MAUMEE, Ohio — Championship Sunday at the 2025 USHA Three-Wall Nationals was a thriller and delivered some exciting matches. It was highlighted by Shorty Ruiz achieving a lifelong dream with his first Men’s Pro Singles title.
Ruiz captured the championship with a decisive two-game victory over John Bike. The opening game was a tense battle. Bike stood just two points from winning game one before a few untimely errors allowed Ruiz to seize momentum and steal game one. In game two, Ruiz found his rhythm and never looked back, cruising to a 21-12 win. Fittingly, the match ended with Ruiz’s signature ceiling shot soaring over Bike’s reach, prompting a roar of triumph from the new national champion. After the match, Ruiz thanked the crowd and praised Bike’s performance. He also admitted that him being in better shape this year helped him prevail.
Ruiz goes for a kill shot against Bike in the final.
In the Women’s Open final, Mikaila Esser successfully defended her title, defeating doubles partner Ashley Ruiz. Ruiz came out strong, jumping to an early 5-0 lead, but Esser’s trademark combination of powerful drives and well-placed ceiling shots quickly turned the tide. She rallied to take game one, 21-13, then carried that momentum into game two with a fast start and a commanding 21-7 finish. “This is my favorite tournament, and I’m so happy to win it again.” Esser said after the match, smiling with her second consecutive singles crown in hand.
Esser reaches back to drive the ball in the final
The Pro Doubles final saw the debut partnership of John Bike and Sean Lenning produce gold, as the pair claimed the championship by defeating first-time three-wall finalists Ivan Burgos and Ray Ure.
Esser completed a “slam” in the Women’s Open division, teaming with Ashley Ruiz to sweep the four-team doubles field. For the second straight year, Kristen Hughes and Leah Kirk finished as runners-up.
This year marked the 50th edition of the USHA Three-Wall Nationals at the George D. Miller Handball Courts in Maumee, and once again, the Toledo Handball Club delivered unmatched hospitality and a first-class tournament. For five decades, this Labor Day tradition has brought the handball community together in Toledo, and this year was a celebration worthy of that legacy. Here’s to another 50 years!
Congratulations to our 2025 National Champions:
Men’s Open: Shorty Ruiz
Women’s Open: Mikaila Esser
Men’s A: Carter Kounovsky
Men’s B: Zach Gabriel
Women’s B: Scarlett Smith
Men’s C: Eddie Rodriguez
Women’s 35: Mel Sky
Men’s 40: Tony Clarke
Men’s 45: Adam Zimet
Men’s 50: Joe Kaplan
Men’s 50B: Juan Pichardo
Men’s 55: Pete Hanover
Men’s 60: Thomas Valenzuela
Men’s 65: Phil Kirk
Men’s 70: John Friedrich
Men’s 75: Ed Campbell
Men’s Open Doubles: Sean Lenning and John Bike
Women’s Open Doubles: Mikaila Esser and Ashley Ruiz
Men’s Big Ball Open Doubles: Allan Sanchez and Shorty Ruiz
Men’s A Doubles: Carter Kounovsky and Vincent Yam
Men’s B Doubles: Rob and Michael Humphreys
Men’s 35 Doubles: Dave and Mike Munson
Men’s 35 Big Ball Doubles: Freddy Torres and Allan Sanchez
Men’s 45 Doubles: Shane Conneely and Adam Szatkowski
Men’s 55 Doubles: Dan Zimet and Alan Frank
Men’s 60 Doubles: Alan Frank and Mark Zamora
Men’s 65 Doubles: Jake Esser and Brad Bronenkamp
Men’s 70 Doubles: Ray Estevez and Tim Sterrett
Men’s 75 Doubles: Bob Bardwell and Ed Campbell
Mixed Fun One-Wall Doubles: Allan Sanchez and Mel Sky
Bike goes for a drive in his semifinal victory against Lenning
MAUMEE, Ohio — Perfect weather set the stage for Saturday’s semifinal action at the 2025 USHA Three-Wall National Championships, with temperatures in the low 70s creating ideal playing conditions for a memorable day of handball.
In the Men’s Open division, the first semifinal delivered a stunning upset as John Bike defeated 14-time champion Sean Lenning. Bike edged out a hard-fought first game, 21-18, then unleashed a devastating serving attack in game two, overwhelming Lenning, 21-3. With the win, Bike continues a remarkable family legacy, joining his father and grandfather as finalists at the Three-Wall Nationals.
The second Men’s Open semifinal featured a rematch of the recent WPH Ice Bowl final between Shorty Ruiz and Luis Cordova. Cordova appeared to be in control after cruising in game one and holding match point at 20-17 in game two. Ruiz, however, refused to yield, saving match point, rattling off four consecutive points to force the tiebreaker, and seizing control early. Leading 10-3 in the breaker, Ruiz executed a perfectly placed ceiling fist shot to clinch the match and book his place in the final. “Bike’s the only one standing in my way of getting this title I’ve been wanting my whole life, so I need to keep executing my game in the final,” Ruiz said afterward.
On the Women’s Open side, defending champion Mikaila Esser showcased her power and precision in a commanding win over former champion Tracy Davis. Esser controlled the match from start to finish, keeping Davis deep in the court with a steady mix of drives and ceiling shots.
Esser will face her doubles partner, Ashley Ruiz, in Sunday’s championship match after Ruiz defeated last year’s runner-up, Megan Dorneker, in straight games. “My serve was working and getting me setups in the front court, where I’m most comfortable,” Ruiz said. Both Ashley and her husband, Shorty Ruiz, will be playing for Open titles on Championship Sunday.
Saturday evening also featured a celebration of a remarkable milestone: 50 years of the USHA Three-Wall Nationals in Toledo. Since 1975 (with only one cancellation due to COVID-19), the Toledo Handball Club has set the standard for hospitality and tournament excellence, drawing players back year after year.
Jim Lowe, speaking on behalf of the Toledo Handball Club, captured the sentiment perfectly, sharing that he has continuously skipped a family reunion over Labor Day weekend — because his handball family gathers in Toledo at the same time.
The evening also honored brothers Mike and Dave Munson, who were awarded their “Grand Master” sweaters, recognizing players who have won 10 age-division national titles. Remarkably, the Munsons achieved this feat in under a decade, winning nine of the 10 titles together as a doubles team. Bill Mehilos teamed with each brother for the other title, or as Dave Munson joked, “tagged along.” In an emotional speech, Mike Munson thanked his family, the Chicago Handball community, Lake Forest coach Mike Dau, and his brother Dave for their role in reaching this milestone.
MAUMEE, Ohio – Under clear skies at the George D. Miller Handball Courts, the second day of competition closed in dramatic fashion, with players and fans soaking in the action on the center’s eight courts. Meanwhile off the courts, the grills were fired up with Toledo Handball Cooks delivering up amazing hospitality, adding to the relaxing Three-Wall Nationals atmosphere.
In Men’s Open Singles action, Sean looked like his vintage self, firing crack serves and ripping drives down the walls against One-Wall Champion, Tyree Bastidas. What might have been a championship final a decade ago played out as a quarterfinal today, showing just how deep this field has become.
In other quarterfinal action, Ray Ure came out blazing against John A. Bike, taking the first game 21–12 and carrying that momentum to a 16–10 lead in the second. But Bike wasn’t done—he steadied, got his serve rolling, and stormed back to win 21–16. The tiebreaker saw Ure bolt to a 7–0 lead, but a skipped setup cracked the door open. Bike pounced, caught fire, and completed the comeback 11–7, as Ure was hesitant at some key moments.
In the lower have of the bracket, Luis Cordova and Sam Esser went shot for shot in a nail-biter. Locked at 8–8, Esser had the serve when Cordova unleashed a perfectly executed 50-foot ceiling ball that stunned the gallery and swung momentum. Cordova kept the serve and closed it out, showing why he’s so dangerous under pressure.
In another thriller, Shorty Ruiz trailed Daniel Cordova 17–20 in game one before digging deep. Ruiz fought off game point, stole the opener 21–20, and then dominated the second 21–7. His trademark ceiling shot was on full display, pushing Cordova off the court and sending him to the sidelines in frustration.
In Women’s Open Singles action, Mikaila Esser looked unstoppable, blitzing Ireland’s Jodie Keeling in two quick games by capitalizing on her opponent’s inexperience at this level.
Former champion Tracy Davis returned to Toledo in top form, dispatching Kristen Hughes in straight games with the poise of a veteran.
Ashley Ruiz was equally sharp, dismantling newcomer Christina Pecaut without giving her room to breathe.
Meanwhile, Megan Dorneker’s serve was red-hot against Leah Kirk, propelling her into the semifinals and setting up an impressive foursome of past champions in the Women’s Open semis.
The Men’s C division delivered some of the closest matches of the tournament so far, with three out of four decided in tiebreakers. Rhys Cohen (Chevy Chase, Md.) advanced with two tiebreaker wins in his opening matches, while Eddie Rodriguez (Elkhart, Ind.) went 2–0, including a gritty three-game victory over Austin Tyler (Loveland, Ohio), 12–21, 21–8, 11–2.
That set up a championship showdown between Cohen and Rodriguez, scheduled for Noon on Sunday. With the margins razor-thin in round-robin play, every rally has carried weight—and the Men’s C final promises more of the same.
See some clips from today’s matches (Facebook) HERE.
MAUMEE, Ohio – HOLY TOLEDO, Three-Wall Nationals Week is here, and we can’t wait for another awesome tournament. This year is extra special as this is the 50th year that the Toledo Handball Club has hosted the tournament! They are amazing and do tournament hospitality like nobody else!
The 74th USHA Three-Wall National Championships will begin Thursday afternoon at the Lucas County Rec Center’s George D. Miller Handball Courts. This year’s event will see the return of Sean Lenning who holds the all-time record with 14 Three-Wall National Titles! If he wants to win his fifteenth it won’t be easy, as top players Luis Cordova, Daniel Cordova, Shorty Ruiz, Ray Ure, John Bike, Tyree Bastidas and many more will stand in his way of the title!
Action shot from Lenning at Toledo
In the Women’s Open Singles draw, Mikaila Esser is back to defend her title. She is joined by a stacked Women’s Open division that includes three other prior champions: Megan Dorneker, Ashley Ruiz, and Tracy Davis! It will be fun to watch.
Follow all the action and check out the brackets HERE for the latest results from the Championships! Stay tuned to this page and our social media pages for updates from the tournament.
Lenning and Cordova Capture Doubles Crown; Esser Completes Championship Slam with Holden
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. –The 74th USHA Four-Wall National Championships couldn’t have ended on a better note than it did this Memorial Day at the Dr. Thomas H. Burnett Handball Courts. The Women’s Open Doubles final kicked off the day with singles finalists Mikaila Esser and Aoife Holden teaming up against Suz Entzeroth and Carly Munson. Entzeroth and Munson jumped out to an early lead in game one, looking poised to make an upset.
Things changed though when Entzeroth rolled her ankle midway through the first game. After an injury timeout, Esser and Holden regained control of the match and never looked back, winning 21-13, 21-11. The victory marked the first ever National Four-Wall Open doubles title for the duo.
The Men’s Open Doubles featured top seeded Luis Cordova and Sean Lenning against Martin Mulkerrins and Diarmuid Mulkerrins. Despite being a first time pairing, Cordova and Lenning were in sync on the court and always had each other’s back. They comfortable took game one 21-14. A strong 7-1 start from Cordova and Lenning suggested the match might be over quickly but the Mulkerrins brothers refused to quit. They dominated the match from there and built a 20-14 lead.
They say the last point is the hardest point though, and that rang true for the Mulkerrins brothers. Given three chances to serve for game point in the second game, they ould not convert; Cordova and Lenning took advantage and hit two back wall kills to seal the match and win the championship.
Monday’s finals delivered exceptional action and unforgettable finishes across all divisions, capping off an outstanding championship weekend at Missouri State University.
Planning is already underway for the next major event—stay tuned to ushandball.org and watch for updates in Court Shorts.
It was an incredible weekend of handball at the Thomas H. Burnett Handball courts and couldn’t of been pulled off without an incredible group of people.
Thank you to our hosts at Missouri State University, especially Christian Madsen, Jeni Hopkins, and Brian Watson. Another BIG thank you to Dale Bolin who kept matches on time all weekend while being the first person their every day and the last to leave.
Lastly, thank you to all the players who supported the tournament and made it a great weekend. It’s not possible without you.
Coming Up: On Tuesday, May 27, the USHA will host the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony of the National Handball Center in Hazelwood, Mo. Players, families, and friends are invited to celebrate this historic occasion, featuring guest speakers, local officials, handball exhibitions, and facility tours. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. Central. Watch the ceremony live on the USHA YouTube channel.
Watch the exhibition court action and replays on the USHA’s YouTube channel HERE. Don’t forget to subscribe!
Follow us on Instagram for daily photo feeds, match stories, live reels, and more behind-the-scenes action! There’s always strength in numbers, so please share, subscribe, follow, or leave us a “like!”
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The 74th USHA Four-Wall National Championships may have signaled a changing of the guard, as current Men’s Collegiate Champion Ray Ure powered his way to the Men’s Pro final. A similar moment occurred 12 years ago in Des Moines, Iowa, when a then 20-year-old collegiate champion named Martin Mulkerrins reached the final. This time, however, the roles were reversed: it was the experienced Mulkerrins who defeated the rising star Ure in two games, 21-10, 21-14, to capture his second national title in three years.
On the familiar Dr. Thomas H. Burnett Handball Courts, it was fitting that awards were presented by the late legendary coach’s daughter, Jeni Hopkins, who also interviewed the finalists after the match.
By staying aggressive while slowing the pace, Mulkerrins controlled the match from start to finish. He kept Ure off balance and never allowed him to build the kind of momentum he displayed in earlier rounds.
“At 19-12, I was worried he might rattle off a few serves and get back into it,” Mulkerrins said.
“Ever since the World Championships, I strayed from my usual game plan and wasn’t playing as aggressively,” he added. “Getting back to that made all the difference.”
Reflecting on his fourth consecutive USHA final, Mulkerrins said, “It’s tough when you put so much into it, but I was really focused this week.”
The victory capped an outstanding four-wall season for Mulkerrins, who reached all eight finals on the WPH R48Pro Tour. Meanwhile, Ure showed immense promise and is expected to return stronger as he gains experience against top-tier opponents and commits more training time exclusively to handball. “He has a very bright future.” Mulkerrins stated.
Martin teamed with Diarmaid Mulkerrins to defeat Ure and Ivan Burgos in the Men’s Pro Doubles semifinal, 11-21, 21-15, 11-8.
They’ll face Luis Cordova Jr. and Sean Lenning in Monday’s pro final. Cordova and Lenning stopped Leo Canales and Sam Esser, 21-12, 21-7.
In the Women’s Pro Singles final, Mikaila Esser delivered a storybook performance on the courts where she first learned the game. Esser hit timely shots and held her lead in both games to defeat Aoife Holden and secure her first four-wall national title, 21-14, 21-15.
After match point, she paused to take in the moment.
“It all started here, on these courts,” Esser reflected. “That makes this so special. And to use what Jennifer said last night: ‘You have to go through some losses to get that big win.’” Esser was referencing Hall of Fame inductee Jennifer Schmitt’s heartfelt speech the evening before.
The win marked a banner year for Esser, who also claimed her first National Three-Wall Singles title last September.
Esser and Holden will pair up in Monday’s Women’s Pro Doubles final against second seed, Carly Munson and Suz Entzeroth.
The night before the finals was a special one, as the USHA inducted two outstanding contributors into the Handball Hall of Fame: Don Quinlan, as a Contributor, and Jennifer Schmitt, as a Player.
Quinlan was introduced by several juniors who came through his program: Bill Mehilos, Kyle Kloss, and Izzy Klicker. Another former junior, Carlos Zamora, could not attend in person but sent a touching voice recording sharing what Don Quinlan had meant to him. Ever gracious, Quinlan accepted the honor with humility and credited the incredible people he met through handball over the decades—including the privilege of working with Hall of Famer Vern Roberts.
Jennifer Schmitt was introduced by her siblings, Vern and Allison Roberts, both Hall of Fame players themselves. They shared stories of growing up together through handball and spoke about the deep bonds and support that defined their family. Allison recalled playing Jennifer in the 2005 final, while Vern reflected on the challenging roads both sisters took to reach their championships.
After receiving her Hall of Fame jacket, plaque, and portrait, Schmitt expressed deep gratitude to her family, friends, and especially her mother, who made the trip from Florida for the occasion. It was a truly special night, and a moving ceremony honoring two deserving members of the handball community.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Leo Canales Jr. pumped his fist as Paul Brady’s final return attempt—a drive down the right wall—failed to reach the front wall. That match point in the tiebreaker not only sealed a thrilling 21-8, 17-21, 11-5 victory over Paul Brady, but also secured Canales a spot in the semifinal, where he’ll face Martin Mulkerrins.
A large crowd packed around the main exhibition court to witness the dramatic three-game clash, leaving spectators on their feet and hungry for more.
From the start, Canales played with purpose. He delivered shot after shot with sharp precision, staying locked in with a competitive intensity that mirrored the approach Brady has brought to the court for over 25 years. Remarkably, both players are former USHA Collegiate champions on this very court—Brady in 2000 and Canales in 2018, 18 years apart. But on this day, the spotlight belonged to Canales.
The match marked a rare setback for Brady, who has enjoyed a stellar season, capturing his sixth World title and an unprecedented eleventh All-Ireland crown. As both players exited the court to a standing ovation, murmurs spread through the gallery: was this Brady’s final U.S. Nationals appearance?
In other Men’s Pro Singles action, Luis Cordova Jr. looked sharp, dispatching Sam Esser in straight games, 21-7, 21-8. Martin Mulkerrins also advanced, defeating David Walsh, 21-10, 21-11.
Ray Ure, the current USHA Collegiate Men’s Open champion, topped veteran Sean Lenning in another thrilling quarterfinal, 21-18, 7-21, 11-1. Ure set the tone early, capitalizing on every opportunity and forcing Lenning onto the defensive. Though Lenning mounted a furious comeback in the second game, Ure calmly regrouped and dominated the tiebreaker, showing the poise of a rising star. Remarkably, three of the men’s semifinalists are former USHA Collegiate National champions—a clear indicator of a new generation rising through the collegiate ranks and now making their mark on the pro stage
Play continued Friday across several divisions, with some semifinal matchups setting the stage for Saturday’s finals.
Watch Saturday’s live streamed action and Day 2 replay on the USHA’s YouTube channel HERE. Don’t forget to subscribe!
Follow us on Instagram for daily photo feeds, match stories, live reels, and more behind-the-scenes action! There’s always strength in numbers, so please share, subscribe, follow, or leave us a “like!”
Paul Brady first made waves in Springfield, Mo., in 2000 by capturing the Men’s Open Singles title at the Collegiate Nationals. Twenty-five years and a legendary career later, he returned to those same courts on Thursday—this time as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Beneath the towering shadow of Missouri State’s Robert W. Plaster Stadium, the 74th USHA Four-Wall National Championships officially got underway at the Dr. Thomas H. Burnett Handball Courts. While the university’s football program ushers in a new era by joining the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)—set to face perennial powerhouses like the University of Southern California and Southern Methodist University—it was business as usual for the handball program, which proudly hosted the USHA Four-Wall Nationals for the first time.
Missouri State’s powerhouse collegiate handball program boasts multiple team championships and All-American honors, prominently showcased on a display between the two exhibition courts—part of the 12 regulation four-wall courts now alive with nonstop action leading into the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
While the opening day typically offers more routine results, this year’s first round brought intense tiebreakers that had fans pressed against the glass. In Men’s Pro action, Sam Esser and Ivan Burgos delivered a thrilling three-game battle, with Esser ultimately prevailing 21-18, (9-21), 11-4. The Tucson Racquet Club sparring partners made the most of their matchup more than 1,000 miles from home—no surprise, as they’ve clashed across multiple cities on the WPH R48 Pro Tour.
Another highlight in the Men’s Pro division was the return of Ireland’s Paul Brady to the very court where he captured a Collegiate title 25 years ago. While some of today’s competitors weren’t even born when Brady first made his mark—like Tucson’s Ayden Brule, born in 2006—his Round of 16 opponent, Matt Job of Cincinnati, would have been just six years old at the time. But age has rarely been a factor in Brady’s storied career, and he advanced to the quarterfinals with a decisive 21-9, 21-1 win over Job.
All other top seeds advanced as expected, including All-Ireland finalist David Walsh of Cork, who handled Tucson’s Max Langmack with a commanding 21-10, 21-5 victory. Notably, Walsh also won a Collegiate title on these courts in 2022.
Thursday’s action also featured exciting finishes in several other divisions. See the day’s results and draws HERE.
Friday’s matches kick off at 10 a.m. Central time. Watch the live stream on the main exhibition court on the USHA YouTube Channel HERE.
Follow us on Instagram for daily photo feeds, match stories, live reels, and more behind-the-scenes action! There’s always strength in numbers, so please share, subscribe, follow, or leave us a “like!”
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Missouri State University Handball Club and the U.S. Handball Association are excited to host the first ever USHA Four-Wall National Championships on the Dr. Thomas H. Burnett Handball Courts, located at the Plaster Sports Complex.
Tentative Start Times are now posted. Draws will be made LIVE Monday, May 19 at 8 p.m. Eastern. Main exhibition court matches will be streamed LIVE on the USHA YouTube Channel HERE. Follow us for more updates on Instagram.
About the courts: Named after their legendary handball coach, and USHA Hall of Fame Contributor, Tommy Burnett, features 12 courts, all with back-wall viewing and two with side-wall glass viewing. Plus, there’s an amazing display of team trophies and the MSU Handball Team history in the lobby!
Play begins Thursday morning, May 22, with Men’s Singles divisions. Preliminary rounds may be scheduled early in the day, with subsequent rounds played in the afternoon. After the first day, one round will be played per day through the finals. All Doubles divisions will conclude on Monday, May 26, with one round played per day. Example: A round of 16 would begin on Friday and finish with the final on Monday. All Women’s and Juniors divisions will also conclude on Monday, following a one-round-per-day format.
USHA Hall of Fame Induction – Saturday, May 24, at the University Plaza Hotel.
Don Quinlan and Jennifer Schmitt will be formally inducted during the Saturday night banquet on May 24, in recognition of their extraordinary contributions and achievements in the sport.
Don Quinlan fostered one of the nation’s most successful junior handball programs at the Lattof YMCA in Des Plaines, Illinois, for over four decades—until the facility’s closure in 2020. He personally recruited most of his players from the YMCA, where he not only coached but also mentored them on and off the court, often traveling with them to tournaments nationwide. Many of his former students continue to play handball today and credit Don for their lifelong connection to the game.
Jennifer Schmitt, a standout member of the legendary “Roberts” handball family, has accomplished just about everything there is to achieve in the sport. She captured her first national title in the Girls 15-and-under division, launching a career that would include multiple collegiate open championships, as well as national titles in both four-wall and three-wall competition. Known for her fierce play and sportsmanship, Schmitt remains not only one of the greatest women to ever play the game—but also a passionate ambassador for handball’s growth. Join us in Springfield to honor these two legends and take part in the tournament festivities. This year’s Four-Wall Nationals Banquet will be held at the University Plaza (host hotel). Players entry is included. Additional guests are $35/each and may be purchased prior to the event.
Springfield has plenty to do so bring the whole family!
Top attractions include the original and largest Bass Pro Shop in the country with a huge aquarium, Dickerson Park Zoo, Lake Springfield, and more! Branson, Missouri is only an hour drive and is one of the best touristy places to visit in the country with plenty to do and see.
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United States National Handball Center Grand Opening, May 27.
Just one day after the Four-Wall Nationals conclude, we will be holding the Grand Opening of the new National Handball center in St. Louis, MO! We invite everyone playing or attending the tournament to join us. St. Louis is a three hour drive from Springfield and a convenient place to fly out of after the tournament.
The Grand Opening Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., concluding at 1 p.m. allowing out of town visitors ample time to fly out Tuesday afternoon. We will have snacks and refreshments, tours of the building, a pro exhibition match, speeches from key officials and a ribbon cutting ceremony!
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – The final day of action at the 2023 USHA Masters Doubles at the Los Cab Sports Club was a thrilling spectacle, featuring nail-biting tiebreakers and exhilarating finishes. The most riveting showdown was arguably saved for last in the championship-deciding match of the 50-plus division. In a clash of titans, the formidable duo of John Robles and Chris Watkins, teaming up for the first time in over five years, squared off against the powerhouse team of Eddie Silveyra and Paul Godina.
Silveyra and Godina took control early on, skillfully reading Robles’ serves and strategically maneuvering the ball around the courts to neutralize Watkins’ offensive prowess from the right side. Godina’s central court positioning disrupted their opponents, as he retrieved or rekilled those typical rally-ending shots. Despite a spirited effort from Robles and Watkins, they couldn’t break down their fresh-legged opponents who matched nearly every amazing shot thrown at them, clinching the first game 21-15.
In the second game, Robles ramped up his serves, leaving opponents swinging at air or frustratingly backing off shots that hooked into their bodies. Watkins fed off this energy and wowed the gallery with a flat roll from the right corner. Godina and Silveyra couldn’t regain their first-game edge, and the second game went to team Robles/Watkins with a score of 21-14, setting up a thrilling third frame.
The tiebreaker saw both teams locked in a fierce battle before Robles/Watkins served for the match at 10-9. A lengthy rally ensued, culminating in a kill down the middle and a celebratory roar from the newly crowned champions. It was a fitting conclusion to another fabulous event at Los Cab.
Earlier in the day, former pro and decorated doubles champion, Marcos Chavez teamed with Joe Harris to win the 45-plus title, defeating fellow SoCal players Alex Garcia and Ismael Meneses, 21-17, 21-10.
Tom Martinez and Greg Sizemore proved to be the best of the best in a stacked 70-plus division. They defeated the toughest indoor/outdoor combo team of Bob Dyke and Gary Eisenbooth in two games, 21-6, 21-7.
Arturo Suarez is simply known as “Lefty” to many, especially in his hometown of San Jose, Calif. Suarez needed two hands to carry both titles won, first in the 40-plus with Bakersfield’s George Garcia Jr., and finally in the 35-plus with San Jose’s Albert Negrete.
55-plus players Leo Canales and John Henning have battled for singles titles these past two years, so why not pair up to go for a 55-plus doubles title? They proved they were the class of their division, stopping Ralph Fregoso and Jeff Wall in two hard-fought games, 21-16, 21-14.
Dan Brennan has been a menace in the 65-plus singles field, and now he can claim a doubles title with Matt Deweese. They paired up to defeat Merv Deckert and Tom Martinez, 21-11, 21-13.
James Silla and Tom McGrath drove down Interstate 5 with one goal: Bring back a title to The Bay Area. The ran into all they could handle against the new team of William Cervantes and Gary Scogin. After two spirited close games, Silla and Mcgrath closed the door in the tiebreaker to win, 21-14, 16-21, 11-1.
In a tough 75-plus division, Dave Ackerman and Bob “Bullet” Bardwell battled a team that’s been the class of the Veteran Diamond Masters division, Terry Nett and Rob Nichols. The 21-20 first game was an indicator to how close each teams’ chances were for the win, and it was up to Team Ackerman/Bardwell to make a comeback, winning, 20-21, 21-17, 11-2.
In the 80-plus Platinum division, James Ward and Ron Cole outlasted Joel O’Connor and Mike Barnes in two hard-fought games, 21-12, 21-13. The win gave Ward his 10th age-division title and earned him his sweater and membership in the USHA’s Grand Masters Club. Remarkably, Ward’s first title was in 2008 with his second and third titles coming in a National Four-Wall slam in 2015. It’s not easy, but it can be attainable! (Ward has been untouchable in his singles division these past five years).
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the amazing players who made the trip and contributed by showing up on time for matches and assisting with referee duties. A huge thank you goes out to the Masters Doubles Committee: Gary Cruz, Marc Penick, Rob Nichols, Ralph Fregoso, Dennis Berger, and Tom Martinez. We also express our gratitude to Los Cab Sports Club for welcoming handball players and hosting our event. We eagerly look forward to returning in May 2024!
Congratulations to our newest National Doubles Champions!
2023 USHA Masters Doubles Champions:
35-plus: Arturo Suarez / Albert Negrete 40-plus: Arturo Suarez / George Garcia 45-plus: Marcos Chavez / Joe Harris 50-plus: John Robles / Chris Watkins 55-plus: John Henning / Leo Canales 60-plus: Tom McGrath / James Silla 65-plus: Dan Brennan / Matt DeWeese 70-plus: Tom Martinez / Greg Sizemore 75-plus: Dave Ackerman / Bob Bardwell 80-plus: Ron Cole / Jim Ward
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. – The second day of action at the Los Cab Sports Club offered handball fans a smorgasbord of excitement: thrilling doubles matches that set the stage for Sunday’s finals, a nail-biting tiebreaker between two pros, and an afternoon BBQ catered by former pro and Southern Cal standout, Jaime Peredes.
Vic Perez of Los Angeles emerged as the inaugural Tom Gilbert Open Singles champion, defeating Dylan Hernandez of Van Nuys, Calif., in an 11-9 tiebreaker. Both Southern California stars captivated the crowd with three riveting games of back-and-forth action. Hernandez dominated the tiebreaker initially, surging to a seemingly insurmountable 7-0 lead in the final set. However, Perez made a remarkable comeback by capitalizing on Hernandez’s slower second serve opportunities.
Hernandez conceded, “I struggled getting in my first serves. That eventually takes its toll. There’s so much energy that goes into the serve, and you have to take something off the second serve.”
Perez, a regular WPH R48Pro qualifier and an All-American collegiate star at Lake Forest, seized the opportunity and embarked on an 11-2 scoring run. This turned the tables and put pressure on Hernandez to close. The win concluded an exhilarating day where every player in the draw played multiple rounds with dropdown brackets.
Perez reached the final by defeating Fresno’s Alfonso Quitoriano, a decorated junior player who made an impressive showing by reaching the semifinals. On the opposite side of the draw, Hernandez defeated No. 2 seed Stephen Cooney of Los Angeles. The finalists were grateful for the sparring opportunity ahead of the start of the WPH R48Pro season that begins in Portland next week.
The Tom Gilbert Open was held in conjunction with the 2023 Masters Doubles hosted by the Los Cab Sports Club. This special division was designed to encourage open players who weren’t eligible for the Masters to compete alongside some of the best age division players in the country.
In Masters Doubles action, the match of the day was in the 70-plus Diamond division. Bob Dyke and Gary Eisenbooth eked out a thrilling victory against Northern California’s formidable team of Bill Wyrsch and Ed Campbell with a scoreline of 21-12, 12-21, 11-8. The standing room only gallery enjoyed exciting rallies all the way up to match point where a pass shot narrowly escaped Campbell’s outstretched hand. The winners threw their hands in the air and offered traditional handshakes to their opponents. Dyke and Eisenbooth’s weekend doesn’t get any easier as they’ll meet Tom Martinez and Greg Sizemore in Sunday morning’s final.
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — The U.S. Handball Association is delighted to announce its triumphant return to the esteemed Los Cab Sports Club for the much-anticipated 2023 Masters Doubles Championships.
For the first time since 2019, a National Handball event is making a grand comeback to this beloved venue in Orange County. This location holds a special place in the hearts of handball enthusiasts nationwide, making it a top destination for both players and fans alike.
We are excited to share that the draws and start times are now available for viewing. Please note that these times and match-ups are subject to change and will only be finalized on the day of the first matches.
The 2023 USHA Masters Doubles offers a special singles event in memory of and honoring Robert W. Kendler award recipient Tom Gilbert. The Tom Gilbert Open matches begin on Saturday morning.
All players are encouraged to show up 30 minutes prior to posted start time.
The USHA believes there is a need for communication with the membership on a greater frequency on topics of interest to the membership. This is the first in a continuing series to engage the members on issues of interest or concern.
On this occasion, we turn to the topic of The Ball. There is not a one of us indifferent to the quality, quantity, and costs of The Ball. To explain where we are, we must go back to where we were.
Since the summer of 2011, we have been using the “21” ball which is manufactured in Ireland. A consistent and durable ball remains the goal; however , quality had noticeably declined, resulting in a considerable number returned to USHA right out of the cans. There were a number of factors, but one specific variable was the method of producing the pressure in the ball. After the two halves of the ball were formed, a small wafer of temperature-sensitive material was put into the two halves and sealed together. The ball was heated to a temperature that caused the wafer to turn to gas, producing the pressure inside the ball. The inconsistency came from the specification for the wafer, which was 1 gram plus or minus 0.1 gram. This allowed a variation of approximately 20%, from 0.9 g to 1.1 g of wafer.
A growing contingent of players wanted to research a solution with the intent to produce a consistent product. As a result, a second company in Cincinnati began research and development for an alternative ball. During initial development, there were issues of more bounce than was desired and a thin coating on the surface from the manufacturing process that induced undesirable bounce from the sidewall and backwall corners. Further refinement in cooperation with the production company in Taiwan removed those characteristics, and the ONE ball was approved as a USHA ball. Differentiating the two balls, the ONE ball uses a pressure chamber to capture an exact ambient pressure when sealing the two halves of the ball, thereby eliminating pressure variations.
As time went on, with two competing manufacturers, each company pushed each other to resolve issues, thereby improving the quality and playability of both their respective products. This has given us two balls with two suppliers from two separate manufacturing sites. The endgame is to have multiple ball suppliers and to let the market decide which one the players ultimately prefer.
Beyond that, the USHA has long sought to have a ball that is more player friendly to those whose hands find the impact of the “21” Ball and the “ONE” too much for their hands, elbows and shoulders. A harder ball also makes it hard to get new players to enter and continue the sport. At the specific request of the USHA Board, the Cincinnati group undertook to develop a more user-friendly handball, a lighter ball with slightly less pressure. Players who tested samples and prototypes preferred the user-friendly ball, and that project developed our latest introduction: the 55 ball, which is a reference to the nominal weight being 55 grams. The nominal weight of the other two balls is 61 grams. The result is a slightly lighter ball that hits your hand with less mass and lower pressure making it ideal for players whose hands are more sensitive to impact. Specifically, older or novice players who would have to stop playing due to pain find themselves able to continue to play The Perfect Game.
So, where do we stand today on which balls are authorized for USHA play?
All three balls, the “21” ball, the “ONE” ball, and the “55” ball, are authorized and approved for any and all local, state, and regional tournaments, at the selection of the respective Tournament Director.
Last year, the Women’s Commissioner, Kristen Hughes, at the request of the women playing in the Women’s Classic, requested that the upper division of that Tournament be allowed to use the Red 21 ball while keeping the White 21 for the beginner or novice skill divisions. The Red 21 and White 21 were requested based on player ability and experience, not gender. The USHA Board approved this change to follow what the membership wanted.
Until the advent of the “ONE” ball, the “21” ball was the only authorized and approved ball for all USHA National Tournaments. Three years ago, the One-Wall Small Ball community overwhelmingly urged and requested the USHA to sanction and approve the “ONE” ball for the USHA National One-Wall, Small Ball Tournament. With the concordance of the members of that specific community, the Board approved the “ONE” ball for that National Tournament, only. Again, The Board followed what the membership requested.
Currently, the Women’s Classic is authorized to use the “21” and the White “21” for their two divisions. The One-Wall Small Ball National is authorized to use the “ONE” ball. All other USHA National Tournaments are authorized to use the “21” ball.
There is expressed interest in some of the Three-Wall community to consider the ONE ball for the Toledo National Tournament. To be fair to our players, and to be fair to our suppliers, we have approved that each player at the 3-Wall Nationals in Toledo in 2023 will be gifted a “ONE” ball. Our intent in this endeavor is to introduce the most dedicated players of that discipline to the ONE ball en masse, to generate a common experience with this ball. With that, we believe handball players will let us know what they want.
The Board has no interest in driving the members to a position they do not want. We want you to have a choice and also want to deliver the best products to our players. We are here to serve you, and firmly believe you collectively are the best barometer for us to use in making decisions on the game. Your critiques and feedback are essential in Game Committee discussions and Board decisions on balls and equipment.
In the meantime, we have two suppliers giving us redundancy and a safety net guaranteeing a supply of balls from two distinct parts of the world with a choice of three balls to suit your personal preferences and physical abilities.
Local, state, and regional Tournament Directors have a choice of balls to meet the needs of their players. Do let us know the quality of the balls you use. Do let us know how your tournaments went with each choice. Let us know if and when we should consider approving more ball options for the National Tournaments.
Naty Alvarado Jr. is one of the best players to grace a handball court in the past thirty years. He was also one of the youngest players to capture a national Open doubles crown in 1992 at the age of 18 (winning with David Chapman, who was 16). He racked up more doubles titles and reached the number one ranking on the handball pro tour in 2001.
Alvarado is now looking to give back to the game. In January, he made the trip to Portland’s Lloyd Athletic Club where he held a junior clinic, spending extra time with brothers, Alexander and Xavier Duval from Vancouver, WA. Each owns a junior national title to their name, including Alexander’s recent win in the 13-Under division in Pleasanton, CA at the National Junior Four-Wall Championships.
Possessing one of the smoothest handball swings, Alvarado focused on improving the players’ swings, as well as passing along other tips for refining their handball strategies.
“I was happy to spend a lot of time with them on the court,” said Alvarado. The players were thrilled to get the one-on-one instruction.
“They were super stoked!” Kimberly Duval shared about her sons’ experience.
Thank you to Alvarado for taking the time to teach these kids, and we look forward to partnering with him, JR WPH, and more partners in the future to teach and develop our juniors.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Saturday and Sunday were full of hard-fought and thrilling matches that brought out the incredible atmosphere that can only be found at the collegiates: Players playing their hearts out, and their teammates roaring them on.
The first men’s open semifinal saw David Walsh defeat reigning champion Shane Dunne in impressive fashion. Walsh overwhelmed Dunne with his power and precise pass shots taking the match 21-15, 21-12.
The second semifinal was between Minnesota State’s Ray Ure and Dublin’s Diarmuid Mulkerrins. Mulkerrins was on fire to begin the match, taking game one 21-8. Ure grinded out the second game to edge Mulkerrins 21-19. The tiebreaker saw Mulkerrins regain the form he had in the first game, and defeat Ure 11-5 to go to the finals.
The finals was a rematch from the 2020 national collegiates where Walsh and Mulkerrins met in the semifinals with Mulkerrins defeating Walsh in a tight tiebreaker. This was just as exciting.
Walsh caught fire in the first game and easily defeated Mulkerrins 21-4. Mulkerrins came out a completely different player the second game and won a lopsided game himself, 21-5. The tiebreaker was full of incredible rallies with diving retrievals and flat kills. Mulkerrins had a 10-9 lead and earned a back-wall set-up that skipped inches from the wall. Walsh came in and hit a left hand rollout followed by a lob serve that stuck on the wall that forced a Mulkerrins hand error that gave him the 11-10 victory.
Fiona Tully continued her impressive Collegiate career by winning another open title on the women’s side of the bracket.
Tully faced off with Aoife Holden in the first women’s semifinal and cruised to a 21-3, 21-5 victory. Waiting for her in the final would be Ulster University’s Mairead Fox who was making her collegiate debut.
Fox was impressive in her semifinal win over Holly Hynes, but was overmatched by the experience and all around game of Tully. Tully hit lasers down the right side and followed them up with winning kill shots and pass shots that never allowed Fox to get in her groove. Tully took the title 21-7, 21-5.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Friday’s matches produced more competitive contests with the winners advancing to Saturday’s semifinals.
The final match of the day produced some of the most excitement. In the Men’s Open quarterfinals, Ray Ure (Minnesota State, Mankato) defeated Conor Walsh (Munster Technological University), 21-16, 18-21, 11-8. Ure mixed in smooth pass shots to take game one 21-16 and was cruising towards a victory in the second game. But Walsh had other plans, sharpening his shots with pinpoint accuracy, many landing just beyond Ure’s reach. Walsh kept the pressure on Ure with unanswered scoring runs until clinched game two 21-18 to force a tiebreaker decider.
In the tiebreaker, a red hot Walsh jumped to an 8-2 lead before Ure began turning the match into his favor. But soon an ensuing rally, Walsh crumpled to the floor with an apparent injury to his left leg, causing him to use nearly 11 minutes of his injury timeout before returning. Able to get back on the court, Walsh was clearly hobbled during some moments. But Ure continued his comeback, hitting crack serves followed by amazing kills which fired up the Mankato fan base in the gallery and fueled him to the semifinal.
The main exhibition court matches are featured and streamed on two separate links on the USHA YouTube Channel. Look for LIVE streaming at top of the channel page.
Follow results by clicking on each division below.
See the preliminary brackets (how final brackets were formed) click HERE.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Day two brought the preliminary rounds to an end, creating the final 16 person brackets for both men and women. The first round will be played Friday morning while the quarterfinals will be play Friday Night.
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Day one kicked off at Thomas H. Burnett Handball courts with women’s doubles and men’s singles. All schools were in action and there were great matches throughout the day!
The men began their singles while the women played the opening round of their doubles. It was great to see the return of collegiate handball. The women will begin their first round of singles Thursday morning and finish up in the afternoon. The men will also finish up their preliminary round this afternoon and bracket play will start Friday.
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri State University Handball Club welcomes collegiate handball athletes from around the country and from overseas this week for the 69th USHA National Collegiate Championships.
After nearly a two-year hiatus, Collegiate Handball officially kicks off again this Wednesday at 2 p.m. (Central) at the Dr. Thomas H. Burnett Handball Courts in Missouri State University Plaster Sports Complex.
See below to see the tentative start times for all singles players and doubles teams. Please note that these start times are tentative and may change up to Wednesday afternoon.
The main exhibition court matches will be featured and streamed on the USHA YouTube Channel beginning Friday afternoon.
Brackets and results will be posted here and will be updated every 2-3 hours, starting Wednesday (Feb. 23) afternoon.s
