Championship Sunday Shines at 2025 USHA Wallball Nationals in Coney Island.
CONEY ISLAND, N.Y. — A surprise weather system greeted players and fans with rain on Championship Sunday at the 17th USHA Wallball National Championships. Fortunately, the courts dried by late morning, and final matches were underway by noon. Once play began, it was business as usual for the defending champions in the Men’s and Women’s Pro Singles divisions.
Tavo Ruiz and Jenny Qu each successfully defended their titles—and looked dominant doing so.
In the Men’s Pro final, Ruiz had kept all his opponents in single digits leading up to the championship. Tywan Cook, seeking to reclaim a spot atop the podium, gave Ruiz his toughest challenge, staying within reach at 18-14. But an untimely error handed Ruiz the serve, and he responded with four quick points. Though Cook briefly regained a chance in the service box, he couldn’t capitalize, and Ruiz closed out the match 25-14 to retain his crown.
In the Women’s Pro final, Qu faced off against Melanie Garate. Qu jumped out to a commanding 23-7 lead before Garate found her rhythm, hitting several flat kills to close the gap to 23-12. Qu wisely took a timeout to regroup, then returned to finish off the match with poise, securing her third straight national title.
Garate would earn redemption in the Women’s Pro Doubles final, teaming up with her sister Jessenia to defeat Qu and partner Biridiana Garcia, 25-20.
“Jenny Qu just continues to dominate in singles,” said tournament director Jared Vale. “And the Garate sisters remain the standard in doubles.”
In Men’s Pro Doubles, Carlin Rosa captured his second straight title—this time with a new partner, Allan Sanchez. The duo looked sharp throughout and dismantled Timbo Gonzalez and Los Pena in the final, 25-6. “Allan and Carlin were just too much for them to handle,” Vale added.
Masters Division Recap: Jose Olivencia of Queens once again proved his dominance in the 40+ division, edging out Brooklyn newcomer Deshawn Kearse in a thrilling 25-24 final. Kearse had earlier knocked off the No. 2 and 3 seeds, signaling he’ll be a name to watch next year—especially if the 50+ eligible Olivencia chooses to compete down again.
Olivencia didn’t stop there. He added a third 50+ Singles title to his résumé with an impressive 25-21 win over big-ball legend Ray Lopez.
Lopez bounced back by unleashing his powerful serve in the 50+ Doubles, teaming with George Figueroa to defeat Jared Vale and Tim Moeller, 25-6. “Simply amazing—Ray’s serves were on,” said Vale, who had a front-row seat on the receiving end.
In the 40+ Doubles, Allan Sanchez earned his second medal of the day, pairing with Paul Yagual to outlast Sam “Clutch” and Andre Diaz, 25-17.
Shena Brown and Elaine Gillard claimed top honors in Women’s 35+ Doubles, defeating Erica Mendez and Terry Delosrios, 25-10.
B Division Highlights: Top seed Gerardo Ruiz dominated the B Singles division and was awarded the title after Juan Mendoza was forced to forfeit the final. Ruiz completed the “B Slam” by teaming with Brian “Toro” Duran to win the B Doubles final over Jonathan Rodriguez and Lur Ziarrusta, 25-15.
In Women’s B Singles, Shantel Mena broke through after several near misses in previous years, defeating junior standout Tiffany Lau, 25-9. Lau returned in the Women’s B Doubles final, teaming with Kennedi Walker to defeat Leslie Spencer and Michelle Cardenas, 25-11.
After a soggy start, Championship Sunday finished with a flourish—highlighting excellence across every division and age group. Congratulations to all champions and the players who pushed them every step of the way!
Special Thanks A huge thank-you goes to tournament director Jared Vale, who once again led a top-tier team to deliver a memorable event. Gratitude also goes out to these standout volunteers and contributors:
China Pizarro – The Queen of Court Management
Laurence DuBois – Chief of Referees and Discipline
Glenn Usher & Reggie – Best Supporting Refs
Joanne Ly – Best Supporting Staff
Jason Lieng – Newest Team Member and USHA Northeast Commissioner
Richard Mascia – Most Reliable Supporter
Albert Apuzzi – Best Equipment Supplier
Joe “Carmen” Kaplan – Best Equipment Packer
Phil “Pwnzz” (Ten’s Finest) – Best Co-Streamer
Themyscira Di Prince – Best Co-Streamer and Newest National Champ
The 17th USHA Wallball National Championships return to the Seaside Handball Courts at Asser Levy Park in Coney Island, June 20–22. Players from across the country will battle it out in one of the sport’s most electric atmospheres—just steps from the beach, boardwalk, and iconic New York summer vibes.
This is your last weekend to register for one of the most exciting events on the USHA calendar. The deadline to enter is June 15. Entries will be accepted on Monday, June 16, by 3 p.m. (EDT) for a $15 fee.
The 17th USHA Wallball National Championships offers:
Custom souvenir
Tournament hospitality
Certified referees
High-level competition on historic courts
Competition kicks off early Friday morning, June 20. Plan an early Friday start for divisions with 16 or more entries. Players should be prepared to compete throughout the weekend, with champions crowned Sunday afternoon.
Whether you’re coming to play or to watch, this year’s Wallball Nationals promises high-octane rallies, passionate crowds, and unforgettable moments.
TUCSON- It was a tremendous weekend of Handball at the 2025 Hall of Fame Tournament with a National Master Singles and WPH LTE Pro Stop.
We saw phenomenal play over the course of the tournament from players of all ages. When players weren’t on the court, they were cramming into the bleachers to watch the Pro players compete on the show court or enjoying the beautiful Tucson mountain views and sunny weather that we had all weekend at the Tucson Racquet Club.
The highlight of the tournament was the Saturday night reception at the Handball Hall of Fame building. Players enjoyed checking out the rich history of our game and chatting with friends over drinks and dinner. We were able to celebrate a couple of award recipients during the reception as well.
Marty Decatur Sportsmanship Award: Anna Sojourner
Sojourner with her Award
Anna Sojourner was awarded the Marty Decatur Sportsmanship award at the reception. The award is given at each Handball Hall of Fame Tournament to a player that embodies “The Spirit of Handball”. Sojourner does that as much as anyone. She always has a smile on her face and it’s obvious how much she enjoys the game of handball and supports it whenever she can. She is based out of San Francisco but has supported the tournament in Tucson and we love to have her here.
Carl Porter Award: Rodney Fink
Rodney Fink with his son David, and grandson Henry.
Rodney Fink was awarded the Carl Porter award in 2023. The award is given to those who have performed outstanding service to the USHA at the national level. The award is named after the USHA’s second president, Carl Porter, who is considered the savior and architect of the modern day USHA.
We finally got the chance to celebrate Fink in 2025 at the Hall of Fame tournament. Fink has dedicated his life to handball, and has been an integral part of the game for decades now. He taught countless players the game, has been an advocate for women’s handball, generously supported pro players with prize money donations, and served on the USHA Board of Directors for many years, offering his legal expertise to the organization.
The ceremony began with a message from USHA President Denis Hogan, setting the tone for an afternoon full of gratitude, reflection, and admiration. Vern Roberts, Hall of Fame player and retired USHA Executive Director, shared heartfelt remarks about Fink’s lifelong commitment to the sport. He also delivered a written tribute from former USHA President LeaAnn Martin, who called Fink “one of handball’s greatest ambassadors.” Roberts noted, “If U.S. Handball ever had a problem, we called Rodney—and he always answered.”
One of the most touching moments came when Art Howe, Fink’s longtime friend and former Major League Baseball player and manager, took the stage. Having traveled to Tucson with Fink, Howe spoke warmly of their decades-long friendship and the deep impact handball has had on Fink’s life. “Watching Rodney share the sport with his son David—one of the best players in the world—has been a true joy,” said Howe. “But make no mistake, I’m the lucky one to have Rodney as a best friend.”
Fink closed out the ceremony in his usual humble, heartfelt fashion—thanking those who had joined him along the way. “Law was my profession,” he said, “but handball is my life.”
With applause echoing around the Hall of Fame, the ceremony not only honored a deserving recipient, but also reminded everyone of the community, passion, and enduring friendships that make handball so special.
Finals:
Players regrouped Sunday morning and put their game faces on as they competed for titles. Martin Mulkerrins defeated Ray Ure in the pro final in dominating fashion. Mulkerrins hit rocket serves at Ure which earned him setups that he punished with flat kill shots.
2025 Hall of Fame WPH LTE Champion Martin Mulkerrins with USHA Vice President Jared Vale.
In the 35+ singles final, Jeff Streibig successfully defended his crown by defeating Shorty Ruiz in two games. Streibig found himself down 18-20 in game one before hitting some timely shots to close it out and took game two 21-11.
We had a first time National Champion in the 40+ Singles! Scottie Moler brought home the gold by defeating last year’s champion Fausto Castro in two games, 21-14, 21-9. Moler had an impressive semifinal win over Los Angeles Rafael Martinez in his semifinal as well.
Multiple time national champion Bill Mehilos won the 45+ Singles final over Arturo Suarez. Mehilos defeated Suarez in game one 21-12 before Suarez forfeited the match to focus on his next one.
Suarez was right back on the court for the 50+ Singles final against fellow Californian Alex Garcia. Garcia controlled play in game one for a 21-10 victory. Game two Suarez had a slight lead but could not hang on as Garcia stormed back to win 21-18.
The 55+ Singles division was full of national champions, including Leo Canales, Sean Haley, Will Goldstein, John Henning, Jared Vale and Chris Tico. It was defending champion Canales who brought home the title. Canales has not lost a master singles match in the past five years, and is racking up the national titles!
Lloyd Garcia brought home gold in the 65+ Singles division. Garcia edged out El Paso’s Hector Garcia 21-4, 21-15 to win the finals. Lloyd also took down current Four-Wall Nationals 65+ champion Dave Streibig in his semifinal.
Joe Thomas defeated Dan Brennan in a highly anticipated 70+ Singles final that did not disappoint. After dropping game one 16-21, Thomas stormed back to win 21-13 in game two and 11-0 in the tiebreaker! They both play the game at such a high level, regardless of their age.
Two of the best age division players of the past decade squared off in the 75+ singles final. Ed Campbell took down Greg Raya in an 11-4 tiebreaker victory to earn the title. Raya defeated another legend in the division, Merv Deckert in an 11-10 semifinal tiebreaker victory but could not do the same to Campbell.
In the oldest division of them all, Jim Ward defeated Jim Smith to win the 80+ Singles final and avenge his loss to Smith in last year’s final. Ward stopped Smith at 17 in both games.
Thank you to the WPH, Rodney Fink, and all the volunteers who made this tournament as great as it was. It’s always great to celebrate our games history while etching new National Champions. Check out all of the results from the tournament HERE.
TUCSON – The Old Pueblo is the place to be as we bring together handball players from across the country for an unforgettable weekend of competition, camaraderie, and celebration! Whether you’re 11-years-old or 80+, a seasoned pro, or a passionate amateur, this tournament offers something for everyone.
The World Players of Handball (WPH) and the United States Handball Association (USHA) are proud to co-host the 2025 Hall of Fame Race 4 Eight LTE Tournament at the Tucson Racquet Club—right in the heart of handball history. Watch the pros battle it out in WPH LTE Pro Stop No. 7, test your own skills in a variety of singles and doubles divisions, and soak up the electric atmosphere of Tucson in the spring!
Pros Killian Carroll and Luis Cordova Jr. are among many who have enjoyed the Hall of Fame Celebration Banquet.
Saturday Night Hall of Fame Reception – A Must-Attend Event!
Join us for a special evening at the Handball Hall of Fame Museum (2333 N Tucson Blvd, Tucson, AZ 85716) as we celebrate the legends of the game.
Doors open at 6 PM – Come early to enjoy food, drinks, and the rich history of handball.
Players admission is included. Guest admission: $20 – Bring a friend and experience this one-of-a-kind gathering!
Honoring Our Own – We are thrilled to present Rodney Fink with the prestigious Carl Porter Award for his outstanding contributions to handball on a national level. Additionally, we will recognize a player from the tournament with the Marty Decatur Sportsmanship Award, celebrating the true spirit of our sport!
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible weekend! Draws and Start Times are now available HERE.
NOTE: Draws and Times may change up until the start of each division. Please double-check times and match-ups. We wish everyone the best of luck this weekend!
3-Wall Masters Doubles Wraps Up in Palm City, Fla.
PALM CITY, Fla. — The 2025 Justin Wilson Memorial and USHA Masters Doubles delivered a thrilling weekend of handball in Palm City, featuring both familiar faces and rising talents in the Championship Circle.
Alaska’s Alfredo Herrera, a standout junior and Pacific University alum, captured his first national title alongside Florida’s Nick Mattioni in the Seniors (35+) division. The duo outlasted Chicago’s Dane and Adam Szatkowski in a dramatic tiebreaker, flipping the script on Team Szatkowski—who are known for coming out on top in high-pressure moments. A spectacular get by Herrera late in the match shifted momentum, sealing their 10-21, 21-13, 11-8 victory.
The Szatkowski brothers didn’t stay down for long. They rebounded in the Veteran Masters (45+) final, defeating Nick Mattioni and Adam Zimet in two hard-fought games, 21-19, 21-14, to add another title to their collection.
In the Golden Masters (50+), New York’s Jai Ragoo and Joe Kaplan continued their dominant run across all handball disciplines. The duo powered past South Florida’s James O’Rourke and Juan Pichardo to claim the championship.
Dan Zimet found himself in need of a new partner for the Veteran Golden Masters (55+) after longtime teammate Alan Frank had to withdraw. Enter Delaware’s Ray Estevez—eligible for the 70+ but showing no signs of slowing down. With Estevez’s relentless defense complementing Zimet’s signature offensive firepower, they steamrolled Florida’s top 55+ team, Greg Burns and Harry Cohen, 21-9, 21-4.
Former Bay Area standout David Wyrsch made a triumphant return to the winner’s podium in the Super Masters (60+). Now a Florida resident, Wyrsch teamed up with fellow transplant Steve Johnson to edge out Ray Estevez and James O’Rourke in a grueling battle, 16-21, 21-19, 11-3. Wyrsch’s lethal serves and Johnson’s steady play proved to be the difference-makers in the decider.
The Veteran Super Masters (65+) final saw Dave Dohman and Jimmy DeVito halt Mike Angley and Dan Vera’s upset run with a commanding 21-12, 21-7 win. “It’s all about power on these courts, and Jimmy has power,” Dohman said of his hard-hitting partner. Vera, meanwhile, reflected on a disappointing final after he and Angley had stunned Ohio’s top pair, Phil Kirk and Bob Bardeau, in the semis.
The Diamond Masters (70+) division has belonged to Bob Dyke and Gary Eisenbooth in recent years, and this year was no exception. While they continue to challenge younger competition in the 65+ bracket, they remain the class of their division. St. Louis’ Steve Campbell and Bob Roman pushed them in the first game, but Dyke and Eisenbooth pulled away in dominant fashion, 21-15, 21-2.
Canadian legend Merv Deckert added another trophy to his storied career, winning the Veteran Diamond Masters (75+) alongside new partner Bob Miller of Florida. Dan Ho and Chris Dominico finished as runners-up in round-robin play.
Karl Lady and Dale Ziegler continued to prove why they are handball royalty, defeating Dennis Uffer and Denny Fehr in the Platinum Masters (80+). With countless titles between them, it was a privilege to watch these four legends battle it out once again.
For the first time ever, the USHA hosted a 3-Wall Big Ball Masters Division—and Florida’s Flamingo Park duo Eddie Perez and Mervyn Bruno set the bar high. They dominated the competition, culminating in a 21-4, 21-6 victory over Daytona Beach’s Brett Arsenault and Kyle Greenhalgh in the final. Expect this division to grow in the future!
Off the court, the tournament celebration at Duffy’s Sports Bar on Saturday night brought players and families together in a lively gathering. Organizers expressed gratitude to all participants, especially Florida’s strong turnout, which helped make this the largest 3-Wall Masters Doubles in the event’s four-year history. Plans are already in place for an encore next year, so mark your calendars: March 20-22, 2026!
One of the most touching moments of the weekend came earlier on Saturday when handball player Noah Yannie honored LCpl Justin Wilson with a stirring trumpet performance of the Star-Spangled Banner. As the notes rang out, play stopped—not just on the handball courts, but on the nearby pickleball courts as well—paying tribute to Wilson’s ultimate sacrifice.
A special thank-you goes to Bob Dyke, Cabell McVeigh, Bob Miller, Greg Burns, Gary Eisenbooth, and the incredible volunteers who made this event possible.
Additional gratitude to our tournament sponsors: Tim Murray, Karl Lady, Bob Snyder, and Team Zamba!
Players gathered at Duffy’s in Stuart, Fla. for the Saturday night banquet.
Florida Welcomes Its First 3-Wall Nationals with Fierce Competition
PALM CITY, Fla. — A picture-perfect Florida spring day set the stage for the opening matches of the Justin Wilson Memorial USHA 3-Wall National Masters Doubles, marking the first-ever national 3-wall event held in the Sunshine State. Players from across the country and Canada turned out in record numbers, making this the largest edition in the event’s four-year history.
Match of the Day: Humphreys & Rothstein vs. O’Rourke & Pichardo
The most exciting showdown of the day unfolded in the Golden Masters (50+) division, where Orlando’s Rob Humphreys and Mike Rothstein squared off against Miami’s James O’Rourke and Juan Pichardo in a battle that stretched nearly two hours. After splitting the first two games 21-16 apiece, both teams found themselves locked in a tense tiebreaker.
Humphreys and Rothstein came out strong, controlling early rallies with steady, disciplined play. But O’Rourke and Pichardo refused to back down, gaining momentum in the second game and forcing a dramatic final showdown. In the deciding game, the South Florida duo found their rhythm, capitalizing on key openings to dominate the tiebreaker 11-3 and claim victory.
The day’s other tiebreaker thriller unfolded in the Veteran Diamond (75+) division, where Larry Dohman (Chicago) and Artie Diamant (New York) took on Bob Miller (Florida) and Merv Deckert (Winnipeg).
Dohman and Diamant pulled off an early surprise, edging out a 21-20 win in the first game. But Miller and Deckert quickly adapted, finding their chemistry and executing a flawless game plan to take control. They stormed back with convincing 21-10 and 11-5 victories, sealing their comeback and advancing to the next round.
Elsewhere. in the Diamond (70+) division, Steve Campbell (Bradenton) and Bob Roman (Saint Louis) stopped a late rally from Terry McGuire (San Diego) and Bill Moritz (Chicago), 21-12, 21-18.
Looking Ahead All top seeds advanced without major upsets, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of competition.
Play resumes Saturday at 10 a.m. as the Masters Doubles action continues. Check out Friday’s full results at the R2Sports link HERE.
At the conclusion of play, tournament organizers are hosting a Masters Doubles Three-Wall celebration, Saturday at 7 p.m. at Duffy’s Sports Grill (Stuart South), 6431 SE Federal HWY, Stuart, FL.
—————————————————
PALM CITY, Fla. — The United Sates Handball Association is excited to bring the USHA Masters Series (age division national tournaments) to The Sunshine State with the 2025 Justin Wilson Memorial USHA 3-Wall National Masters Doubles! This is a USHA-Sanctioned Masters event, and champions of ALL divisions will be honored on the National Champions Wall in the Handball Hall of Fame in Tucson, Ariz. About the park and the LCpl. Justin James Wilson Foundation: Lance Corporal Justin Wilson of Palm City was a Marine killed by a roadside bomb in the Helmand province, in March 2010. He was only 24 when he died. When his body was brought home hundreds of people in the community stood on the Palm City Bridge with flags. The park was renamed in his honor in September of that same year and there is a memorial to his sacrifice in the park. He was laid to rest with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery. Read MORE… The LCpl. Justin James Wilson Foundation or “Justin’s Wings” is non-profit organization that also advocated support for this tournament. The Foundation’s purpose is to raise funds to supplement or pay for transportation of family members to either see off and or greet their returning service men and women. In the past, additional funds were used to provide therapy trained dogs to help our vets with PTS
MAUMEE, Ohio — The forecast looked questionable at best when players went to bed Sunday night wondering if they were going to be able to play outside Monday morning. Despite dark overcast skies Monday morning, the rain did not come and all of the matches were able to take place on the three-wall court.
Ashley Ruiz and Suzanne Entzeroth played the women’s final to begin the day. Ruiz played like she was on a mission and controlled the game from start to finish. Ruiz’s fly kills and power drives kept Entzeroth off balanced the whole match. Ruiz exclaimed “Finally!” moments after she scored the final point. This was her first singles title in Toledo after a few tough losses in the final. It was well deserved, as she played great all weekend.
Ruiz then teamed up with Mikaila Esser to defeat Entzeroth and Sandy Ng in the Women’s Open Doubles Final. With Ruiz’s fly kill ability in the front court and Esser’s power drives in the back they are a tough team to beat. They have now won the last two years.
Shortly after Ruiz and Esser won their match, their husbands, Shorty Ruiz and Sam Esser teamed up to take on Martin Mulkerrins and Sean Lenning in the Men’s Open Doubles finals. Ruiz and Esser were also looking to go back to back as they won the doubles title last year.
Mulkerrins and Lenning started fast, building a 15-5 lead. Ruiz caught fire after that, and brought his team back to the tie the game at 17-17. Mulkerrins and Lenning stopped the run there, and looked to be in control serving at 20-17 with both servers. A Ruiz kill sided out Mulkerrins, and then Lenning hit his serve into the floor which gave Ruiz and Esser the serve back. Ruiz and Esser closed out the final 4 points to take game one. They started out 11-0 game two and never looked back, and defended their title.
Last year, the Esser’s and Ruiz’s were the first engaged couples to team up and win a national open doubles title with each other. This year they were the first married couple to do so.
The Toledo Handball Club again put on an amazing tournament with incredible hospitality. Every year they seem to top the last. Thank you to all of their volunteers and to everyone who helps make the tournament what it is: the best in the world.
MAUMEE, Ohio — Rain Sunday morning forced all of the action to be moved to the four-wall courts. Players and fans made the short trip to Bowling Green State University where 7 indoor courts awaited them. This was the first time in two decades play had to be moved inside.
Sean Lenning and Leo Canales put on a thriller in the Men’s Open Final. Lenning jumped out to a fast start in game one, hitting absolute lasers for serves down both the left and right walls. He easily took the first game. Canales responded in game two, retrieving everything Lenning hit and wearing him out to claim the second game.
The tiebreaker started with more of the same, and Canales jumped out to a 7-0 lead on Lenning. From there, Lenning looked like a different player. He rattled off several unbelievable ace serves that no player in the world could retrieve. Canales battled but had no answer for Lenning’s power, as Lenning came back to win the match, and his twelfth Three-Wall National Open Singles title. This was his first on a four-wall court.
The Women’s Open semifinals played today, beginning with Suzanne Entzeroth and Mikaila Esser. Esser dominated game one and looked to be in control of the match. Entzeroth though looked to be shaking off the four-wall rust in game two, and was able to win the second game. The tiebreaker was back and forth, but Entzeroth’s touch in the front court made the difference as she won and advanced to the finals.
On the other side of the bracket, Ashley Ruiz defeated Sandy Ng in dominating fashion. Ng had trouble with the back-wall shot and Ruiz was able to exploit the weakness. She will take on Entzeroth in the finals Monday morning.
The Men’s Doubles final will be between Shorty Ruiz/Sam Esser and Martin Mulkerrins/Sean Lenning
The Women’s Doubles final will be between Ashley Ruiz/Mikaila Esser and Sandy Ng/Suzanne Entzeroth.
The Big Ball Doubles final will be Brian Medina/Leo Canales and Shorty Ruiz/Allan Sanchez.
While we’d love to stay outside, but the only way to restart the tournament TODAY is to play indoors on four-wall courts.
The backup site is the STUDENT REC CENTER at Bowling Green State University. (Approximately 20 miles from the hotel/courts…south, down I-75).
BGSU Rec Center address is: 1411 Ridge St, Bowling Green, Ohio 43403
ONLY USE THE REC CENTER ENTRANCE OFF RIDGE STREET
Please use the map as a guide to parking and where you can find the main entrance HERE.
All standard parking is free on Sunday and Labor Day.
Use any Red Lots (1, 10, 16 & 18) or Orange “X” (See the map).
10 a.m. matches should expect to check in around 1:30 p.m. or begin sooner if possible.
Lunch will still be available at Noon at the George D. Miller Handball Courts, if you want to catch a bite before coming down.
Handball Tournament: 71st USHA National Three-Wall Championships Dates: Sep 1-5, 2022 Location: Maumee, OH USA – Lucas County Rec Center Director: USHA Website Link:https://www.r2sports.com/tourney.asp?TID=39088
_____________________________________________________________MAUMEE, Ohio — Saturday and day three of the tournament brought the Men’s Open Singles semifinal matches and the Women’s Pro singles quarterfinal matches. Sean Lenning played Abe Montijo in the first semifinal, and controlled the match from start to finish. Lenning’s serve could be the best ever on the three-wall court, and nobody has shown an answer for it yet. Leo Canales defeated Shorty Ruiz in a tiebreaker after dropping game one of the match. Canales has now won two tiebreakers in a row and will have the tough task of taking down Lenning tomorrow. On the Women’s side, Mikaila Esser dispatched Leah Kirk in the first quarterfinal of the day. Esser and Kirk had many long rallies but Esser’s consistency made the difference. Ashley Ruiz defeated Kristen Hughes in two quick games, using her fly kill anytime she had the chance and putting it down routinely. Suz Entzeroth just edged out Jennifer Schmitt in her quarterfinal, surviving the first game 21-20 and then winning the second 21-15. In one of the best matches of the day, Sandy Ng defeated Megan Dorneker in a tiebreaker. Ng is a great one-wall player as well, and will be tough for any of her opponents to defeat as she brings a different type of game to the court. Near the end of the night, three awards were given out: Toledo Handball was recognized as the 2021 Organization of the Year, and it’s obvious why to anyone who attends the three-wall nationals. Anthony La Rocca was awarded the Volunteer of the year award for 2021. La Rocca has been vital in Indiana where he has really grown the one-wall scene. Thomas Valenzuela was awarded his Grand Master jacket, which goes out to players who have won 10 age division national title. Valenzuela will attempt to add another title in the 50 doubles this weekend. Follow along with all of the results HERE _______________________________________________________________________________MAUMEE, Ohio — Day two of the tournament brought beautiful weather and sunny skies all day. The action heated up on the court as the open quarterfinals took place in the Men’s Open division. The highlight of the day though was the ceremony held to dedicate the three-wall courts at the Lucas County Recreation Center to the late George D. Miller. Hundreds of players and spectators gathered to hear a presentation from Toledo Handball Club’s Jim Lowe, USHA Executive Director Matt Krueger, and Lucas County Administrators. Miller was the driving force behind the courts and did so much to make the Three-Wall Nationals a success. His legacy will live on for many many years. At the end of the ceremony, Miller’s wife Joyce was honored with a gift, and the proclamation stating that the Board of Directors of Lucas County have named the handball courts at the Lucas County Recreation Center in his honor. Sean Lenning continued to dazzle the crowd with his strong serves and power on the three-wall court. He defeated Bill Mehilos and will take on Abraham Montijo in the first semifinal tomorrow. Montijo took on Ireland’s Martin Mulkerrins, who is teaching handball at Texas A&M this year. Montijo got off to fast starts in both games, and was able to hold on a late Mulkerrins run in each game to win 21-18, 21-18. Leo Canales had a thrilling 11-9 victory over Sam Esser. Canales rallied back from a 6-0 deficit in the tiebreaker to take the match. He will take on Shorty Ruiz in the second semifinal tomorrow. Ruiz defeated long time three-wall star Dane Szatakowski in his quarterfinal match. Ruiz hit several ace serves down the left and right that helped propel him to victory. The semifinals will take place tomorrow, and the Women’s Open quarterfinals will also begin tomorrow. View all the results and follow along HERE _____________________________________________________________________________ MAUMEE, Ohio — Day one of the tournament brought perfect weather and great handball. The Toledo Handball Club welcomed all the players to the 2022 USHA Three-Wall Nationals with their tremendous hospitality. Players enjoyed catching up with their handball buddies who they had not seen since last year. The opening round of singles kicked off in most divisions. Long time three-wall stars Bill Mehilos and Dane Szatakowski played great in their impressive victories today. Mehilos defeated Max Langmack in his round of 16 match, and will take on Sean Lenning tomorrow. Szatakowski took out Brian Medina, and will face Shorty Ruiz tomorrow. One of the matches of the day was in the 60 singles, where Miguel Garcia Jardon defeated Dan Allen in a marathon match. Garcia Jardon routinely retrieved shots that were 10 feet behind the deep line, and was able to just outlast Allen in the tiebreaker. Matches kick off at 10am tomorrow. View all the results and follow along HERE_______________________________________________________________________________________MAUMEE, Ohio — The Toledo Handball Club and USHA welcome players and families back to the traditional Labor Day Weekend classic, the 71st USHA National Three-Wall Championships at the Lucas County Rec Center. The draws and start times are now available HERE.Please Note: Times and matches are tentative (things may change up to the day of the event). Double-check playing times and match up The Three-Wall National Tournament is everyone’s the favorite event of the year, and the Toledo Handball Club promises to offer another prime event. At this year’s tournament, in memory of longtime handball great, George Miller, the Toledo Handball Club will name the Lucas County Rec Center Three-Wall Courts the George Miller Three-Wall Handball Courts.
George Miller thanks the Three-Wall Nationals players and families during his acceptance speech for the R.W. Kendler Award in 2005.
George Miller’s Legacy to Toledo Handball and the National Three-Wall Championships
It was George Miller who spearheaded the effort to get eight regulation size three-wall courts with lights constructed in the mid-70s, bringing the Nationals to northern Ohio in 1975. Our Three-Wall Nationals have been held there ever since. For players who made the trip to the Lucas County Rec Center for the USHA Three-Wall Nationals each Labor Day Weekend, George didn’t just embody the event, he was it (he would be the last person to mention that fact). While establishing an amazing cadre of volunteers, George still did it all: running the grills, sweeping the courts and even picking up trash around the park.
His amazing work stretched nearly five decades and made the Three-Wall Nationals a top destination not only for handball players in the U.S., but extending to Canada, Mexico, Ireland, Australia and more. Handball players who knew George or played in Toledo will want to attend this year’s ceremony.
This is the best three-wall facility in the country, featuring eight regulation courts with lights. Paired with Toledo Handball Club’s amazing hospitality, the Three-Wall Nationals are a must! The complex has something for everyone, so bring the family! In case of rain, a local club is available.
ATTENTION: For players entering DOUBLES EVENTS WITHOUT A PARTNER. USHA staff can connect you with eligible players for your division, but the responsibility falls solely on the player to have a complete team by the entry deadline. Those who cannot find a partner by the deadline will be removed from doubles and the 2nd event fee will be refunded (or the player may be placed in another eligible singles division).
For your time off the court, the Toledo Area has plenty to offer. See the “Things to do in Toledo” HERE.
USHA & WPH Big Ball Doubles
The USHA and WPH have partnered again to offer Big Ball Doubles in Three-Wall and Wallball. A promotional entry fee and $2K Prize Money purse is guaranteed for these divisions.
AUSTIN, Texas –The 2022 Women’s Classic came to a close on Sunday morning when Ashley Moler defeated Mikaila Esser 21-8, 20-21, 11-8 to win the title. The thrilling final was an exclamation point on a weekend filled with great women’s handball matches.
Moler dominated her first two rounds before battling the ageless Jennifer Schmitt in the semifinals. Schmitt and Moler played a long and grueling first game that saw Moler come out on top 21-13. Moler kept the momentum rolling in game two, winning 21-9.
Esser was equally impressive as Moler in the first two rounds, leading her to meet Missouri’s Suz Entzeroth in the semifinals. Game one saw Esser pull away late to win 21-12. Esser got off to a fast start in game two, building an 18-5 lead. Entzeroth made a late run getting all the way up to 13 points before Esser was finally able to put it away.
In the finals, Moler came out hot, killing all her shots off the back wall and moving Esser all around the court with her passes. Game two was the game of the tournament. Several lead changes persisted and no player could build a big lead. At 20-20, Esser was finally able to hit a perfect serve down the left that died in the left corner to force a tie-breaker.
In the breaker, Moler took advantage of some early errors from Esser and hit a couple of left handed kill shots to build a big lead. Esser fought back to get herself back in the match, but Moler would not be denied, closing it out to win 11-8.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Women’s Classic returns to University of Texas’ Gregory Gym, where the concept was first created to promote Women’s Handball. It was 38 years ago this Spring, UT Handball Coach Pete Tyson and USHA Board of Director Ron Emberg held the “Bud Light National Women’s Handball Tournament.” There was no prize money offered, but eight of the top women handball were invited and had their expenses paid. Rosemary Bellini (Hall of Fame, 1996) won the round robin format event.
The Women’s Classic traditionally offers players multiple matches in a drop-down format. This year, the event will consist of the Women’s Classic Open/A (using the Red 21) and the Women’s Classic B/Novice (using the White 21). Participants will have at least three matches in a multi-dropdown format.
Women’s Classic participants are offered travel stipends and the event pays the top-8 finishers. Held in conjunction with the Southwest Regional Championships, all Women’s Classic matches will start Friday afternoon, April 1.
Tom Sove will be leading a virtual referee clinic this Wednesday at 7:30 pm Central Time via Zoom. Attending the clinic will make you a certified level one referee (pending membership) and any questions you have can be answered. Don’t miss your chance to better understand the rules of this great game! Click HERE to request the link to the Zoom meeting.
Championship Sunday began with Ashley Moler taking on Danielle Daskalakis for the Women’s Open title. Daskalakis continued her lights out play that she displayed all weekend, never allowing Moler to find her groove. She defeated Moler 21-7, 21-8 to win her first Four-Wall Nationals title. She has now won a one-wall, three-wall, and four-wall national open singles title. The highly anticipated Men’s Open title between Paul Brady and Killian Carroll followed after that. Brady was aiming to become the all time record holder for open national titles, as he is currently tied with Naty Alvarado with 11. Carroll built an early lead the first game and looked in control at 13-9. Shortly after that Brady began to find the bottom board and continued to do so for the rest of the first game, winning 21-15. Carroll flipped the script the second game and jumped out to a big lead again, but this time didn’t allow Brady to make a run, defeating him 21-6. The tiebreaker was back and fourth, and Carroll was serving at 4-4 when an absolute heartbreaking turn of events took place. Brady rolled his ankle and was unable to finish the match, despite making every effort to play. This gave Carroll the victory and his fourth national title. Both players were showcasing extremley high level handball it’s saddens us all that it ended the way it did. Congrats to both players on a great tournament and we wish Brady all the best and hope he has a speedy recovery. You can view the results from all divisions HERE. Congrats to all of our National Champions!
Saturday, December 11th
The finals are set for every division tommorow at the USHA Four-Wall Nationals Singles. Competitive Handball was played throughout the day, with many great matches taking place. In the Men’s Pro division, Paul Brady cruised passed Daniel Cordova, dominating the match from start to finish with his overwhelming power. Killian Carroll defeated Martin Mulkerrins in what was the match of the day. After splitting the first two games, Carroll held a 10-1 lead in the breaker but struggled to close as Mulkerrins began to get hot. Finally, Carroll found his stroke and rolled out two shots in a row to earn a sideout and the final point. Carroll and Brady will square off tommorow at 11:30am. You can watch it live on our youtube page HERE. The Pro Women’s final will take place just before the Men’s final, when Ashley Moler will take on Danielle Daskalakis. Moler defeated Kristen Hughes in two convincing games and Daskalakis defeated Mikaila Esser in two tight games to advance. Check out all of the finals by clicking HERE.
Friday, December 10th
Day 2 – Day two of the USHAFour-Wall Nationals Singles Championships brought all divisions to the semifinals. In the Men’s Pro division, Paul Brady will face Daniel Cordova in the top half of the bracket, while Killian Carroll will face Martin Mulkerrins in the bottom half of the bracket. On the women’s side, Ashley Moler will face Kristen Hughes while Danielle Daskalakis will take on Mikaila Esser. You can check out the semifinals in all divisions by clicking HERE.Follow along and watch the pro semifinals live on our YouTube page.
Thursday, December 9th
DAY 1 — The USHA Four-Wall Nationals kicked off Thursday at the Dowtown YMCA in Nashville Tennesee. This is the first singles nationals to be played since 2019 and is also a WPH Pro Stop. The opening round began in several divisions.
In the men’s pro division, top seeds Paul Brady, Killian Carroll and Martin Mulkerrins were not in action today but will be tommorow as the round of 16 and round of 8 will be played Friday. The women’s pro division will also begin Friday. You can check out the results in all of the divisions HERE
We are livstreaming the show court on our youtube page each day. To access the page, click HERE
Exhibition court matches will be streamed on the USHA’s YouTube Channel HERE.
Note: Draws and Times are tentative. Things may change up to the day of the scheduled match. Please double-check your times up to the day of the event.
Before you travel to Nashville, please read the city’s COVID-19 information HERE. Local handball players shared some of the best places to visit while you’re in Nashville: SITES AND SOUNDS OF NASHVILLE
Museums Downtown: – Country Music Hall of Fame, 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S., 615 416 2001 – National Museum of African American Music, 510 Broadway, 615 301 8724 – Tennessee State Museum, 1000 Rosa Parks Blvd., 800 407 4324 – Frist Art Museum, 919 Broadway, 615 244-3340
Restaurants in Downtown Area – Jeff Ruby’s Steaks-Fine Dining. 300 4th Ave North, 615 434 4300 – Deacon’s -Fine Dining. 401 Church St, 615 994 1994 – House of Cards – Pricey but Magicians entertain you whilst you dine. 119 3rd Ave South, 615 730-8326 – Skulls Rainbow Room- Steaks and Burlesque if you please. In World famous Printers Alley, old Nashville’s entertainment district. 222 Printer’s Alley,615 810 9631 – The Diner-Open 24 Hours. 200 3rd Ave South, 615 782 7150 – Peg Leg Porker-great dry rub. 903 Gleaves St, 615 829 6023 – Jack’s Barbecue.1601 Charlotte Ave, 615 341-0157 – Arnold’s Country Kitchen- Meat and Three. 605 8th Ave South, 615 256 4455 – Monell’s -Southern Comfort food served Family Style. All you Can Eat.1235 6th Ave North, 615 248 4747 – Elliston Soda Shop-Newly renovated Old Time Soda Shop. 2105 Elliston Place, 615 327 1090
Rooftop Bars Downtown Rooftop Bars have become the rage of Nashville along with party barges and bachelorette parties. Most every joint on Lower Broad has one. Here are some of the best. – JW Marriott Upscale. 801 8th Ave South, 615 291 8600 – The Noelle -it has two. 200 4th Ave North, 615 649 5000 – The Westin. Upscale. 807 Clark Place, 629 800 5070 – The Bobby. Upscale. 230 4th Ave North, 615 600 5400 – Acme Feed and Seed. Downhome. Live music. 101 Broadway, 615 915 0888
Sports Bars Downtown – Hi Fi Clyde’s on Church. 1700 Church St, 615 432 2928 – Flying Saucer. Draft beer galore. Next to Union Station Hotel, which was Nashville’s train depot in the Gilded Age of Rail travel. Its grandeur has been preserved in the lobby of this grand hotel. 111 10th Ave South Suite 310, 615 259 3039
Live entertainment – Third and Lindsley-Top Talent for the Locals. 816 3rd Ave South, 615 259 1597 – Station Inn – World Renown Bluegrass Mecca. 402 12th Ave South, 615 255 3307 – Sambuca-Dinner and Dancing to Live Music. 601 12th Ave south, 615 248 2888
Of Special Interest Downtown: Bicentennial Mall (BM), Farmers Market (FM), and the Tennessee Museum (TM) sit in a cluster at the base of the Tennessee capital building. The Bicentennial Mall is a park commemorating Tennessee history; the Farmers Market has numerous shops and restaurants at reasonable prices; and the Tennessee State Museum celebrates Tennessee history from prehistoric times to the present. They are within a very short car ride from the downtown YMCA or a brisk walk. BM is at 600 James Robertson Parkway, 615 741 5280; FM is at 900 Rosa L. Parks Blvd, 615 880-2001; TM is at 1000 Rosa L. Parks Blvd, 800 407 4324
The Arcade houses reasonably priced shops, restaurants, and small art galleries. Opened in 1902, it was Nashville’s first shopping center and is on the National Register of Historic places. Since it caters to the downtown business crowd, some of the shops may not be open in the evening or on weekends. 65 Arcade, 615 248 6673
5th and Broad. Nashville’s newest Food Court and Shopping area. It offers a broad range of dining options and some touristy upscale shopping. The home of the National Museum of African American Music, which is brand new and quite worthy.510 Broadway, 615 301 8724
Ryman Auditorium. Mother Ship of Country Music. Live Music and Tours Available. 116 5th Ave. North, 615 889 3060
Speakeasy/Specialty Drinks – Patterson House. 1711 Division St, 615 636 7724 – Old Glory. 1200 Villa Place Suite 103, 615 679 0509
Restaurants of Special Interest Outside Downtown – Go Jo – Ethiopian. 415 West Thompson Lane, 615 332 0710 – Osh – Authentic Uzbek. 216 Thompson Lane, 615 712 9985 – Lucky Bamboo – Chinese. 5585 Charlotte Pike, 615 760 5930 – Mcnamara’s – Irish Fare. 2740 Old Lebanon Rd, 615 885 7262
Nightspots Outside Downtown – Cabaray- Piano Bar, Lounge Act, and Dinner. Owned and operated by Ray Stevens. He often performs in person. 5724 River Rd, 615 327 4630
Civil War: Nashville has its own set of Civil War sites, and you probably can find a bus tour to take you to points of interest. Nearby Franklin, Tennessee, however, is the home of Carnton Mansion and the bloody and pivotal Battle of Franklin. Carnton served as the Confederate field hospital. The four slain Confederate generals were laid out on the Carnton front porch. 1345 Eastern Flank Circle, Franklin, Tennessee 37064, 615 794 0903
Andrew Jackson Homeplace, the Hermitage. His Mansion, Grounds, and Family Burial Grounds have been lovingly restored. 4580 Rachel’s Lane, 615 889 2941
This is not intended to be an exhaustive catalogue – rather, some spots our local handballers thought might be of interest. Please check these places out on your smart phones for times, availability, and directions. Bear in mind that parking can be a problem in downtown Nashville these days. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask one of the local players either at the desk or throughout the tournament
The Team Aware Collegiate Handball Scholarship has been established In Memory of Chatten Hayes.
Team Aware Scholarship Recipients
2024: Miley Ashby (Lake Forest), Kiaya Hoffner (Minnesota State, Mankato), Jordan Sammis (Texas), Jillian Young (Utah State)
2023: Amesley Davis (Texas A&M)
2022: Kouichi Saito (Pacific)
Chatten was passionate about EVERYTHING she chose to partake in…
Her Words:Handball is, always has been, and always will be an immeasurable joy to me.
I’d already begun making a difference in the areas I most certainly excelled at: shouting about The Perfect Game from the rooftops, so to speak. From the minute I came around, I loved handball. I’ve always wanted handball to be a better “place.” By which I mean, I saw how incredible the athletes were, and how special the camaraderie was, and I wanted the rest of the world to know.
She also wanted the world to know the “Big C” isn’t the end–it can be the start.
Chatten’s immeasurable joy was on full display for Collegiate Handball, especially for the club at Pacific University, coached by husband David Steinberg. To support Collegiate Handball and promote cancer awareness, the “Team Aware Collegiate Handball Scholarship” was established.
Any full-time college student who participates in USHA events, and has been affected by cancer, whether directly, through family or anyone close in their lives are eligible to apply. Applications will be examined, and the intent is to reward students with good academic records who demonstrate financial need.
How to Apply: Each September* (Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month), applications may be submitted by individuals, coaches or both. Please send an essay outlining current academic status and course work, handball experience, unofficial transcripts, and how the money would help further the applicant’s education.
Email applications to:[email protected] (Please include “Team Aware Scholarship” in the Subject Line).
Contributions to grow Team Aware Collegiate Handball Scholarship can be made directly to U.S. Handball with “Team Aware” in the memo field. Scholarship will be presented at the National Collegiate Championships.
*We are accepting applications for Team Aware Scholarships through December 31 each year.
Champion Tyree Bastidas (left) with runner-up and brother Jurell Bastidas (right)
The 60th USHA One-Wall Nationals resumed play this past week. All of the finals have now been completed after a rainy championship Sunday forced matches inside at the Zerega Indoor Handball Courts. Because of the limited courts space, many of the finals had to be played at a later date.
Among those finals that were played late was the Pro final between brothers Tyree and Jurell Bastidas. An amazing game one ended with Jurell just edging out his brother 21-20. Tyree raised his game to another level in game two, and took it easily 21-9. He kept that momentum rolling in the tie-breaker and held brother Jurell to just 2 points to win his seventh pro singles title!
Other national champions were crowned in several other divisions. In the 40 singles, Jai Ragoo took out one seed Joseph Kaplan 21-14, 21-15. Ragoo then teamed with Kaplan to win a thrilling 40 doubles title over Emilio Sierra and Robert Sostre 21-14, 16-21, 11-9.
In the 50 singles, Andy Rousseau outlasted Richard Mascia to win the championship 21-8, 21-18. Rousseau and his partner Jared Vale were denied the 50 doubles title by champs Tony Roberts and George Figueroa in a thrilling final that ended 17-21, 21-20, 11-2.
Congrats to all the champions! To view all of the results you can check out the tournament website by clicking HERE.
UPDATES FROM AUGUST 8
Pro Doubles finalists William Polanco and Allan Sanchez with champions Victor LoPierre and Tywan Cook.
The 60th USHA One-Wall Nationals took place August 6-8 in Brooklyn, and due to a rainy championship Sunday, matches had to be moved to the Zerega Indoor Handball Courts.
Because of the limited court space, many of the finals will be played later this week. The Pro Doubles division was able to finish, playing the semifinals and final. Tywan Cook and Victor LoPierre defeated William Polanco and Allan Sanchez 21-10, 21-14.
Brothers Tyree and Jurrell Bastidas will face off in the Pro Singles final this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern).
In Pro Singles semifinal action (which began outdoors at Coney Island), Tyree stopped Killian Carroll’s march through the draw with a 21-8, 21-16 victory. This was Carroll’s second consecutive trip to the One-Wall semis.
In the other semifinals, Jurrell overcame a game-one blowout to outlast defending champion Tywan Cook in a tiebreaker, 5-21, 21-13, 11-5.
The remaining matches will be finished this week. See the upcoming upcoming finals schedule.
August 12, Thursday 3:30 p.m.
40 Doubles final: Joe Kaplan/ Jai Ragoo vs Robert Sostre/ Emilio Sierra
August 13, Friday 3:30 p.m.
40 Singles final: Joe Kaplan vs Jai Ragoo
August 14, Saturday
9:00 a.m.
50 Singles final: Andy Rousseau vs Richard Mascia
11:00 a.m.
50 Doubles final: Andy Rousseau/ Jared Vale vs Tony Roberts/ George Figueroa
1:00 p.m.
Pro Singles final: Tyree Bastidas vs Jurell Bastidas
