsich - 10 AM

Women's US Team Doubles - Semi-finals - Friday

1) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott d. 5) Michelle De La Rosa & Lexi York, 12-10, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6
3) Erika Manilla & Aimee Roehler d. 2) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich, 11-8, 11-7, 13-11

Final - Saturday

1) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott v. 3) Erika Manilla & Aimee Roehler - 2 PM

3rd Place - Saturday

2) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich v. 5) Michelle De La Rosa & Lexi York - 1 PM

US Team Mixed Doubles - Semi-finals - Friday

1) Michelle De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa d. 4) David Horn & Hollie Scott, “(-1411)-7” [sic], 11-9, 15-13
2) Erika Manilla & Adam Manilla d. 6) Sam Bredenbeck & Lexi York, 10-12, 11-2, 11-7, 11-9

Final - Saturday

1) Michelle De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa v. 2) Erika Manilla & Adam Manilla - 5 PM

3rd Place - Saturday 4) David Horn & Hollie Scott v. 6) Sam Bredenbeck & Lexi York - 4 PM

Follow the bouncing ball....

Thursday results from 2022 USA Racquetball National Championships

No crazy upsets Thursday at the 2022 USA Racquetball (USAR) National Championships in College Station, Texas. The main surprise came in Mixed Doubles, as 6th seeds Sam Bredenbeck and Lexi York came back to upset 3rd seeds Kelani Lawrence and Sudsy Monchik, 11-3, 7-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-9. They’ll play 2nd seeds Erika Manilla and Adam Manilla, who were winners over 7th seeds Jose Diaz and Rhonda Rajsich, 11-8, 12-10, 11-3.

The higher seeds generally won in the other US Team Qualifying divisions. All top two seeds advanced in men's and women's singles and doubles. Note the doubles finals are on Saturday, while the singles finals will be on Sunday.

Watch the action

USAR will be streaming matches from College Station via their USA Racquetball Facebook page. So check the action out there. The match times below are all central time.

2022 USA Racquetball National Championships
College Station, Texas
US National Team Divisions

Men's US Team Singles - Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Rocky Carson d. 17) Jacob Kingsford, 11-3, 11-3, 11-8
8) Robert Collins d. 9) Nicholas Riffel, 11-8 11-9, 11-3

5) Adam Manilla d. 11) Zachary Williams, 11-1, 11-4, 11-8
4) David Horn d. 12) Benjamin Horner, 11-4, 11-6, 11-9

3) Jake Bredenbeck d. 19) Charles Rankin, 11-1, 11-4, 11-5
11) Alex Zamudio d. 6) Thomas Carter, forfeit

7) Sam Bredenbeck d. 19) Danny Lavely, 11-5, 7-11, 12-14,
2) Alejandro Landa d. 15) Jimmy Fernandez, 11-4, 11-4, 11-6

Men's US Team Singles - Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Rocky Carson v. 8) Robert Collins - 5 PM
4) David Horn v. 5) Adam Manilla - 11 AM

3) Jake Bredenbeck v. 11) Alex Zamudio - 1 PM
2) Alejandro Landa v. 7) Sam Bredenbeck - 3 PM

Men's US Team Doubles - Quarterfinals - Thursday

1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt d. Iain Dunn & Paul Saraceno, 11-4, 11-2, 11-6
4) David Horn & Adam Manilla d. 5) Robert Collins & Nicholas Riffel, 11-3, 11-7, 11-6

3) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik d. 6) Maurice Miller & Troy Warigon, 11-8, 12-10, 11-5
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck d. 7) Jose Diaz & Timmy Hansen, 11-6, 12-10, 11-9

Men's US Team Doubles - Semi-finals - Friday

1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt v. 4) David Horn & Adam Manilla - 9 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck v. 3) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik - 7 PM

Women's US Team Singles - Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Erika Manilla - BYE
8) Annie Roberts d. 9) Naomi Ros, 11-6, 14-12, 11-8

5) Linda Tyler d. 12) Katie Neils, 11-1, 11-9, 11-5
4) Hollie Scott d. 13) Erin Boadway, 11-4, 11-3, 11-1

3) Rhonda Rajsich d. 14) Kelly Mortensen, 11-5, 11-3, 11-0
6) Lexi York d. 11) Alondra Canchola, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4

10) Shane Diaz d. 7) Graci Wargo, 12-10, 11-4, 11-8
2) Kelani Lawrence - BYE

Women's US Team Singles - Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Erika Manilla v. 8) Annie Roberts - 4 PM
4) Hollie Scott v. 5) Linda Tyler - Noon

3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 6) Lexi York - 11 AM
2) Kelani Lawrence v. 10) Shane Diaz - 2 PM

Women's US Team Doubles - Quarterfinals - Thursday

1) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott d. 8) Erin Boadway & Fran Transfiguarcion, 11-3, 11-8, 11-6
5) Michelle De La Rosa & Lexi York d. 4) Alondra Canchola & Annie Roberts, 10-12, 11-3, 11-4, 11-9

3) Erika Manilla & Aimee Roehler d. 6) Shane Diaz & Naomi Rios, 11-9, 11-3, 12-10
2) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE

Women's US Team Doubles - Semi-finals - Friday

1) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott v. 5) Michelle De La Rosa & Lexi York - 8 PM
2) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich v. 3) Erika Manilla & Aimee Roehler - 6 PM

US Team Mixed Doubles - Quarterfinals - Thursday

1) Michelle De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa d. 8) Jake Bredenbeck & Aimee Roehler, 11-4, 11-9, 11-5
4) David Horn & Hollie Scott d. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Charlie Pratt, 11-8, 11-8, 10-12, 11-4

6) Sam Bredenbeck & Lexi York d. 3) Kelani Lawrence & Sudsy Monchik, 11-3, 7-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-9
2) Erika Manilla & Adam Manilla d. 7) Jose Diaz & Rhonda Rajsich, 11-8, 12-10, 11-3

Semi-finals - Friday

1) Michelle De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa v. 4) David Horn & Hollie Scott - 4 PM
2) Erika Manilla & Adam Manilla d. 6) Sam Bredenbeck & Lexi York - 1 PM

Follow the bouncing ball....

Day 1 of 2022 USA Racquetball National Championships

The 2022 USA Racquetball (USAR) National Championships are underway in College Station, Texas on the campus of Texas A & M University. The US Team Qualifying division are playing matches in a best of five games, win by two points format, which the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) will be using at the 2022 World Championships this summer.

Only a few Team Qualifying matches were played on Wednesday. In Men’s Singles, 17th seed Jacob Kingsford defeated 16th seed DJ Mendoza, 11-4, 10-12, 11-4, 11-3, and will play top seed Rocky Carson in the Round of 16 Thursday.

Also Wednesday, 19th seed Charles Rankin outlasted 14th seed Daniel Blanco, 9-11, 11-7, 15-13, 6-11, 11-7. Rankin will face 3rd seed Jake Bredenbeck in the 16s.

Finally, Jimmy Fernandez, the 15th seed, beat 18th seed Adrian Espinoza, 11-7, 11-4, 11-6, and will take on 2nd seed Alejandro Landa on Thursday.

There were also a few matches in Mixed Doubles, but no upsets. Eighth seeds Jake Bredenbeck and Aimee Roehler beat 9th seed Graci Wargo and Alex Zamudio, 11-6, 12-10, 11-1, and will play 1st seeds Michelle De La Rosa and Alejandro Landa, in what is a marquee match up with four strong players.

Elsewhere, 7th seeds Jose Diaz and Rhonda Rajsich needed five games to fend off 10th seeds Robert Collins and Annie Roberts, 8-11, 13-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7. Diaz and Rajsich will play the 2nd seeded Manilla siblings, Adam and Erika.

Also, 6th seeds Sam Bredenbeck and Lexi York defeated 11th seeds Katie Neils and Nicholas Riffel, 12-10, 11-2, 9-11, 11-5, and will play 3rd seeds Kelani Lawrence and Sudsy Monchik on Thursday.

Watch the action

USAR will be streaming matches from College Station via their USA Racquetball Facebook page. So check that out beginning Wednesday.

2022 USA Racquetball National Championships
College Station, Texas
US National Team Divisions

Men's US Team Singles - Round of 32 - Wednesday

1) Rocky Carson - BYE
17) Jacob Kingsford d. 16) DJ Mendoza, 11-4, 10-12, 11-4, 11-3

9) Nicholas Riffel - BYE
8) Robert Collins - BYE

5) Adam Manilla - BYE
11) Zachary Williams - BYE

12) Benjamin Horner - BYE
4) David Horn - BYE

3) Jake Bredenbeck - BYE
19) Charles Rankin d. 14) Daniel Blanco, 9-11, 11-7, 15-13, 6-11, 11-7

6) Thomas Carter - BYE
11) Alex Zamudio - BYE

7) Sam Bredenbeck - BYE
19) Danny Lavely - BYE

15) Jimmy Fernandez d. 18) Adrian Espinoza, 11-7, 11-4, 11-6
2) Alejandro Landa - BYE

Men's US Team Singles - Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Rocky Carson v. 17) Jacob Kingsford - 6 PM
8) Robert Collins v. 9) Nicholas Riffel - 11 AM

5) Adam Manilla v. 11) Zachary Williams - 9 PM
4) David Horn v. 12) Benjamin Horner - 9 PM

3) Jake Bredenbeck v. 19) Charles Rankin - 8 PM
11) Alex Zamudio d. 6) Thomas Carter, forfeit

7) Sam Bredenbeck v. 19) Danny Lavely - 7 PM
2) Alejandro Landa v. 15) Jimmy Fernandez - 8 PM

Men's US Team Doubles - Round of 16 - Wednesday

1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt - BYE
Iain Dunn & Paul Saraceno d. Daniel Blanco & Jimmy Fernandez, 11-5, 7-11, 13-15, 11-7, 11-6

5) Robert Collins & Nicholas Riffel - BYE
4) David Horn & Adam Manilla - BYE

3) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik - BYE
6) Maurice Miller & Troy Warigon - BYE

Jose Diaz & Timmy Hansen - BYE
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck - BYE

Men's US Team Doubles - Quarterfinals - Thursday

1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt v. Iain Dunn & Paul Saraceno - Noon
4) David Horn & Adam Manilla v. 5) Robert Collins & Nicholas Riffel - 2 PM

3) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik v. 6) Maurice Miller & Troy Warigon - 2 PM
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck v. Jose Diaz & Timmy Hansen - 1 PM

Women's US Team Singles - Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Erika Manilla - BYE
8) Annie Roberts v. 9) Naomi Ros - 3 PM

5) Linda Tyler v. 12) Katie Neils - 11 AM
4) Hollie Scott v. 13) Erin Boadway - 11 AM

3) Rhonda Rajsich v. 14) Kelly Mortensen - 1 PM
6) Lexi York v. 11) Alondra Canchola - 1 PM

7) Graci Wargo v. 10) Shane Diaz - 8 PM
2) Kelani Lawrence - BYE

Women's US Team Doubles - Quarterfinals - Thursday

1) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott v. 8) Erin Boadway & Fran Transfiguarcion - 3 PM
4) Alondra Canchola & Annie Roberts v. 5) Michelle De La Rosa & Lexi York - 10 AM

3) Erika Manilla & Aimee Roehler v. 6) Shane Diaz & Naomi Rios - Noon
Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE

US Team Mixed Doubles - Round of 16 - Wednesday

1) Michelle De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa - BYE
8) Jake Bredenbeck & Aimee Roehler d. 9) Graci Wargo & Alex Zamudio, 11-6, 12-10, 11-1

5) Sheryl Lotts & Charlie Pratt - BYE
4) David Horn & Hollie Scott - BYE

3) Kelani Lawrence & Sudsy Monchik - BYE
6) Sam Bredenbeck & Lexi York d. 11) Katie Neils & Nicholas Riffel, 12-10, 11-2, 9-11, 11-5

7) Jose Diaz & Rhonda Rajsich d. 10) Robert Collins & Annie Roberts, 8-11, 13-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7
2) Erika Manilla & Adam Manilla - BYE

Quarterfinals - Thursday

1) Michelle De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa v. 8) Jake Bredenbeck & Aimee Roehler - 5 PM
4) David Horn & Hollie Scott v. 5) Sheryl Lotts & Charlie Pratt - BYE

3) Kelani Lawrence & Sudsy Monchik v. 6) Sam Bredenbeck & Lexi York - 5 PM
2) Erika Manilla & Adam Manilla v. 7) Jose Diaz & Rhonda Rajsich - 5 PM

Follow the bouncing ball....

2022 USA Racquetball National Championships - Preview

The 2022 USA Racquetball (USAR) National Championships happen next week in College Station, Texas on the campus of Texas A & M University. Both singles and doubles championships are being contested in the same event, as they were last year. Also, there is a US Team Qualifying Mixed Doubles division, as the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) 2022 World Championships will include mixed doubles, so players can qualify for that separately from men’s and women’s singles and doubles.

Last year, we asked where the players were, as the fields were small, but that’s not the case this year. There are 19 players in Men’s Singles, 14 in Women’s Singles, as well as 9 Men’s Doubles teams and 8 Women’s Doubles teams, and in Mixed Doubles there are 11 teams. These fields are larger than they have been in recent years.

Filling out those fields are some players we’ve not seen in awhile. David Horn has returned to action in recent months, and he’s still the 4th highest ranked US player, which might surprise some (it did us). In Men’s Doubles, Jose Diaz is back, and playing with Timmy Hansen, and he's also playing Mixed Doubles with Rhonda Rajsich.

In Women’s Doubles, Aimee Roehler (formerly Ruiz) - the 12 time champion - is back, and playing with Erika Manilla in Women’s Doubles and Jake Bredenbeck in Mixed Doubles. Roehler and Manilla won the title in 2020, which was the last time Roehler played in the championships.

Also in 2020, Alejandro Landa and Sudsy Monchik won the Men’s Doubles title, and they will be trying to win it again in Texas after not being able to defend the title last year in Des Moines, as Monchik contracted COVID just before the tournament. They’ll likely have to beat Rocky Carson and Charlie Pratt, who are the defending champions, to do it. Also in the mix are the Bredenbeck brothers - Jake and Sam - who were runners up last year, as will be the righty-lefty team of Horn and Adam Manilla.

We’re not sure how they’ll seed the women’s doubles teams. USA Racquetball has given the previous year’s champions and runners-up the 1st and 2nd seeds in the past. But neither last year’s champions (Manilla & Rajsich) nor runners-up (Michelle De La Rosa & Sheryl Lotts) are playing together. The highest USAR ranked players in women’s doubles (yes, the USAR has women’s doubles rankings) are Hollie Scott and Kelani Lawrence, who are playing together. And did you know that the next highest ranked player is Lexi York? We didn’t.

York is playing with De La Rosa, and Lotts and Rajsich are playing together, which they’ve often done in the past. Finally, as mentioned, the 2020 Champions - Manilla and Roehler - are back together. Any of those three teams - plus Lawrence and Scott - could be the champion this year.

As this is a IRF World Championships year, there is an extra special something to play for as the US Champions - and finalists in singles - will get spots on Team USA for Worlds in August.

Watch the action

USAR will be streaming matches from College Station via their USA Racquetball Facebook page. So check that out beginning Wednesday.

2022 USA Racquetball National Championships
College Station, Texas
US National Team Divisions

Men's US Team Singles - Field*

1) Rocky Carson
2) Alejandro Landa
3) Jake Bredenbeck
4) David Horn
5) Adam Manilla
6) Thomas Carter
7) Sam Bredenbeck
8) Robert Collins
9) Nicholas Riffel
10) Alex Zamudio
11) Zachary Williams
12) Benjamin Horner
13) Daniel Blanco
14) Jimmy Fernandez
15) DJ Mendoza
16) Jacob Kingsford
17) Adrian Espinoza
18) Charles Rankin
19) Danny Lavely (note: no ranking listed for Lavely, but we don’t think he should be last)

Men's US Team Doubles - Field*

1) Rocky Carson & Charlie Pratt
2) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck
3) Alejandro Landa & Sudsy Monchik
4) David Horn & Adam Manilla
Thomas Carter & Nicholas Riffel
Maurice Miller & Troy Warigon
Jose Diaz & Timmy Hansen
Daniel Blanco & Jimmy Fernandez
Iain Dunn & Paul Saraceno

Women's US Team Singles - Field*

1) Erika Manilla
2) Kelani Lawrence
3) Rhonda Rajsich
4) Hollie Scott
5) Linda Tyler
6) Lexi York
7) Graci Wargo
8) Annie Roberts
9) Naomi Ros
10) Shane Diaz
11) Alondra Canchola
12) Katie Neils
13) Erin Boadway
14) Kelly Mortensen

Women's US Team Doubles - Field*

Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott
Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich
Michelle De La Rosa & Lexi York
Erika Manilla & Aimee Roehler
Laura Fenton Kovanda & Linda Tyler
Erin Boadway & Fran Transfiguarcion
Alondra Canchola & Annie Roberts
Shane Diaz & Naomi Rios

US Team Mixed Doubles - Field*

Kelani Lawrence & Sudsy Monchik
David Horn & Hollie Scott
Sheryl Lotts & Charlie Pratt
Jose Diaz & Rhonda Rajsich
Michelle De La Rosa & Alejandro Landa
Sam Bredenbeck & Lexi York
Erika Manilla & Adam Manilla
Jake Bredenbeck & Aimee Roehler
Katie Neils & Nicholas Riffel
Graci Wargo & Alex Zamudio
Robert Collins & Annie Roberts

* - Note: seedings in the singles fields are based on USAR rankings. The doubles rankings are an estimate. Thus, they are all unofficial, as the brackets have not been released yet.

Follow the bouncing ball....

Weekend Round Up - Let's get the facts right

As we reported yesterday, the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) New York Open in Wantagh, New York, between Daniel De La Rosa and Kane Waselenchuk was abandoned due to unsafe court conditions. Coby Iwaasa and Jose Daniel Ugalde were scheduled to play in the Men’s Open final at about the same time as the IRT final, and from the tournament draw site on R2 Sports it appears that match was played with Iwaasa winning 15-14, 14-15, 11-10. Seems like it was quite the match, eh?

One problem. It didn’t happen.

On Sunday, when the IRT final was abandoned we noted - and tweeted - that the Iwaasa-Uglade final was also on R2 as a double forfeit, which is what the IRT final is listed as. But later the Men’s Open final result was changed to the 11-10 result.

We imagined that there was an error in the initial reporting, as sometimes happens, and we tweeted a correction. But then this happened.

It was a double forfeit also, we didn’t play the match due courts conditions, they didn’t want to show a double forfeit on the draw.

— José Daniel (@DanielUgalde90) May 15, 2022

It was nice that Ugalde clarified the situation. However, this should have been unnecessary, because the double forfeit result should be on the draw. It isn’t (still as of Monday morning; May 16, 2022).

We all understand that stuff happens that is outside of our control, even when we thought everything had been accounted for. We’re living in a pandemic, so more than ever we know that stuff happens that we can’t control.

We are also living in a time when people are questioning what is true, or the truth, and the Truth - capital T - can be a slippery thing. Yet there are facts. And those facts should be accurately recorded.

Part of the purpose of The Racquetball Blog is to record racquetball facts, because people have not been very good at recording them in the past. If you don’t record your facts, your history, then it suggests that you don’t care about your history, and if you don’t care, why should anyone else?

We believe it should go without saying we want to do this as accurately as possible. Thus, it’s really troubling that a match result would be recorded incorrectly, because it’s getting the facts wrong intentionally. If the facts are wrong, then how can you know the truth of the situation?

It can be difficult enough to get the facts straight when everyone is trying their best to make accurate records. People knowingly obscuring the facts is appalling.

We should do better.

2022 Sweet Caroline Open

Valeria Centellas won Women’s Open at the Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina on the weekend. She defeated Cristina Amaya, 13-15 15-11, 11-8, in the final. In the semi-finals, Centellas came back to defeat Carla Muñoz, 13-15, 15-11, 11-4, while Amaya beat Micaela Meneses, 15-7, 15-2.

Upcoming events

The racquetball season is winding down, so it’s championship time. The USA Racquetball National Doubles and Singles Championships begin May 25 in College Station, Texas, on the campus of Texas A & M University, and the Racquetball Canada National Championships will be May 24-28 in Brossard, Québec.

The 2021-22 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season winds up with what has become a marquee event for them: the TeamRoot.com Super Max Slam, June 9-12 in Overland Park, Kansas. TeamRoot has put considerable prize money into the event over the last few years, so expect a big field of players to be there.

2022 New York Open, May 12-15, 2022
Wantagh, New York

Men’s Open Final

6) Coby Iwaasa v. 8) Jose Daniel Ugalde, abandoned due to unsafe court conditions

Semi-finals

8) Jose Daniel Ugalde d. 12) Christian Wer, 15-4, 15-4
6) Coby Iwaasa d. 2) Juan Francisco Cueva, 15-11, 15-1

Quarterfinals

8) Jose Daniel Ugalde d. 1) Set Cubillos, 15-11, 5-15, 11-7
12) Christian Wer d. 4) Andrés Gómez, 15-9, 15-11

6) Coby Iwaasa d. 3) Edwin Galicia, 15-12, 15-8
2) Juan Francisco Cueva d. 23) Miguel Angel Arteaga Guzman, 15-7, 15-7

2022 Sweet Caroline Open
May 12-14, 2022 - Greenville, South Carolina

Women’s Open - Final

3) Valeria Centellas d. 5) Cristina Amaya, 13-15 15-11, 11-8

Semi-finals

5) Cristina Amaya d. 1) Micaela Meneses, 15-7, 15-2
3) Valeria Centellas d. 2) Carla Muñoz, 13-15, 15-11, 11-4

Follow the bouncing ball….

2022 IRT New York Open final abandoned due to unsafe conditions

The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) abandoned the final of the IRT New York Open in Wantagh, New York on Sunday, as the court conditions were judged to be unsafe for the players. The decision was made after Kane Waselenchuk and Daniel De La Rosa had played the first game, which Waselenchuk won 15-4. There was high humidity that made the court surfaces damp and slippery, so after some deliberation and consultation with the players, the decision was made to call it off.

The IRT posted the following statement on their website:

“We would like to extend our apologies to all racquetball fans. A decision was made by IRT Commissioner Pablo Fajre, finalists, #1 ranked Daniel De La Rosa, and #7 ranked Kane Waselenchuk, that for the safety of the players, we needed to suspend the match today after game one. Unfortunately, we were experiencing issues with the HVAC systems preventing us from keeping the courts safe for the players. Every effort was made throughout the event to make playing conditions as safe as possible, but high humidity levels created a situation that was beyond our control.”

It was an unfortunate end, as these were the players that we wanted to see face off. De La Rosa has been the player in the best form on tour over the last year, while Waselenchuk is considered by many to be the best player ever, but hasn’t played very much since the pandemic began. Moreover, Waselenchuk lost to Andree Parrilla in January, so there was some question as to what form he was in.

Waselenchuk had answered that question in an emphatically positive way earlier in the tournament with decisive wins over Parrilla in the quarterfinals and Samuel Murray in the semi-finals. That form looked like it would carry over to the final, as Waselenchuk won game one by a comfortable margin.

However, we’re not to know if that form would have held for the entire final. Sad.

The next Tier 1 IRT event is not listed on the IRT website, but if you missed any of the New York Open action, check out the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page.

2022 IRT New York Open, May 12-15, 2022
Wantagh, New York

Final - Sunday

1) Daniel De La Rosa v. 7) Kane Waselenchuk, 4-15, abandoned due to unsafe court conditions

Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Daniel De La Rosa d. 4) Alejandro Landa, 14-15, 15-14, 11-3
7) Kane Waselenchuk d. 3) Samuel Murray, 15-1, 15-1

Follow the bouncing ball….

Longoria wins singles, Herrera & Parrilla doubles at 2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open

Paola Longoria, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), got back in the winners’ circle Saturday, as she beat LPRT #2 Alexandra Herrera, 15-9, 13-15, 11-7, to win the 2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina. Herrera had won the last two LPRT events, defeating Longoria in each of those finals. But Herrera did get the better of Longoria in the doubles final, as she and Jessica Parrilla beat Longoria and Samantha Salas, 15-13, 15-5.

Herrera led early in game one of the singles final, but Longoria tied the score at 6-6, and then outscored Herrera 9-3 from there to win it 15-9. Longoria hit a lot of drive Z serves to the right side, which is the left-handed Herrera’s backhand side, and it was an effective strategy.

Herrera was undaunted, as she took a 11-1 lead in game two. Yet Longoria matched that undauntedness by coming all the way back to tie the game at 13-13. However, a great Herrera forehand shot got her back in the service box and then Longoria skipped shots on the next tow rallies that undid her comeback and gave the game to Herrera, 15-13.

Game three was similar to game one, as Herrera was off the mark first by taking a 3-0 lead. Then they were tied at 4-4, from which Longoria jumped ahead to lead 10-5. Herrera fought off two match points, and got within three at 10-7 before Longoria finished it off with a backhand winner making it 11-7.

The win is Longoria’s 5th of the season. Herrera’s won twice, and Gabriela Martinez won the first tournament of the season back in August, when she defeated Herrera in the final.

The singles result wasn’t a surprise, but maybe the doubles result was, as Longoria and Salas are the current and three time International Racquetball Federation (IRF) Women’s Doubles World Champions, while Herrera and Parrilla were playing together for the first time, as neither of the usual partners were in Greenville. Herrera usually plays with Montserrat Mejia and Parrilla with Montserrat Perez, so they had in common normally playing with someone named Montserrat. Perhaps that was enough chemistry for them to gel in Greenville.

In game one of the doubles final, it looked like it was going to go the way of the World Champs, as they led 12-7. Herrera and Perez closed it to 13-10, but Longoria and Salas got the serve back at that point, and you thought that they would see the game out. Instead, they were sided out as Salas and then Longoria skipped shots.

Herrera and Parrilla got five points without giving up serve in five different ways. In order, there was a Herrera winner, an avoidable hinder, Longoria and Salas skipped shots on back to back rallies, and then Parrilla finished it out with a winner that was the 3rd shot of a rally that began with her lob serving to Salas, who hit a forehand down the line that came off the back wall setting Parrilla up for a pinch shot that won the game 15-13.

A disappointing outcome for Longoria and Salas for sure, but you didn’t think that they would go down without a fight, and believed a tie-breaker was a definite possibility. And they were neck and neck early in game two, and tied at 4-4. Then the wheels fell off the Longoria-Salas bus, as they were out scored 11-1 the rest of the way. Herrera hit winners for the last two points to close out a stunning outcome.

Herrera has more doubles success than Parrilla, but Parrilla has three wins previously on the LPRT. Perhaps ironically two of those have been at Herrera’s expense. Parrilla and Aguilar defeated Herrera and Maria Renee Rodriguez at the 2014 Battle at the Alamo, and she teamed up with Frédérique Lambert to get the better of Herrera and Mejia in Guadalajara in 2017. Parrilla’s third win came earlier this season, when she and Perez won in Denver last August.

The 2021-22 LPRT season concludes next month with the TeamRoot.com Super MAX Slam in Overland Park, Kansas, June 9-12. If you missed any of the Sweet Caroline action, check out the LPRT YouTube channel, as well as the LPRT Facebook page.

2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open
May 12-14, 2022 - Greenville, South Carolina

LPRT Singles - Final - Saturday

1) Paola Longoria d. 2) Alexandra Herrera, 15-9, 13-15, 11-7

LPRT Doubles - Final - Saturday

3) Alexandra Herrera & Jessica Parrilla d. 1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas, 15-13, 15-5

Follow the bouncing ball….

Murray & Waselenchuk through to semi-finals at 2022 IRT New York Open

A Canadian will be in the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) New York Open in Wantagh, New York on Sunday, as both Samuel Murray and Kane Waselenchuk won their respective quarterfinals Saturday morning, and will play each other in the semi-finals Saturday night for a spot in Sunday’s final. Waselenchuk made a statement by defeating IRT #2 Andree Parrilla, 15-0, 15-6. Parrilla had defeated Waselenchuk earlier this year, but didn’t come close doing so on Saturday.

Samuel Murray, the IRT’s #3 player, went to a tie-breaker with #6 Conrado Moscoso, winning 15-8, 4-15, 11-7. In the breaker, there wasn’t more than a one point difference until Murray pulled ahead from 5-5 to 7-5, and he held the lead from there on. Moscoso got it back to one point at 8-7 down, but Murray got the last three points to close out the win.

In the other quarterfinal matches IRT #1 Daniel De La Rosa needed a tie-breaker to defeat 8th seed Mario Mercado, 15-9, 9-15, 11-2, and 4th seed Alejandro Landa beat 12th seed Adam Manilla, 15-12, 15-6.

You can see the 2022 New York Open matches via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. Play continues Saturday with the semi-finals at 7 and 8 Saturday night. The final will be at noon Sunday. All times Eastern.

2022 IRT New York Open, May 12-15, 2022
Wantagh, New York

Quarterfinals - Saturday

1) Daniel De La Rosa d. 8) Mario Mercado, 15-9, 9-15, 11-2
4) Alejandro Landa d. 12) Adam Manilla, 15-12, 15-6

3) Samuel Murray d. 6) Conrrado Moscoso, 15-8, 4-15, 11-7
7) Kane Waselenchuk d. 2) Andree Parrilla, 15-0, 15-6

Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Daniel De La Rosa v. 4) Alejandro Landa - 8 PM
3) Samuel Murray v. 7) Kane Waselenchuk - 7 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

One will play two in the 2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open final

Number 1 will take on number 2 in the final of the 2022 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) 2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina, as Paola Longoria faces Alexandra Herrera - the #1 and #2 LPRT players, respectively, for the third consecutive LPRT final. Both players were dominant in their respective semi-final matches. Longoria beat 5th seed Jessica Parrilla, 15-2, 15-6, and Herrera defeated 11h seed Kelani Lawrence, 15-8, 15-3.

Parrilla actually scored the first two points of game one against Longoria, only to see Longoria get 15 unanswered points to win the game 15-2. Game two was closer, and Parrilla worked hard with several sideouts, but the score was still lop-sided at 15-6 for Longoria.

Herrera and Lawrence’s match had a similar story. Herrera went up 12-1 on Lawrence in game one, and went on to win it 15-8. That Lawrence got some points late suggested game two might be more even, but Herrera again took a big lead getting 11 points before Lawrence even got 1.

Right now, Longoria and Herrera are the cream of the LPRT, and we’ll see which of them rises to the top in the final later today.

The singles final is at 4 PM with the doubles final to follow at 5 PM. All times EDT. Look for the action via the LPRT YouTube channel, as well as the LPRT Facebook page.

2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open
May 12-14, 2022 - Greenville, South Carolina

LPRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Paola Longoria d. 5) Jessica Parrilla, 15-2, 15-6
2) Alexandra Herrera d. 11) Kelani Lawrence, 15-8, 15-3

LPRT Singles - Final - Saturday

1) Paola Longoria v. 2) Alexandra Herrera - 4 PM

LPRT Doubles - Final - Saturday

1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Jessica Parrilla - 5 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Adam Manilla into quarters at 2022 IRT New York Open

Seven of the top eight seeds are into the quarterfinals at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) New York Open in Wantagh, New York. Adam Manilla is the exception, as the 12th seed upset 5th Eduardo Portillo, 13-15, 15-7, 11-7, in the Round of 16 on Friday. He’ll play 4th seed Alejandro Landa in the quarters, as Landa squeaked by 13th seed Sebastian Fernandez, 15-14, 15-13.

In other action, IRT #1 Daniel De La Rosa beat 16th seed Jordy Alonso, 15-5, 15-7, and will play 8th seed Mario Mercado in the quarters, as Mercado came back from a game down to defeat David Horn, 14-15, 15-7, 11-3. IRT #2 Andree Parrilla also won in two straight games, beating Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr, 15-9, 15-12 to set up a match with 7th seed Kane Waselenchuk, who beat Hector Barrios, 15-3, 15-5, in the 16s. Finally, IRT #3 Samuel Murray defeated 14th seed Eduardo Garay in two straight games, 15-13, 15-0, and will play 6th seed Conrrado Moscoso in the quarters, as Moscoso beat 11th seed Andres Acuña, 15-6, 15-4.

You can see the 2022 New York Open matches via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. Play continues Saturday with the quarterfinals at 10 AM Saturday morning with the semi-finals at 7 and 8 Saturday night. The final will be at noon Sunday. All times Eastern.

2022 IRT New York Open, May 12-15, 2022
Wantagh, New York

Round of 32 - Friday

1) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
16) Jordy Alonso d. Mauricio Zelada, 15-5, 15-7

David Horn d. 9) Jake Bredenbeck, 15-7, 15-10
8) Mario Mercado - BYE

5) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
12) Adam Manilla d. Edwin Galicia, 15-7, 12-15, 11-9

13) Sebastian Fernandez d. Jose Daniel Ugalde, 15-13, 15-10
4) Alejandro Landa - BYE

3) Samuel Murray - BYE
14) Eduardo Garay d. Eziquiel Subieta, 15-9, 15-6

11) Andres Acuña d. Coby Iwaasa, 15-10, 15-14
6) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE

7) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
Hector Barrios d. 10) Sebastian Franco, 15-14, 15-11

Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr d. 15) Robert Collins, 15-13, 15-8
2) Andree Parrilla - BYE

Round of 16 - Friday

1) Daniel De La Rosa d. 16) Jordy Alonso - 15-5, 15-7
8) Mario Mercado d. David Horn, 14-15, 15-7, 11-3

12) Adam Manilla d. 5) Eduardo Portillo, 13-15, 15-7, 11-7
4) Alejandro Landa d. 13) Sebastian Fernandez, 15-14, 15-13

3) Samuel Murray d. 14) Eduardo Garay, 15-13, 15-0
6) Conrrado Moscoso d. 11) Andres Acuña, 15-6, 15-4

7) Kane Waselenchuk d. Hector Barrios, 15-3, 15-5
2) Andree Parrilla d. Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr, 15-9, 15-12

Quarterfinals - Saturday

1) Daniel De La Rosa v. 8) Mario Mercado - 1 PM
4) Alejandro Landa v. 12) Adam Manilla - Noon

3) Samuel Murray v. 6) Conrrado Moscoso - 11 AM
2) Andree Parrilla v. 7) Kane Waselenchuk - 10 AM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Longoria & Herrera on track for final showdown at 2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open

Paola Longoria and Alexandra Herrera - the #1 and #2 players, respectively, on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) are heading for a third straight finals showdown, as they are both into the semi-finals at the 2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina. In the quarterfinals on Friday, Longoria defeated 8th seed Samantha Salas, 15-5, 15-12, and Herrera beat 10th seed Carla Muñoz, 15-7, 15-2. Their semi-final opponents are surprises, as both were upset winners in the quarters.

Eleventh seed Kelani Lawrence upset LPRT #3 Maria Jose Vargas, 15-11, 13-15, 11-9, in the quarterfinals, and 5th seed Jessica Parrilla beat 4th seed Natalia Mendez, 15-10, 15-7. In the semi-finals on Saturday, Lawerence will play Herrera while Parrilla takes on Longoria.

Longoria and Herrera will face off in the doubles final, as their respective teams won their semi-final matches Friday. Top seeds Longoria and Salas needed a tie-breaker to defeat Lawrence and Hollie Scott, 15-1, 12-15, 11-7, in one semi, while Herrera and Parrilla beat 2nd seeds Mendez and Valeria Centellas, 15-4, 15-12.

The singles semi-finals will be 10 and 11 AM Saturday, and the final at 4 PM with the doubles final to follow at 5 PM. All times EDT. Look for the action via the LPRT YouTube channel, as well as the LPRT Facebook page.

2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open
May 12-14, 2022 - Greenville, South Carolina

LPRT Singles - Round of 16 - Friday

1) Paola Longoria d. 16) Sheryl Lotts, 15-3, 15-1
8) Samantha Salas d. 9) Valeria Centellas, 15-4, 15-6

5) Jessica Parrilla d. 12) Nancy Enriquez, 15-8, 15-6
4) Natalia Mendez d. 13) Hollie Scott, 15-10, 11-15, 11-6

3) Maria Jose Vargas d. 14) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-9, 12-15, 11-6
11) Kelani Lawrence d. 6) Rhonda Rajsich, 15-0, 15-9

10) Carla Muñoz d. 7) Erika Manilla, 15-7, 15-4
2) Alexandra Herrera d. 15) Cristina Amaya, 15-10, 15-4

LPRT Singles - Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Paola Longoria d. 8) Samantha Salas, 15-5, 15-12
5) Jessica Parrilla d. 4) Natalia Mendez, 15-10, 15-7

11) Kelani Lawrence d. 3) Maria Jose Vargas, 15-11, 13-15, 11-9
2) Alexandra Herrera d. 10) Carla Muñoz, 15-7, 15-2

LPRT Singles - Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Paola Longoria v. 5) Jessica Parrilla - 11 AM
2) Alexandra Herrera v. 11) Kelani Lawrence - 10 AM

LPRT Doubles - Semi-finals - Friday

1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 5) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott, 15-1, 12-15, 11-7
3) Alexandra Herrera & Jessica Parrilla d. 2) Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez, 15-4, 15-12

LPRT Doubles - Final - Saturday

1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Jessica Parrilla - 5 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Rounds of 128 & 64 at 2022 IRT New York Open

There were some upsets Thursday at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) New York Open in Wantagh, New York, but we’re not sure there were any big surprises. Jose Daniel Ugalde and Coby Iwaasa were two of the lowest seeds in qualifying, but they are international veterans for their respective countries - Ecuador and Canada, so it’s not a surprise that they were able to qualify for Friday’s Round of 32.

Ugalde beat Set Cubillos, 15-1, 15-5, and then Michael Leduc, 15-4, 15-7, to reach the 32s, where he’ll play Sebastian Fernandez. Iwaasa needed a tie-breaker in his first match to defeat Joe Kelley, 15-14, 8-15, 11-2, and then David Austin, 15-3, 15-10, in his second match. We thought Iwaasa would play Mexican Alejandro Cardona in the second round, but Cardona was a no show unforetunately.

Other surprises were Ezequiel Subieta defeating Juan Salvatierra, 15-8, 15-6, to qualify for the 32s, where he’ll play Eduardo Garay, Hector Barrios beating Christian Wer, 15-8, 15-10, and Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr overcoming Erick Cuevas Fernandez, 6-15, 15-3, 11-5.

You can see the 2022 New York Open matches via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. Play begins Thursday with two rounds of action. Then they’ll play the Round of 32 Friday morning, and Round of 16 Friday afternoon and evening beginning at 4 PM. The quarterfinals will start at 10 AM Saturday morning with the semi-finals at 7 and 8 Saturday night. The final will be at noon Sunday. All times Eastern.

2022 IRT New York Open, May 12-15, 2022
Wantagh, New York

Round of 128 - Thursday

Mauricio Zelada - BYE
Rodrigo Mendoza d. Abraham Cardenas, 15-7, 15-8

Juan Francisco Cueva d. Miguel Angel Arteaga Guzman, 15-6, 15-5
David Horn d. Maneesh Pujari, 15-6, 15-1

Edwin Galicia d. Tony Puggioni, 15-10, 15-3
Alex Zamudio d. Carlos Jose Galvez, 15-11, 15-10

Michael Leduc d. Samuel Kelley, 11-15, 15-11, 11-9
Jose Daniel Ugalde d. Set Cubillos, 15-1, 15-5

Juan Salvatierra d. Roger Subieta, 15-1, 15-10
Ezequiel Subieta d. Troy Warigon, 15-12, 15-6

David Austin d. Alejandro Cardona, forfeit
Coby Iwaasa d. Joe Kelley, 15-14, 8-15, 11-2

Christian Wer d. Brendan Sullivan, 15-8, 15-2
Hector Barrios d. Garin Meguerditchian, 15-6, 15-2

Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr d. Andrés Gómez, 15-10, 15-12
Erick Cuevas Fernandez d. John Behm, 15-4, 15-7

Round of 64 - Thursday

Q1 - Mauricio Zelada d. Rodrigo Mendoza, 15-7, 15-12
Q8 - David Horn d. Miguel Angel Arteaga Guzman, 15-13, 15-7

Q5 - Edwin Galicia d. Alex Zamudio, 15-11, 14-15, 11-3
Q4 - Jose Daniel Ugalde d. Michael Leduc, 15-4, 15-7

Q3 - Ezequiel Subieta d. Juan Salvatierra, 15-8, 15-6
Q6 - Coby Iwaasa d. David Austin, 15-3, 15-10

Q7 - Hector Barrios d. Christian Wer, 15-8, 15-10 =
Q2 - Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr d. Erick Cuevas Fernandez, 6-15, 15-3, 11-5

Round of 32 - Friday

1) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
16) Jordy Alonso v. Mauricio Zelada - 11 AM

9) Jake Bredenbeck v. David Horn - 11 AM
8) Mario Mercado - BYE

5) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
12) Adam Manilla v. Edwin Galicia - 11 AM

13) Sebastian Fernandez v. Jose Daniel Ugalde - 11 AM
4) Alejandro Landa - BYE

3) Samuel Murray - BYE
14) Eduardo Garay v. Eziquiel Subieta - 10 AM

11) Andres Acuña v. Coby Iwaasa - 10 AM
6) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE

7) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
10) Sebastian Franco v. Hector Barrios - 10 AM

15) Robert Collins v. Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr - 10 AM
2) Andree Parrilla - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

Friday action from the 2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open

There were no real upsets on day one of action on Thursday at the 2022 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Sweet Caroline Open in Greenville, South Carolina. There were a few singles matches in the Round of 32. One of them went to a tie-breaker, as 14th seed Maria Renee Rodriguez needed three games to defeat 19th seed Adriana Riveros, 15-8, 12-15, 11-3. Rodriguez will play 3rd seed Maria Jose Vargas in the Round of 16 Friday.

LPRT #1 Paola Longoria will play 16th seed Sheryl Lotts in the 16s, as Lotts was a comfortable winner over 17th seed Miceala Meneses, 15-2, 15-2, on Thursday, and LPRT #2 Alexandra Herrera will play veteran Cristina Amaya, as the 15th seeded Colombian took out 18th seed Jessica Chen, 15-6, 15-1, in the 32s.

In doubles, Erika Manilla and Aimee Roehler needed a tie-breaker to win their first match, defeating Shane Diaz & Naomi Ros, 15-11, 4-15, 11-6, but they lost to the current International Racquetball Federation (IRF) Women’s Doubles World Champions Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas, 15-6, 15-9. Next up for Longoria and Salas is another American team: 5th seeds Kelani Lawrence and Hollie Scott, who came back from a game down to upset 4th seeds Carla Muñoz and Maria Renee Rodriguez, 10-15, 15-2, 11-8.

On the other side of the doubles draw, Herrera and Jessica Parrilla beat 6th seeds Cristina Amaya and Adriana Riveros, 15-10, 15-1, while 2nd seeds Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez eked out a win over 7th seeds Sheryl Lotts and Rhonda Rajsich, 15-10, 11-15, 11-10, so Herrera and Parrilla will take on Centellas and Mendez in the semi-finals Friday.

The Round of 16 begins at 9 AM Eastern time on Friday with the quarterfinals at 4 and 5 PM Friday. The semi-finals will be 10 and 11 AM Saturday, and the final at 4 PM. The singles final will be 4 PM Saturday with the doubles final to follow at 5 PM. All times EDT. Look for the action via the LPRT YouTube channel, as well as the LPRT Facebook page.

2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open
May 12-14, 2022 - Greenville, South Carolina

LPRT Singles - Round of 32 - Thursday

1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Sheryl Lotts d. 17) Micaela Meneses, 15-2, 15-2

9) Valeria Centellas - BYE
8) Samantha Salas - BYE

5) Jessica Parrilla - BYE
12) Nancy Enriquez d. 21) Mary Kirchoff, 15-2, 15-0

13) Hollie Scott v. 20) Naomi Ros, 15-9, 15-10
4) Natalia Mendez - BYE

3) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
14) Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 19) Adriana Riveros, 15-8, 12-15, 11-3

11) Kelani Lawrence - BYE
6) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE

7) Erika Manilla - BYE
10) Carla Muñoz - BYE

15) Cristina Amaya d. 18) Jessica Chen, 15-6, 15-1
2) Alexandra Herrera - BYE

LPRT Singles - Round of 16 - Friday

1) Paola Longoria v. 16) Sheryl Lotts - Noon
8) Samantha Salas v. 9) Valeria Centellas - Noon

5) Jessica Parrilla v. 12) Nancy Enriquez - 9 AM
4) Natalia Mendez v. 13) Hollie Scott - 9 AM

3) Maria Jose Vargas v. 14) Maria Renee Rodriguez - 10 AM
6) Rhonda Rajsich v. 11) Kelani Lawrence - 10 AM

7) Erika Manilla v. 10) Carla Muñoz - 11 AM
2) Alexandra Herrera v. 15) Cristina Amaya - 11 AM

LPRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Erika Manilla & Aimee Roehler d. 9) Shane Diaz & Naomi Ros, 15-11, 4-15, 11-6

5) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott - BYE
4) Carla Muñoz & Maria Renee Rodriguez - BYE

3) Alexandra Herrera & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
6) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros - BYE

7) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
2) Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez - BYE

LPRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 8) Erika Manilla & Aimee Roehler, 15-6, 15-9
5) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott d. 4) Carla Muñoz & Maria Renee Rodriguez, 10-15, 15-2, 11-8

3) Alexandra Herrera & Jessica Parrilla d. 6) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros, 15-10, 15-1
2) Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez d. 7) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich, 15-10, 11-15, 11-10

LPRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday

1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 5) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott - 7 PM
2) Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez v. 3) Alexandra Herrera & Jessica Parrilla - 6 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

2022 IRT New York Open - Preview

The International Racquetball Tour’s (IRT’s) New York Open starts Thursday in Wantagh, New York with two rounds of qualifying matches. Forty seven players are in the draw, including the top 7 ranked players and 12 of the top 15. Daniel De La Rosa, IRT #1, leads the way coming off a win at the IRT SoCal Open last month. He’s joined by IRT #2 Andree Parrilla, #3 Samuel Murray and #4 Alejandro Landa.

Former #1 Kane Waselenchuk is also in the draw as the 7th seed, but veterans Rocky Carson and Alvaro Beltran are absent.

Perhaps the most interesting potential match in qualifying will be in round two, as Mexican Alejandro Cardona could face Canadian Coby Iwaasa in what would be a rematch of the World Racquetball Tour 2014 Fall Brawl final, when Iwaasa came back from a game down to beat Cardona and claim his first and so far only pro tour title. Since then neither Cardona or Iwaasa has played much on the IRT, though Cardona did play at last month’s IRT SoCal Open, and Iwaasa competed at last month’s Pan American Championships, winning Men’s Doubles with Samuel Murray.

You can see the 2022 New York Open matches via the usual IRT media outlets: The IRT YouTube channel or the IRT Facebook page. Play begins Thursday with two rounds of action. Then they’ll play the Round of 32 Friday morning, and Round of 16 Friday afternoon and evening beginning at 4 PM. The quarterfinals will start at 10 AM Saturday morning with the semi-finals at 7 and 8 Saturday night. The final will be at noon Sunday. All times Eastern.

2022 IRT New York Open, May 12-15, 2022
Wantagh, New York

Round of 128 - Thursday

Mauricio Zelada - BYE
Rodrigo Mendoza v. Abraham Cardenas - 3 PM

Miguel Angel Arteaga Guzman v. Juan Francisco Cueva - 3 PM
David Horn v. Maneesh Pujari - 2 PM

Edwin Galicia v. Tony Puggioni - 3 PM
Alex Zamudio v. Carlos Jose Galvez - 2 PM

Samuel Kelley v. Michael Leduc - 2 PM
Set Cubillos v. Jose Daniel Ugalde - 2 PM

Juan Salvatierra v. Roger Subieta - 1 PM
Troy Warigon v. Ezequiel Subieta - 1 PM

Alejandro Cardona v. David Austin - 1 PM
Joe Kelley v. Coby Iwaasa - Noon

Christian Wer v. Brendan Sullivan - 1 PM
Hector Barrios v. Garin Meguerditchian - Noon

Andrés Gómez v. Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr - Noon
Erick Cuevas Fernandez v. John Behm - Noon

Round of 64 - Thursday

Q1 - Mauricio Zelada v. Rodrigo Mendoza or Abraham Cardenas - 5 PM
Q8 - Miguel Angel Arteaga Guzman or Juan Francisco Cueva v. David Horn or Maneesh Pujari - 5 PM

Q5 - Edwin Galicia or Tony Puggioni v. Alex Zamudio or Carlos Jose Galvez - 5 PM
Q4 - Samuel Kelley or Michael Leduc v. Set Cubillos or Jose Daniel Ugalde - 5 PM

Q3 - Juan Salvatierra or Roger Subieta v. Troy Warigon or Ezequiel Subieta - 4 PM
Q6 - Alejandro Cardona or David Austin v. Joe Kelley or Coby Iwaasa - 4 PM

Q7 - Christian Wer or Brendan Sullivan v. Hector Barrios or Garin Meguerditchian - 4PM
Q2 - Andrés Gómez or Guillermo Jesus Ortega Jr v. Erick Cuevas Fernandez or John Behm - 4 PM

Round of 32 - Friday

1) Daniel De La Rosa - BYE
16) Jordy Alonso v. Q1 - 11 AM

9) Jake Bredenbeck v. Q8 - 11 AM
8) Mario Mercado - BYE

5) Eduardo Portillo - BYE
12) Adam Manilla v. Q5 - 11 AM

13) Sebastian Fernandez v. Q4 - 11 AM
4) Alejandro Landa - BYE

3) Samuel Murray - BYE
14) Eduardo Garay v. Q3 - 10 AM

11) Andres Acuña v. Q6 - 10 AM
6) Conrrado Moscoso - BYE

7) Kane Waselenchuk - BYE
10) Sebastian Franco v. Q7 - 10 AM

15) Robert Collins v. Q2 - 10 AM
2) Andree Parrilla - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open Preview

The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Sweet Caroline Open begins Thursday in Greenville, South Carolina. There’s a field of 21 players, including seven of the top ten players headed by LPRT #1 Paola Longoria and LPRT #2 Alexandra Herrera, who will be looking to win her 3rd LPRT event in a row. No one other than Longoria has won three tournaments in a row since 2008, when American Rhonda Rajsich won six consecutive titles. Since then Longoria has often won consecutive tournaments, although not the last two, when Herrera has beaten her in the final.

Whether Herrera can make it three in a row is one interesting aspect of this weekend’s tournament, as is the appearance of American Aimee Roehler in the doubles draw. She’s playing with Erika Manilla, who she’ll play with at the USA Racquetball National Championships later this month, and it will be interesting to see how far the three time former International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Champion can go in the draw this weekend.

Roehler and Manilla are seeded 8th, so they’ll play their first match on Thursday against the young team of Shane Diaz and Naomi Ros. If they win that, they’ll face the top seeds: Longoria and Samantha Salas, the current IRF Women’s Doubles World Champions. That’ll be a tough match, but Roehler - playing as Aimee Ruiz - is one of the few people to defeat Longoria and Salas, doing so with Janel Tisinger at the 2016 IRF World Championships. Also, Manilla (playing with Rajsich) was runner up to Longoria and Salas at last year’s IRF World Championships, so she has experience against the Mexicans as well.

There are a couple of other teams to note in doubles. Herrera’s usual doubles partner Montserrat Mejia won’t be in Greenville, so she’s playing with another fellow Mexican Jessica Parrilla. They face the Colombian team of Cristina Amaya and Adriana Riveros in their first match. Also, Guatemalan Maria Renee Rodriguez’s usual partner - Gabriela Martinez - is missing this weekend, so she’s playing with Chilean Carla Muñoz. They’ll play the American team of Kelani Lawrence and Hollie Scott in their first match.

Note that play begins on Thursday, and the finals will be on Saturday. There will be one round of singles matches on Thursday, and then two rounds on both Friday and Saturday. They’ll play two rounds of doubles on Thursday, and then the semi-finals on Friday evening at 6 and 7 PM. The singles final will be 4 PM Saturday with the doubles final to follow at 5 PM. All times EDT. Look for the action via the LPRT YouTube channel, as well as the LPRT Facebook page.

2022 LPRT Sweet Caroline Open
May 12-14, 2022 - Greenville, South Carolina

LPRT Singles - Round of 32 - Thursday

1) Paola Longoria - BYE
16) Sheryl Lotts v. 17) Micaela Meneses - Noon

9) Valeria Centellas - BYE
8) Samantha Salas - BYE

5) Jessica Parrilla - BYE
12) Nancy Enriquez v. 21) Naomi Ros - 10 AM

13) Hollie Scott v. 20) Mary Kirchoff - 10 AM
4) Natalia Mendez - BYE

3) Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
14) Maria Renee Rodriguez v. 19) Adriana Riveros - 11 AM

11) Kelani Lawrence - BYE
6) Rhonda Rajsich - BYE

7) Erika Manilla - BYE
10) Carla Muñoz - BYE

15) Cristina Amaya v. 18) Jessica Chen - Noon
2) Alexandra Herrera - BYE

LPRT Doubles - Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE
8) Erika Manilla & Aimee Roehler v. 9) Shane Diaz & Naomi Ros - 1 PM

5) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott - BYE
4) Carla Muñoz & Maria Renee Rodriguez - BYE

3) Alexandra Herrera & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
6) Cristina Amaya & Adriana Riveros - BYE

7) Sheryl Lotts & Rhonda Rajsich - BYE
2) Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….