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.
BOULDER — Sunday meant finals day for the small ball divisions at the 2025 Junior Three-Wall Nationals, and there was no final players and spectators were more excited for than the 19 and under match between Tucson’s Ayden Brule and Colorado’s own Eli Gutierrez. The juniors and local players packed the park to watch these two junior stars go at it.
Gutierrez had defeated Brule at the Junior Four-Wall Nationals this past December and that had stuck with Brule. He brought his A game to Boulder and was determined to win.
The pair were even for the beginning of the first game before Brule caught fire with his serve that went out the door down the left. He rode that to a 21-11 victory. Game two Brule picked up where he left off and jumped out to a 13-0 lead, playing near perfect Handball. Gutierrez refused to go down easy in front of his home crowd though and kept battling. It took Brule four match points to close out Gutierrez before he finally finished it off 21-11. Both finalist are already amazing players. Brule is 18 while Gutierrez is 16, so there is a good chance they will be seeing each other again.
Ayden Brule (middle left) and Eli Gutierrez (middle right) with their coaches Abe Montijo (left) and Jon Gutierrez (right)
In the 17 and under it was a battle of Albuquerque residents and friends Alex Guajardo and Angel Valenzuela. The two play often at their home court and know the others game well. Guajardo was the stronger player today and kept Valenzuela out of the front court for the majority of the match in his 21-15, 21-13 win. Guajardo slammed the 17 and under with the win.
Azriel Gomez completed the slam in the 13 and under by defeating Luis Cordova III in two convincing games. Gomez has improved so much in the past year and continues to practice 4 times a week in Tucson. He is dedicated and a future star in the sport.
Thank you to the Colorado Handball Association for an incredible tournament with phenomenal hospitality all weekend. The juniors were well taken care of. A special shout out to Jon Gutierrez, David and Donna Mosley, Stan Dunleavy and Reggie Vair for their hard work each day that included being the first to show up and the last to leave. Lastly, thank you to the junior coaches who brought their kids to compete and are working hard for the future of our sport.
BOULDER– On Saturday we were greeted with more beautiful weather and we also crowned our first champions of the weekend in the Big Ball singles events.
In the 19 and under we had the highly anticipated final of Eli Gutierrez and Ayden Brule. Brule looked like he was on a mission in the match as he crushed the ball and pushed Gutierrez all around the court en route to a 21-6, 21-10 win. The pair will also face off in the small ball final tomorrow morning.
In the 17 and under big ball final we had a rematch of the final last year between Alex Guajardo and Angel Valenzuela who are both based in Albuquerque, NM. Guajardo won last year’s event in a tiebreaker but he only needed two competitive games to defeat Valenzuela this year.
In the 13 and under big ball final, Azriel Gomez finally broke through and won his first gold medal by defeating Luis Cordova in two dominant games. Gomez had around six silver medals but had never taken first place before. He stopped that trend by dominating Cordova. They will also face off in the small ball final tomorrow.
Gomez (left) with Cordova (right). It was Gomez’s first gold medal.
There was plenty of great handball on the court but the highlight of the day was probably the new player clinic. The United States Handball Association partnered with the Play Boulder Foundation to introduce new juniors to handball. From Noon to 1:30pm all the matches stopped and top players Abe Montijo, Jon Gutierrez, Ivan Burgos and Sam Esser took the time to introduce handball to 10 new juniors. They had a blast and will have the opportunity to join the Colorado Youth Handball Association, which many seem like they want to do.
Some of the kids who came to learn handball at the junior nationals.
Small ball finals will be played tomorrow morning. Stay tuned for the results!
BOULDER — We couldn’t of asked for a better day to kick off the 2025 Three-Wall Junior Nationals at the East Boulder Recreation Center Friday. Sunny skies and a beautiful mountain background surrounded the facility as the juniors took to the court.
The Colorado Handball Association took great care of the juniors and kept them well fed and hydrated throughout the day. They needed it as there was some fierce action on the courts.
Tucson’s Liam Schnaar and Juarez’s Luis Cordova III played more handball than anybody today and were apart of some exciting matches. They played eachother in singles of the big ball 13 and under division. After Cordova won the first game convincingly, Schnaar bounced back to shock the crowd and win 21-19 in the second game. Schnaar could not keep it up in the tiebreaker as Cordova won the final game 11-2. Despite falling short in the match, Tucson coaches Abe Montijo and Ivan Burgos were in agreement that the match was some of Schnaar’s best handball yet.
Cordova lines up for a shot against Schnaar
Schnaar was on the right side of a tiebreaker later in the day when he and his partner Azriel Gomez rebounded from a first game loss to Adrian Valenzuela and Arial Flores to win in a tiebreaker.
Cordova was on the wrong side of a tiebreaker later in the day as he and his partner Angel Valenzuela fell to Alex Guajardo and Luan Cordova in heartbreaking fashion 11-10.
Top seeds in the 19 and under and rising stars in the sport Eli Gutierrez and Ayden Brule cruised in their opening matches. They look to be on a crash course to face off against eachother in the finals.
The 2025 Junior Three-Wall Nationals will kick off in Boulder, CO this weekend where juniors all around the region will be competing for a National Championship! The divisions will range from 19 and under to 13 and under. The courts are located at the East Boulder Community Center at 5660 Sioux Drive, Boulder, CO 80303.
The tournament is headlined by current 19 and under four-wall champion and Colorado native Eliseo Gutierrez. He will have his handfuls though with junior rival and ranked pro Ayden Brule along with other hungry competitors.
In the younger divisions, many rising stars continue to improve and will look to show that off this weekend as they battle others in their age divisions. Stay tuned to this page for updates from the tournament!
Opportunity for new juniors to learn Handball!
This year we are excited to partner with the Play Boulder Foundation and invite any 19 and under youth to come learn the game on Saturday, July 12th from 12pm to 1:30pm. This event is FREE to the juniors and they will receive a free swag item. After learning the game, juniors will have the opportunity to join the Colorado Handball Youth group and continue to play.
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
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Gustavo Ruiz and Jenny Qu looked sharp as they successfully defended their titles at the 16th USHA Wallball Nationals.
In the Men’s Pro final, Ruiz faced off against five-time champion Tywan Cook. Throughout the tournament, Ruiz demonstrated his dominance by consistently delivering powerful serves that barely cleared the short line. These serves often forced weak returns from his opponents, which Ruiz capitalized on with powerful drives down the sidelines. Despite Cook’s impressive lateral movement and ability to chase down shots, Ruiz’s increasing strength and shot velocity as the match progressed allowed him to secure a decisive victory, winning his second title with a score of 25-13.
In the Women’s Pro final, Jenny Qu competed against Melanie Garate in a rematch of their 2023 encounter, where Qu had claimed a 25-11 victory. This year, Qu once again demonstrated her dominance in the Women’s division, securing another convincing win with a score of 25-12. Qu’s consistent performance reaffirms her status as one of the best wallball competitors, winning her fourth singles title in the past five Nationals.
Check out all of the results from the tournament HERE.
Congrats to all of our National Champions:
Men’s Pro: Gustavo Ruiz Women’s Pro: Jenny Qu Men’s Pro Doubles: Joshua Garcia/Carlin Rosa Women’s Pro Doubles: Jessenia Garate/Melanie Garate Men’s B: Julio Carlos Women’s B: Lily Ye Men’s B Doubles: Joshua Rosa/Abir Rahman Women’s B Doubles: Lily Ye/Kathryn Li Men’s 40: Alex Rivera Men’s 40 Doubles: William Polanco/Ray Lopez Men’s 50: George Figueroa Men’s 50 Doubles: George Figueroa/Ray Lopez Men’s 60: Romulo Pozo Boys 19-under: David Khatri
———————————
The 16th USHA Wallball National Championships are set for June 21-23 (Friday – Sunday) at Seaside Handball Courts (Asser Levy Park) in Coney Island (on West 5th St & Surf Ave). Tentative draws and start times are now available at the tournament’s site HERE.
Please Note:Draws and times may change up to the day of the event. Please double-check times.
Play begins early Friday, June 21 and goes through June 23, Sunday afternoon.
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — Phenomenal handball finals highlighted Memorial Day Weekend of the 2024 USHA Four-Wall National Championships. Four of the five Pro / Open Divisions were decided by tiebreakers and exciting finales. Killian Carroll reclaimed his spot as our Men’s Pro Singles Champion; while Danielle Daskalakis played unbelievable in the Women’s Pro Singles final against Fiona Tully to win her second Women’s Four-Wall National Singles title. Read more in the following summary of the 73rd USHA National Four-Wall Championships at Los Cab.
Men’s Open Singles: Killian Carroll vs. Martin Mulkerrins
Killian Carroll won his fifth USHA National Four-Wall Men’s Open Singles title by defeating Martin Mulkerrins in a tiebreaker in an incredible match.
The defending champion Mulkerrins didn’t make it easy on Carroll as he came out strong in the first game. Carroll did his best to run Mulkerrins around the court, but anytime Mulkerrins was able to get his feet set and step into a shot, he almost always ended the rally. The players found themselves tied at 15 in the first game when Mulkerrins caught fire. He rattled off six-straight points that included several kill shots and a few serves that cracked out for aces.
Game two was a one-sided affair the whole way. Carroll countered Mulkerrins’ first-game energy with a red hot start, and he jumped out to a 12-0 lead to start the game–a lead he never relinquished, winning 21-8 to force the tiebreaker.
Carroll set the tone for the tiebreaker by hitting four of the flattest rollouts of the tournament to start the game and built a 4-0 lead before Mulkerrins entered the service box. Mulkerrins battled back to 4-5, but Carroll again caught fire towards the end of the tiebreaker, rolling balls out flat and keeping Mulkerrins on the move. At 10-4, Carroll hit an amazing serve down the left that had Mulkerrins leaning right and double bounced before hitting the back-wall. Mulkerrins couldn’t get a hand on it and Carroll clinched the 2024 Four-Wall National title, his fifth.
Watch the replay on the Men’s Final on our YouTube Channel HERE.
Women’s Open Singles: Danielle Daskalakis vs. Fiona Tully
The Women’s Singles final featured former four-wall champion Danielle Daskalakis against multiple time runner-up and one of the best Irish Women’s player, Fiona Tully. Each player looked impressive in their semifinals, with Daskalakis defeating Collegiate Champion Clodagh Munroe, and Tully overcoming top player Ashley Ruiz.
The first game between Daskalakis and Tully was one of the most exciting of the tournament. The players traded leads throughout the first game with both displaying excellent play. Daskalakis found herself up 20-18 and serving for the first game. Tully though returned Daskalakis serve with a rollout and quickly tied the game up at 20-20. She then hit a laser serve down the left side that forced an error from Daskalakis, granting Tully the first game victory.
The second game remained close for most of the game, but when down 13-15 Daskalakis caught fire and rattled off the next eight points with an impressive array of kill shots and amazing serves that Tully couldn’t get her hands on.
Daskalakis jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the tiebreaker, only to be caught by Tully at 4. Daskalakis regained the serve and scored another 3 points to build a 7-4 lead, only to be passed by Tully and trail 8-7. Daskalakis sided her out there and scored the next three points and served for the match at 10-7. A back-wall error though from Daskalakis gave the serve back to Tully.
In the ensuing rally, Tully hit a huge set-up off the back-wall that Daskalakis took near shoulder height close to the front-wall and still found a way to roll it out by clipping the side wall then the front wall. Many in the crowd commented it was one of the best shots they had ever seen.
Daskalakis capitalized this time for match point by converting a back-wall setup with her left hand that she killed down the right. It was a great win for Daskalakis and you could tell it meant a lot to her. It’s her second title and she seems to only be improving. Living in California and playing four-wall more regularly has made a tremendous impact for her.
Watch a replay of the Women’s Final on our YouTube channel HERE.
Men’s Open Doubles Final:
From left to right: Men’s Open Doubles Finalists Ivan Burgos, Ray Ure, Killian Carroll and Martin Mulkerrins.
In the Men’s Open Doubles, Killian Carroll and Martin Mulkerrins successfully defended their title. It was a rematch of the final last year against Ray Ure and Ivan Burgos. Like last year, this year’s match went to a tiebreaker, and Carroll and Mulkerrins leaned on their experience to prevail.
Fiona Tully and Clodagh Munroe won the Women’s Open Doubles title by defeating Mikaila Esser and Ashley Ruiz in two games. It was Munroe’s first USHA Four-Wall National Open title and Tully’s second time winning the doubles.
Thank You to our amazing USHA Volunteers!
It was a great weekend at the Los Caballeros Sports Village filled with amazing player and people playing tremendous matches. Los Cab is a player and fan favorite site with a storied history of hosting several USHA Four-Wall National Championships. This year’s championships were another great chapter in the club’s legacy.
None of this could have happened without the amazing teamwork and volunteer help. A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Mark Zamora and the Southern California Handball Association. Zamora coordinated local organizations to help cook and serve up amazing hospitality each day. It’s not a Nationals at Los Cab without Hall of Fame Contributor Gary Cruz working non-stop behind the scenes. Finally, a big thank you to our desk of volunteers, representing Missouri State University and Texas A&M Handball Clubs! Handball has a bright future and a slew of young (now “seasoned”) veterans who can run tournaments!
Congrats to all of our 2024 USHA National Four-Wall Championships:
Open Singles: Killian Carroll
Open Doubles: Killian Carroll/Martin Mulkerrins
Women’s Open: Danielle Daskalakis
Women’s Open Doubles: Fiona Tully/Clodagh Munroe
Women’s A Singles: Laura Finn
Women’s B Singles: Sarah Walsh
Open Big Ball: Ivan Chapa
Open Amateur Singles: Cian O’Driscoll
A Singles: Ian McLoughlin
A Doubles: Adam Walsh/Cian O’Driscoll
B Singles: Darragh Mulkerrins
B Doubles: John Hurley/Jack McNeela
C Singles: John Hurley
35 Singles: Adam Bernhard
40 Singles: Adam Bernhard
40 Doubles: Eddie Silveyra/Jorge Lopez
45 Singles: George Garcia Jr.
50 Singles: Chris Watkins
50B Singles: Brian Henson
50 Doubles: Chris Watkins/Alex Garcia
55 Singles: Leo Canales Sr.
55 Doubles: John Bike Jr./John Robles
60 Singles: Steve Roberts
60B Singles: Ron Walsworth
60 Doubles: Gary Scogin/Steve Roberts
65 Singles: David Streibig
65 Doubles: Gary Scogin/Lloyd Garcia
70 Singles: Mike Barna
70 Doubles: Bob Lohmueller/Mike Barna
70B Singles: Bob Housman
75 Singles: Edward Campbell
75 Doubles: Edward Campbell/Merv Deckert
80 Singles: James Ward
80 Doubles: Jim Smith/Rick Graham
Nationals Banquet and Tom Sove Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony:
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — On Saturday night, the tournament players and guests gathered in the Terrace room at the Los Caballeros Sports Village for the banquet.
After opening remarks from USHA Executive Director Matt Krueger and USHA President Denis Hogan, World Handball Council member Dessie Keegan was invited up to speak on the 2024 World Handball Championships taking place in Ireland later this year. Keegan said Ireland is excited to play host this year to the World’s and hoping for large contingent of Americans to make the trip across the pond.
Next, Jim Ward was honored with his Grand Master sweater. Grand Master sweater’s are awarded to players who have won 10 age division national titles. Ward earned his last year at the Master Doubles, and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down at 80 years old as he has already added one title this weekend with a chance at another.
Next was Tom Sove’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. It began with a speech from Gary Cruz. Cruz and Sove have worked countless hours together administrating tournaments. Cruz went over all Sove has done for handball, from chairing committee’s to raising thousands of dollars for the development of handball and everything in between.
Next was Sove’s daughter Erika, who played handball at Lake Forest and spent many years with her dad around handball. She let her dad know who was the better player and reminded him who had more national titles, but also made sure the crowd knew just how much her father loved handball and the hours he has dedicated to it.
Lastly, USHA Board Member LeaAnn Martin gave the final speech on Sove and officially welcomed him in to the Hall of Fame. Martin and Sove have spent decades together on the Board and have formed a strong relationship through the good times and bad times of handball.
In Sove’s acceptance speech, he touched on how much the game has meant to him and thanked several people who have helped him grow the sport over the years. He of course went over some of the rules of our game and reminded everyone to wear your eye guards when you’re on the court!
He closed by urging players to continue playing and to support our youth and collegiate programs, as they are the future of the game going forward.
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — The Los Caballeros Sports Village was a welcome site to handball players at the 73rd USHA Four-Wall Nationals. It’s a beautiful facility, and the near 270 players enjoyed seeing old friends as they renewed their rivalries on the court.
With only eight courts available, days have been filled with handball from the early a.m. to the late p.m. hours, and players and spectators have packed the galleries for all of them.
In the Men’s Open, defending champion Martin Mulkerrins has looked dominant in his title defense. Mulkerrins held Sam Esser to singles digits in each game of their quarterfinal match, and then did the same to Leo Canales Jr. in their semifinal match. Canales Jr. had an impressive quarterfinal win over 2022 national champion Diarmuid Nash.
Mulkerrins will take on Killian Carroll in the final who has looked equally strong. Carroll made quick work of rising star Ray Ure in his quarterfinal, before outlasting Sean Lenning in the semifinal.
Lenning knocked Carroll out in the semifinals last year, and Carroll looked motivated to defeat Lenning this time. The first game Carroll was flawless and won handily. Game two saw Lenning come to life and the players traded blows throughout the game. Carroll kept fighting though, and fought off 5 of Lenning serves at game point! He finally closed out game two 21-20 to advance to the finals.
The heavyweight battle in the mens open final between Carroll and Mulkerrins will take place Sunday at noon.
On the Women’s side, all of the top four seeds have advanced and the semifinals are set.
Fiona Tully and Ashley Ruiz will do battle on the top side of the bracket, while Danielle Daskalakis and Clodagh Munroe will face off on the bottom half. None of these players have dropped even a game so far and both semifinals should be exciting.
You can follow along with all the draws HERE.
___________________________________________________________________ FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. —The 73rd USHA Four-Wall Nationals have arrived! Over 250 players will be competing at the Los Caballeros Sports Village. Play will begin with singles on Thursday morning and conclude with the doubles finals on Monday morning.
Start times and draws will be posted on Monday, May 20th. When they are available, you can view them HERE. Please be sure to check them each day leading up to the tournament as times are subject to change.
Defending champion Martin Mulkerrins headlines the Men’s Open draw, and he has his hands full with a tough field that includes former champions Killian Carroll and Diarmaid Nash, as well as several other top pro players. Fiona Tully has fallen short in the Women’s Open final the last two years to Catriona Casey, but without Casey in the tournament this year, she’ll try to win her first USHA Four-Wall National Open title against a stout group of women that include Danielle Daskalakis, Ashley Ruiz, Mikaila Esser, Clodagh Munroe, Aoife Holden and many more! Tom Sove will have his Hall of Fame Ceremony on Saturday night during the banquet. Sove has been a tremendous asset to handball over the years and has committed 40-plus years of service to handball where he has been dedicated to making the sport better. Tickets to the banquet can be purchased at the tournament desk for $45, and are not included with the entry fee. Reserved Pro seats will be sold at the tournament desk. There are only a limited number of seats remaining. We will be livestreaming matches on ourYouTube Channel. A tentative schedule of the tournament:– Wed., May 24: Early registration at the Los Cab Sports Village (4-7 p.m.). Warm-up and free play from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m.– Thurs., May 25: Play begins with singles in the morning. If you come up short, be sure to come back and referee and also sign up for a drop-down event.– Sat., May 27: Men’s Open Singles Semifinals will take place. The USHA Reception & Hall of Fame Ceremony for Tom Sove will take place inside the Los Cab Sports Village at 6pm.-Sun. May 28: Men’s Singles Finals and Women’s Semifinal will take place. Doubles semifinals in Men’s and Women’s Open.– Mon., May 29: Women’s Singles Final. Men’s & Women’s Open Doubles Finals. All other Finals through 2 p.m.
TUCSON — It was a great weekend of handball at the 2024 Hall of Fame Handball Tournament that included the National Masters Singles and a WPH LTE Pro Stop. We saw amazing matches across the board from the 13 and under division all the way up to the 80 plus division! Martin Mulkerrins continued to show why he is one of the best players in the world as he defeated Luis Cordova in two games that came down to the wire to win the pro division. You can read the WPH recap HERE. For all the of the draws and results visit the link HERE. Saturday night players flocked to the Handball Hall of Fame building for a catered dinner and to catch up with good friends while enjoying the rich history of our sport. Scott Landis was awarded with the Marty Decatur Sportsmanship Award, an annual award given each year at the Hall of Fame tournament. Landis hails from Tennessee, and captures the spirit of handball when he plays, really enjoying himself. His love of the game is apparent when you have a conversation with him about handball.
Scott Landis was presented with the Marty Decatur Sportsmanship Award.
The finals on Sunday across the masters division were very exciting, as players and spectators packed the galleries to watch these competitors go at it. Continue scrolling to read a recap of each of our newly crowned 2024 Masters Singles champions! 35-plus Champion: Jeff Streibig
Jeff Streibig and Shorty Ruiz
Jeff Streibig won a loaded the 35-plus division that included four ranked pro’s on the WPH tour. Streibig defeated defending champion Abraham Montijo in the semifinals in two close games to clinch his spot in the finals. Awaiting him there was Shorty Ruiz, who outlasted top 10 pro Vic Perez in his semifinal match. In the final, Streibig was dominant from start to finish and never allowed Ruiz to get comfortable. He hit several ace serves and tracked down everything Ruiz hit to earn the title in two quick games.
40-plus Champion: Fausto Castro
The seventh time was the charm for 40-plus singles champion Fausto Castro. Castro had six second place USHA national tournament finishes between the A’s and the masters division but had never won a gold medal coming into this weekend. After dropping game one to Dan Mcnabney in the finals, it looked like he might take second again. Castro kept pushing though, and eventually wore down Mcnabney and won the match in a tiebreaker. He was greeted to cheers as he walked off the court as the crowd was aware that it was his first national title.
50 plus Champion: Chris Watkins
Chris Watkins was crowned the 50-plus singles champion by defeating New York’s Joe Kaplan in the finals. Watkins had a battle in his semifinal against Washington’s Roberto Herrera who pushed him in both games. Kaplan also narrowly escaped his semifinal match against Juan Flores as he won an 11-7 tiebreaker. In the finals, Kaplan seemed to track down all of Watkins’ kills to begin the match. Watkins adjusted to a more passive game and ran Kaplan all around the court with precise pass shots and corner kills which helped lead him to victory.
55-plus Champion: Leo Canales
Leo Canales and Chris Tico
The 55-plus singles division was one of the more intriguing divisions coming into the tournament. Leo Canales had a tough field of opponents to overcome if he was going to defend his title. With the likes of John Henning, Chris Tico, John Robles, John Bike, and Rick Leonard to name a few, the division felt wide open. Canales found a way and notched the title by defeating John Robles in the semifinal and Chris Tico in the finals. Tico trailed by a large margin in the second game of the finals, but clawed all the way back to 19-19 before Canales finished him off with a kill shot down the right.
60-plus Champion: Will Goldstein
Will Goldstein won his first national title in 31 years by defeating Joe Tierney in two competitive games in the 60-plus singles final. Goldstein last won a national title in 1993 when he won the four-wall B doubles division. He doesn’t compete in national events often, but when he does he’s always a threat to win thanks to a lethal left hand that can kill the ball from anywhere on the court. Tierney was right with Goldstein, but stalled at 17 points in each game while Goldstein finished strong. 65-plus Champion: Mike Linnik After losing in the finals last year, Mike Linnik won a thriller in the 65-plus singles final over Dave Streibig. Streibig started fast in game one and took down Linnik 21-13. The second game was a battle throughout, and with the players tied at 19-19 Linnik was able to hit two clutch shots to force the tiebreaker. Much like the first game, Streibig started fast and led 7-1 to begin the breaker. Linnik kept fighting and eventually caught Streibig at 9-9, and found himself serving for the match at 10-9. A nice pass shot down the right wall would finish the job for Linnik and complete his comeback, winning 11-9. 70-plus Champion: Dan Brennan Dan Brennan was eligible for the 70-plus singles for the first time and made the most of it by defeating Gary Eisenbooth in the finals. In the previous rounds before the finals, nobody was able to score more than 6 points of Brennan in a single game. Eisenbooth was able to muster 13 and 12 respectively, but ultimately could not push Brennan enough to win. Brennan admitted Eisenbooth’s agility is incredible for the 70 plus division, but he was able to control his shots in the match which helped him win. 70B Champion: Thomas Arredondo
Fresno’s Thomas Arredondo hadn’t ventured much outside California for handball tournaments; however, his first stop in Tucson proved to be a memorable one. Arredondo battled Colorado’s Mark Humphries in a tough 70B final, winning in two games, 21-18 and 21-20. Both finalists defeated the top seeded players to reach the championship match, playing virtually evenly against one another.
75 plus Champion: Ed Campbell Ed Campbell and Merv Deckert were fresh off winning the 75-plus doubles title at the three-wall masters in Tucson last month, and found themselves competing against each other for the singles title in the 75-plus division this weekend. Seemingly facing off at least once a year for a national title, these two know each other’s game well and it comes down to who can execute better. In the finals today it was Campbell who executed, as he made the most of nearly all the opportunities Deckert gave him and won in two games.
80 plus Champion: Jim Smith
80-plus finalist Jim Ward congratulates Champion Jim Smith.[/caption] Jim Smith was victorious in the 80-plus singles division after being knocked out in the semifinals last year. This year he defeated Jim Ward in the finals. Ward held Smith to just 13 points in game one, but Smith was able to win a tight second game 21-17 to force a tiebreaker. Smith kept the momentum rolling from there and held Ward to just five points to win the national title. For Ward, it was his second year in a row of losing in a tiebreaker in the 80 plus final. Thank you to all the players for competing in the tournament. There were so many tremendous matches over the weekend and the competition was incredible across all divisions. Thank you to the WPH for running the Pro Stop in conjunction with the tournament and showcasing the best players in handball to everyone at the tournament. If you haven’t made it to a Hall of Fame tournament yet, clear your calendar for next April as you don’t want to miss out any longer on this great event!
TUCSON — The World Players of Handball and the United States Handball Association will proudly collaborate on the 2024 Hall of Fame Tournament in the home city of both organizations. This year’s event brings the tradition of the annual Hall of Fame event in the spring with a National Masters Singles and WPH LTE R48Pro Stop.
There is no better place than Tucson in mid-April, so make your plans to watch the pros and play in the various amateur divisions along with the best age divisions singles players.
The Hall of Fame R48LTE singles will be the final regular season event of the 2023/24 season, as the Race 4 Eight’s best players will aim to position themselves for the Race 4 Eight Player’s Championship.
Last chance to enter is April 7. Enter online HERE.
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.
VENICE BEACH, Calif. – New National Champions were crowned on Saturday and Sunday at the Venice Beach Handball Courts.
Saturday brought big ball action, and several of California’s finest up and coming big ball players were on site to compete for a national title. Santa Ana Handball Club Coach Gilbert Granado coordinated for many of his junior players to compete, and they had a successful day, winning multiple national titles.
Many California Big Ball Juniors had a successful weekend.
One of the most exciting matches of the day came in the big ball 17 and under final, where Patrick Leyva outlasted Freddy Reyes Jr. in a thrilling final, where Leyva pulled away late in both games to claim the title.
Reyes Jr. got his revenge in the 17 and under doubles, when he teamed with Jose Arellano to defeat Leyva and his partner Kevin Batiz in what was the last match of the day. Reyes Jr. and Arellano withstood a huge comeback from Leyva and Batiz to close out the match in front of a packed crowd.
Small ball finals were played Sunday morning, and the crowd was treated to several exciting finishes.
The first final of the day was the 13 and under, and pitted California’s Kevin Batiz against New Mexico’s Isaac Holguin. After dropping game one, Batiz fought back to claim game two and three to win the final. Batiz completed the singles slam in the 13’s as he won both the small ball and big ball division.
The 15 and under saw Tucson’s Tonalli Perales-Valencia take out Colorado’s Diego Rodriguez. Perales-Valencia and Rodriguez had some impressive long rallies but Perales-Valencia was able to close out his opponent to win 21-13, 21-14.
The 17 and under went to Colorado’s up and coming star Eliseo Gutierrez. Gutierrez overcame a slow start to defeat Jose Arellano in two straight games in the final.
The most anticipated final of the day was the 19 and under final between Tucson’s Ayden Brule and Santa Barbara’s Bryan Trejo. Each player has been a star at Venice Beach, racking up multiple national titles. The final did not disappoint, and showcased the highest level of handball from the tournament. Brule played his best match of the weekend, and fought through many momentum swings to win both games, and the title. Brule is just 16 years old and is becoming one of the most decorated juniors of all time.
Brule and Gutierrez played up together to win the 19 and under doubles final over Arellano and Trejo to close out the day with their second title each.
Gutierrez (swinging) and Brule (left) each added two national titles over the weekend, including winning the 19 and under doubles together.
A big thank you to the Southern California Handball Association for their amazing hospitality and giving the kids such a great tournament experience. Thank you to the all of the volunteers who helped the tournament run smoothly. Lastly, thank you to the coaches who brought their kids to the tournament, it will give them life-long memories.
VENICE BEACH, Calif. – After a four-year absence, the National Three-Wall Junior Championships returned to Venice Beach Rec Center which is just off the world famous boardwalk and Muscle Beach. Small ball competition began on Friday, as most seeds advanced in the singles and doubles divisions. Big ball divisions begin Saturday morning and will be continued throughout the day.
On Thursday, before matches started, juniors were given a tour of Las Angeles Fire Department Station 69. The LAFD has a deep history linked to handball, many of the stations have handball courts on site.
Players were treated to a station tour by former National Champion Tati Silverya with Sal Castillon, and at the end were also gifted LAFD shirts.
See the updated results and progress of matches HERE.
————————————————————————————————– Times and draws are now available.Please know that these are subject to change and players and coaches should continue to check them up until the day of the event.Players should arrive 15 minutes prior to their match start time and be readier for earlier start times in the later rounds, especially on Saturday.
The 2023 USHA Junior Three-Wall Nationals return to the Venice Beach Handball Courts this year July 14-16!
The Los Angeles Fire Department will be giving a tour of Fire Station 69 Thursday, at 2:30PM. All players are welcome. Address: 15045 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Players and spectators will be just steps away from the beach and next to the famous Venice Beach Boardwalk and Muscle Beach. The Southern California Handball Association has tremendous hospitality planned for the kids. Come join us for a great weekend of handball and fun!
How to sign up: Contact the USHA at 520-795-0434 or enter HERE, or Enter through the Southern California Handball Association by contacting your local SCHA representative.
Address of the courts: Venice Beach Recreation Center- 1800 Ocean Front Walk Venice, CA 90291.
When will divisions play?
Small ball divisions are expected to begin Friday and continue through the weekend.
Big Ball divisions will begin on Saturday and are expected to conclude on Sunday morning. Big Ball matches will be one 21-point game until the finals.
