Mejia & Vargas to face off at 2024 LPRT Battle at the Alamo

Maria José Vargas, the #1 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT), will have a chance to win her fourth tournament of the season Saturday, as she defeated 5th seed Alexandra Herrera, 3-15, 15-10, 11-10, in the semi-finals of the 2024 Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, Friday. Vargas will play LPRT #3 Montserrat Mejia in the final, as Mejia defeated LPRT #2 Paola Longoria in the other semi-final, 12-15, 15-5, 11-6.

Vargas unseated Mejia as the #1 player after last month’s Boston Open, so Mejia will want a win in hopes of getting back to #1 this season.

Vargas almost didn’t make the final, as Herrera was on fire early in their semi-final. Even after winning game two to force a tie-breaker, Vargas was up against it, as they were close down the stretch of the breaker with ties at 6-6, 7-7, 9-9 and 10-10.

Herrera took a timeout after Vargas tied the game at 9-9, and there were nine rallies to score the last three points. The winner came as Vargas hit a half lob serve down the right side to the left-handed Herrera’s backhand, and she hit a cross court shot that came off the back wall allowing Vargas to hit a backhand up the right side.

Vargas’s shot was behind where Herrera was looking, so she was only able to make a weak shot that went off the left wall and back into the middle allowing Vargas to step up and slam the ball down the right side for the match winner.

The big surprise of Friday night came in doubles, as the 7th seeds Michelle Key and Carla Muñoz beat 2nd seeds Longoria and Samantha Salas, 3-15, 15-10, 11-2. It was a win that didn’t look to be coming after the first game, which Longoria and Salas dominated.

But after it was 6-6 in game two, Key and Muñoz outscored Longoria and Salas 20-6. They did it with Muñoz hitting a lob serve tight to the left side wall to Salas, and Key hitting a serve mix, including ones that came off the left side wall into the middle between her opponents.

Then during rallies they hit winners. Key especially put several balls away. She finished game two with a forehand shot to the front right corner that hit low on the front wall and cracked off the right side wall.

Then in game three, Muñoz hit four winners, and Key hit nine (9!), including an ace serve that cracked off the left wall to put her side on match point, and then a backhand down the line winner that finished it off.

It was a most impressive performance.

It was really a case of Key and Muñoz winning it, rather than Longoria and Salas losing it with errors.

The other doubles quarterfinals were all won in two straight games by the higher seeded team. Key and Muñoz will play 3rd seeds Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas - the current Pan American Women’s Doubles Champions - as Mendez and Vargas beat 6th seeds Cristina Amaya and Maria Paz Riquelme, 15-10, 15-3, in the quarters.

The doubles semi-finals will be Saturday morning at 10:45 and 11:50 AM with the finals to follow at 5:15 PM (singles) and 6:20 (doubles). You can watch the action live from San Antonio via the LPRT YouTube channel. All times Central.

2024 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 25-28, 2024

Singles Semi-finals - Friday

1) Maria José Vargas d. 5) Alexandra Herrera, 3-15, 15-10, 11-10
3) Montserrat Mejia d. 2) Paola Longoria, 12-15, 15-5, 11-6

Singles Final - Saturday

1) Maria José Vargas v. 3) Montserrat Mejia - 5:15

Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia d. 9) Frédérique Lambert & Gabriela Martinez, 15-8, 15-6
4) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott d. 5) Angelica Barrios & Brenda Laime, 15-10, 15-12

3) Natalia Mendez & Maria José Vargas d. 6) Cristina Amaya & Maria Paz Riquelme, 15-10, 15-3
7) Michelle Key & Carla Muñoz d. 2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas, 3-15, 15-10, 11-2

Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia v. 4) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott - 11:50 AM
3) Natalia Mendez & Maria José Vargas v. 7) Michelle Key & Carla Muñoz - 10:45 AM

Follow the bouncing ball….

2024 LPRT Battle at the Alamo - Quarterfinals

No upsets in the quarterfinals at the 2024 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, Friday. Top seed Maria José Vargas defeated 8th seed Kelani Lawrence in two straight games, 15-5, 15-4, and in the semi-finals will play 5th seed Alexandra Herrera, who beat 13th seed Jessica Parrilla, 15-2, 15-2.

The matches on the other side of draw were closer. Second seed Paola Longoria defeated her doubles parter Samantha Salas, the 7th seed, in two close games, 15-14, 15-11, and 3rd seed Montserrat Mejia needed a tie-breaker to fend off the challenge from 6th seed Gabriela Martinez, 15-6, 9-15, 11-4. Thus, Longoria and Mejia will face off in the other semi-final, as they did in the final at the Boston Open - the last LPRT event - which Longoria won.

Mejia came into this season as the #1 player, ending Longoria’s 11 year run at #1, but has yet to beat Longoria in two meetings after beating her twice last season.

No surprises in doubles, although there was one change of team. Naomi Ros picked up a knock in play on Thursday, so she wasn’t able to compete in doubles with Lexi York today. Shane Diaz filled in for Ros with York against veterans Frédérique Lambert and Gabriela Martinez, and the vets won comfortably, 15-5, 15-0. Lambert and Martinez will face top seeds Herrera and Mejia in the quarterfinals later on Friday.

In other matches, 6th seeds Cristina Amaya and Maria Paz Riquelme came back from a game down to defeat 11th seeds Yurisleidis Allue and Chanis Leon, 14-15, 15-11, 11-6, and will play 3rd seeds Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas in the quarters.

Also, 7th seeds Michelle Key and Carla Muñoz beat 10th seeds Ana Laura Flores and Jessica Parrilla, 15-5, 15-13, and will play Longoria and Salas in the quarterfinals.

The singles semi-finals will be Friday afternoon from 3:05 PM followed by the doubles quarterfinals at 5:15 and 6:20 PM Friday. The finals will be Saturday at 5:15 PM (singles) and 6:20 (doubles). You can watch the action live from San Antonio via the LPRT YouTube channel. All times Central.

2024 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 25-28, 2024

Singles Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Maria José Vargas d. 8) Kelani Lawrence, 15-5, 15-4
5) Alexandra Herrera d. 13) Jessica Parrilla, 15-2, 15-2

3) Montserrat Mejia d. 6) Gabriela Martinez, 15-6, 9-15, 11-4
2) Paola Longoria d. 7) Samantha Salas, 15-14, 15-11

Singles Semi-finals - Friday

1) Maria José Vargas v. 5) Alexandra Herrera - 4:10 PM
2) Paola Longoria v. 3) Montserrat Mejia - 3:05 PM

Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday

1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - BYE

9) Frédérique Lambert & Gabriela Martinez d. 8) Shane Diaz & Lexi York, 15-5, 15-0

5) Angelica Barrios & Brenda Laime - BYE
4) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott - BYE

3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
6) Cristina Amaya & Maria Paz Riquelme d. 11) Yurisleidis Allue & Chanis Leon, 14-15, 15-11, 11-6

7) Michelle Key & Carla Muñoz d. 10) Ana Laura Flores & Jessica Parrilla, 15-5, 15-13
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE

Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia v. 9) Frédérique Lambert & Gabriela Martinez - 6:20 PM
4) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott v. 5) Angelica Barrios & Brenda Laime - 6:20 PM

3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 6) Cristina Amaya & Maria Paz Riquelme - 5:15 PM
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 7) Michelle Key & Carla Muñoz - 5:15 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

2024 LPRT Battle at the Alamo - Round of 16

Jessica Parrilla had the big upset of the Round of 16 Thursday at the 2024 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, as the 13th seed upset 4th seed Brenda Laime, 15-11, 14-15, 11-7. Parrilla has her sights on getting back in the top 10, and this win will help that goal.

She’ll play 5th seed Alexandra Herrera in the quarterfinals Friday, as Herrera defeated 12th seed Angelica Barrios in the 16s, coming back to win in three games, 5-15, 15-1, 11-8.

The top seeds won in two straight games. LPRT #1 Maria José Vargas defeated 17th seed Naomi Ros, 15-3, 15-8, and #2 Paola Longoria beat Stephanie Synhorst, 15-0, 15-3. In the quarterfinals, Vargas will play 8th seed Kelani Lawrence, who had a narrow victory over 9th seed Carla Muñoz, 12-15, 15-13, 11-7, while Longoria will face her long time doubles partner, Samantha Salas, as the 7th seed came back from a game down to defeat 10th seed Cristina Amaya, 2-15, 15-3, 11-3.

The singles quarterfinals will be Friday morning from 9:40 AM followed by the doubles Round of 16 at 11:50 AM Friday with the quarterfinals at 5:15 and 6:20 PM Friday. The finals will be Saturday at 5:15 PM (singles) and 6:20 (doubles). You can watch the action live from San Antonio via the LPRT YouTube channel. All times Central.

2024 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 25-28, 2024

Singles Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Maria José Vargas d. 17) Naomi Ros, 15-3, 15-8
8) Kelani Lawrence d. 9) Carla Muñoz, 12-15, 15-13, 11-7

5) Alexandra Herrera d. 12) Angelica Barrios, 5-15, 15-1, 11-8
13) Jessica Parrilla d. 4) Brenda Laime, 15-11, 14-15, 11-7

3) Montserrat Mejia d. 14) Hollie Scott, 15-8, 15-9
6) Gabriela Martinez d. 22) Michelle Key, 15-5, 15-5

7) Samantha Salas d. 10) Cristina Amaya, 2-15, 15-3, 11-3
2) Paola Longoria d. 18) Stephanie Synhorst, 15-0, 15-3

Singles Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Maria José Vargas v. 8) Kelani Lawrence - 10:45 AM
5) Alexandra Herrera v. 13) Jessica Parrilla - 10:45 AM

3) Montserrat Mejia d. 6) Gabriela Martinez - 9:40 AM
2) Paola Longoria v. 7) Samantha Salas - 9:40 AM

Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday

1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - BYE

8) Naomi Ros & Lexi York v. 9) Frédérique Lambert & Gabriela Martinez - 11:50 AM

5) Angelica Barrios & Brenda Laime - BYE
4) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott - BYE

3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
6) Cristina Amaya & Maria Paz Riquelme v. 11) Yurisleidis Allue & Chanis Leon - 11:50 AM

7) Michelle Key & Carla Muñoz v. 10) Ana Laura Flores & Jessica Parrilla - 11:50 AM
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

2024 LPRT Battle at the Alamo - Round of 32

One surprise so far in the Round of 32 at the 2024 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) LPRT Battle at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. Twenty-second seed Michelle Key came back from a game down to upset 11th seed Natalia Mendez, 14-15, 15-9, 11-2. Key will face 6th seed Gabriela Martinez in the Round of 16 Thursday afternoon, as Martinez beat 27th seed Fatima Sanchez Garcia, 15-3, 15-3, in the 32s.

Also in the 32s, 17th seed Naomi Ros won the 16/17 match, upsetting 16th Lexi York - and her doubles parter - in two close games, 15-14, 15-10, and 10th seed Cristina Amaya needed a tie-breaker to fend off 23rd seed Frédérique Lambert, 15-13, 4-15, 11-7.

Play continues Thursday with the Round of 16. The quarterfinals will be Friday morning from 9:40 AM followed by the doubles Round of 16 at 11:50 AM Friday with the quarterfinals at 5:15 and 6:20 PM Friday. The finals will be Saturday at 5:15 PM (singles) and 6:20 (doubles). You can watch the action live from San Antonio via the LPRT YouTube channel. All times Central.

2024 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 25-28, 2024

Singles Round of 32 - Thursday

1) Maria José Vargas - BYE
17) Naomi Ros d. 16) Lexi York, 15-14, 15-10

9) Carla Muñoz d. 24) Yanna Salazar, 15-4, 15-6
8) Kelani Lawrence d. 25) Annie Roberts, 15-7, 15-5

5) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
12) Angelica Barrios d. 21) Khyathi Velpuri, 15-9, 15-6

13) Jessica Parrilla d. 20) Chanis Leon, 15-8, 15-12
4) Brenda Laime - BYE

3) Montserrat Mejia - BYE
14) Hollie Scott d. 19) Sunshine Arterburn, forfeit

22) Michelle Key d. 11) Natalia Mendez, 14-15, 15-9, 11-2
6) Gabriela Martinez d. 27) Fatima Sanchez Garcia, 15-3, 15-3

7) Samantha Salas d. 26) Kelly Mortensen, 15-1, 15-1
10) Cristina Amaya d. 23) Frédérique Lambert, 15-13, 4-15, 11-7

18) Stephanie Synhorst d. 15) Maria Paz Riquelme, 15-6, 15-10
2) Paola Longoria - BYE

Singles Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Maria José Vargas v. 17) Naomi Ros - 6 PM
8) Kelani Lawrence v. 9) Carla Muñoz - 6 PM

5) Alexandra Herrera v. 12) Angelica Barrios - 3 PM
4) Brenda Laime v. 13) Jessica Parrilla - 3 PM

3) Montserrat Mejia v. 14) Hollie Scott - 4 PM
6) Gabriela Martinez v. 22) Michelle Key - 4 PM

7) Samantha Salas v. 10) Cristina Amaya - 5 PM
2) Paola Longoria v. 18) Stephanie Synhorst - 5 PM

Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday

1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - BYE

8) Naomi Ros & Lexi York v. 9) Frédérique Lambert & Gabriela Martinez - 11:50 AM

5) Angelica Barrios & Brenda Laime - BYE
4) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott - BYE

3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
6) Cristina Amaya & Maria Paz Riquelme v. 11) Yurisleidis Allue & Chanis Leon - 11:50 AM

7) Michelle Key & Carla Muñoz v. 10) Ana Laura Flores & Jessica Parrilla - 11:50 AM
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

2024 LPRT Battle at the Alamo - Preview

The third last event of the 2023-24 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) season begins Thursday, in San Antonio, Texas, with the LPRT Battle at the Alamo. Twenty seven players are in the field including 19 of the top 21 players, led by LPRT’s new #1 Maria Jose Vargas. Vargas became #1 after last month’s Boston Open, when Paola Longoria defeated former #1 Montserrat Mejia in the final.

Vargas lost to Longoria in the semi-finals in Boston, but has won three of the five events this season with Longoria winning the other two. Thus, the new order is Vargas at #1, Longoria #2, and Mejia at #3, although you can throw a blanket over them, as there is fewer than 50 ranking points between #1 and #3.

Three of the first round matches of most interest are 11th seed Natalia Mendez versus 22nd seed Michelle Key, which is a battle between two players who were at the Pan American Championships in Guatemala last month, 10th seed Cristina Amaya faces former #2 Frédérique Lambert, and the 16/17 match is usually good, and this time features two US players that are doubles partners in Lexi York and Naomi Ros.

The good turnout for this week’s event could be partly due to the fact that San Anontio will host the International Racquetball Federation (IRF)World Championships in August. Players have a chance to play on the courts that will be used for Worlds.

In doubles, Lambert is playing with Gabriela Martinez, and they are seeded 9th, so will play Ros and York first, and if they win, then top seeds Alexandra Herrera and Mejia. It will be interesting to see how Lambert and Martinez - who haven’t played together and generally both play the left side - fare against Herrera and Mejia, if they get past Ros and York, who took home the silver medal in Women’s Doubles from the Pan Am Championships last month.

Play begins Thursday morning at 9 AM with the singles Round of 32 followed by the Round of 16 Thursday afternoon, as they are going to play the final on Saturday. The doubles Round of 16 begins at 11:50 AM Friday with the quarterfinals at 5:15 and 6:20 PM Friday. The finals will be Saturday at 5:15 PM (singles) and 6:20 (doubles). You can watch the action live from San Antonio via the LPRT YouTube channel. All times Central.

2024 LPRT Battle at the Alamo
San Antonio, Texas - April 25-28, 2024

Singles Round of 32 - Thursday

1) Maria José Vargas - BYE
16) Lexi York v. 17) Naomi Ros - Noon

9) Carla Muñoz v. 24) Yanna Salazar - Noon
8) Kelani Lawrence v. 25) Annie Roberts - Noon

5) Alexandra Herrera - BYE
12) Angelica Barrios v. v. 21) Khyathi Velpuri - 9 AM

13) Jessica Parrilla v. 20) Chanis Leon - 9 AM
4) Brenda Laime - BYE

3) Montserrat Mejia - BYE
14) Hollie Scott v. 19) Sunshine Arterburn - 10 AM

11) Natalia Mendez v. 22) Michelle Key - 10 AM
6) Gabriela Martinez v. 27) Fatima Sanchez Garcia - 11 AM

7) Samantha Salas v. 26) Kelly Mortensen - 10 AM
10) Cristina Amaya v. 23) Frédérique Lambert - 11 AM

15) Maria Paz Riquelme v. 18) Stephanie Synhorst - 11 AM
2) Paola Longoria - BYE

Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday

1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - BYE

8) Naomi Ros & Lexi York v. 9) Frédérique Lambert & Gabriela Martinez - 11:50 AM

5) Angelica Barrios & Brenda Laime - BYE
4) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott - BYE

3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
6) Cristina Amaya & Maria Paz Riquelme v. 11) Yurisleidis Allue & Chanis Leon - 11:50 AM

7) Michelle Key & Carla Muñoz v. 10) Ana Laura Flores & Jessica Parrilla - 11:50 AM
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE

Follow the bouncing ball….

2024 Pan American Championships - Medal summary

The XXXV Pan American Championships wrapped up last Saturday in Guatemala City, so it’s high time we went through a summary of the results for you. Argentina and Mexico were the big winners, although they did it in different ways. Argentina won on the women’s side, while Mexico won on the men’s side. Argentina only had one man, and Mexico no women in Guatemala.

Argentina’s Maria José Vargas won three gold medals taking the singles, doubles and team titles. Her team-mate Natalia Mendez shared two of those gold medals, and also earned bronze in singles.

Mexican Rodrigo Montoya won two gold medals: one in singles and the other in the team event. Sebastian Hernández shared in the team medal, and they also got bronze in doubles.

Costa Ricans Andrés Acuña and Gabriel Garcia won gold in Men’s Doubles, and they were bronze medalists in the team event. Acuña also got bronze in singles.

Americans Sam Bredenbeck and Michelle Key won gold in Mixed Doubles, which was the first USA gold medal at Pan Am Championships since 2018, when Rhonda Rajsich won gold in Women’s Singles. The USA also took silver in the Men’s Team event - Jake and Sam Bredenbeck and Charlie Pratt - as well as in Women’s Doubles from Naomi Ros and Lexi York. Americans took three bronze medals too: men’s singles (Jake Bredenbeck), men’s doubles (Bredenbeck and Bredenbeck) and the women’s team event (Michelle Key, Ros and York).

Three other countries won silver medals: Canada with three, and Chile and the Dominican Republic with one each. A complete medal summary is below.

Upcoming events

The International Racquetball Federation (IRF) 2024 World Championships will be in San Antonio, Texas, August 23-31. That is also the qualifying event for the 2025 World Games that will take place in Chengdu, China, so players in singles will play down for all the qualifying spots.

Those qualifying spots will be to the country, rather than the specific individuals, as in years past. Thus, if an American qualifies 1st, that spot is to go to a player from the USA, but not necessarily the particular player who won that spot. Thus, if a player can’t go to the World Game for any reason, then another player from that country can go, rather than the country forfeiting the spot.

Additionally, racquetball at the 2025 World Games will include Mixed Doubles for the first time. Previously, racquetball competitions at the World Games have been singles only. The only exception to that was back in 1981 at the first World Games, when there were men’s and women’s doubles as well as singles.

The strong rumor is that the 2024 IRF World Junior Championships will be in Guatemala, which is a fine location for the event. It’s relatively easy to get to, and the distance between the club and hotel is not far. But Guatemala's selection hasn't been confirmed.

Finally, there were many good matches at this year’s Pan American Championships in Guatemala, and we encourage to watch some of them (or watch them again) via the IRF YouTube channel.

XXXV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - March 23-31, 2024

Women’s Singles

GOLD: María José Vargas (Argentina)
SILVER: Carla Muñoz (Chile)
BRONZE: Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) and Natalia Mendez (Argentina)

Men's Singles

GOLD: Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico)
SILVER: Samuel Murray (Canada)
BRONZE: Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) and Jake Bredenbeck (USA)

Women's Doubles

GOLD: Natalia Mendez & Maria José Vargas (Argentina)
SILVER: Naomi Ros & Lexi York (USA)
BRONZE: Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) and Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile)

Men's Doubles

GOLD: Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica)
SILVER: Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada)
BRONZE: Sebastian Hernández & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) and Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA)

Mixed Doubles

GOLD: Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA)
SILVER: Coby Iwaasa & Juliette Parent (Canada)
BRONZE: Jaime Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) and Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina)

Women's Team Event

GOLD: Argentina - Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas
SILVER: Dominican Republic - Maria Cespedes, Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez
BRONZE: Chile - Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz
BRONZE: USA - Michelle Key, Naomi Ros & Lexi York

Men's Team Event

GOLD: Mexico - Sebastian Hernández & Rodrigo Montoya
SILVER: USA - Maria Cespedes, Merynanyelly Delgado & Alejandra Jimenez
BRONZE: Canada - Kurtis Cullen, Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray
BRONZE: Costa Rica - Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia

Medal Summary

1) Argentina - 3 Gold, 0 Silver, 2 Bronze
2) Mexico - 2, 0, 1
3) USA - 1, 2, 3
4) Costa Rica - 1, 0, 2
5) Canada - 0, 3, 1
6) Chile - 0, 1, 3
7) Dominican Republic - 0, 1, 2

Follow the bouncing ball….

Argentina & Mexico win team event at 2024 Pan American Racquetball Championships

The top seeds won both the women’s and men’s team events on the final day of competition at the XXXV Pan American Championships in Guatemala City Saturday. Argentina defeated the Dominican Republic in two straight matches, while Mexico needed three matches to beat the USA.

In the first match of the women’s final, Argentina’s Natalia Mendez beat Dominican Alejandra Jimenez, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4, and then Maria Jose Vargas - who won the Women’s Singles title earlier in the week - defeated Merynanyelly Delgado, 11-4, 11-9, 8-11, 11-2, in what was a rematch of one of the women’s singles semi-finals that Vargas won in three straight games.

Delgado put in a strong performance on Saturday, and for a time had some people thinking that maybe there was a chance of an upset after she won game three. However, that was short lived, as Vargas took a 9-1 lead in game four, closing it out 11-2.

Veteran Charlie Pratt got things off to a good start for the USA in the men’s final, as he defeated Mexican Sebastian Hernández, 11-8, 12-14, 11-6, 11-8. However, Rodrigo Montoya levelled the final at 1-1 by beating Jake Bredenbeck, 11-4, 11-6, 11-3.

That meant a doubles match to break the tie, which Hernandez and Montoya won in three straight games against brothers Jake and Sam Bredenbeck, 11-9, 11-7, 11-2.

All five matches of the team event finals were live streamed, so you can watch them - or watch them again via the IRF YouTube channel.

XXXV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - March 23-31, 2024

Women's Team Event - Final Saturday

1) Argentina d. 3) Dominican Republic, 2-0 Natalia Mendez d. Alejandra Jimenez, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4 Maria Jose Vargas d. Merynanyelly Delgado, 11-4, 11-9, 8-11, 11-2

Men's Team Event - Final Saturday

1) Mexico d. 3) USA, 2-1 Charlie Pratt d. Sebastian Hernández, 11-8, 12-14, 11-6, 11-8 Rodrigo Montoya d. Jake Bredenbeck, 11-4, 11-6, 11-3 Hernández & Montoya d. Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck, 11-9, 11-7, 11-2

Follow the bouncing ball….

Dominican Republic, Argentina, Mexico and USA make team finals at 2024 Pan American Racquetball Championships

The Dominican Republic will have a chance to win gold in the Women’s Team event at the XXXV Pan American Championships in Guatemala City on Saturday, as they defeated Chile in the semi-finals on Friday. We believe this is the first time the Domincan has been in a team final. The Dominican’s opponent in the final will be top seeds Argentina. The Men’s Team final will be between two long time racquetball rivals: Mexico and the USA.

Both the Dominican and Argentinian women won their semi-finals in two straight matches. The 3rd seeded Dominican defeated 2nd seeds Chile, while Argentina beat the 4th seeded USA team.

In one semi-final, Dominican Alejandra Jimenez defeated Chilean Paula Mansilla, 11-5, 11-3, 6-11, 11-8, and then Merynanyelly Delgado and Maria Cespedes took out Mansilla and Carla Muñoz, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6. In the other semi, Argentina’s Natalia Mendez defeated American Lexi York, 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5, and then she and Maria Jose Vargas beat Naomi Ros and York, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5, which was the score line we were expecting when those two teams met in the Women’s Doubles final on Thursday, but which went to a tie-breaker before Argentina prevailed.

On the men’s side, both semi-finals needed three matches to decide the winner. In the Mexico-Canada semi, Mexican Sebastian Hernández somehow prevailed over Canadian Coby Iwaasa, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 16-14, 11-4, because it looked like Hernández was running on fumes in the second half of that match. Yet he fought off five match points in the fourth game to force a deciding fifth, which he won.

Iwaasa recovered and helped Samuel Murray beat Hernandez and Rodrigo Montoya in doubles, 11-3, 11-7, 11-7, and Canada never trailed in that match. The deciding match was between Montoya and Kurtis Cullen, who were meeting for the second time this tournament, having played in the group stage. This result was the same, as Montoya won in three straight games, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6.

Team USA veteran Charlie Pratt did his job by holding on to defeat Costa Rican Gabriel Garcia, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9, in the first match of their semi-final. But Garcia and Andrés Acuña defeated brothers Jake and Sam Bredenbeck, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8, in the doubles match to set up a deciding singles match between Jake Bredenbeck and Acuña. Acuña won the first game, but Bredenbeck won the next three, finishing off the match with a drive serve ace to the right side, to win it, 6-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-5.

One men’s quarterfinal needed three matches, as Canada and Guatemala went the distance with Iwaasa and Murray defeating Edwin Galicia and Juan Salvatierra, 11-7, 13-11, 12-10.

In the women’s quarters, both Dominican Republic versus Costa Rica and Chile versus Guatemala needed three matches to decide the winner. In the deciding doubles matches, Dominicans Delgado and Cespedes beat Costa Ricans Larissa Faeth and Jimena Gomez, 11-9, 11-7, 11-6, while Chileans Paula Mansilla and Carla Muñoz defeated Anna Aguilar and Jazmin Aguilar, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7.

The team event begins at 10 AM Friday with the Men’s Team event going first. For draws, look to the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - March 23-31, 2024

Women's Team Event - Quarterfinals Friday

1) Argentina d. 8) Cuba, 2-0 Natalia Mendez d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli, 11-5, 11-3, 11-2 Maria Jose Vargas d. Kylie Lardner, 11-5, 11-2, 11-3
4) USA d. 5) Canada, 2-0 Lexi York d. Juliette Parent, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7, 11-6 Michelle Key d. Danielle Ramsay, 8-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 12-10

Dominican Republic d. Costa Rica, 2-1 Larissa Faeth d. Alejandra Jimenez, 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7 Merynanyelly Delgado d. Jimena Gomez, 11-9, 11-2, 11-3 Delgado & Maria Cespedes d. Faeth & Gomez, 11-9, 11-7, 11-6
Chile d. Guatemala, 2-1 Paula Mansilla d. Jazmin Aguilar, 12-14, 14-12, 11-8, 11-3 Carla Muñoz d. Andrea Reyes, 11-4, 11-4, 10-12, 11-2 Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz d. Anna Aguilar & Jazmin Aguilar, 11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7

Women's Team Event - Semi-finals Friday

1) Argentina d. 4) USA, 2-0 Natalia Mendez d. Lexi York, 11-8, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5 Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. Naomi Ros & York, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5

Dominican Republic d. Chile, 2-0 Alejandra Jimenez d. Paula Mansilla, 11-5, 11-3, 6-11, 11-8 Merynanyelly Delgado & Maria Cespedes d. Mansilla & Carla Muñoz, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-6

Women's Team Event - Final Saturday

1) Argentina v. 3) Dominican Republic 1st - Natalia Mendez v. Alejandra Jimenez 2nd - Maria Jose Vargas v. Merynanyelly Delgado 3rd - Mendea & Vargas v. Delgado & Maria Cespedes

Men's Team Event - Quarterfinals Friday

1) Mexico d. 8) Cuba - 2-0 Sebastian Hernández d. Maikel Moyet, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7 Rodrigo Montoya d. Yandy Espinosa, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6
4) Canada d. 5) Guatemala - 2-1 Coby Iwaasa d. Juan Salvatierra, 10-12, 11-6, 8-11, 11-3, 11-7 Edwin Galicia d. Kurtis Cullen, 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 13-11 Iwaasa & Samuel Murray d. Galicia & Salvatierra, 11-7, 13-11, 12-10

3) USA d. 6) Chile - 2-0 Charlie Pratt d. Rafael Gatica, 15-13, 11-7, 11-4 Jake Bredenbeck d. Jaime Mansilla, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-5

2) Costa Rica d. 7) Dominican Republic - 2-0 Gabriel Garcia d. Ramon De Leon, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7 Andrés Acuña d. Jean Marco Pumarol, 11-8, 11-4, 11-1

Men's Team Event - Semi-finals Friday

1) Mexico d. 4) Canada - 2-1 Sebastian Hernández d. Coby Iwaasa, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 16-14, 11-4 Iwaasa & Samuel Murray d. Hernandez & Rodrigo Montoya, 11-3, 11-7, 11-7 Rodrigo Montoya d. Kurtis Cullen, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6

3) USA d. 2) Costa Rica, 2-1 Charlie Pratt d. Gabriel Garcia, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5, 7-11, 11-9 Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia d. Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 Jake Bredenbeck d. Andrés Acuña, 6-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-5

Men's Team Event - Final Saturday

1) Mexico v. 3) USA 1st - Sebastian Hernández v. Charlie Pratt 2nd - Rodrigo Montoya v. Jake Bredenbeck 3rd - Hernández & Montoya v. Jake & Sam Bredenbeck

Follow the bouncing ball….

Four countries win gold at 2024 Pan American Racquetball Championships

Maria José Vargas of Argentina won two Pan American Championships Thursday at the XXXV Pan American Championships in Guatemala City. In the Women’s Singles final, she comprehensively beat Chilean Carla Muñoz, 11-1, 11-3, 11-5, but in the Women’s Doubles final Vargas and Natalia Mendez had their hands full with the young American team of Naomi Ros and Lexi York, as that match went a full five games before Argentina prevailed, 7-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9.

On the men’s side, Mexican Rodrigo Montoya defeated Canadian Samuel Murray in the Men’s Singles final in four games, 11-7, 6-11, 15-13, 11-8, while the Costa Rican team of Andrés Acuña and Gabriel Garcia beat Murray and Coby Iwaasa in the Men’s Doubles final, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-7, 11-1, to capture the 1st Pan American Racquetball Championship for Costa Rica.

Canada and the USA also faced off in the final of Mixed Doubles, Americans Sam Bredenbeck and Michelle Key defeated Canadians Iwaasa and Juliette Parent, 11-7, 7-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-1. The win is the first US gold medal at the Pan Am Championships since 2018, when Rhonda Rajsich won Women’s Singles. Three different countries have now won Mixed Doubles at Pan Am Championships since it was introduced two years ago. The first two titles went to Mexico and Bolivia.

Vargas’s singles win was overwhelming, as she hit 25 winners, as well as 3 aces and one service winner. Muñoz only skipped the ball four times, so it’s not like she gave the match away through errors or poor play. Vargas hardly let her play, as many of the rallies were a few shots at most.

That performance is partly why the doubles match was so surprising, as the expectation was that Argentina would steam roll the Americans. Yet that didn’t happen. The USA led for most of game one, although Argentina tied it at 7-7. Then Ros hit four winners on consecutive rallies to close out game one 11-7, and despite being on the losing side, she was arguably the player of the match.

Argentina jumped out to a 5-0 lead in game two, and held on to win, although the USA did get within one at 9-8 before Argentina won it 11-8. Argentina did switch sides at the start of that game, as Mendez went from the left side, where she was in game one, to the right, and vice versa for Vargas.

In game three, they were close the whole way, including being tied at 8-8 and 10-10. York got her side the last two points to close out game three, 12-10, and put the USA up 2-1 on the top seed Argentina team.

Game four was also close all the way, and Argentina had switched back to their usual spots with Mendez on the left and Vargas on the right. The USA had small leads in the middle of that game at 7-5 and 8-6. However, Argentina outscored them down the stretch, 5-1, to win game four 11-9.

Argentina jumped out to a 4-0 lead in game five, and led all the way from there. However, the USA did get within one at 5-4. Argentina got match point at 10-5, but the USA won the next four rallies to get within one again at 10-9 with Ros serving. She hit a short serve, and then tried to play it safe by hitting a Z serve to the left, where Mendez was receiving serve, but Ros hit a three wall serve, so double faulted to end what was one of the stranger matches in recent memory.

Vargas has now won four Pan Am Championships: two in singles and two in doubles - both with Mendez. She previously won singles in 2014, and they first won doubles two years ago in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

In the Men’s Singles final, neither Montoya or Murray really had their A game. After splitting the first two games, the turn really came in game three. They were close early in that game, but then Montoya went out to a 8-4 lead. Murray called a timeout at that point, but Montoya extended the lead to 10-5.

But as he’s shown several times, Murray can come back from deficits like no one else. He won the next five rallies to tie the game at 10-10 with a forehand winner. Murray had a game point at 11-10, but Montoya forced him into trying to keep the ball in play by hitting it into the back wall, which was unsuccessful.

Murray didn’t get another game point opportunity after that, but did fend off two Montoya game points before the end came as Murray skipped a forehand reverse pinch serve return of a lob to the right side, which made the score 15-13 for Montoya.

They were close all the way in game four, with no leads greater than two points until the end, when Montoya won it with a backhand boast - side wall, side wall, front wall - to win it 11-8, and the match 3-1.

Montoya’s win is the 8th Pan Am Championships title for Mexico in Men’s Singles, and the first since 2017, when Alejandro Landa won it. The other previous Mexican winners are Alvaro Beltran (2007, 2008, 2009), Daniel De Rosa (2011, 2016), and Polo Gutierrez (2013). Montoya broke the streak of Bolivian Men’s Singles Pan American Champions at four. Conrrado Moscoso won the last two Pan Am Championships and Carlos Keller the two before that.

The team event begins at 10 AM Friday with the Men’s Team event going first. For draws, look to the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - March 23-31, 2024

Women’s Singles Medal Round - Final Thursday

3) María José Vargas (Argentina) d. 5) Carla Muñoz (Chile), 11-1, 11-3, 11-5

Women’s Singles Elite Draw - Final Thursday

2) Lexi York (USA) d. 4) Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic), 11-9, 11-8, 11-8

Men's Singles Medal Round - Final Thursday

1) Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) d. 3) Samuel Murray (Canada), 11-7, 6-11, 15-13, 11-8

Men’s Singles Elite Draw - Final Thursday

2) Jaime Mansilla (Chile) d. 1) Jose Caceres (Guatemala), 11-7, 11-8, 11-5

Women's Doubles - Medal Round - Final Thursday

1) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. 2) Naomi Ros & Lexi York (USA), 7-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9

Men's Doubles - Medal Round - Finals Thursday

4) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. 2) Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada), 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 7-11, 11-1

Mixed Doubles - Medal Round - Final Thursday

3) Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) d. 4) Coby Iwaasa & Juliette Parent (Canada), 11-9, 12-10, 11-9

Follow the bouncing ball….

Murray dominates as Canada reach 3 finals at 2024 Pan American Racquetball Championships

It is rare for players to blank their opponents under rally scoring rules, but Canadian Samuel Murray blanked American Jake Bredenbeck in the second game of their semi-final Men's Singles match at the XXXV Pan American Championships in Guatemala City on Wednesday. That was part of a dominant performance by the Canadian, who didn’t skip a shot until he was up 8-0 in the third game. Murray won 11-3, 11-0, 11-3, which included a streak of 21 points in a row from 9-3 in game one to 8-0 in game three.

The win puts Murray into Thursday’s final, when he’ll play Mexican Rodrigo Montoya. Montoya beat Costa Rican Andrés Acuña, 11-9, 11-2, 11-3, in the other semi. The final will be a rematch of the International Racquetball Tour Louis Drug Pro-Am in January, when Murray defeated Montoya in three games to win the 2nd IRT title of his career.

On the women’s side, María José Vargas of Argentina is in the final, as expected. She beat Merynanyelly Delgado of the Dominican Republic, 11-3, 11-7, 11-5, in the semi-finals on Wednesday. Chilean Carla Muñoz prevented an All-Argentina final, as she defeated Vargas’s team-mate Natalia Mendez, 11-2, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, in the other semi.

Argentina will also play for gold in Women’s Doubles, as Mendez and Vargas defeated Maria Cespedes and Delgado of the Dominican Republic, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5. They’ll play The USA team of Naomi Ros and Lexi York, who eked out a five game victory over Chileans Paula Mansilla and Carla Muñoz, 11-5, 9-11, 9-11, 14-12, 11-1.

In Men's Doubles, it’ll be Canada versus Costa Rica. Costa Ricans Acuña and Gabriel Garcia caused the first real surprise of the tournament, as they knocked off the top seeds Sebastian Hernandez and Rodrigo Montoya from Mexico, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7, in one semi-final on Wednesday. In the other, Canadians Coby Iwaasa and Murray defeated the USA team of Jake and Sam Bredenbeck, 13-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-9.

Canada and the USA will also face off in the final of Mixed Doubles. In the semi-finals, Americans Sam Bredenbeck and Michelle Key defeated Chileans Jaime Mansilla and Carla Muñoz, 11-8, 11-13, 11-8, 11-5, while Canadians Iwaasa and Juliette Parent held on to beat Argentina’s Gerson Miranda and Natalia Mendez, 11-9, 13-11, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7, in what was a replay of a group stage match won by Argentina in five games.

Parent was really the player of the match, as the young Canadian more than held her own on the right side against Mendez, the #12 player on the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour.

If Canada wins Men's Doubles, it will be the second time in three years that Iwaasa and Murray are Pan American Champions. The same goes for Argentina with Mendez and Vargas in Women's Doubles.

The finals start at 10 AM Thursday with the Women’s Singles final, followed by the Men’s Singles final at 10:45 AM. The first doubles final is the women’s final at 12:15 PM followed by the men’s and mixed finals. For draws, look to the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - March 23-31, 2024

Women’s Singles Medal Round - Semi-finals Wednesday

5) Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. 1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina), 11-2, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7
3) María José Vargas (Argentina) d. 2) Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 11-3, 11-7, 11-5

Women’s Singles Medal Round - Final Thursday

3) María José Vargas (Argentina) v. 5) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 10 AM

Women’s Singles Elite Draw - Semi-finals Wednesday

4) Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) d. 1) Paula Mansilla (Chile), 11-13, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8
2) Lexi York (USA) d. 7) Andrea Reyes (Guatemala), 11-5, 11-9, 11-9

Women’s Singles Elite Draw - Final Thursday

2) Lexi York (USA) v. 4) Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) - 10 AM

Men's Singles Medal Round - Semi-finals Wednesday

1) Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) d. 5) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica), 11-9, 11-2, 11-3
3) Samuel Murray (Canada) d. 2) Jake Bredenbeck (USA), 11-3, 11-0, 11-3

Men’s Singles Elite Draw - Final Thursday

1) Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) v. 3) Samuel Murray (Canada) - 10:45 AM

Men’s Singles Elite Draw - Semi-finals Wednesday

1) Jose Caceres (Guatemala) d. 4) Rafael Gatica (Chile), 11-7, 11-7, 13-11
2) Jaime Mansilla (Chile) d. 3) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9

Men’s Singles Elite Draw - Final Thursday

1) Jose Caceres (Guatemala) v. 2) Jaime Mansilla (Chile) - 10:45 AM

Women's Doubles - Medal Round - Semi-finals Wednesday

1) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. 4) Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 11-6, 11-4, 11-5
2) Naomi Ros & Lexi York (USA) v. 6) Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile), 11-5, 9-11, 9-11, 14-12, 11-1

Women's Doubles - Medal Round - Final Thursday

1) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. 2) Naomi Ros & Lexi York (USA) - 12:15 PM

Men's Doubles - Medal Round - Semi-finals Wednesday

4) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. 1) Sebastian Hernandez & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico), 7-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7
2) Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada) d. 3) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA), 13-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-9

Men's Doubles - Medal Round - Finals Thursday

2) Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada) v. 4) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - 1 PM

Mixed Doubles - Medal Round - Semi-finals Wednesday

4) Coby Iwaasa & Juliette Parent (Canada) d. 1) Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina), 11-9, 13-11, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7
3) Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) v. d. 2) Jaime Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile), 11-8, 11-13, 11-8, 11-5

Mixed Doubles - Medal Round - Final Thursday

3) Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) v. 4) Coby Iwaasa & Juliette Parent (Canada) - 2:30 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Mendez survives scare at 2024 Pan American Racquetball Championships

The quarterfinals of the medal round at the XXXV Pan American Championships in Guatemala City saw no big surprises on Tuesday, although Canadian Danielle Ramsay almost caused a seismic upset in Women’s Singles, as she was two games up on top seed Natalia Mendez of Argentina and then three points from winning it in the fifth game. However, Mendez managed to eke out the victory, 4-11, 10-12, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8. She’ll play Chilean Carla Muñoz in the semi-finals Wednesday, as Muñoz defeated American Michelle Key, 11-8, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8 [sic].

After losing games three and four, Ramsay was up 5-0 in the breaker. Mendez came back and tied it at 6-6. They were also tied at 7-7 and 8-8, when Ramsay hit a drive serve to the right side that was a little loose, and Mendez hit a winning return down the line.

That put Mendez up 9-8, and she then hit winners on the next two rallies to close it out, 11-8, and advance to the semis.

In Men’s Singles, it was American Jake Bredenbeck who needed a tie-breaker to advance to the semis, as young Mexican Sebastian Fernandez came back from two games down only to fall short in the tie-breaker as veteran Bredenbeck won 11-1, 11-2, 8-11, 10-12, 11-9. He’ll face Canadian Samuel Murray in the semi-finals, as Murray fended off another young player in Argentina’s Gerson Miranda Martinez, 10-12, 11-8, 11-3, 12-10.

On the top of the draw, top seed Rodrigo Montoya of Mexico beat Costa Rican Gabriel Garcia, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5, and in the semis will play another Costa Rican in Andres Acuña, who defeated American Charlie Pratt, 11-2, 11-4, 11-5.

The semi-finals begin Wednesday at 10 AM. For draws, look to the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - March 23-31, 2024

Women’s Singles Medal Round - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. 8) Danielle Ramsay (Canada), 4-11, 10-12, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8
5) Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. 4) Michelle Key (USA), 11-8, 12-10, 12-10, 11-8 [sic]

3) María José Vargas (Argentina) d. 6) Juliette Parent (Canada), 11-4, 11-5, 11-3
2) Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. 7) Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica), 11-6, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9

Women’s Singles Medal Round - Semi-finals Wednesday

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. 5) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 10:45 AM
2) Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) v. 3) María José Vargas (Argentina) - 10:45 AM

Women’s Singles Elite Draw - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Paula Mansilla (Chile) d. 8) Kylie Larduet (Cuba), 11-4, 11-7, 11-6
4) Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) d. 5) Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba), 11-8, 11-3, 11-6

6) Jazmin Aguilar (Guatemala) d. 3) Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-8, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6
2) Lexi York (USA) d. 7) Andrea Reyes (Guatemala), 11-7, 11-5, 9-11, 11-4

Women’s Singles Elite Draw - Semi-finals Wednesday

1) Paula Mansilla (Chile) v. 4) Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) - 11:30 AM
2) Lexi York (USA) v. 7) Andrea Reyes (Guatemala) - 11:30 AM

Men's Singles Medal Round - Round of 16 Tuesday

1) Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - BYE
8) Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. 9) Kurtis Cullen (Canada), 11-8, 11-7, 6-11, 9-11, 11-5

5) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - BYE
4) Charlie Pratt (USA) - BYE

3) Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE
6) Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - BYE

10) Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) d. 7) Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 11-6, 11-7, 11-9
2) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE

Men's Singles Medal Round - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) d. 8) Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica), 11-5, 11-6, 11-5
5) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. 4) Charlie Pratt (USA), 11-2, 11-4, 11-5

3) Samuel Murray (Canada) d. 6) Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina), 10-12, 11-8, 11-3, 12-10
2) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. 10) Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico), 11-1, 11-2, 8-11, 10-12, 11-9

Men's Singles Medal Round - Semi-finals Wednesday

1) Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) v. 5) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - 10 AM
2) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. 3) Samuel Murray (Canada) - 10 AM

Men’s Singles Elite Draw - Round of 16 Tuesday

1) Jose Caceres (Guatemala) - BYE
8) Carlos Medrano (Honduras) d. 9) Sergio Ortega (Honduras), 11-6, 11-7, 11-6

5) Jean Marco Pumarol (Dominican Republic) - BYE
3) Rafael Gatica (Chile) - BYE

3) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - BYE
6) Maikel Moyet (Cuba) - BYE

7) Enier Chacon (Cuba) - BYE
2) Jaime Mansilla (Chile) - BYE

Men’s Singles Elite Draw - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Jose Caceres (Guatemala) d. 8) Carlos Medrano (Honduras), 7-11, 11-9, 14-16, 11-7, 11-4
4) Rafael Gatica (Chile) d. 5) Jean Marco Pumarol (Dominican Republic), 11-4, 11-1, 11-7

3) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. 6) Maikel Moyet (Cuba), 11-4, 11-1, 11-7
2) Jaime Mansilla (Chile) d. 9) Enier Chacon (Cuba), 12-10, 8-11, 5-11, 11-5, 11-2

Men’s Singles Elite Draw - Semi-finals Wednesday

1) Jose Caceres (Guatemala) v. 4) Rafael Gatica (Chile) - 10:45
2) Jaime Mansilla (Chile) v. 3) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 10 AM

Women's Doubles - Medal Round - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. 8) Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Kylie Larduet (Cuba), 11-4, 11-2, 11-2
4) Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. 4) Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-7, 10-12, 11-9, 11-3

6) Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. 3) Anna Aguilar & Andrea Reyes (Guatemala), 11-3, 11-8, 11-6
2) Naomi Ros & Lexi York (USA) d. 7) Marjolaine Parent & Danielle Ramsay (Canada), 11-7, 11-4, 11-3

Women's Doubles - Medal Round - Semi-finals Wednesday

1) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. 4) Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 1 PM
2) Naomi Ros & Lexi York (USA) v. 6) Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 1 PM

Men's Doubles - Medal Round - Round of 16 Tuesday

1) Sebastian Hernandez & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - BYE
9) Ramon De Leon & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) d. 8) Yandy Espinosa & Maikel Moyet (Cuba), 11-6, 13-11, 6-11, 6-11, 11-9

5) Rafael Gatica & Jaime Mansilla (Chile) - BYE
4) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - BYE

3) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE
6) Edwin Galicia & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - BYE

7) Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras) - BYE
2) Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE

Men's Doubles - Medal Round - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Sebastian Hernandez & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) d. 9) Ramon De Leon & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic), 11-4 12-10, 11-6
4) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. 5) Rafael Gatica & Jaime Mansilla (Chile), 9-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-0

3) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) d. 6) Edwin Galicia & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11-8, 13-11, 10-12, 11-8
2) Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada) d. 7) Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras), 11-5, 11-4, 11-5

Men's Doubles - Medal Round - Semi-finals Wednesday

1) Sebastian Hernandez & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) v. 4) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - 1:45 PM
2) Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada) v. 3) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) - 1:45 PM

Mixed Doubles - Medal Round - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE
4) Coby Iwaasa & Juliette Parent (Canada) d. 5) Andrea Martinez & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11-6, 11-6, 11-8

3) Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) d. 6) Alejandra Jimenez & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic), 13-11, 11-6, 11-8
2) Jaime Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. 7) Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Maikel Moyet (Cuba), 11-4, 11-4, 11-7

Mixed Doubles - Medal Round - Semi-finals Wednesday

1) Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. 4) Coby Iwaasa & Juliette Parent (Canada) d. 5) Andrea Martinez & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 3:15 PM
2) Jaime Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. 3) Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) - 3:15 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Draws for 2024 Pan American Racquetball Championships

The draws for the medal round of play at the XXXV Pan American Championships in Guatemala City are below, as well as the “Elite Draw,” which is a consolation side for players who finished in the 3rd and 4th spots in the group stage.

The medal round begins Tuesday from 10 AM on. For draws, look to the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - March 23-31, 2024

Women’s Singles Medal Round - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) v. 8) Danielle Ramsay (Canada) - 10:45 AM
4) Michelle Key (USA) v. 5) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 10:45 AM

3) María José Vargas (Argentina) v.
Juliette Parent (Canada) - 10:45 AM
2) Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) v. Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - 10:45 AM

Women’s Singles Elite Draw - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Paula Mansilla (Chile) v. 8) Kylie Larduet (Cuba) - 12:15 PM
4) Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) v. 5) Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba) - 12:15 PM

3) Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) v. 6) Jazmin Aguilar (Guatemala) - 12:15 PM
2) Lexi York (USA) v. 7) Andrea Reyes (Guatemala) - 12:15 PM

Men's Singles Medal Round - Round of 16 Tuesday

1) Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - BYE
8) Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) v. 9) Kurtis Cullen (Canada) - 10 AM

5) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - BYE
4) Charlie Pratt (USA) - BYE

3) Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE
6) Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - BYE

7) Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) v. 10) Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) - 10 AM
2) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE

Men's Singles Medal Round - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) v. 8) Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) or 9) Kurtis Cullen (Canada) - 11:30 AM
4) Charlie Pratt (USA) v. 5) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - 11:30 AM

3) Samuel Murray (Canada) v. 6) Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - 11:30 AM
2) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) v. 7) Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) - 11:30 AM

Men’s Singles Elite Draw - Round of 16 Tuesday

1) Jose Caceres (Guatemala) - BYE
8) Carlos Medrano (Honduras) v. 9) Sergio Ortega (Honduras) - 10 AM

5) Jean Marco Pumarol (Dominican Republic) - BYE
3) Rafael Gatica (Chile) - BYE

3) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - BYE
6) Maikel Moyet (Cuba) - BYE

7) Enier Chacon (Cuba) - BYE
2) Jaime Mansilla (Chile) - BYE

Men’s Singles Elite Draw - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Jose Caceres (Guatemala) v. 8) Carlos Medrano (Honduras) or 9) Sergio Ortega (Honduras) - 1 PM
4) Rafael Gatica (Chile) v. 5) Jean Marco Pumarol (Dominican Republic) - 1 PM

3) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) v. 6) Maikel Moyet (Cuba) - 1 PM
3) Jaime Mansilla (Chile) v. 4) Enier Chacon (Cuba) - 1 PM

Women's Doubles - Medal Round - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) v. 8) Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Kylie Larduet (Cuba) - 1:45 PM
4) Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) v. 4) Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 1:45 PM

3) Anna Aguilar & Andrea Reyes (Guatemala) v. 6) Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 1:45 PM
2) Naomi Ros & Lexi York (USA) v. 7) Marjolaine Parent & Danielle Ramsay (Canada) - 1:45 PM

Men's Doubles - Medal Round - Round of 16 Tuesday

1) Sebastian Hernandez & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - BYE
8) Yandy Espinosa & Maikel Moyet (Cuba) v. 9) Ramon De Leon & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 10 AM

5) Rafael Gatica & Jaime Mansilla (Chile) - BYE
4) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - BYE

3) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE
6) Edwin Galicia & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - BYE

7) Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras) - BYE
2) Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE

Men's Doubles - Medal Round - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Sebastian Hernandez & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) v. 8) Yandy Espinosa & Maikel Moyet (Cuba) or 9) Ramon De Leon & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 2:30 PM
4) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) v. 5) Rafael Gatica & Jaime Mansilla (Chile) - 2:30 PM

3) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) v. 6) Edwin Galicia & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 2:30 PM
2) Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada) v. 7) Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras) - 2:30 PM

Mixed Doubles - Medal Round - Quarterfinals Tuesday

1) Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE
4) Coby Iwaasa & Juliette Parent (Canada) v. 5) Andrea Martinez & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 4 PM

3) Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) v. 6) Alejandra Jimenez & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 4 PM
2) Jaime Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) v. 7) Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Maikel Moyet (Cuba) - 4 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Last day of group stage at 2024 Pan American Racquetball Championships

Monday saw the final round of group matches at the XXXV Pan American Championships in Guatemala City, which sets the stage for the medal round that will begin on Tuesday. Merynanyelly Delgado of the Dominican Republic beat Canadian Danielle Ramsay, 15-6, 15-5, 15-7, to top group two and capture the 2nd for the medal round, so she’ll have a good chance to be on the podium.

Another day, another tie-breaker win for American Charlie Pratt, who held on to defeat Costa Rican Gabriel Garcia, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-5. Garcia was up early in the breaker, but Pratt came back to take it, helped by two crack drive serve aces: one to the right and then one to the left. Pratt went undefeated in group four.

The American Women’s Doubles team of Naomi Ros and Lexi York won group two, but they needed a tie-breaker to do it, as the Guatemalan team of Anna Paula Aguilar and Andrea Reyes forced the Americans to a fifth game after dropping the first two. But it was the USA who carried the day in the, winning 11-8, 12-10, 8-11, 11-13, 11-5.

Two tie-breakers in Men’s Doubles. Chileans Rafael Gatica and Jaime Mansilla were up 2-1 on top seeds Sebastian Hernandez and Rodrigo Montoya of Mexico, but the Mexicans came back to win, 11-6, 9-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-1. Also, Americans brothers Jake and Sam Bredenbeck came back from two game down to defeat Costa Ricans Andrés Acuña and Gabriel Garcia, 5-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5.

Finally, in Mixed Doubles, Chileans Paula Mansilla and Carla Muñoz held on to beat the USA team of Sam Bredenbeck and Michelle Key, 14-12, 13-11, 8-11, 3-11, 11-3, and win group two.

The medal round begins Tuesday from 10 AM on. For draws, look to the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for atches.

XXXV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - March 23-31, 2024

Women's Singles

Group 1 - Monday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Paula Mansilla (Chile), 11-7, 11-2, 11-6
Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) d. Kylie Larduet (Cuba), 11-4, 11-8, 11-2

Standings

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 3-0
2) Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - 2-1
3) Paula Mansilla (Chile) - 1-2
4) Kylie Larduet (Cuba) - 0-3

Group 2 - Monday

Lexi York (USA) d. Andrea Reyes (Guatemala), 11-7, 11-6, 11-7
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Danielle Ramsay (Canada), 11-6, 11-5, 11-7

Standings

1) Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 3-0
2) Danielle Ramsay (Canada) - 2-1
3) Lexi York (USA) - 1-2
4) Andrea Reyes (Guatemala) - 0-3

Group 3 - Monday

María José Vargas (Argentina) d. Carla Muñoz (Chile), 11-5, 4-11, 13-11, 11-8
Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba), 11-5, 11-6, 11-3

Standings

1) María José Vargas (Argentina) - 3-0
2) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 2-1
3) Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 1-2
4) Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba) - 0-3

Group 4 - Monday

Michelle Key (USA) d. Jazmin Aguilar (Guatemala), 11-7, 11-3, 11-7
Juliette Parent (Canada) d. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic), 11-5, 11-9, 12-10

Standings

1) Michelle Key (USA) - 3-0
2) Juliette Parent (Canada) - 2-1
3) Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) - 1-2
4) Jazmin Aguilar (Guatemala) - 0-3

Men's Singles

Group 1 - Monday

Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) d. Kurtis Cullen (Canada), 11-6, 13-11, 11-5
Jose Caceres (Guatemala) - BYE

Standings

1) Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - 2-0
2) Kurtis Cullen (Canada) - 1-1
3) Jose Caceres (Guatemala), 0-2

Group 2 - Monday

Jaime Mansilla (Chile) d. Sergio Ortega (Honduras), 11-5, 11-9, 11-3
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Edwin Galicia (Guatemala), 11-6, 11-7, 11-6

Standings

1) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - 3-0
2) Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) - 2-1
3) Jaime Mansilla (Chile) - 1-2
4) Sergio Ortega (Honduras) - 0-3

Group 3 - Monday

Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) d. Enier Chacon (Cuba), 11-2, 11-9, 12-10
Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico), 11-8, 11-9, 13-11

Standings

1) Samuel Murray (Canada) - 3-0
1) Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) - 2-1
3) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 1-2
4) Enier Chacon (Cuba) - 0-3

Group 4 - Monday

Charlie Pratt (USA) d. Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica), 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-5
Rafael Gatica (Chile) d. Carlos Medrano (Honduras), 8-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-7

Standings

1) Charlie Pratt (USA) - 3-0
2) Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - 2-1
3) Rafael Gatica (Chile) - 1-2
4) Carlos Medrano (Honduras) - 0-3

Group 5 - Monday

Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina), 11-4, 8-11, 11-4, 5-11, 11-6
Maikel Moyet (Cuba) d. Jean Marco Pumarol (Dominican Republic), 11-5, 11-5, 11-5

Standings

1) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - 3-0
2) Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - 2-1
3) Maikel Moyet (Cuba) - 1-2
4) Jean Marco Pumarol (Dominican Republic) - 0-3

Women's Doubles

Group 1 - Monday

Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile), 12-10, 12-10, 12-10
Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Marjolaine Parent & Danielle Ramsay (Canada), 11-5, 11-5, 11-5

Standings

1) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) - 3-0
2) Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 2-1
3) Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 1-2
4) Marjolaine Parent & Danielle Ramsay (Canada) - 0-3

Group 2 - Monday

Naomi Ros & Lexi York (USA) d. Anna Aguilar & Andrea Reyes (Guatemala), 11-8, 12-10, 8-11, 11-13, 11-5
Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Kylie Larduet (Cuba), 11-8, 11-3, 11-6

Standings

1) Naomi Ros & Lexi York (USA) - 3-0
2) Anna Aguilar & Andrea Reyes (Guatemala) - 2-1
3) Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 1-2
4) Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Kylie Larduet (Cuba), 0-3

Men's Doubles

Group 1 - Monday

Sebastian Hernandez & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) d. Rafael Gatica & Jaime Mansilla (Chile), 11-6, 9-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-1
Yandy Espinosa & Maikel Moyet (Cuba) - BYE

Standings

1) Sebastian Hernandez & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - 2-0
2) Rafael Gatica & Jaime Mansilla (Chile) - 1-1
3) Yandy Espinosa & Maikel Moyet (Cuba) - 0-2

Group 2 - Monday

Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Edwin Galicia & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 7-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-5
Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras) - BYE

Standings

1) Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada) - 2-0
2) Edwin Galicia & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 1-1
3) Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras) - 0-2

Group 3 - Monday

Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) d. Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica), 5-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5
Ramon De Leon & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - BYE

Standings

1) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) - 2-0
2) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - 1-1
3) Ramon De Leon & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 0-2

Mixed Doubles

Group 1 - Monday

Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Andrea Martinez & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11-4, 11-5, 11-6
Coby Iwaasa & Juliette Parent (Canada) - BYE

Standings

1) Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 2-0
2) Coby Iwaasa & Juliette Parent (Canada) - 1-1
3) Andrea Martinez & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 0-2

Group 2 - Monday

Jaime Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA), 14-12, 13-11, 8-11, 3-11, 11-3
Alejandra Jimenez & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) d. d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Maikel Moyet (Cuba), 11-2, 15-13, 11-7

Standings

1) Jaime Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 3-0
2) Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) - 2-1
3) Alejandra Jimenez & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 1-2
4) Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Maikel Moyet (Cuba) - 0-3

Follow the bouncing ball….

Day 2 at 2024 Pan American Racquetball Championships

More good matches on day two of the XXXV Pan American Championships in Guatemala City, yet there haven’t really been any crazy surprises. Day three will bring the highest seeds of the groups playing each other, so that will ensure some great matches on Monday, and perhaps some surprises.

Perhaps the most surprising group is in Women’s Singles, as Group 2 will be won by either the 3rd or 4th seeded player, and that player will be 2nd seed in the medal round. Merynanyelly Delgado of the Dominican Republic and Canadian Danielle Ramsay will face off on Monday, as both won their matches Sunday. Delgado beat Andrea Reyes, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4, and Ramsay handed American Lexi York her second loss via a come from behind tie-breaker win, 8-11, 11-2, 3-11, 11-9, 11-7.

There were four other tie-breakers Sunday. In Men’s Singles, American Charlie Pratt held on to defeat Chilean Rafael Gatica, 12-10, 11-2, 7-11, 8-11, 11-6. In Mixed Doubles, Argentina’s Natalia Mendez and Gerson Miranda came back from a game down to defeat Canadians Coby Iwaasa and Juliette Parent, 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 6-11, 11-7. And there were two tie-breakers in Women’s Doubles.

In one, Maria Cespedes and Delgado of the Dominican Republic held on to defeat Chileans Paula Mansilla and Carla Muñoz, 11-7, 10-12, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7, and in the other Guatemalans Anna Aguilar and Reyes denied Costa Ricans Larissa Faeth and Jimena Gomez, 11-5, 11-6, 5-11, 6-11, 11-6.

The last round of group play is on Monday followed by the medal round beginning Tuesday. The top two players in each singles group advance to the medal round with the other players going into an “Elite” consolation round. All teams in doubles advance to the medal round with the group stage results determining the seeding in that round.

For draws, look to the Pan American Racquetball Confederation (PARC) website or the R2 Sports site. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - March 23-31, 2024

Women's Singles

Group 1 - Sunday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica), 11-2, 11-2, 11-3
Paula Mansilla (Chile) d. Kylie Larduet (Cuba), 11-8, 11-4, 11-8

Standings

1) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 2-0
2) Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) - 1-1
2) Paula Mansilla (Chile) - 1-1
4) Kylie Larduet (Cuba) - 0-2

Group 2 - Sunday

Danielle Ramsay (Canada) d. Lexi York (USA), 8-11, 11-2, 3-11, 11-9, 11-7
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Andrea Reyes (Guatemala), 11-8, 11-8, 11-4

Standings

1) Danielle Ramsay (Canada) - 2-0
1) Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 2-0
3) Andrea Reyes (Guatemala) - 0-2
3) Lexi York (USA) - 0-2

Group 3 - Sunday

María José Vargas (Argentina) d. Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-2, 11-1, 11-1
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba), 11-0, 11-3, 11-1

Standings

1) María José Vargas (Argentina) - 2-0
1) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 2-0
3) Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba) - 0-2
3) Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica) - 0-2

Group 4 - Sunday

Michelle Key (USA) d. Juliette Parent (Canada), 11-6, 11-3, 11-5
Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) d. Jazmin Aguilar (Guatemala), 11-4, 11-5, 14-12

Standings

1) Michelle Key (USA) - 2-0
2) Juliette Parent (Canada) - 1-1
2) Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic) - 1-1
4) Jazmin Aguilar (Guatemala) - 0-2

Men's Singles

Group 1 - Sunday

Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) d. Jose Caceres (Guatemala), 11-3, 11-4, 11-3
Kurtis Cullen (Canada) - BYE

Standings

1) Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - 1-0
1) Kurtis Cullen (Canada) - 1-0
3) Jose Caceres (Guatemala), 0-2

Group 2 - Sunday

Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Sergio Ortega (Honduras), 11-6, 11-1, 11-5
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Jaime Mansilla (Chile), 11-7, 11-5, 11-8

Standings

1) Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) - 2-0
1) Jake Bredenbeck (USA) - 2-0
3) Sergio Ortega (Honduras) - 0-2
3) Jaime Mansilla (Chile) - 0-2

Group 3 - Sunday

Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 11-8, 11-6, 11-2
Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Enier Chacon (Cuba), 11-5, 11-6, 11-7

Standings

1) Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) - 2-0
1) Samuel Murray (Canada) - 2-0

3) Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic) - 0-2
3) Enier Chacon (Cuba) - 0-2

Group 4 - Sunday

Charlie Pratt (USA) d. Rafael Gatica (Chile), 12-10, 11-3, 7-11, 8-11, 11-6
Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. Carlos Medrano (Honduras), 6-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-2

Standings

1) Charlie Pratt (USA) - 2-0
1) Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - 2-0
3) Rafael Gatica (Chile) - 0-2
3) Carlos Medrano (Honduras) - 0-2

Group 5 - Sunday

Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Jean Marco Pumarol (Dominican Republic), 11-6, 11-1, 11-4
Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) d. Maikel Moyet (Cuba), 12-10, 11-7, 11-5

Standings

1) Andres Acuña (Costa Rica) - 2-0
1) Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) - 2-0
3) Jean Marco Pumarol (Dominican Republic) - 0-2
3) Maikel Moyet (Cuba) - 0-2

Women's Doubles

Group 1 - Sunday

Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Marjolaine Parent & Danielle Ramsay (Canada), 11-3, 11-3, 11-2
Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile), 11-7, 10-12, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7

Standings

1) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) - 2-0
2) Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) - 1-1
2) Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 1-1
3) Marjolaine Parent & Danielle Ramsay (Canada) - 0-2

Group 2 - Sunday

Naomi Ros & Lexi York (USA) d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Kylie Larduet (Cuba), 11-2, 11-4, 11-1
Anna Aguilar & Andrea Reyes (Guatemala) d. Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-5, 11-6, 5-11, 10-12, 11-6

Standings

1) Naomi Ros & Lexi York (USA) - 2-0
1) Anna Aguilar & Andrea Reyes (Guatemala) - 2-0
3) Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 0-2
3) Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Kylie Larduet (Cuba), 0-2

Men's Doubles

Group 1 - Sunday

Sebastian Hernandez & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) d. Yandy Espinosa & Maikel Moyet (Cuba), 11-4, 11-3, 11-9
Rafael Gatica & Jaime Mansilla (Chile) - BYE

Standings

1) Sebastian Hernandez & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - 1-0
1) Rafael Gatica & Jaime Mansilla (Chile) - 1-0
3) Yandy Espinosa & Maikel Moyet (Cuba) - 0-2

Group 2 - Sunday

Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras), 11-6, 11-2, 11-4
Edwin Galicia & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - BYE

Standings

1) Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada) - 1-0
1) Edwin Galicia & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 1-0
3) Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras) - 0-2

Group 3 - Sunday

Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. Ramon De Leon & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic), 11-9, 11-3, 11-4
Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) - BYE

Standings

1) Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - 1-0
1) Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) - 1-0
3) Ramon De Leon & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 0-2

Mixed Doubles

Group 1 - Sunday

Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Coby Iwaasa & Juliette Parent (Canada), 9-11, 11-5, 11-5, 6-11, 11-7
Andrea Martinez & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - BYE

Standings

1) Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 1-0
2) Coby Iwaasa & Juliette Parent (Canada) - 1-1
3) Andrea Martinez & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) - 0-1

Group 2 - Sunday

Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Maikel Moyet (Cuba), 11-4, 11-7, 13-11
Jaime Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Alejandra Jimenez & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic), 11-5, 11-4, 11-6

Standings

1) Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) - 2-0
1) Jaime Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 2-0
3) Alejandra Jimenez & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic) - 0-2
3) Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Maikel Moyet (Cuba) - 0-2

Follow the bouncing ball….

Day 1 of 2024 Pan American Championships

Day one of competition at the XXXV Pan American Championships in Guatemala City is over, and there were no real surprises, although there were several close matches. There are 10 countries competing compared with 14 last year. The big absence is Bolivia, who won both Men’s Singles and Mixed Doubles last year.

On the women’s side, Argentina’s María José Vargas and Natalia Mendez are two of the favourites in singles, as well as doubles, with Chile’s Carla Muñoz and American Michelle Key also podium candidates in singles.

In doubles, past the Argentines it’s probably Muñoz and Paula Mansilla, and then it’s not so clear. The USA’s young team of Naomi Ros and Lexi York and Maria Cespedes and Merynanyelly Delgado of the Dominican Republic could both be tough.

On the men’s side, the favourites in singles are Mexican Rodrigo Montoya, American Jake Bredenbeck, Canadian Samuel Murray, and Costa Rican Andrés Acuña. Those four are also playing doubles, so they should be considered the podium favourites in that too. Montoya is playing with Sebastian Hernandez, Bredenbeck with his brother Sam, Murray with Coby Iwaasa, and they won the Pan Am Championship in 2022, and Acuña’s partner is Gabriel Garcia.

The draws are available through the R2 Sports website. Also, some of the matches are being streamed live, so check out the IRF Facebook page or the IRF YouTube channel for matches.

XXXV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - March 23-31, 2024

Women's Singles

Group 1 - Saturday

Natalia Mendez (Argentina) d. Kylie Larduet (Cuba), 11-2, 11-2, 11-3
Larissa Faeth (Costa Rica) d. Paula Mansilla (Chile), 12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 11-4

Group 2 - Saturday

Danielle Ramsay (Canada) d. Andrea Reyes (Guatemala), 11-7, 11-8, 11-13, 11-8
Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic) d. Lexi York (USA), 10-12, 14-12, 11-5, 4-11, 11-8

Group 3 - Saturday

María José Vargas (Argentina) d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli (Cuba), 11-1, 11-3, 11-4
Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-3, 11-4, 11-3

Group 4 - Saturday

Juliette Parent (Canada) d. Jazmin Aguilar (Guatemala), 9-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-9
Michelle Key (USA) d. Maria Cespedes (Dominican Republic), 11-9, 11-9, 14-16, 11-7

Men's Singles

Group 1 - Saturday

Kurtis Cullen (Canada) d. Jose Caceres (Guatemala), 10-12, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10
Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - BYE

Group 2 - Saturday

Edwin Galicia (Guatemala) d. Jaime Mansilla (Chile), 11-3, 11-7, 12-10
Jake Bredenbeck (USA) d. Sergio Ortega (Honduras), 11-1, 11-4, 11-3

Group 3 - Saturday

Sebastian Fernandez (Mexico) d. Enier Chacon (Cuba), 11-7, 11-3, 11-6
Samuel Murray (Canada) d. Ramon De Leon (Dominican Republic), 11-6, 11-5, 11-5

Group 4 - Saturday

Charlie Pratt (USA) d. Carlos Medrano (Honduras), 11-9, 12-10, 11-6
Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) d. Rafael Gatica (Chile), 11-9, 11-2, 11-6

Group 5 - Saturday

Andrés Acuña (Costa Rica) d. Maikel Moyet (Cuba), 11-2, 11-5, 11-3
Gerson Miranda Martinez (Argentina) d. Jean Marco Pumarol (Dominican Republic), 11-3, 11-5, 11-5

Women's Doubles

Group 1 - Saturday

Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas (Argentina) d. Maria Cespedes & Merynanyelly Delgado (Dominican Republic), 12-10, 11-4, 11-9
Paula Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Marjolaine Parent & Danielle Ramsay (Canada), 12-10, 11-6, 12-10

Group 2 - Saturday

Naomi Ros & Lexi York (USA) d. Larissa Faeth & Jimena Gomez (Costa Rica), 11-6, 11-5, 11-6
Anna Aguilar & Andrea Reyes (Guatemala) v. Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Kylie Larduet (Cuba), 11-3, 11-5, 11-7

Men's Doubles

Group 1 - Saturday

Rafael Gatica & Jaime Mansilla (Chile) d. Yandy Espinosa & Maikel Moyet (Cuba), 11-7, 11-3, 11-4
Sebastian Hernandez & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico) - BYE

Group 2 - Saturday

Edwin Galicia & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala) d. Carlos Medrano & Sergio Ortega (Honduras), 11-8, 11-3, 11-5
Coby Iwaasa & Samuel Murray (Canada) - BYE

Group 3 - Saturday

Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) v. Ramon De Leon & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic), 11-6, 11-8, 11-0
Andrés Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica) - BYE

Mixed Doubles

Group 1 - Saturday

Coby Iwaasa & Juliette Parent (Canada) d. Andrea Martinez & Juan Salvatierra (Guatemala), 11-3, 11-3, 9-11, 11-7
Gerson Miranda & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - BYE

Group 2 - Saturday

Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) d. Samira Ferrer Marcilli & Maikel Moyet (Cuba), 11-3, 11-5, 11-4
Jaime Mansilla & Carla Muñoz (Chile) d. Alejandra Jimenez & Diego Pimentel (Dominican Republic), 11-5, 11-7, 8-11, 7-11, 11-9

Follow the bouncing ball….

2024 Pan American Championships - Preview

The 2024 Pan American Racquetball Championships begin Saturday in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The tournament was originally scheduled to be in Bolivia, but it was switched earlier this year.

There will be a team competition in Guatemala. So after playing the five individual events - men’s and women’s singles and doubles, and also mixed doubles - countries will face off in both men’s and women’s best of three match battles: two singles and one doubles. The order of the matches, whether doubles is played first, second or third, as well as which singles match is played when, varies by round.

Although we have to wait until teams are in Guatemala for the match schedule to be released, both the USA and Canada have announced who they will be sending to Guatemala, and both are a mix of veterans and young players.

On Team USA are Jake Bredenbeck, Sam Bredenbeck and Charlie Pratt on the men’s side, with Michelle Key, Naomi Ros and Lexi York on the women’s side. The Bredenbecks will play Men’s Doubles with Jake also playing singles and Sam playing Mixed Doubles with Key. Pratt will be the second Men’s Singles player. Key will also play singles, as will York. Ros and York will be the USA Women’s Doubles team.

Team Canada will be Kurtis Cullen, Coby Iwaasa and Samuel Murray as the men’s team with Juliette Parent, Marjolaine Parent and Danielle Ramsay as the women’s team. Murray will play Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles with Iwaasa, who will also play Mixed doubles will Juliette Parent. Juliette will play Women’s Singles, as will Ramsay. Ramsay and Marjolaine Parent will be the Women’s Doubles team.

2027 Pan American Games

The 2027 Pan American Games were scheduled to be in Barranquilla, Colombia, but Barranquilla was unselected for the games in January due to failing to meet contractual obligations. While that was surprising to us on the outside, apparently, it was not a surprise to those on the inside.

Two cities came forward as potential hosts for 2027: Ascunción, Paraguay, and Lima, Peru. Paraguay had never hosted the games before, while Lima was the host in 2019. Perhaps because of that previous experience, Lima narrowly won the selection vote (28 to 24), and will host the Pan American Games for a second time in less than a decade.

Racquetball was part of the 2019 Games in Peru, and we understand the courts are still there, so racquetball should be on the program again in 2027. Paraguay hasn’t been a racquetball country, so they would have needed to build courts. That might have happened, as Peru’s courts were newly built for the 2019 games. But there have been times when the host nation - Brazil in 2007 - didn’t want to build courts, so racquetball was excluded from the games that year.

Thus, selecting Lima should be a good thing for racquetball.

2024 Pan Am Championships Medalists

Below is a summary of the medalists at the 2023 Pan American Championships to refresh your memory. Also, if you want to see any of the finals from last year (as well as some matches from earlier in the tournament), check out the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) YouTube channel.

XXXIV Pan American Racquetball Championships
Guatemala City, Guatemala - April 1-8, 2023

Results Summary

Women’s Singles

Gold - Montserrat Mejia (Mexico)
Silver - María José Vargas (Argentina)
Bronze - Natalia Mendez (Argentina) and Maricruz Ortiz (Costa Rica)

Men's Singles

Gold - Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
Silver - Carlos Keller (Bolivia)
Bronze - Jake Bredenbeck (USA) and Diego Garcia (Argentina)

Women's Doubles

Gold - Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia (Mexico)
Silver - Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez (Guatemala)
Bronze - Valeria Centellas & Natalia Mendez (Argentina) and Angelica Barrios & Jenny Daza (Bolivia)

Men's Doubles

Gold - Rodrigo Montoya & Eduardo Portillo (Mexico)
Silver - Kadim Carrasco & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
Bronze - Jake Bredenbeck & Sam Bredenbeck (USA) and Andres Acuña & Gabriel Garcia (Costa Rica)

Mixed Doubles

Gold - Angelica Barrios & Conrrado Moscoso (Bolivia)
Silver - Paola Longoria & Rodrigo Montoya (Mexico)
Bronze - Sam Bredenbeck & Michelle Key (USA) and Maria Jose Vargas & Diego Garcia (Argentina)

Follow the bouncing ball….

Stein wins twice at 2024 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships

Baldwin Wallace’s Julia Stein won Women’s #1 Singles and #1 Doubles with Angie Case at the 2024 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona on the weekend. Stein is the 10th women to win both #1 singles and doubles at Intercollegiates, and the first since Annie Roberts in 2022.

In singles, Stein defeated Erin Slutzky (Arizona State) in the final. She won the first game, 15-8, and was up 13-12 in game two, when Slutzky slammed her eyeguards into the floor after the rally. It seemed like that outburst was without cause, although watching the end of the rally again, Stein’s followthrough may have hit Slutzky in the face. But if so, Stein seemed oblivious to that.

Regardless, it was an odd end to the match.

Stein and Case’s doubles win was their second consecutive title. This time they defeated Chloe Hilsenteger and Katt Macgregor of Oregon State, 15-11, 13-15, 11-5, in the final. Hilsenteger and Macgregor’s 2nd place finish is an improvement on their 3rd place finish last year.

On the men's side, Benjamin Horner (Des Moines Area Community College) defeated Timothy Jack (Brigham Young University), 15-10, 9-15, 11-6, in the Men’s #1 Singles final. In the semi-finals, Jack defeated top seed Ariel Tito (Colorado State), who won the title in 2022, 14-15, 15-11, 11-7, while Horner beat Ben Baron (Creighton), who was the runner-up in 2022, 15-11, 15-4.

Tito did claim the Men's Doubles title, as he and Samuel Lazcano Ramirez came back to defeat Cody Boucher and Tucker Elkins (Oregon State), 6-15, 15-7, 11-3, in the final.

Team standings

Oregon State was the overall team winner, and men’s team winner. Brigham Young topped the women’s team standings (Oregon State was second), and they were second in the men’s and overall standings.

The other top schools were the University of Missouri (3rd in men’s, 4th in women’s, 3rd overall), Baldwin Wallace University (3rd in women’s, 5th overall) and Liberty University (5th in men’s, 4th overall).

Intercollegiate participation

There were 110 players at the 2024 Intercollegiate Championships, which was about the same as the 109 at the 2023 championships. That remains lower than the pre-pandemic numbers, which were regularly over 200.

The men to women participation rate was similar to last year with five more men and five fewer women, so 31.8% of the field were women, which is generally better than at most racquetball tournaments. If there were over 30% women participation in tournaments, tournaments would be much bigger.

Quiz!

As mentioned above, Julie Stein is the 10th women to win both #1 singles and doubles at Intercollegiates. Who are the other 9? One was mentioned above. The others are at the bottom of this post.

2024 USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Championships
Tempe, Arizona - March 14-16, 2024
(with seedings)

Women's Singles - Final

6) Julia Stein (Baldwin Wallace) d. 1) Erin Slutzky (Arizona State), 15-8, 13-12, injury forfeit

Women's Singles - 3rd Place

4) Megan Carver (Washington State) d. 2) Stephanie Cook (Brigham Young), 15-7, 15-0

Women's Singles - Semi-finals

1) Erin Slutzky (Arizona State) d. 4) Megan Carver (Washington State), 15-5, 15-11
6) Julia Stein (Baldwin Wallace) d. 2) Stephanie Cook (Brigham Young), 15-7, 11-15, 11-0

Women's Doubles - Final

1) Angie Case & Julia Stein (Baldwin Wallace) d. 2) Chloe Hilsenteger & Katt Macgregor (Oregon State), 15-11, 13-15, 11-5

Women's Doubles - 3rd Place

4) Ashlyn Bell & Stephanie Cook (Brigham Young) d. 3) Zoe Browning & Gabbie Roseman (Missouri), 15-4, 15-3

Women's Doubles - Semi-finals

1) Angie Case & Julia Stein (Baldwin Wallace) d. 4) Ashlyn Bell & Stephanie Cook (Brigham Young), 10-15, 15-8, 11-7
2) Chloe Hilsenteger & Katt Macgregor (Oregon State) d. 3) Zoe Browning & Gabbie Roseman (Missouri), 15-8, 15-6

Men's Singles - Final

3) Benjamin Horner (Des Moines Area Community College) d. 4) Timothy Jack (Brigham Young University), 15-10, 9-15, 11-6

Men's Singles - 3rd Place

1) Ariel Tito (Colorado State) d. 2) Ben Baron (Creighton), forfeit

Men's Singles - Semi-finals

4) Timothy Jack (Brigham Young University) d. 1) Ariel Tito (Colorado State), 14-15, 15-11, 11-7
3) Benjamin Horner (Des Moines Area Community College) d. 2) Ben Baron (Creighton), 15-11, 15-4

Men's Doubles - Final

2) Samuel Lazcano Ramirez & Ariel Tito (Colorado State) d. 1) Cody Boucher & Tucker Elkins (Oregon State), 6-15, 15-7, 11-3

Men's Doubles - 3rd Place

3) Timothy Jack & Bryce Palmer (Brigham Young University) d. 5) Edwin Miller & Ryan Sanner (Missouri), 15-11, 15-4

Men's Doubles - Semi-finals

1) Cody Boucher & Tucker Elkins (Oregon State) d. Edwin Miller & Ryan Sanner (Missouri), 15-7, 15-10
2) Samuel Lazcano Ramirez & Ariel Tito (Colorado State) d. 3) Timothy Jack & Bryce Palmer (Brigham Young University), 15-5, 15-2

2024 Intercollegiate Championship - Team standings

Men’s Team

1. Oregon State University - 1444
2. Brigham Young University - 1175
3. University of Missouri - 1115
4. Colorado State University - 765
5. Liberty University - 623

Women’s Team

1. Brigham Young University - 955
2. Oregon State University - 854
3. Baldwin Wallace University - 575
4. University of Missouri - 277
5. Arizona State University - 210

Overall Team

1. Oregon State University - 2298
2. Brigham Young University - 2130
3. University of Missouri - 1392
4. Liberty University - 789
4. Baldwin Wallace University - 779

USA Racquetball Intercollegiate Champions

Women's Singles

2024

1) Julia Stein (Baldwin Wallace)
2) Erin Slutzky (Arizona State)
3) Megan Carver (Washington State)
4) Stephanie Cook (Brigham Young)

2023

1) Annie Roberts (Pacific)
2) Andrea Ibarra (New Mexico)
3) Stephanie Cook (Brigham Young)
4) Katt Macgregor (Oregon State)

2022

1) Annie Roberts (Pacific)
2) Shane Diaz (Northeast Lakeview College)
3) Julia Stein (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Kate Zawalski (Missouri)

2019

1) Hollie Scott (Washington)
2) Carla Muñoz (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Erika Manilla (Northern Arizona)
4) Melania Sauma (Arizona State)

2018

1) Carla Muñoz (Colorado State)
2) Erika Manilla (Northern Arizona)
3) Hollie Scott (Washington)
4) Lexi York (Oregon State)

2017

1) Carla Muñoz (Colorado State)
2) Melania Sauma (Arizona State)
3) Lexi York (Oregon State)
4) Katie Nieswiadomy (Texas A&M)

2016

1) Carla Muñoz (Las Positas)
2) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
3) Lexi York (Oregon State)
4) Devon Pimentelli (Bellevue College)

2015

1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
2) Elizabeth Simmons (Arizona)
3) Hannah Shnurman (Northern Colorado)
4) Rachel Creel (Oregon State)

2014

1) Devon Pimentelli (Canada College)
2) Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State)
3) Samantha Simmons (Maryland)
4) Elizabeth Simmons (Arizona)

2013

1) Kelani Bailey (Shenandoah)
2) Danielle Key (Arizona State)
3) Amanda Lindsay (Oregon State)
4) Kelly Gremley (Purdue)

2012

1) Sharon Jackson (Alabama)
2) Danielle Key (Arizona State)
3) Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Hailey Miller (Oregon)

2011

1) Michelle Key (Arizona State)
2) Sharon Jackson (Univ. of Alabama)
3) Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Kelly Gremley (Purdue)

2010

1) Sharon Jackson (Univ. of Alabama)
2) Michelle Key (Univ. of Arizona)
3) Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)

2009

1) Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
2) Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
3) Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4) Teresa Diaz (Delta College)

2008

1) Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2) Sarah Hettesheimer (Baldwin Wallace)
3) Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4) Sue Sublaban (Delta College)

2007

1) Kimberly Irons (Ohio University)
2) Jesi Fuller (University of New Mexico)
3) Da'monique Davis (University of Alabama)
4) Sarah Hettesheimer (Baldwin Wallace)

2006

1) Adrienne Fisher (University of Alabama)
2) Ashley Legget (Oregon State)
3) Jesi Fuller (University of New Mexico)
4) Allison Dauer (North Carolina)

Women's Doubles

2024

1) Angie Case & Julia Stein (Baldwin Wallace)
2) Chloe Hilsenteger & Katt Macgregor (Oregon State)
3) Ashlyn Bell & Stephanie Cook (Brigham Young)
4) Zoe Browning & Gabbie Roseman (Missouri)

2023

1) Angie Case & Julia Stein (Baldwin Wallace)
2) Abby Lachance & Kate Zawalski (Missouri)
3) Chloe Hilsenteger & Katt Macgregor (Oregon State)
4) Rebekah Barney & Stephanie Cook (Brigham Young)

2022

1) Alondra Canchola & Annie Roberts (Pacific)
2) Abby Lachance & Kate Zawalski (Missouri)
3) Faith Malek & Julia Stein (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Autumn Lewis & Katt Macgregor (Oregon State)

2019

1) Brenda Laime & Adriana Riveros (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Natalie Lorati & Lexi York (Oregon State)
3) Elyse Duffie & Elena Robles (Purdue)
4) Lindsay Briglia & Erika Manilla (Northern Arizona)

2018

1) Erin Boadway & Erika Manilla (Northern Arizona)
2) Natalie Lorati & Lexi York (Oregon State)
3) Kayla Day & Carla Muñoz (Colorado State)
4) Tylynn Barker & Courtnie Duncan (Utah State)

2017

1) Erin Boadway & Erika Manilla (Northern Arizona)
2) Samantha Baker & Carla Muñoz (Colorado State)
3) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State)
4) Madeline Gauch & Christina Hughes (Missouri)

2016

1) Erica Lipski & Lexi York (Oregon State)
2) Jordan Giljum & Madeline Gauch (Missouri)
3) Jessilee Loucks & Lindsey Raven (Brigham Young)
4) Alexis Templeton & Antonia Duran (New Mexico)

2015

1) Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
2) Rachel Creel & Sarah Lewis (Oregon State)
3) Anna Schwartz & Madeline Gauch (Missouri)
4) Stefanie Nissley & Kerry Ryan (Pennsylvania State)

2014

1) Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
2) Amanda Lindsay & Karissa Beatty (Oregon State)
3) Anna Schwartz & Rachel Schmidt (Missouri)
4) Adrienne Schneider & Sara Moulton (Brigham Young)

2013

1) Danielle Key & Devon Pimentelli (Arizona State)
2) Amanda Lindsay & Karissa Beatty (Oregon State)
3) Elizabeth Simmons & Lindsay Rasmussen (Arizona)
4) Eliza Culverwell & Mary Culverwell (Brigham Young)

2012

1) Madeleine Angles & Sharon Jackson (University of Alabama)
2) Molly Haragan & Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
3) Danielle Key & Izayadeth Aguayo (Arizona State)
4) Leah Redwine & Hailey Miller (University Of Oregon)

2011

1) Sharon Jackson & Brittany Travers (University of Alabama)
2) Sheryl Lotts & Tracy Hawthorne (Baldwin Wallace)
3) Hailey Miller & Leah Redwine (University of Oregon)
4) Izayadeth Aguayo & Michelle Key (Arizona State)

2010

1) Sharon Jackson & Kara Mazur (University of Alabama)
2) Sheryl Lotts & Tracy Hawthorne (Baldwin Wallace)
3) Haley Strom & Holly Hettesheimer (University Of Cincinnati)
4) Izayadeth Aguayo & Michelle Key (Arizona State)

2009

1) Sharon Jackson & Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2) Sarah Hettesheimer & Sheryl Lotts (Baldwin Wallace)
3) Alyssa Asay & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
4) Eliza Culverwell & Charlotte Macfarlane (Brigham Young)

2008

1) Alyssa Asay & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
2) Mallory Parry & Darla Wenger (Brigham Young)
3) Sarah Hettesheimer & Tyler Fridley (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Kara Mazer & Brittany Travers (University of Alabama)

2007

1) Da'monique Davis & Kara Mazer (University of Alabama)
2) Sarah Hettesheimer & Kristin Matushevski (Baldwin Wallace)
3) Michelle Key & Jessica Montemayor (Arizona State)
4) Mallory Parry & Katherine Affeltranger (Brigham Young)

2006

1) Ashley Legget & Ashley Willhite (Oregon State)
2) Da'monique Davis & Kelley Fisher (University of Alabama)
3) Jesi Fuller & Natalie Alexia Lopez (New Mexico State)
4) Gretchen Miller & Kristen Karl (Pennsylvania State)

Men's Singles

2024

1) Benjamin Horner (Des Moines Area Community College)
2) Timothy Jack (Brigham Young University)
3) Ariel Tito (Colorado State)
4) Ben Baron (Creighton)

2023

1) John Dowell (Missouri)
2) Nathan Buring (Oregon State)
3) Arthur Schmeiser (Northern Arizona)
4) Timothy Jack (Brigham Young University)

2022

1) Arial Tito (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Ben Baron (Northern Arizona)
3) Jeremy Dixon (Adler)
4) John Dowell (Missouri)

2019

1) Erik Garcia (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Alejandro Almada (Texas)
3) Jeremy Dixon (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Jacob Matthews (East Carolina)

2018

1) Erik Garcia (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Alejandro Almada (Texas)
3) Sam Bredenbeck (Oregon State)
4) Kyle Ulliman (Baldwin Wallace)

2017

1) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace)
2) Erik Garcia (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Adam Manilla (Colorado)
4) Mauro Rojas (Delta College)

2016

1) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
2) David Horn (California State-Hayward)
3) Thomas Carter (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)

2015

1) Adam Manilla (Colorado)
2) Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
3) Dylan Reid (Washington University)
4) Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)

2014

1) Jose Diaz (Delta College)
2) Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Adam Manilla (Colorado State)
4) Joel Barshaw (Oregon State)

2013

1) Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
2) Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Cole Burr (Brigham Young)
4) Jordan Matthews (North Carolina State)

2012

1) Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
3) John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.)
4) Jose Diaz (Delta College)

2011

1) Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
2) Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Danny Lavely (Univ. of Alabama)
4) John Craig Chisholm (Boston Univ.)

2010

1) Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2) Taylor Knoth (Univ. of Oregon)
3) Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)
4) Allan Crockett (Univ. of Alabama)

2009

1) Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2) Allan Crockett (University of Alabama)
3) Tony Carson (Colorado State)
4) Anthony Herrera (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)

2008

1) Tony Carson (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Anthony Herrera (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs)
3) Bradly Rogers (Wichita)
4) Allan Crockett (University of Alabama)

2007

1) Ben Croft (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Agustin Tristan (University of Alabama)
3) Evan Ussery (University of New Mexico)
4) Phil Matthews (University of Illinois)

2006

1) Ben Croft (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Agustin Tristan (University of Alabama)
3) Mike Harmon (Manatee Community College)
4) Louis Vogel (University of New Mexico)

Men's Doubles

2024

1) Samuel Lazcano Ramirez & Ariel Tito (Colorado State)
2) Cody Boucher & Tucker Elkins (Oregon State)
3) Timothy Jack & Bryce Palmer (Brigham Young University)
4) Edwin Miller & Ryan Sanner (Missouri)

2023

1) Cody Boucher & Nathan Buring (Oregon State)
2) Patrick Biegun & Arthur Schmeiser (Northern Arizona)
3) Timothy Jack & Bryce Palmer (Brigham Young University)
4) Trevor Melton & Garrison Walker (Liberty University)

2022

1) Ben Baron & Arthur Schmeiser (Northern Arizona)
2) Samuel Lazcano Ramirez & Arial Tito (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Cody Boucher & Nathan Buring (Oregon State)
4) John Dowell & James Storgion (Missouri)

2019

1) Erik Garcia & Lukas Le (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Alejandro Almada & Jerry Yang (Texas)
3) Jeremy Dixon & Daniel Herrera (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Nathan Buring & Nick Buring (Oregon State)

2018

1) Justus Benson & Erik Garcia (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Jeremy Dixon & Kyle Ulliman (Baldwin Wallace)
3) Sam Bredenbeck & Alexander DeHart (Oregon State)
4) Alejandro Almada & Jerry Yang (Texas)

2017

1) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace)
2) Erik Garcia & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Adam Manilla & Nick Riffel (Colorado)
4) Mauro Rojas & Francisco Troncoso (Delta College)

2016

1) Jose Diaz & Marco Rojas (University of the Pacific)
2) Jeremy McGlothin & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Thomas Carter & Manolo Sandoval (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Matt McAdam & Nick Riffel (Colorado)

2015

1) Adam Manilla & Nick Riffel (Colorado)
2) Jacob Matthews & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Joel Bradshow & Sam Reid (Oregon State)
4) Jon Lanford & Alex Howard (Texas)

2014

1) Felipe Camacho & Brad Schopieray (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Adam Manilla & Nick Riffel (Colorado State)
3) Joel Bradshow & Sam Reid (Oregon State)
4) Danny Sardina & Zachary Patterson (Arizona State)

2013

1) Taylor Knoth & Joel Bradshow (Oregon State)
2) Nick Montalbano & Jake Bredenbeck (Colorado State, Pueblo)
3) Cole Burr & Brian Zundel (Brigham Young)
4) Alex Fischler & Joe Koch (Missouri)

2012

1) Jansen Allen & Nick Montalbano (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Grant Stalley & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
3) Brad Falvey & Danny Lavely (Alabama)
4) Cole Burr & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young)

2011

1) Felipe Camacho & Jansen Allen (Colorado State, Pueblo)
2) Allan Crockett & Danny Lavely (University of Alabama)
3) Joey Pryor & Taylor Knoth (Oregon State)
4) Jeff Skanchy & Joseph Blank (Brigham Young)

2010

1) David Horn & Jose Rojas (Delta College)
2) Jansen Allen & Tyler Otto (Colorado State)
3) Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)
4) David Laforest & Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)

2009

1) Tony Carson & Jansen Allen (Colorado State)
2) Jose Rojas & Ismael Aldana Jr. (Delta College)
3) Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)
4) Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)

2008

1) Tony Carson & Charlie Pratt (Colorado State)
2) Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)
3) David Laforest & Joey Lakowske (Oregon State)
4) Allan Crockett & Jonathan Doyle (University of Alabama)

2007

1) Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (Colorado State)
2) Chris Crockett & Shane Karmelin (University of Alabama)
3) Harry Fuller & Zach Apperson (Baldwin Wallace)
4) Marco Hidalgo & Evan Ussery (New Mexico State)

2006

1) Ben Croft & Mitch Williams (Colorado State)
2) Augustin Tristan & Shane Karmelin (University of Alabama)
3) Scott Perryman & Jared Torres (Brigham Young)
4) Joe Linnell & Benjamin Toth (Ohio State)

Quiz answers!

The 10 women to win both #1 singles and doubles at Intercollegiates: Julia Stein (2024), Annie Roberts (2022), Sharon Jackson (2012, 2010), Adrienne Fisher (2005), Kristen Walsh (2004, 2001), Krystal Csuk (2002), Susana Acosta (2000), Kerri Stoffregen (later Wachtel) (1994), Robin Levine (1988) and Crystal Fried (1985).

Follow the bouncing ball....