Paola Longoria won the 2024 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Battle at the Beach in Norfolk, Virginia, by defeating Alexandra Herrera, 15-5, 15-10, in the final on the weekend. She had a chance to win the doubles title also, but Longoria and Samantha Salas lost in that final to Herrera and Montserrat Mejia, 15-5, 15-9.
While the finals were relatively straight forward matches, the doubles semi-finals were anything but, as both went the distance. Longoria and Salas squeaked by Natalia Mendez and Maria José Vargas 14-15, 15-14, 11-9, in the first semi and then Herrera and Mejia needed three games to defeat Brenda Laime and Carla Muñoz, 14-15, 15-9, 11-2, in the second semi.
Final Rankings
Maria José Vargas didn’t win in Norfolk, but she won five of the eight LPRT events this season, and that form put Vargas on top of the season ending LPRT rankings for the first time in her career. She’s the third different player to be #1 in as many seasons, as Mejia was #1 last season, and Longoria the season before that, which was the last of 11 consecutive seasons for Longoria at #1.
Longoria’s three wins this season helped her finish #2 with Mejia #3. Herrera is #4 and Laime #5.
Rounding out the top 10 are Kelani Lawrence at #6 and Mendez at #7. Cristina Amaya is 8th, and that’s her 11th season in the top 10, and first since 2019-20.
Carla Muñoz finished at 9th, and then there was a tie for 10th between Gabriela Martinez and Erika Manilla, who was out of action for much of the season with a hip injury the required surgery, but was the only player outside of the top 4 to reach a final this season.
Herrera and Mejia topped the doubles rankings, as they won six of the seven doubles titles, and were runners up in the event they didn’t win. Longoria and Salas finished second four times, which helped them to tie for 3rd in the rankings.
LPRT player awards
Maria José Vargas was named LPRT Player of the Year on the weekend. Kelani Lawrence was the Most Improved Athlete this season, as she went from #14 to #6 in the LPRT rankings.
Finally, Mejia was named the Fan Favorite this season via a fan vote.
Congratulations to Vargas, Lawrence and Mejia on their awards.
If you missed any of the matches from Norfolk on the weekend - the doubles semis were pretty great, or any other LPRT tournament this season, check out the LPRT YouTube channel.
2024 LPRT Battle at the Beach
Norfolk, Virginia - June 6-9, 2024
Singles Final - Saturday
3) Paola Longoria d. 4) Alexandra Herrera, 15-5, 15-10
Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday
1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia d. 4) Brenda Laime & Carla Muñoz, 14-15, 15-9, 11-2
3) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas, 14-15, 15-14, 11-9
Doubles - Final - Saturday
1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia d. 3) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas, 15-5, 15-9
2023-24 LPRT Final Rankings - Singles
Rank - Player - Country - Points - Wins - Finals - Semi-finals - Quarterfinals
1) Maria José Vargas (Argentina) - 1502 - 5, 0, 2, 0
2) Paola Longoria (Mexico) - 1409.5 - 3, 1, 4, 0
3) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - 1093.5 - 0, 4, 3, 1
4) Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) - 896 - 0, 2, 4, 2
5) Brenda Laime (Bolivia) - 467.5 - 0, 0, 1, 4
6) Kelani Lawrence (USA) - 460 - 0, 0, 0, 6
7) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 393.5 - 0, 0, 0, 4
8) Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 353.5 - 0, 0, 1, 1
9) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 342.5 - 0, 0, 0, 2
10) Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - 333 - 0, 0, 0, 5
10) Erika Manilla (USA) - 333 - 0, 1, 1, 1
2023-24 LPRT Final Rankings - Doubles
Rank - Player - Country - Points - Wins - Finals
1) Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) - 333.19 - 6, 1
1) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - 333.19 - 6, 1
3) Paola Longoria (Mexico) - 182.65 - 0, 4
3) Samantha Salas (Mexico) - 182.65 - 0, 4
5) Maria José Vargas (Argentina) - 173.94 - 1, 1
6) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 160.19 - 1, 1
7) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 131.05 - 0, 1
8) Brenda Laime (Bolivia) - 112.2 - 0, 0
9) Kelani Lawrence (USA) - 96.95 - 0, 0
10) Hollie Scott (USA) - 84.7 - 0, 0
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