Paola Longoria won the 2024 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Christmas Classic in Millersville, Maryland Sunday by defeating LPRT #1 Maria José Vargas, 15-9, 7-15, 11-4. It’s Longoria’s first win in six months, which probably felt like an eternity for the former #1 LPRT player and winningest woman in racquetball history.
Three different players have won the three LPRT events so far this season: Gabriela Martinez won the first in Colorado, Vargas the second in Illinois two weeks ago, and now Longoria, who has been in all three finals.
Brenda Laime has been in all three LPRT doubles finals this season, and she’s won them all. Today she and Montserrat Mejia, the 1st seeds, beat 7th seeds Michelle Key and Erika Manilla, 15-4, 15-10.
Prior to this season, Laime hadn’t won an LPRT doubles title. Now she’s won three: two with Mejia and one with Key.
The singles final was a lopsided one, as Longoria won big in game one, going up 12-3 and holding on to win 15-9. Then Vargas did the same in game two, winning 15-7.
Often when two games are split and not close, the tie-breaker is close, but that wasn’t the case today, as Longoria took a 7-1 lead in the breaker and held on to win relatively comfortably at 11-4.
The doubles final was interesting, as two weeks ago Laime and Key were on the same side, defeating Vargas and Natalia Mendez in the final after beating Mejia and Alexandra Herrera in the semi-finals. Today they were on different teams, but on the same side of the court: they both played the left side.
Laime won the battle on that side, as Key seemed to be a bit off with her game today. Laime’s good shooting contributed to Key’s misfortune. But also it seemed like Key was giving up a lot of space to Laime, which Laime took full advantage of with solid passing and pinch shots.
It was good to see Manilla’s return to action after her hip injury and surgery to correct it. Reportedly she’s feeling 90% of normal, but clearly she can still be a force on court even at less than 100%.
The LPRT will be return to action next month at the Arizona Open, January 16-19, in Tempe, Arizona. If you missed any of the action from Maryland, and there were some great matches, check out the LPRT YouTube channel.
32nd Annual Christmas Classic
Millersville, Maryland - December 6-8, 2024
Singles Final - Sunday
2) Paola Longoria d. 1) Maria José Vargas, 15-9, 7-15, 11-4
Doubles - Final - Sunday
1) Brenda Laime & Montserrat Mejia d. 7) Michelle Key & Erika Manilla, 15-4, 15-10
Follow the bouncing ball….
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