2014 Central American & Caribbean Games - A summing up

Mexico won all the gold medals at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games (CACG) in Veracruz, Mexico. The gold results weren’t surprising, as the Mexicans were the defending champions in all divisions, and they have a strong team, including two time Women’s Singles World Champion Paola Longoria, who is also Women’s Doubles World Champion with partner Samantha Salas.

On the men’s side, Mexico was represented in Men’s Singles by former World Champion Alvaro Beltran and Daniel De La Rosa, who’s the 5th ranked player on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT). In Men’s Doubles, Mexico had Beltran and Javier Moreno, who have been World Champions together.

In short, the Mexican team was stacked.

Thus, it was a good tournament for Mexico, the host country, and it was also a good event for Guatemala, who collected four medals, including two silver medals for their women: Gabriela Martinez and Maria Renee Rodriguez. Those results bode well for the future for Guatemala, as Martinez is only 15 and Rodriguez 19, so they should have many years ahead of them.

Costa Rica had some good results, including a silver in the Men’s Team event and bronze for Felipe Camacho in Men’s Singles. Camacho also got a bronze medal four years, but in Men’s Doubles with Teobaldo Fumero.

Also, the Dominican Republic players Luis Perez and Junior Rodriguez got silver in Men’s Doubles, which equalled the Dominican performance from four years ago. Perez is 23 and Rodriguez 19, so they could also be medals threats for years to come.

Generally, the medalists in Veracruz this year are younger than those in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico four years ago. This reinforces the youth movement that’s been seen in other competitions, especially the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT).

Multiple medalists

Five players - four women and one man - were multiple medalists in the individual events in Veracruz. Three of them were Mexicans: Longoria with gold in Women’s Singles and Doubles, Salas with silver in Women’s Singles and gold in Women’s Doubles, and Beltran with gold in Men’s Singles and Doubles.

The two other players with multiple medals were Martinez of Guatemala with silver in Women’s Doubles and bronze in Women’s Singles, and Cristina Amaya of Colombia with bronze in both Women’s Singles and Doubles.

Part of the Olympic movement

You may be wondering why you should care about the Central American and Caribbean Games? It’s a regional competition, so there are only a handful of countries competing. Thus, is this really important?

Yes. Yes, it is.

In sport, people talk about quadrennials or four year cycles, because the Olympic Games happen every four years. Athletes are always trying to prepare for the next Olympic Games, and the smaller competitions are part of that preparation.

Moreover, just as athletes try to progress from small competitions to larger ones, so do the events themselves. In the Americas, it begins with the Central American Games, which last happened in 2013 - the first year after the 2012 Olympic Games in London. That involves seven countries. Racquetball has been part of that event since 1990.

The next year is the Central American and Caribbean Games, which is happening now in 2014. Overall, 32 countries participate in the CACGs, and racquetball has been included since 1990. The 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games will be held in Barranquilla, Colombia.

This is followed by the Pan American Games, which involves 42 countries, and will be held next year in Toronto. Racquetball has been part of the Pan Am Games since 1995 (the sport was not included in the 2007 games).

The in 2016 the Olympic Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. That involves countries from all around the world, but sadly it doesn’t include racquetball yet.

So, the Central American and Caribbean Games is part of the Olympic quadrennial, and a stepping stone to get to Rio in 2016. The importance of the CACG - outside of their importance alone - is that it’s part of the building process for the Olympics.

When racquetball becomes an Olympic Games sport, then it will be clearer how the CACG is important for developing players to perform on the world stage.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's Singles

GOLD - Paola LONGORIA (Mexico)
SILVER - Samantha SALAS (Mexico)
BRONZE - Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ (Guatemala), Cristina AMAYA (Colombia)

Men's – Singles

GOLD - Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico)
SILVER - Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico)
BRONZE - Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica), Alejandro HERRERA (Colombia)

Women's – Doubles

GOLD - Paola LONGORIA & Samantha SALAS (Mexico)
SILVER - Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ & Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala)
BRONZE - Mariana TOBON & Ishlhey PAREDES (Venezuela), Cristina AMAYA & Maria GOMEZ (Colombia)

Men – Doubles

GOLD - Alvaro BELTRAN & Javier MORENO (Mexico)
SILVER - Luis PEREZ & Junior RODRIGUEZ (Dominican Republic)
BRONZE - Cesar CASTRO & Cesar CASTILLO (Venezuela), Edwin GALICIA & Christian WER (Guatemala)

Women's Team

GOLD - Mexico
SILVER - Guatemala
BRONZE - Venezuela, Colombia

Men's Team

GOLD - Mexico
SILVER - Costa Rica
BRONZE - Colombia, Dominican Republic

Medal Summary

1. Mexico (6 gold, 2 silver, 0 bronze)
2. Guatemala (2 silver, 2 bronze)
3. Costa Rica (1 silver, 1 bronze)
3. Dominican Republic (1 silver, 1 bronze)
5. Colombia (5 bronze)
6. Venezuela (3 bronze)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Mexico wins both Men's & Women's Team Events at 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games

Mexico wins the Women's and Men's Team competitions at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico on Monday, which wraps up the racquetball portion of the competition. Mexico successfully defended the team gold medals they won four years ago, and they only needed two matches in both the women's and men's finals.

Daniel De La Rosa started it off with a two game win over Costa Rican Andres Acuña, 15-7, 15-9. Alvaro Beltran completed the Mexican win over Costa Rica by defeating Felipe Camacho, 15-7, 15-10.

The two wins in singles meant the doubles match, which would have put Beltran and Javier Moreno against Andres Aviles and Joaquin Solera, wasn't played.

The Mexican women also won in two straight against Guatemala. Samantha Salas defeated Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-10, 15-10, in the first match, and Paola Longoria beat Gabriela Martinez in the second match 15-9, 15-1.

Rodriguez was close to Salas in their games, and led early in game two at 6-5, but never again. Longoria and Martinez were tied at 5-5, but then Longoria, the World Champion, pulled away to lead at 11-7 and went on to win it. Game two was all Longoria.

Thus, Mexico swept the gold medals in all divisions in Veracruz. Six in total, as well as two silver medals, as the singles finals were all Mexico battles.

Guatemala finishes second in the medal standings with two silver and two bronze. Costa Rica got one silver and one bronze, as did the Dominican Republic. Colombia got five bronze medals, and Venezuela three.

This concludes the racquetball portion of the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games, although the games continue to November 30. The 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games will be held in Barranquilla, Colombia.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's Team - Final

Mexico d. Guatemala, 2-0

Men's Team - Final

Mexico d. Costa Rica, 2-0

Follow the bouncing ball….

Team Compeition Day 2 at 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games

The Mexican Women's and Men's Teams have advanced to the finals in the Team competitions at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico. In the semi-finals, on the Men’s side, they defeated Colombia in the semi-finals, while the women beat Venezuela.

In the Men’s semis, Alvaro Beltran (Mexico) beat Alejandro Herrera, 15-9, 15-2, and teamed up with Javier Moreno to defeat Herrera and Andres Ramirez, 15-8, 9-15, 11-6. Thus, Colombia pushed it to a tie-breaker in an effort to have a third and deciding match played, but they didn’t quite get there.

Mexico will play Costa Rica in the Men’s Team final on Monday. Costa Rica defeated the Dominican Republic in the other semi-finals, 2-0. Felipe Camacho beat Luis Perez, 15-6, 15-7, and Andres Aviles and Joaquin Solera beat Perez and Junior Rodriguez, 9-15, 15-12, 11-7.

The Colombia and Guatemala women are going to a third match, as Cristina Amaya defeated Ana Gabriela Martinez, 15-3, 15-5, but Martinez and Maria Renee Rodriguez beat Amaya and Maria Gomez, 12-15, 15-8, 11-1.

In the third and deciding match, Rodriguez came back from a game down to defeat Gomez, 9-15, 15-5, 11-5, for a spot in the final against Mexico.

The Mexicans - Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas - defeated Venezuela easily, as Longoria beat Mariana Tobon, 15-1, 15-2, and they teamed up to win doubles, beating Tobon and Mariana Tobon, 15-2, 15-1.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's Team - Semi-finals

Mexico d. Venezuela, 2-0
Guatemala d. Colombia, 2-1

Women's Team - Final

Mexico v. Guatemala

Men's Team - Semi-finals

Mexico d. Colombia, 2-0
Costa Rica d. Dominican Republic, 2-0

Men's Team - Final

Mexico v. Costa Rica

Follow the bouncing ball….

Team competition Day 1 at 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games

The Women's and Men's Team competitions begin on Saturday at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico. The team competition is a best of three with two singles matches and a doubles match. The order of the matches will vary across the rounds, so the order is not necessarily singles, singles, doubles. Doubles could be the first, second or third match.

Only one match from day one needed three matches to determine the outcome. Colombia defeated Guatemala, 2-1. Alejandro Herrera defeated Edwin Galicia, 15-8, 10-15, 11-7, but Christian Wer beat Francisco Gomez, 15-9, 15-14, to force a third match, which was doubles. In that, Herrera and Andres Ramirez beat Galicia and Wer, 15-11, 15-4, to take the match.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's Team - Quarterfinals

Mexico d. Nicaragua
Venezuela d. Dominican Republic, 2-0

Colombia d. Costa Rica, 2-0
Guatemala d. Honduras, 2-0

Women's Team - Semi-finals

Mexico v. Venezuela
Colombia v. Guatemala

Men's Team - Quarterfinals

Mexico - BYE
Colombia d. Guatemala, 2-1

Costa Rica d. Venezuela, 2-0
Dominican Republic d. Honduras, 2-0

Men's Team - Semi-finals

Mexico v. Colombia
Costa Rica v. Dominican Republic

Follow the bouncing ball….

Gold medal sweep for Mexico at 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games

Mexico won all four gold medals the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico, Friday. Alvaro Beltran started it off by successfully defending his Central American and Caribbean Games gold medal by defeating countryman Daniel De La Rosa in the Men’s Singles final, 15-7, 15-2.

Beltran and De La Rosa were close in game one, when Beltran led 8-7. However, after that point, De La Rosa only got two more points in the match, as Beltran got seven unanswered points to take game one, 15-7, and then won game two going away at 15-2.

Paola Longoria followed that up by also successfully defending her title in Women’s Singles by defeating team-mate Samantha Salas, 15-2, 15-3, in the final. They will team up to play in the Women's Doubles final later today against Guatemala.

Beltran went two for two, as he and Javier Morneo won the Men’s Doubles final, defeating Dominicans Luis Perez and Junior Rodriguez, 15-10, 15-6. Moreno was one of the defending gold medalists, winning in 2010 with Polo Gutierrez.

Longoria and Salas teamed up to win the Women's Doubles title by defeating Guatemalans Ana Gabriela Martinez and Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-4, 15-2. Salas was one of the defending gold medalists, as she won gold with Susana Acosta in 2010.

This ends the individual competitions in Veracruz. There will be a team competition beginning Saturday and running to Monday.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's Singles - Final

Paola LONGORIA (Mexico) d. Samantha SALAS (Mexico), 15-2, 15-3

Men's – Singles - Final

Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) d. Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico), 15-7, 15-2

Women's – Doubles - Final

Paola LONGORIA & Samantha SALAS (Mexico) v. Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ & Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala)

Men – Doubles - Final

Alvaro BELTRAN & Javier MORENO (Mexico) d. Luis PEREZ & Junior RODRIGUEZ (Dominican Republic), 15-10, 15-6

Follow the bouncing ball….

Mexico positioned to sweep gold after winning doubles semi-finals at 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games

Mexicans have a chance to sweep the gold medals at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico, as both their Women’s and Men’s Doubles teams won their respective semi-final matches Thursday.

In Women's Doubles, Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas defeated the Venezuelan team of Mariana Tobon and Ishlhey Paredes, 15-6, 15-6. Their opponents will be the young Guatemalan team of Ana Gabriela Martinez and Maria Renee Rodriguez, which is a bit of a surprise, as they defeated a veteran Colombian team of Cristina Amaya and Maria Gomez, 15-12, 15-12.

On the Men’s Doubles side, it’s a replay of four years ago, as Mexico will play the Dominican Republic in the final. Mexicans Alvaro Beltran and Javier Moreno defeated Venezuelans Cesar Castro and Cesar Castillo, 15-6, 15-5, in one semi-final while the Dominican team of Luis Perez and Junior Rodriguez beat Edwin Galicia and Christian Wer of Guatemala, 15-12, 15-12, in the other semi.

Thus, Javier Moreno and Luis Perez face off against each other once again, but with different partners. Four years ago Moreno and Polo Gutierrez defeated Perez and Simon Perdomo in the Men’s Doubles final in Puerto Rico.

Guatemala is doing one better in Women’s Doubles than they did four years ago, when Marie Gomar and Luci Zachrisson got to the semi-finals, where they lost to Salas and Susana Acosta.

Four years ago Martinez was 11. But now she’s the two time reigning U14 Girl’s World Junior Champion. Also this year she and Rodriguez were the silver medalists in U18 Girl’s Doubles at World Juniors.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's – Doubles - Semi-finals

Paola LONGORIA & Samantha SALAS (Mexico) d. Mariana TOBON & Ishlhey PAREDES (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-6
Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ & Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala) d. Cristina AMAYA & Maria GOMEZ (Colombia), 15-12, 15-14

Women's – Doubles - Final

Paola LONGORIA & Samantha SALAS (Mexico) v. Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ & Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala)

Men – Doubles - Semi-finals

Alvaro BELTRAN & Javier MORENO (Mexico) d. Cesar CASTRO & Cesar CASTILLO (Venezuela), 15-6, 15-5
Luis PEREZ & Junior RODRIGUEZ (Dominican Republic) d. Edwin GALICIA & Christian WER (Guatemala), 15-12, 15-12

Men – Doubles - Final

Alvaro BELTRAN & Javier MORENO (Mexico) v. Luis PEREZ & Junior RODRIGUEZ (Dominican Republic)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Mexicans through to the finals in Women's & Men's Singles at 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games

Mexicans swept the semi-finals in singles at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico, which was no surprise, as Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas, in the Women’s Singles, and Alvaro Beltran and Daniel De La Rosa, in Men’s Singles, are the top ranked players on their respective professional tours.

Longoria and Beltran are also the defending gold medalists, so Salas and De La Rosa will have their work cut out for them when they face off in the finals on Friday.

In the Women’s Singles semi-finals, Longoria defeated Ana Gabriela Martinez of Guatemalas, 15-5, 15-9, and Salas beat Cristina Amaya of Colombia, 15-7, 15-9. In the Men’s Singles semis, Beltran defeated Felipe Camacho of Costa Rica, and De La Rosa beat Alejandro Herrera of Colombia, 15-8, 15-3.

Medals for Guatemala, Colombia and Costa Rica in singles at the Central American and Caribbean Games is a new thing, as in the last two games players from the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Puerto Rico, as well as Mexico, have claimed podium places in singles.

The four women in the singles semi-finals will be double medalists this year, as they are all also in the doubles semi-finals. Only Beltran can do that among the men, as he’s the only player from the singles semi that is also in the Men’s Doubles semis.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's Singles - Semi-finals

Paola LONGORIA (Mexico) d. Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ (Guatemala), 15-5, 15-9
Samantha SALAS (Mexico) d. Cristina AMAYA (Colombia), 15-7, 15-9

Women's Singles - Final

Paola LONGORIA (Mexico) v. Samantha SALAS (Mexico)

Men's – Singles - Semi-finals

Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) d. Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica), 15-2, 15-8
Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) d. Alejandro HERRERA (Colombia), 15-8, 15-3

Men's – Singles - Final

Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) v. Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Doubles quarterfinals at 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games

The doubles teams are in action Wednesday with their quarterfinals after an off day on Tuesday at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico.

No surprises so far with the top two seeds in Women's Doubles both winning. Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas of Mexico, the reigning World Champions, won their match easily, defeating Lissel and Paula Padilla of Honduras, 15-3, 15-1. Also, 2nd seeds Cristina Amaya and Maria Gomez of Colombia beat Maria J. Posada and Maria P. Posada of Honduras, 15-0, 15-2.

Good results for Guatemala, as both their men's and women's teams won their quarterfinal matches. Ana Gabriela Martinez and Maria Renee Rodriguez defeated Melania Sauma and Naomi Sasso of Costa Rica, 15-7, 15-12, so Martinez will have two medals from Veracruz, as she's also in the semi-finals of Women's Singles. The Guatemalan men - Edwin Galicia and Christian Wer - needed a tie-breaker to beat Costa Ricans Andres Aviles and Joaquin Solera, 9-15, 15-13, 11-6.

Both Venezuelan teams also made the semi-finals. The men - Cesar Castro and Cesar Castillo - were up against half of the current World Champion Colombian team in Alejandro Herrera, who won the doubles World Championship with Sebastian Franco this year, and Andres Ramirez, but the two Cesars were up to the task, winning 15-11, 14-15, 11-7.

The Venezuelan women - Mariana Tobon and Ishley Paredes - were also in a close contest, but they won in two straight games, defeating Maria Cespedes and Merynanyelly Delgado of the Dominican Republic, 15-12, 15-14. The Dominicans were up 14-12 in game two, but were unable to close it out and force a tie-breaker.

The semi-finals will go on Thursday with the finals on Friday.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's – Doubles - Quarterfinals

Paola LONGORIA & Samantha SALAS (Mexico) d. Lissel PADILLA & Paula PADILLA (Honduras), 15-3, 15-1
Mariana TOBON & Ishlhey PAREDES (Venezuela) d. Maria CESPEDES & Merynanyelly DELGADO (Dominican Republic), 15-12, 15-14

Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ & Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala) d. Melania SAUMA & Naomi SASSO (Costa Rica), 15-7, 15-12
Cristina AMAYA & Maria GOMEZ (Colombia) d. Maria J. POSADA & Maria P. POSADA (Nicaragua), 15-0, 15-2

Women's – Doubles - Semi-finals

Paola LONGORIA & Samantha SALAS (Mexico) v. Mariana TOBON & Ishlhey PAREDES (Venezuela)
Cristina AMAYA & Maria GOMEZ (Colombia) v. Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ & Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala)

Men – Doubles - Quarterfinals

Alvaro BELTRAN & Javier MORENO (Mexico) - BYE
Cesar CASTRO & Cesar CASTILLO (Venezuela) d. Alejandro HERRERA & Andres RAMIREZ (Colombia), 15-11, 14-15, 11-7

Edwin GALICIA & Christian WER (Guatemala) d. Andres AVILES & Joaquin SOLERA (Costa Rica), 9-15 15-13, 11-6
Luis PEREZ & Junior RODRIGUEZ (Dominican Republic) v. Selvin CRUZ & Carlos MEDRANO (Honduras), 15-13, 15-1

Men – Doubles - Semifinals

Alvaro BELTRAN & Javier MORENO (Mexico) v. Cesar CASTRO & Cesar CASTILLO (Venezuela)
Edwin GALICIA & Christian WER (Guatemala) v. Luis PEREZ & Junior RODRIGUEZ (Dominican Republic)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Singles quarterfinals at 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games

Some close games in the quarterfinals of the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico, but no surprises, as the higher seeded players won their matches. Top seeds, and defending gold medalists, Mexicans Paola Longoria and Alvaro Beltran both won their matches in Women's and Men's Singles, respectively.

Longoria defeated Ishlhey Paredes of Venezuela, 15-0, 15-4, and Beltran beat Luis Perez of the Dominican Republic, 15-7, 15-14, in the quarterfinals. Longoria will play Ana Gabriela Martinez of Guatemala in the semi-finals on Thursday, as Martinez beat Maria Gomez of Colombia, 15-6, 15-6, while Beltran's opponent will be Costa Rican Felipe Camacho, a winner over Francisco Gomez of Colombia, 15-3, 15-1.

The other semi-finals will be Mexico-Colombia showdowns, and both should be very competitive. Samantha Salas of Mexico will play Colombian Cristina Amaya in Women's Singles, and Daniel De La Rosa of Mexico will play Alejandro Herrera of Colombia. Salas and Amaya are the 4th and 6th ranked players on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), while De La Rosa is 5th ranked on the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) and Herrera is a veteran player, who is half of the team that won the Men's Doubles World Championship this year.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's Singles - Quarterfinals

Paola LONGORIA (Mexico) d. Islhey PAREDES (Venezuela), 15-0, 15-4
Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ (Guatemala) d. Maria GOMEZ (Colombia), 15-6, 15-6

Samantha SALAS (Mexico) d. Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala), 15-3, 15-9
Cristina AMAYA (Colombia) d. Melania SAUMA (Costa Rica), 15-10, 15-14

Women's Singles - Semi-finals

Paola LONGORIA (Mexico) v. Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ (Guatemala)
Samantha SALAS (Mexico) v. Cristina AMAYA (Colombia)

Men's – Singles - Quarterfinals

Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) d. Luis PEREZ (Dominican Republic), 15-7, 15-14
Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica) d. Francisco GOMEZ (Colombia), 15-3, 15-1

Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) d. Christian WER (Guatemala), 15-7, 15-4
Alejandro HERRERA (Colombia) d. Andres ACUÑA (Costa Rica), 15-9, 14-15, 11-3

Men's – Singles - Semi-finals

Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) v. Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica)
Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) v. Alejandro HERRERA (Colombia)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Round of 16 in Singles at 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games

Round of 16 day in the singles competitions at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico, and there was a dramatic match in Women's Singles with Melania Sauma of Costa Rica defeating Mariana Tobon of Venezuela, 15-10, 6-15, 11-9.

Sauma was down 9-8 in the breaker, but got a hideout and was able to get three unanswered points to win the match, and advance to the quarterfinals.

Two tie-breakers on the men's side, as Christian Wer of Guatemala took out Cesar Castillo of Venezuela, 15-10, 7-15, 11-8, and Andres Acuña of Costa Rica kept it together to beat Ward Myers of Puerto Rico, 15-8, 11-15, 11-2.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's Singles - Round of 16

Paola LONGORIA (Mexico) d. Lissel PADILLA (Honduras), 15-1, 15-2
Islhey PAREDES (Venezuela) d. Merynanyelly DELGADO (Dominican Republic), 15-8, 15-6

Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ (Guatemala) d. Paula PADILLA (Honduras), 15-0, 15-4
Maria GOMEZ (Colombia) d. Maria J. POSADA (Nicaragua), 15-0, 15-2

Samantha SALAS (Mexico) d. Naomi SASSO (Costa Rica), 15-2, 15-0
Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala) d. Maria CESPEDES (Dominican Republic), 15-8, 15-7

Melania SAUMA (Costa Rica) d. Mariana TOBON (Venezuela), 15-10, 6-15, 11-9
Cristina AMAYA (Colombia) d. Maria P. POSADA (Nicaragua), 15-4, 15-2

Women's Singles - Quarterfinals

Paola LONGORIA (Mexico) v. Islhey PAREDES (Venezuela)
Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ (Guatemala) v. Maria GOMEZ (Colombia)

Samantha SALAS (Mexico) v. Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala)
Cristina AMAYA (Colombia) v. Melania SAUMA (Costa Rica)

Men's – Singles - Round of 16

Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) - BYE
Luis PEREZ (Dominican Republic) d. Edwin GALICIA (Guatemala), 15-8, 15-9

Francisco GOMEZ (Colombia) d. Ramon DE LEON (Dominican Republic), 15-11, 15-6
Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica) d. Carlos MEDRANO (Honduras), 15-5, 15-2

Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) d. Selvin CRUZ (Honduras), 15-4, 15-1
Christian WER (Guatemala) d. Cesar CASTILLO (Venezuela), 15-10, 7-15, 11-8

Alejandro HERRERA (Colombia) d. Roberto SANTANDER (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-4
Andres ACUÑA (Costa Rica) d. Ward MYERS (Puerto Rico), 15-8, 11-15, 11-2

Men's – Singles - Quarterfinals

Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) v. Luis PEREZ (Dominican Republic)
Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica) v. Francisco GOMEZ (Colombia)

Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) v. Christian WER (Guatemala)
Alejandro HERRERA (Colombia) v. Andres ACUÑA (Costa Rica)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Elimination Draws for 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games

Tuesday is the first day of elimination at the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico, and there will only be singles matches. Notably there are more players in Women's Singles than Men's Singles, although only 16 to 15, respectively.

Defending gold medalists Mexicans Paola Longoria and Alvaro Beltran are the top seeds in Women's and Men's Singles, respectively. Team-mates Samantha Salas and Daniel De La Rosa on the other side of the draw from the top seeds, and it's easy to imagine all Mexico finals come Friday.

Four years ago Beltran did defeat a team-mate in the final, as he beat Gilbert Mejia to win gold. Bronze went to Cesar Castro of Venezuela and Simon Perdomo of the Dominican Republic.

This year, Costa Rica and Colombia look poised to get to the podium, as the two players from those countries could face off in the quarterfinals with the winners into the semi-finals and onto the podium.

In 2010, Longoria beat Claudine Garcia of the Dominican Republic in the final, and Anna Maldonado of Puerto Rico in the semis; Garcia beat Jessica Parrilla of Mexico in the other semi.

This year, Colombia Cristina Amaya could meet Longoria in the final, as she did in last year's World Games final. Of course, Amaya will probably have to beat Samantha Salas to get there, but that's possible.

In the other semi, Longoria will likely face either Ana Gabriela Martinez of Guatemala, the World Junior U14 Champion, or Colombian Maria Gomez.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's Singles - Round of 16

Paola LONGORIA (Mexico) v. Lissel PADILLA (Honduras)
Merynanyelly DELGADO (Dominican Republic) v. Islhey PAREDES (Venezuela)

Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ (Guatemala) v. Paula PADILLA (Honduras)
Maria GOMEZ (Colombia) v. Maria J. POSADA (Nicaragua)

Samantha SALAS (Mexico) v. Naomi SASSO (Costa Rica)
Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala) v. Maria CESPEDES (Dominican Republic)

Mariana TOBON (Venezuela) v. Melania SAUMA (Costa Rica)
Cristina AMAYA (Colombia) v. Maria P. POSADA (Nicaragua)

Men's – Singles - Round of 16

Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) - BYE
Luis PEREZ (Dominican Republic) v. Edwin GALICIA (Guatemala)

Francisco GOMEZ (Colombia) v. Ramon DE LEON (Dominican Republic)
Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica) v. Carlos MEDRANO (Honduras)

Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) v. Selvin CRUZ (Honduras)
Cesar CASTILLO (Venezuela) v. Christian WER (Guatemala)

Alejandro HERRERA (Colombia) v. Roberto SANTANDER (Venezuela)
Andres ACUÑA (Costa Rica) v. Ward MYERS (Puerto Rico)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Day Three of CACGs

Day two of the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico. The closest game in Women's Singles was between Mariana Tobon of Venezuela and Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala, which went tie-breaker, as Tobon won 15-12, 10-15, 11-9.

Only one tie-breaker in Men's Singles also, as Felipe Camacho of Costa Rica needed three games to beat Edwin Galicia of Guatemala, 14-15, 15-7, 11-2.

One tie-breaker in Women's Doubles, Maria Cespedes and Merynanyelly Delgado of the Dominican Republic beat Lissel and Paula Padilla of Honduras, 8-15, 15-9, 11-5.

Bit of a shocker in Men's Doubles, as the Dominican Republic team of Luis Perez and Junior Rodriguez defeated Colombians Alejandro Herrera and Andres Ramirez, 15-14, 15-14, coming back from 14-13 down in game two to win it in two straight. Herrera is half of the current World Championship doubles team, winning that title last June with Sebastian Franco.

The win should set up a good draw for the the Dominicans in the elimination round, which will start on Wednesday for doubles.

But maybe today's win isn't that much of a surprise, as the Dominican Republic were silver medalists in 2010, when Perez and Simon Perdomo lost to Mexicans Javier Moreno and Polo Gutierrez in the final.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's Singles

Pool A

Paola LONGORIA (Mexico) d. Mariana TOBON (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-1
Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala) d. Maria J. POSADA (Nicaragua), 15-3, 15-2

Pool B

Cristina AMAYA (Colombia) d. Naomi SASSO (Costa Rica), 15-1, 15-0
Merynanyelly DELGADO (Dominican Republic) d. Lissel PADILLA (Honduras), 15-7, 15-9

Pool C

Samantha SALAS (Mexico) d. Islhey PAREDES (Venezuela), 15-5, 15-9
Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ (Guatemala) d. Maria P. POSADA (Nicaragua), 15-0, 15-4

Pool D

Maria GOMEZ (Colombia) d. Melania SAUMA (Costa Rica), 15-9, 15-4
Maria CESPEDES (Dominican Republic) d. Paula PADILLA (Honduras), 15-6, 15-8

Men's – Singles

Pool A

Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) d. Cesar CASTILLO (Venezuela), 15-9, 15-8

Pool B

Andres ACUÑA (Costa Rica) d. Ward MYERS (Puerto Rico), 15-3, 15-5
Francisco GOMEZ (Colombia) d. Christian WER (Guatemala), 9-15, 15-2, 11-2

Pool C

Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) d. Roberto SANTANDER (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-5
Luis PEREZ (Dominican Republic) d. Carlos MEDRANO (Honduras), 15-2, 15-1

Pool D

Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica) d. Selvin CRUZ (Honduras), 15-8, 9-15, 11-4
Alejandro HERRERA (Colombia) d. Edwin GALICIA (Guatemala), 15-2, 15-2

Women's – Doubles

Pool A

LONGORIA & SALAS (Mexico) d. SAUMA & SASSO (Costa Rica), 15-0, 15-1
TOBON & PAREDES (Venezuela) d. POSADA & POSADA (Nicaragua), 15-1, 15-2

Pool B

AMAYA & GOMEZ (Colombia) d. MARTINEZ & RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala), 15-5, 15-14
CESPEDES & DELGADO (Dominican Republic) d. PADILLA & PADILLA (Honduras), 8-15, 15-9, 11-5

Men – Doubles

Pool A

BELTRAN & MORENO (Mexico) d. GALICIA & WER (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-12

Pool B

PEREZ & RODRIGUEZ (Dominican Republic) d. HERRERA & RAMIREZ (Colombia), 15-14, 15-14
AVILES & SOLERA (Costa Rica) d. CRUZ & MEDRANO (Honduras), 15-5, 15-9

Follow the bouncing ball….

Day 2 of 2014 CACGs

Day two of the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games in Veracruz, Mexico. The closest game in Women's Singles was between Mariana Tobon of Venezuela and Maria Renee Rodriguez of Guatemala, which went tie-breaker, as Tobon won 15-12, 10-15, 11-9.

Only one tie-breaker in Men's Singles also, as Felipe Camacho of Costa Rica needed three games to beat Edwin Galicia of Guatemala, 14-15, 15-7, 11-2.

No tie-breakers in Women's Doubles, but two in Men's Doubles. Galicia and Christian Wer of Guatemala defeated Cesar Castillo and Cesar Castro of Venezuela, 15-10, 7-15, 11-8. Also, Dominicans Luis Perez and Junior Rodriguez came back from a game down to beat Costa Ricans Andres Aviles and Joaquin Solera, 11-15, 15-8, 11-7.

Action continues in Veracruz, and you can follow along on their excellent website.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's Singles

Pool A

Paola LONGORIA (Mexico) d. Maria J. POSADA (Nicaragua), 15-0, 15-0
Mariana TOBON (Venezuela) d. Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala), 15-12, 10-15, 11-9

Pool B

Cristina AMAYA (Colombia) d. Lissel PADILLA (Honduras), 15-6, 15-5
Merynanyelly DELGADO (Dominican Republic) d. Naomi SASSO (Costa Rica), 15-9, 15-2

Pool C

Samantha SALAS (Mexico) d. Maria P. POSADA (Nicaragua), 15-2, 15-0
Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ (Guatemala) d. Islhey PAREDES (Venezuela), 15-11, 15-1

Pool D

Maria GOMEZ (Colombia) d. Paula PADILLA (Honduras), 15-7, 15-0
Melania SAUMA (Costa Rica) d. Maria CESPEDES (Dominican Republic), 15-11, 15-13

Men's – Singles

Pool A

Cesar CASTILLO (Venezuela) d. Ramon DE LEON (Dominican Republic), 15-12, 15-10

Pool B

Andres ACUÑA (Costa Rica) d. Christian WER (Guatemala), 15-12, 15-10
Francisco GOMEZ (Colombia) d. Ward MYERS (Puerto Rico), 15-12, 15-13

Pool C

Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) d. Carlos MEDRANO (Honduras), 15-2, 15-4
Luis PEREZ (Dominican Republic) d. Roberto SANTANDER (Venezuela), 15-5, 15-5

Pool D

Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica) d. Edwin GALICIA (Guatemala), 14-15, 15-7, 11-2
Alejandro HERRERA (Colombia) d. Selvin CRUZ (Honduras), 15-3, 15-11

Women's – Doubles

Pool A

LONGORIA & SALAS (Mexico) d. POSADA & POSADA (Nicaragua), 15-0, 15-1
TOBON & PAREDES (Venezuela) d. SAUMA & SASSO (Costa Rica), 15-12, 15-5

Pool B

AMAYA & GOMEZ (Colombia) d. PADILLA & PADILLA (Honduras), 15-12, 15-4
MARTINEZ & RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala) d. CESPEDES & DELGADO (Dominican Republic), 15-8, 15-13

Men – Doubles

Pool A

GALICIA & WER (Guatemala) d. CASTILLO & CASTRO (Venezuela), 15-10, 7-15, 11-8

Pool B

HERRERA & RAMIREZ (Colombia) d. CRUZ & MEDRANO (Honduras), 15-6, 15-4
PEREZ & RODRIGUEZ (Dominican Republic) d. AVILES & SOLERA (Costa Rica), 11-15, 15-8, 11-7

Follow the bouncing ball….

Carson wins IRT Turkey Shootout

Rocky Carson won the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 24th Annual Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas Sunday by defeating Ben Croft in the final, 11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9. Carson's win is his 3rd in a row and his 21st career win in his 200th IRT tournament.

Both Carson and Croft drove serve throughout the final, and mostly to the left side - each other's backhand, although they did vary the serves. Carson especially used a jam serve to the left with the ball jumping off the side wall into Croft's body.

The match was a case of what might have been for Croft, as he had leads in game one and four, but lost them both.

Game one had a cagey start, as it took several rallies before the first point was scored. Croft got on the board first, and led all the way to 7-3. But Croft stalled, and Carson came back and tied the game 7-7. Carson kept pushing, served an ace to make it 9-7, and finished off game one 11-7.

In game two, Croft again took the lead early at 5-1. But Carson came back and tied it at 6-6. But this time Croft had a response, and went up 10-7. Carson got a couple points back: one with another ace to the left side, and the second after a long rally in which Croft thought Carson played the ball after two bounces.

It wasn't the first time Croft disagreed with the referee, and it wouldn't be the last.

But Croft did win game two, hitting a flat forehand pinch shot to end it.

Game three was all Carson, as he went out to leads of 5-0, and then 9-3. He won it 11-4, helped by five drive serve aces, four to the left and one to the right.

In game four, they were back and forth with no more than a two point advantage either way until 6-6. Then Croft got ahead 9-6.

On the next rally, Croft skipped a backhand shot, and broke a string on his racquet in the process. But when they resumed the ball broke on the serve, which suggested the previous rally should be replayed.

Initially, the referee did call for a replay, but after a further ruling - presumably from the IRT President Jason Mannino - that call was reversed, and Carson was given the serve at 6-9.

Croft was unhappy with that ruling, which wasn't the first time he was upset with the referee. During the match he expressed those disagreements demonstrably several times, and it's surprising Croft was never assessed a technical.

Carson took full advantage of the ruling, as he scored five unanswered points to win the game, 11-9, and the match, 3-1. The winning rally was a drive serve to the left, and Croft's return was into the middle, where Carson rekilled it to win the rally.

Carson's record against Croft is now 30-5.

The next IRT event will be the Kitsap Splat in Bremerton, Washington, December 4-7, 2014.

24th Annual Turkey Shootout
Garden City, Kansas - November 13-16, 2014

Final

2. Rocky Carson d. 4. Ben Croft, 11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9

Follow the bouncing ball….

Carson & Croft to meet in IRT Turkey Shootout final

Rocky Carson will have a chance to make it three tournaments in a row on Sunday, when he plays in the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 24th Annual Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas. Carson defeated Jansen Allen, 11-2, 3-11, 11-2, 11-5, in the semi-finals Saturday.

Ben Croft will be Carson's opponent Sunday, as Croft defeated Tony Carson (no relation to Rocky), 11-8, 11-1, 11-4, in the other semi-final.

Both Carson and Allen drove serve in the first game of their match, and Carson did it better, mostly driving the ball to the left side - Allen's backhand.

But in game two, Allen changed to lob serves, left, right and Z to the right. The strategy led to opportunities for Allen and he took advantage, winning game two by a wide margin.

Allen tried to do the same in game three, but Carson gave him few chances to do so, as he seemed to step up the pace of the game. The result was another comfortable win.

In game four, Allen had the early lead at 3-0, but Carson responded with six straight points, making it 6-3. Carson extended the lead to 10-5. Credit to Allen for not giving up, as he fought off three match points before Carson was able win it.

The end was anticlimactic, as Carson hit a drive Z serve to the left, and Allen returned it to the ceiling. But the return didn't reach the front wall. Skip, and game and match to Carson.

Sunday will be Carson's 71st final, but only Croft's 5th. Carson and Croft have played 34 times on tour with Carson winning 29 times and Croft 5.

Thus, you'd have to favour Carson in the final. But Croft's only career title came with a victory over Carson in Salt Lake City in 2012.

The IRT Network will broadcast the final Sunday morning at 11 AM.

24th Annual Turkey Shootout
Garden City, Kansas - November 13-16, 2014

Semi-finals (with seeding)

4. Ben Croft d. 8. Tony Carson, 11-8, 11-1, 11-4
2. Rocky Carson d. Jansen Allen, 11-2, 3-11, 11-2, 11-5

Final

2. Rocky Carson v. 4. Ben Croft 11 AM CST Sunday

Follow the bouncing ball….

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games begin

The 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games began Saturday in Veracruz, Mexico. The racquetball competition has 40 players - 22 men, 18 women - from 9 countries. Mexico has largest team with 8 players, followed by Costa Rica with 6, Colombia, Dominican Republic and Venezuela each have 5 players in Veracruz.

Play begins November 15 and runs to November 24. There's an individual event first (concluding November 21) and then three days for a team event.

Mexicans are the defending champions in all divisions - Alvaro Beltran and Paola Longoria in Men's & Women's Singles, respectively, Javier Moreno & Polo Gutierrez in Men's Doubles and Samantha Salas and Susana Acosta in Women's Doubles.

It would be a surprise if Mexicans don't keep home the gold at home this year also.

2014 Central American & Caribbean Games
Veracruz, Mexico

Women's Singles

Pool A

Paola LONGORIA (Mexico) d. Maria Renee RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala), 15-5, 15-2
Mariana TOBON (Venezuela) d. Maria J. POSADA (Nicaragua), 15-0, 15-0

Pool B

Cristina AMAYA (Colombia) d. Merynally DELGADO (Dominican Republic), 15-5, 15-4
Lissel PADILLA (Honduras) d. Naomi SASSO (Costa Rica), 11-15, 15-4, 11-9

Pool C

Samantha SALAS (Mexico) d. Ana Gabriela MARTINEZ (Guatemala), 15-9, 15-8
Islhey PAREDES (Venezuela) d. Maria P. POSADA (Nicaragua), 15-7, 15-0

Pool D

Maria CESPEDES (Dominican Republic) d. Maria GOMEZ (Colombia), 15-9, 15-13
Melania SAUMA (Costa Rica) d. Paula PADILLA (Honduras), 15-3, 15-11

Men's – Singles

Pool A

Alvaro BELTRAN (Mexico) d. Ramon DE LEON (Dominican Republic), 15-8, 15-6

Pool B

Andres ACUÑA (Costa Rica) d. Francisco GOMEZ (Colombia), 13-15, 15-12, 11-9
Christian WER (Guatemala) d. Ward MYERS (Puerto Rico), 15-9, 1-15, 11-8

Pool C

Daniel DE LA ROSA (Mexico) d. Luis PEREZ (Dominican Republic), 15-12, 10-15, 11-3
Roberto SANTANDER (Venezuela) d. Carlos MEDRANO (Honduras), 15-9, 15-4

Pool D

Felipe CAMACHO (Costa Rica) d. Alejandro HERRERA (Colombia), 12-15, 15-7, 11-10
Edwin GALICIA (Guatemala) d. Selvin CRUZ (Honduras), 15-13, 15-10

Women's – Doubles

Pool A

LONGORIA & SALAS (Mexico) d. TOBON & PAREDES (Venezuela), 15-3, 15-1
SAUMA & SASSO (Costa Rica) d. POSADA & POSADA (Nicaragua), 15-3, 15-6

Pool B

AMAYA & GOMEZ (Colombia) v. CESPEDES & DELGADO (Dominican Republic), 15-2, 15-11
MARTINEZ & RODRIGUEZ (Guatemala) d. PADILLA & PADILLA (Honduras), 15-2, 15-13

Men – Doubles

Pool A

BELTRAN & MORENO (Mexico) v. CASTILLO & CASTRO (Venezuela), 15-2, 15-5

Pool B

HERRERA & RAMIREZ (Colombia) v. AVILES & SOLERA (Costa Rica), 15-14, 15-5
PEREZ & RODRIGUEZ (Dominican Republic) v. CRUZ & MEDRANO (Honduras), 15-5, 15-6

Follow the bouncing ball….

Allen & Tony Carson surprise winners in IRT Turkey Shootout

Sad news from the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 24th Annual Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas, as IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk has had to forfeit his quarterfinal match against Tony Carson, as Waselenchuk's inner ear difficulties grew as the day went on Friday and prevented him from performing in the quarters after winning his Round of 16 match Friday morning.

The IRT previously reported that Waselenchuk is scheduled to see a specialist on November 18. Hopefully, that will lead to a treatment that will allow Waselenchuk to be back on court.

Carson will play his 3rd career semi-final on Saturday against Ben Croft, who defeated Marco Rojas, 5-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-3.

Jansen Allen is the surprise semi-finalist as he upset 3rd seed Jose Rojas in three straight games, 11-8, 11-7, 11-6. Allen will play in his first career semi-final against IRT #2 Rocky Carson on Saturday.

Carson won the first quarterfinal Friday afternoon, as he defeated Jose Diaz, 11-7, 11-3, 11-5, to reach the semi-finals for the sixth consecutive time this season.

Carson's reached at least the semis in every IRT event this season, and after winning the past two event, when Waselenchuk was out due to his inner ear condition, Carson has to be the odds on favourite to win in Garden City after Waselenchuk's withdrawal.

The IRT Network will broadcast the semi-finals will be Saturday at 4 PM and 5 PM with the final Sunday morning at 11 AM.

24th Annual Turkey Shootout
Garden City, Kansas - November 13-16, 2014

Quarterfinals (with seeding)

8. Tony Carson d. 1. Kane Waselenchuk, injury forfeit
4. Ben Croft d. 5. Marco Rojas, 5-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-3

6. Jansen Allen d. 3. Jose Rojas, 11-8, 11-7, 11-6
2. Rocky Carson d. 10. Jose Diaz, 11-7, 11-3, 11-5

Semi-finals (with seeding)

8. Tony Carson v. 4. Ben Croft - 4 PM CST
2. Rocky Carson v. Jansen Allen - 5 PM CST

Follow the bouncing ball….

Waselenchuk withdraws from IRT Turkey Shootout

Sad news from the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 24th Annual Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas, as IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk has had to forfeit his quarterfinal match against Tony Carson, as Waselenchuk's inner ear difficulties grew as the day went on Friday and prevented him from performing in the quarters after winning his Round of 16 match Friday morning.

The IRT previously reported that Waselenchuk is scheduled to see a specialist on November 18. Hopefully, that will lead to a treatment that will allow Waselenchuk to be back on court.

Carson will play his 3rd career semi-final on Saturday against the winner of Ben Croft and Marco Rojas.

IRT #2 Rocky Carson won the first quarterfinal Friday afternoon, as he defeated Jose Diaz, 11-7, 11-3, 11-5, to reach the semi-finals for the sixth consecutive time this season.

Carson's reached at least the semis in every IRT event this season, and after winning the past two event, when Waselenchuk was out due to his inner ear condition, Carson has to be the odds on favourite to win in Garden City after Waselenchuk's withdrawal.


IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk won his Round of 16 match comfortably, defeating Jacob Matthews, 11-2, 11-2, 11-0. Waselenchuk will play Tony Carson in the quarter, as Carson (no relation to Rocky) beat Matthew Majxner, 8-11, 11-1, 11-5, 13-11.

The IRT Network continue to broadcast the quarterfinal matches Friday afternoon. The semi-finals will be Saturday at 4 PM and 5 PM with the final Sunday morning at 11 AM.

24th Annual Turkey Shootout
Garden City, Kansas - November 13-16, 2014

Quarterfinals (with seeding)

8. Tony Carson d. 1. Kane Waselenchuk, injury forfeit
4. Ben Croft v. 5. Marco Rojas - 7 PM CST

3. Jose Rojas v. 6. Jansen Allen - 6 PM CST
2. Rocky Carson d. 10. Jose Diaz, 11-7, 11-3, 11-5

Semi-finals (with seeding)

8. Tony Carson v. 4. Ben Croft or 5. Marco Rojas - 4 PM CST
2. Rocky Carson v. 3. Jose Rojas or 6. Jansen Allen - 5 PM CST

Follow the bouncing ball….

IRT 24th Annual Turkey Shootout - Round of 16

Jose Diaz caused the only upset in the Round of 16 at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 24th Annual Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas, as he defeated 7th seed Charlie Pratt, 11-4, 11-7, 12-10. Diaz is seeded 10th.

Diaz will play IRT #2 Rocky Carson in the quarterfinals Friday afternoon, as Carson beat Nicholas Riffel, 11-3, 11-2, 11-2, in the 16s.

IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk won his Round of 16 match comfortably, defeating Jacob Matthews, 11-2, 11-2, 11-0. Waselenchuk will play Tony Carson in the quarter, as Carson (no relation to Rocky) beat Matthew Majxner, 8-11, 11-1, 11-5, 13-11.

Third seed Jose Rojas had a slow start against Bradly Rogers, who won the first game of their match. But Rojas recovered, and won the next three games to take the match in four, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6. Rojas will play Jansen Allen in the quarters, as Allen defeated Robert Collins, 11-5, 11-4, 11-1.

Fourth seed Ben Croft started well, winning the first game against Tim Landeryou, 11-6, but Landeryou responded by winning game two, 11-9, at the end of which Croft slammed his racquet into the floor.

Croft then picked up the pace, and won games three and four, 11-2, 11-2, to win the match in four games. Marco Rojas (Jose's brother) will be Croft's opponent in the quarters, as Rojas beat Daeyong Kwon, 11-8, 11-0, 11-1.

The IRT Network will broadcast quarterfinal matches beginning at 4 PM Friday afternoon. The semi-finals will be Saturday at 4 PM and 5 PM with the final Sunday morning at 11 AM.

24th Annual Turkey Shootout
Garden City, Kansas - November 13-16, 2014

Round of 16 (with seedings)

1. Kane Waselenchuk d. Jacob Matthews, 11-2, 11-2, 11-0
8. Tony Carson d. 9. Matthew Majxner, 8-11, 11-1, 11-5, 13-11

5. Marco Rojas d. 12. Daeyong Kwon, 11-8, 11-0, 11-1
4. Ben Croft d. 13. Tim Landeryou, 11-6, 9-11, 11-2, 11-2

3. Jose Rojas d. 14. Bradly Rogers, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6
6. Jansen Allen d. 11. Robert Collins, 11-5, 11-4, 11-1

10. Jose Diaz d. 7. Charlie Pratt, 11-4, 11-7, 12-10
2. Rocky Carson d. Nicholas Riffel, 11-3, 11-2, 11-2

Quarterfinals (with seeding)

1. Kane Waselenchuk v. 8. Tony Carson - 5 PM CST
4. Ben Croft v. 5. Marco Rojas - 7 PM CST

3. Jose Rojas v. 6. Jansen Allen - 6 PM CST
2. Rocky Carson v. 10. Jose Diaz - 4 PM CST

Follow the bouncing ball….

Riffel comes back from 0-2 to win in IRT Turkey Shootout qualifying

Nicholas Riffel came back from two games down to defeat Scott McClellan, 2-11, 8-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-2, in the qualifying round of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) 24th Annual Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas. The win put Riffel into the Round of 16 on Friday, when he'll play IRT #2 Rocky Carson.

Also winning on Thursday was Jacob Matthews, who defeated Logan Reese in three straight games, 11-5, 11-2, 11-3. Matthews will face IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk in the 16s on Friday.

The IRT Network will broadcast matches beginning at 10 AM Friday morning with the Round of 16.

24th Annual Turkey Shootout
Garden City, Kansas - November 13-16, 2014

Qualifying Round (with seedings)

Q8 - 16. Jacob Matthews d. 17. Logan Reese, 11-5, 11-2, 11-3
Q7 - 15. Nicholas Riffel d. 18. Scott McClellan, 2-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-2

Round of 16

1. Kane Waselenchuk v. Jacob Matthews
8. Tony Carson v. 9. Matthew Majxner

5. Marco Rojas v. 12. Daeyong Kwon
4. Ben Croft v. 13. Tim Landeryou

3. Jose Rojas v. 14. Bradly Rogers
6. Jansen Allen v. 11. Robert Collins

7. Charlie Pratt v. 10. Jose Diaz
2. Rocky Carson v. Nicholas Riffel

Follow the bouncing ball….

IRT 24th Annual Turkey Shootout - Preview

The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) is in action this weekend with the second of back to back events with the 24th Annual Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas. The big news is that IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk is fit to play after missing the last two events due to a recurrence of his pre-existing inner ear condition that can effect his sense of balance and vertigo.

Waselenchuk is in the draw, but IRT #3 Alvaro Beltran and #5 Daniel De La Rosa are not, as the Central American and Caribbean Games will begin in Vasquez, Mexico this weekend. Beltran and De La Rosa will be there representing Mexico.

Overall, the Garden City draw is a small one with just 18 players competing. Thus, it might be a good opportunity for an upset by one of the players who is there. Tony Carson will likely play Waselenchuk in the quarterfinals, and he's taken a game off the #1 in the past. Perhaps he can do more than that in Garden City.

Rocky Carson and Jose Rojas look good to make the semi-finals on the other side of the draw. They've met once this year, when Carson was victorious in three games in St Louis. But Rojas is the last player to defeat Waselenchuk on tour, and would surely like another chance at him this weekend.

Matches will be webcast live via the IRT Network beginning at 10 AM Friday morning with the Round of 16.

24th Annual Turkey Shootout
Garden City, Kansas - November 13-16, 2014

Qualifying Round (with seedings)

Q8 - 16. Jacob Matthews v. 17. Logan Reese
Q7 - 15. Nicholas Riffel v. 18. Scott McClellan

Round of 16

1. Kane Waselenchuk v. Q8
8. Tony Carson v. 9. Matthew Majxner

5. Marco Rojas v. 12. Daeyong Kwon
4. Ben Croft v. 13. Tim Landeryou

3. Jose Rojas v. 14. Bradly Rogers
6. Jansen Allen v. 11. Robert Collins

7. Charlie Pratt v. 10. Jose Diaz
2. Rocky Carson v. Q7

Follow the bouncing ball….

Waselenchuk at the US Open

Kane Waselenchuk turned 33 on Sunday, but he's shown no signs of slowing down. He did have a recurrence of his inner-ear condition, which kept him out of the last two International Racquetball Tour (IRT) events, but the IRT has announced that Waselenchuk will play in this weekend's 24th Annual Turkey Shoot in Garden City, Kansas, which is certainly good news.

Last month, Waselenchuk won his 10th US Open title, which was his 10th consecutive title (though not ten US Opens in a row, as he didn't compete in 2006 and 2007), and we've got a review of Waselenchuk's US Open streak.

Prior to the streak

Waselenchuk's first US Open was 2000, when he reached the quarterfinals, losing to then World Champion Alvaro Beltran in five games. Significantly, Waselenchuk knocked off then defending champion Jason Mannino in the Round of 32, and did so in four games.

In the next two years, Cliff Swain ended Waselenchuk's US Open run. Swain defeated Waselenchuk in five games in the quarters in 2001 and in four games in the semi-finals in 2002.

Wins begin

Waselenchuk's winning streak began in 2003. He's won 55 straight US Open matches since then. Rocky Carson has been Waselenchuk's most frequent opponent (6 times), followed by Beltran (4) and Huczek (4). Waselenchuk's also played Swain and Alejandro Landa three times.

In his 10 title years, Waselenchuk's only lost 10 games. Three to Carson and Beltran, two to Huczek and one each to Mitch Williams and Tony Carson.

In terms of most average points against Waselenchuk, Beltran has the highest average with 23.5, followed by Huczek (22.0), Williams (21.5) and R. Carson (20). (note: this is for players who've played Waselenchuk more than once).

Waselenchuk's handed out donuts ten times during his title years, including one to Swain in the 2004 final, which is the only 11-0 game ever in a US Open final.

The streak began in Memphis and continues in Minneapolis. It's been played on two different show courts. But the outcome has been the same: Waselenchuk wins.

Barring major injury, it's difficult to imagine other outcomes for at least the next few years.

Follow the bouncing ball….

Carson wins Red Swain Shootout, denies Beltran's title defense

Rocky Carson denied Alvaro Beltran's opportunity to defend his Red Swain Shootout title by winning the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan on Saturday night, 12-10, 11-3, 4-11, 11-2.

The win is Carson's second in as many events, and he won't have to wait long to make it three, as the IRT will be back in action this coming weekend in Garden City, Kansas.

Open Division

Marco Rojas won the Men's Open division in Davison, as he defeated Alejandro Herrera in the final, 15-10, 15-9. Rojas beat Eric Desrochers in the semi-finals, 15-9, 15-6, and Herrera defeated Brad Schopieray, 15-11, 15-5.

The next IRT event begins Thursday with the 24th Annual Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas.

Red Swain Shootout
Davison, Michigan - November 6-9, 2014

IRT Final (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson d. 2. Alvaro Beltran, 12-10, 11-3, 4-11, 11-2

Men's Open Final

Marco Rojas d. Alejandro Herrera, 15-10, 15-9

Semi-finals

Marco Rojas d. Eric Desrochers, 15-9, 15-6
Alejandro Herrera d. Brad Schopieray, 15-11, 15-5

Quarterfinals

Marco Rojas d. Lee Connell, 15-5, 15-8
Eric Desrochers d. Steve Goedker, 13-15, 15-8, 11-2
Alejandro Herrera d. Felipe Camacho, 15-3, 15-8
Brad Schopieray d. Mauricio Zelada, 15-3, 15-7

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Carson & Beltran will face off in Red Swain Shootout final

Number 1 will play number 2 in the final of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan, as top seed Rocky Carson will face 2nd seed Alvaro Beltran on Saturday night in Davison after they pair won their respective semi-finals earlier on Saturday.

Carson defeated Daniel De La Rosa, 11-3, 11-2, 8-11, 11-6, and Beltran beat Jose Rojas, 11-4, 11-3, 11-6.

Thus, Carson will have a chance to win his second IRT event of the season, and Beltran has a chance to defend the Red Swain Shootout title that he won last year.

The Red Swain final will be at 7 PM Saturday night, and can be seen on the IRT Network.

Red Swain Shootout
Davison, Michigan - November 6-9, 2014

Semi-finals (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson d. 4. Daniel De La Rosa, 11-3, 11-2, 8-11, 11-6
2. Alvaro Beltran d. 3. Jose Rojas, 11-4, 11-3, 11-6

Final (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson v. 2. Alvaro Beltran

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Top four seeds into semi-finals at Red Swain Shootout

The top four seeds are through to the semi-finals of the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan, but none of them won their respective quarterfinal match in three straight games. In fact, three of the top four lost the first game of their quarterfinal.

Only 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa won the first game of his quarterfinal match, but he still needed five games to defeat former IRT #1 Cliff Swain, 11-3, 7-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-5.

The win puts De La Rosa in the semi-finals against top seed Rocky Carson, who also needed five games to win his quarterfinal match against Marco Rojas, 9-11, 11-8, 11-2, 7-11, 11-1.

Third seed Jose Rojas, Marco's brother, and sixth seed Ben Croft also went tie-breaker with Rojas coming out on top, 7-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-3, 11-6.

Finally, second seed and the Red Swain defending champion Alvaro Beltran dropped the first game of his match against Tony Carson, but then won the next three games to take the match, 4-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-2.

The Red Swain semi-finals are set for 10:30 AM and noon on Saturday with the final at 7 PM Saturday night. The IRT Network will have all of Saturday's action live from Davison.

Red Swain Shootout
Davison, Michigan - November 6-9, 2014

Quarterfinals (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson d. 8. Marco Rojas, 9-11, 11-8, 11-2, 7-11, 11-1
4. Daniel De La Rosa d. Cliff Swain, 11-3, 7-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-5

3. Jose Rojas d. 6. Ben Croft, 7-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-3, 11-6
2. Alvaro Beltran d. 7. Tony Carson, 4-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-2

Semi-finals (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson v. 4. Daniel De La Rosa
2. Alvaro Beltran v. 3. Jose Rojas

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IRT Red Swain Shootout - Quarterfinal results

One upset in the Round of 16 at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan, but not a dramatic one, as veteran Cliff Swain was a forfeit winner against 5th seed Chris Crowther. This is the second consecutive year that Swain has got past the 16 in this event, which is named in honour of his father.

Last year Swain reached the semi-finals. To do that this year, Swain will have to defeat 4th seed Daniel De La Rosa in the quarterfinals, as De La Rosa beat Mauricio Zelada, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7, in the 16s.

Both top seed Rocky Carson and second seed and defending champion Alvaro Beltran won their matches in the 16s, but needed four games to do so. Carson beat Felipe Camacho, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 11-4, and Beltran defeated Alejandro Herrera, 4-11, 11-4, 11-1, 11-4.

Third seed Jose Rojas also needed four games to win his Round of 16 match against Mike Green, winning 11-4, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8.

The IRT Network will have quarterfinal action live from Davison from 3 PM EST Friday.

Red Swain Shootout
Davison, Michigan - November 6-9, 2014

Round of 16 - Friday (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson d. Felipe Camacho, 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 11-4
8. Marco Rojas d. Jansen Allen, 12-10, 11-1, 11-6

Cliff Swain d. 5. Chris Crowther, fft
4. Daniel De La Rosa d. Mauricio Zelada, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7

3. Jose Rojas d. Mike Green, 11-4, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8
6. Ben Croft d. Jacob Matthews, 11-5, 11-3, 11-2

7. Tony Carson d. Charlie Pratt, 11-7, 11-9, 2-11, 11-5
2. Alvaro Beltran d. Alejandro Herrera, 4-11, 11-4, 11-1, 11-4

Quarterfinals (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson v. 8. Marco Rojas
4. Daniel De La Rosa v. Cliff Swain

3. Jose Rojas v. 6. Ben Croft
2. Alvaro Beltran v. 7. Tony Carson

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IRT Red Swain Shootout - Qualifying results

No real surprises from the qualifying matches at the International Racquetball Tour (IRT) Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan on Thursday. One match went the distance, as Mauricio Zelada defeated Lee Connell, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-1 [sic]. Zelada will play Daniel De La Rosa in the Round of 16 on Friday.

Alvaro Beltran will begin his Red Swain title defence Friday against Alejandro Herrera, who beat Thomas Carter in qualifying, 11-9, 11-4, 11-2. If Beltran wins that he'll have to play the winner of Tony Carson and Charlie Pratt in the quarterfinals.

Top seed Rocky Carson will play Felipe Camacho in the Round of 16, as Camacho beat fellow college team-mate Brad Schopieray, 11-5, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, in qualifying.

Former IRT #1 Cliff Swain made the Round of 16 with relative ease, beating Eric Desrochers, 11-1, 11-2, 11-1, on Thursday. Swain will face Chris Crowther in the 16s.

Of the Canadians in the draw, only Canadian #1 Mike Green has reached the Round of 16, as he beat fellow Canuck Trevor Webb, 7-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-8, in the first round of qualifying, and Robert Collins, 11-4, 3-11, 11-8, 11-5, in the second. Green will play Jose Rojas on Friday.

The IRT Network will have Round of 16 action live from Davison from 10 AM EST Friday.

Red Swain Shootout
Davison, Michigan - November 6-9, 2014

Qualifying Round 1

Francisco Gomez Reyes d. Gregory Lewerenz, fft
Mike Green d. Trevor Webb, 7-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-0

Eric Desrochers d. Aaron Booker, 11-9, 11-1, 11-7
Lee Connell d. Ryan Minto, 11-5, 11-8, 11-1

Jacob Matthews d. Kurtis Cullen, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-5
Andres Ramirez d. William Garrow, 11-2, 11-9, 11-9

Qualifying Round 2

Q8: Felipe Camacho d. Brad Schopieray, 11-5, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7
Q1: Jansen Allen d. Francisco Gomez Reyes, 11-4, 11-5, 11-2

Q4: Cliff Swain d. Eric Desrochers, 11-1, 11-2, 11-1
Q5: Mauricio Zelada d. Lee Connell, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-1 [sic]

Q6: Mike Green d. Robert Collins, 11-4, 3-11, 11-8, 11-5
Q3: Jacob Matthews d. Danny Lavely, fft

Q2: Charlie Pratt d. Andres Ramirez, 11-3, 12-10, 11-8
Q7: Alejandro Herrera d. Thomas Carter, 11-9, 11-4, 11-2

Round of 16 - Friday (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson v. Felipe Camacho
8. Marco Rojas v. Jansen Allen

5. Chris Crowther v. Cliff Swain
4. Daniel De La Rosa v. Mauricio Zelada

3. Jose Rojas v. Mike Green
6. Ben Croft v. Jacob Matthews

7. Tony Carson v. Charlie Pratt
2. Alvaro Beltran v. Alejandro Herrera

Follow the bouncing ball…

IRT Red Swain Shootout - Preview

The International Racquetball Tour (IRT) resumes its 2014-15 season this weekend with the Red Swain Shootout in Davison, Michigan, but the big news has been off court, as IRT #1 Kane Waselenchuk has announced a recurrence of the inner ear problem that has troubled him at times during his career.

According to the announcement on the IRT website, Waselenchuk will be seeing an inner ear specialist on November 18, which means he'll likely also miss next weekend's IRT Turkey Shootout in Garden City, Kansas. Waselenchuk's appearance at either of the December events - the Kitsap Splat Pro-Am in Washington state December 4-7 and the Rollout New Jersey Open in Varren, N.J. December 11-14 - could be in jeopardy as well, as he indicated he "may miss extended … time this season" due to his condition.

Hopefully, Waselenchuk can find a solution to his inner ear condition that will allow his absence to be brief, as he is the best racquetball player on tour and arguably the best racquetball player ever.

Back on court

Alvaro Beltran is the defending Red Swain Shootout champion, which cannot be said about any other tournament, as his victory in Davison last year was his first on tour in a lengthy career. It was also the first all Mexican IRT final, as Beltran beat Daniel De La Rosa in the final.

Beltran's win wasn't the only remarkable performance last year in Davison, as former IRT #1 Cliff Swain defeated two Rojases to make the semi-finals. Swain beat Jose Rojas in the Round of 16 and then Jose's brother Marco in the quarterfinals before losing to Beltran in the semis.

The tournament's proximity to Canada means that several Canucks will be making the trek to Davison to compete, including Canadian #1 Mike Green, as well as Lee Connell, Kurtis Cullen, Canadian Junior Team member Trevor Webb, and Eric Desrochers, who defeated veteran Andy Hawthorne to make the the 16s last year, where he lost to Chris Crowther.

The IRT Network will have action live from Davison beginning with qualifying matches from 6 PM EST on Thursday.

Red Swain Shootout
Davison, Michigan - November 6-9, 2014

Qualifying Round 1

Gregory Lewerenz v. Francisco Gomez Reyes
Mike Green v. Aaron Booker

Eric Desrochers v. Ryan Minto
Lee Connell v. Trevor Webb

Kurtis Cullen v. Jacob Matthews
William Garrow v. Andres Ramirez

Qualifying Round 2

Q8: Brad Schopieray v. Felipe Camacho
Q1: Jansen Allen v. Gregory Lewerenz or Francisco Gomez Reyes

Q4: Cliff Swain v. Mike Green or Aaron Booker
Q5: Mauricio Zelada v. Eric Desrochers or Ryan Minto

Q6: Robert Collins v. Lee Connell or Trevor Webb
Q3: Danny Lavely v. Kurtis Cullen or Jacob Matthews

Q2: Charlie Pratt v. William Garrow or Andres Ramirez
Q7: Alejandro Herrera v. Thomas Carter

Round of 16 - Friday (with seeding)

1. Rocky Carson v. Q8
8. Marco Rojas v. Q1

5. Chris Crowther v. Q4
4. Daniel De La Rosa v. Q5

3. Jose Rojas v. Q6
6. Ben Croft v. Q3

7. Tony Carson v. Q2
2. Alvaro Beltran v. Q7

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Longoria's winning streak ends - A review

All things must end. And in sports this truism is seen more obviously, and often painfully, than in other activities. So it is that Paola Longoria's winning streak ended last month after three and half years, and 142 women's pro matches (at Tier 1 or Grand Slam events).

That's an incredible accomplishment that began with a win over Laura Brandt in New Orleans in May 2011, and ended with a win over Frédérique Lambert last month in Stockton, California. Rhonda Rajsich defeated Longoria in Stockton prior to the streak beginning and Rajsich beat her again in Stockton to end the streak.

One might excuse Longoria if she passes up playing in Stockton again, although Longoria did win there in 2013, but didn't face Rajsich in that event.

During her 39 month streak, Longoria only lost 18 games in those 142 matches. She served up 32 donuts, and only surrendered 4.41 pts per game.

Longoria beat 35 opponents during the streak. Rajsich lost to her the most: 22 times, followed by Samantha Salas (16) and Maria Jose Vargas (12). Sheryl Lotts, who lost to Longoria seven times in that period, has the distinction of getting the most donuts with four.

But Lotts is also one of only six players who won a game against Longoria during the streak. Curiously, Lotts won that game after being blanked in the first two games of that match, which happened in the Round of 16 in Miami earlier this year. Other game winners against Longoria during the streak were Rajsich (9 games), Vargas (5), and Salas, Jennifer Saunders and Cheryl Gudinas, who each won one game.

Internationally, Longoria is still on a winning streak, which began three years ago at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. During that period, Longoria has won 34 matches, and only lost four games. Three of those to Rajsich and one to Cristina Amaya.

Longoria's only given up 5.94 points per game in those international matches, which use a two games to 15 and tie-breaker to 11 format, and served up five donuts in winning two International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships, two Pan American Championships, as well as the 2011 Pan Am Games and 2013 World Games.

Women's racquetball records are incomplete, but we believe these are the longest winning streaks in women's racquetball. Together they suggest a strong argument for Longoria being the great women's player ever.

Where will Longoria go from here?

There are several good young players coming up, including Vargas and Lambert. The mean age of this year's US Open quarterfinalists was 23. Longoria, 25, was the second oldest US Open quarterfinalist behind Rajsich, 35. Thus, Longoria's main competition, which has been older than her with players like Gudinas, Rajsich and Kerri Wachtel, will likely be pushed by younger players.

But Rajsich's win in Stockton demonstrated she still has a lot of game, and Rajsich provided more evidence of that this past weekend, as she and Longoria played an exhibition match in San Luis Potosi, which Rajsich won 4-11, 12-10, 3-11, 11-7, 11-7.

Thus, while Longoria's streak has ended, this may be the beginning of an even more exciting time for women's racquetball.

The next Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) event is next month in Monterrey, Mexico with the Paola Longoria Invitational December 3-7.

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