LPRT kicks off the 2024-25 season in Denver

2024-25 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) begins today in Denver, Colorado, with the 2024 LPRT Frontline Family Foundation Mile High Open. Sixteen of the top 20 players will be in action this weekend, including LPRT #1 Maria Jose Vargas, #2 Montserrat Mejia and #3 Paola Longoria.

There haven’t been any real surprises so far, and all the Round of 32 matches were won in two straight games. In some of the notable matches, Michelle Key defeated Sheryl Lotts, 15-10, 15-8. Lexi York beat veteran Nancy Enriquez, 15-13, 15-3, and Jessica Parrilla defeated Valeria Centellas, 15-2, 15-13, in a battle of two former top 10 players.

There are a couple of interesting teams in doubles, as Mejia’s usual partner Alexandra Herrera is not in Denver, so she has teamed up with Brenda Laime, and they are the top seeds, and will likely face 8th seeds Angelica Barrios and Valeria Centellas in the quarterfinals, although Barrios and Centellas need to beat 9th seeds Andrea Gabriela Reyes Perez and Lexi York in the first round to make that happen.

The highlight of the doubles quarters could be 2nd seeds Paola Longoria and Samantha Salas - the current International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Champions versus 7th seeds Gabriela Martinez and Maria Renee Rodriguez, the current Pan American Games Champions. The winner of that will face the winner of 3rd seeds Natalia Mendez and Maria Jose Vargas versus 6th seeds Cristina Amaya and Maria Paz Riquelme, in the semi-finals.

The other doubles quarterfinal is 4th seeds Michelle Key and Carla Muñoz versus 5th seeds Kelani Lawrence and Jessica Parrilla, which should also be an interesting match.

One notable absence in the draw is Erika Manilla, who is from the Denver area and listed as one of the Event Directors. Manilla missed the second half of last season after having hip surgery, which she apparently hasn’t recovered from yet.

Play continues Thursday afternoon with the singles Round of 16. The quarterfinals will be Friday morning at 10 and 11 AM with the doubles competition to begin at noon. The Singles semi-finals will be Friday afternoon at 4 and 5 PM followed by the doubles quarterfinals Friday evening at 6 and 7 PM. The finals will be on Saturday at 3 PM for singles and 5 PM for doubles. All times mountain. You can watch the action live from Denver via the LPRT YouTube channel.

2024 LPRT Frontline Family Foundation Mile High Open
Denver, Colorado - August 1-3, 2024

Singles Round of 32 - Thursday

1) Maria José Vargas - BYE
16) Michelle Key d. 17) Sheryl Lotts, 15-10, 15-8

9) Gabriela Martinez d. 24) Annie Sanchez-Roberts, 15-3, 15-12
8) Carla Muñoz d. 25) Andrea Gabriela Reyes Perez, 15-4, 15-4

5) Kelani Lawrence - BYE
12) Lexi York d. 21) Nancy Enriquez, 15-13, 15-3

20) Maria Renee Rodriguez d. 13) Maria Paz Riquelme, 15-4, 15-1
4) Brenda Laime - BYE

3) Montserrat Mejia - BYE
14) Stephanie Synhorst d. 19) Khyathi Velpuri, 15-4, 15-2

11) Jessica Parrilla d. 22) Valeria Centellas, 15-2, 15-13
6) Natalia Mendez - BYE

7) Cristina Amaya - BYE
10) Samantha Salas d. 23) Susana Acosta, 15-2, 15-6

15) Angelica Barrios d. 18) Chanis Leon, 15-6, 15-10
2) Paola Longoria - BYE

Singles Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Maria José Vargas v. 16) Michelle Key - 5 PM
8) Carla Muñoz v. 9) Gabriela Martinez - 5 PM

5) Kelani Lawrence v. 12) Lexi York - 3 PM
4) Brenda Laime v. 20) Maria Renee Rodriguez - 3 PM

3) Montserrat Mejia d. 14) Stephanie Synhorst, 15-2, 15-0
6) Natalia Mendez v. 11) Jessica Parrilla - 4 PM

7) Cristina Amaya v. 10) Samantha Salas - 4 PM
2) Paola Longoria v. 15) Angelica Barrios - 4 PM

Doubles - Round of 16 - Friday

1) Brenda Laime & Montserrat Mejia - BYE
8) Angelica Barrios & Valeria Centellas v. 9) Andrea Gabriela Reyes Perez & Lexi York - Noon

5) Kelani Lawrence & Jessica Parrilla - BYE
4) Michelle Key & Carla Muñoz - BYE

3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas - BYE
6) Cristina Amaya & Maria Paz Riquelme - BYE

7) Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez - BYE
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - BYE

Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Brenda Laime & Montserrat Mejia v. 8) Angelica Barrios & Valeria Centellas or 9) Andrea Gabriela Reyes Perez & Lexi York - 7 PM
4) Michelle Key & Carla Muñoz v. 5) Kelani Lawrence & Jessica Parrilla - 7 PM

3) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 6) Cristina Amaya & Maria Paz Riquelme - 6 PM
2) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas v. 7) Gabriela Martinez & Maria Renee Rodriguez - 6 PM

Follow the bouncing ball….

Longoria wins at 2024 LPRT Battle at the Beach & LPRT Season Summary

Paola Longoria won the 2024 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Battle at the Beach in Norfolk, Virginia, by defeating Alexandra Herrera, 15-5, 15-10, in the final on the weekend. She had a chance to win the doubles title also, but Longoria and Samantha Salas lost in that final to Herrera and Montserrat Mejia, 15-5, 15-9.

While the finals were relatively straight forward matches, the doubles semi-finals were anything but, as both went the distance. Longoria and Salas squeaked by Natalia Mendez and Maria José Vargas 14-15, 15-14, 11-9, in the first semi and then Herrera and Mejia needed three games to defeat Brenda Laime and Carla Muñoz, 14-15, 15-9, 11-2, in the second semi.

Final Rankings

Maria José Vargas didn’t win in Norfolk, but she won five of the eight LPRT events this season, and that form put Vargas on top of the season ending LPRT rankings for the first time in her career. She’s the third different player to be #1 in as many seasons, as Mejia was #1 last season, and Longoria the season before that, which was the last of 11 consecutive seasons for Longoria at #1.

Longoria’s three wins this season helped her finish #2 with Mejia #3. Herrera is #4 and Laime #5.

Rounding out the top 10 are Kelani Lawrence at #6 and Mendez at #7. Cristina Amaya is 8th, and that’s her 11th season in the top 10, and first since 2019-20.

Carla Muñoz finished at 9th, and then there was a tie for 10th between Gabriela Martinez and Erika Manilla, who was out of action for much of the season with a hip injury the required surgery, but was the only player outside of the top 4 to reach a final this season.

Herrera and Mejia topped the doubles rankings, as they won six of the seven doubles titles, and were runners up in the event they didn’t win. Longoria and Salas finished second four times, which helped them to tie for 3rd in the rankings.

LPRT player awards

Maria José Vargas was named LPRT Player of the Year on the weekend. Kelani Lawrence was the Most Improved Athlete this season, as she went from #14 to #6 in the LPRT rankings.

Finally, Mejia was named the Fan Favorite this season via a fan vote.

Congratulations to Vargas, Lawrence and Mejia on their awards.

If you missed any of the matches from Norfolk on the weekend - the doubles semis were pretty great, or any other LPRT tournament this season, check out the LPRT YouTube channel.

2024 LPRT Battle at the Beach
Norfolk, Virginia - June 6-9, 2024

Singles Final - Saturday

3) Paola Longoria d. 4) Alexandra Herrera, 15-5, 15-10

Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia d. 4) Brenda Laime & Carla Muñoz, 14-15, 15-9, 11-2
3) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas, 14-15, 15-14, 11-9

Doubles - Final - Saturday

1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia d. 3) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas, 15-5, 15-9

2023-24 LPRT Final Rankings - Singles
Rank - Player - Country - Points - Wins - Finals - Semi-finals - Quarterfinals

1) Maria José Vargas (Argentina) - 1502 - 5, 0, 2, 0
2) Paola Longoria (Mexico) - 1409.5 - 3, 1, 4, 0
3) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - 1093.5 - 0, 4, 3, 1
4) Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) - 896 - 0, 2, 4, 2
5) Brenda Laime (Bolivia) - 467.5 - 0, 0, 1, 4

6) Kelani Lawrence (USA) - 460 - 0, 0, 0, 6
7) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 393.5 - 0, 0, 0, 4
8) Cristina Amaya (Colombia) - 353.5 - 0, 0, 1, 1
9) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 342.5 - 0, 0, 0, 2
10) Gabriela Martinez (Guatemala) - 333 - 0, 0, 0, 5
10) Erika Manilla (USA) - 333 - 0, 1, 1, 1

2023-24 LPRT Final Rankings - Doubles
Rank - Player - Country - Points - Wins - Finals

1) Alexandra Herrera (Mexico) - 333.19 - 6, 1
1) Montserrat Mejia (Mexico) - 333.19 - 6, 1
3) Paola Longoria (Mexico) - 182.65 - 0, 4
3) Samantha Salas (Mexico) - 182.65 - 0, 4
5) Maria José Vargas (Argentina) - 173.94 - 1, 1

6) Natalia Mendez (Argentina) - 160.19 - 1, 1
7) Carla Muñoz (Chile) - 131.05 - 0, 1
8) Brenda Laime (Bolivia) - 112.2 - 0, 0
9) Kelani Lawrence (USA) - 96.95 - 0, 0
10) Hollie Scott (USA) - 84.7 - 0, 0

Follow the bouncing ball….

Herrera & Longoria to face off in final of the 2024 LPRT Battle at the Beach

Number three will play #4 in the final of the 2024 Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour (LPRT) Battle at the Beach in Norfolk, Virginia, as they defeated the top seeds in the semi-finals. Fourth seed Alexandra Herrera knocked off LPRT #1 Maria José Vargas, 15-14, 9-15, 11-9, and 3rd seed Paola Longoria beat LPRT #2 Montserrat Mejia, 15-9, 15-8.

In doubles, 4th seeds Brenda Laime and Carla Muñoz narrowly defeated 5th seeds Kelani Lawrence and Hollie Scott, 15-12, 7-15, 11-10, in the quarterfinals Friday, so they’ll play top seeds Herrera and Mejia in the semi-finals at noon on Saturday.

In the other semi, it’ll be #2 versus #3, as Natalia Mendez and Vargas will take on Longoria and Samantha Salas. When have Longoria and Salas been the 3rd seed in a doubles draw? We can hardly imagine that.

Both of those teams got to the semis with straight game wins in the quarters. Mendez and Vargas defeated 7th seeds Sheryl Lotts and Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-10, 15-8, while Longoria and Salas beat 6th seeds Cristina Amaya and Maria Paz Riquelme, 15-3, 15-1.

Play continues Saturday morning with the doubles semi-finals at 11 AM and noon followed by the singles final at 5 PM with the doubles final to follow at 6 PM. You can watch the action live from Norfolk via the LPRT YouTube channel. All times eastern.

2024 LPRT Battle at the Beach
Norfolk, Virginia - June 6-9, 2024

Singles Round of 32 - Thursday

1) Maria José Vargas - BYE
16) Sheryl Lotts d. 17) Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-11, 15-3

9) Carla Muñoz - BYE
8) Cristina Amaya - BYE

5) Kelani Lawrence - BYE
12) Hollie Scott - BYE

13) Lexi York - BYE
4) Alexandra Herrera - BYE

3) Paola Longoria - BYE
14) Stephanie Synhorst - BYE

11) Maria Paz Riquelme
6) Brenda Laime - BYE

7) Natalia Mendez - BYE
10) Samantha Salas - BYE

15) Sunshine Arterburn - BYE
2) Montserrat Mejia - BYE

Singles Round of 16 - Thursday

1) Maria José Vargas d. 16) Sheryl Lotts, 15-3, 15-7
9) Carla Muñoz d. 8) Cristina Amaya, 15-8, 15-4

5) Kelani Lawrence d. 12) Hollie Scott, 15-10, 15-5
4) Alexandra Herrera d. 13) Lexi York, 15-13, 15-2

3) Paola Longoria d. 14) Stephanie Synhorst, 15-1, 15-5
6) Brenda Laime d. 11) Maria Paz Riquelme, 15-0, 15-2

7) Natalia Mendez d. 10) Samantha Salas, 15-3, 15-4
2) Montserrat Mejia d. 15) Sunshine Arterburn, 15-0, 15-0

Singles Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Maria José Vargas d. 9) Carla Muñoz, 15-5, 15-5
4) Alexandra Herrera d. 5) Kelani Lawrence, 15-11, 13-15, 11-6

3) Paola Longoria d. 6) Brenda Laime, 15-8, 15-1
2) Montserrat Mejia d. 7) Natalia Mendez, 15-9, 15-8

Singles Semi-finals - Friday

4) Alexandra Herrera d. 1) Maria José Vargas, 15-14, 5-15, 11-9
3) Paola Longoria d. 2) Montserrat Mejia, 15-9, 15-8

Singles Final - Saturday

3) Paola Longoria v. 4) Alexandra Herrera - 5 PM

Doubles - Quarterfinals - Friday

1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia - BYE
4) Brenda Laime & Carla Muñoz d. 5) Kelani Lawrence & Hollie Scott, 15-12, 7-15, 11-10

3) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas d. 6) Cristina Amaya & Maria Paz Riquelme, 15-3, 15-1
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas d. 7) Sheryl Lotts & Maria Renee Rodriguez, 15-10, 15-8

Doubles - Semi-finals - Saturday

1) Alexandra Herrera & Montserrat Mejia v. 4) Brenda Laime & Carla Muñoz - Noon
2) Natalia Mendez & Maria Jose Vargas v. 3) Paola Longoria & Samantha Salas - 11 AM

Follow the bouncing ball….