Tucson, AZ, WPH Press, 8/21/22
Sunday: Day 2
Men’s Small Ball Singles
Lucho Cordova aimed to stay undefeated on the 2022 Icebreaker tour against Leo Canales in Sunday morning’s upper bracket semifinal but trailed 8-11 in game one. Lucho dominated Leo from there, yielding virtually no setups and capitalizing on virtually all of his offensive opportunities in scoring 19 of the final 21 points of the match to advance to the final.
David Fink faced Ice Bowl Cinderella Man Brant Bidegain in the bottom bracket semifinal, with BB riding a wave of confidence after knocking out Sam Esser and Stephen Cooney on Saturday. Fink built early leads in both games, rallying with the San Diego fireman from the back court and scoring points with deep serves. After taking game one 15-9, Fink led 6-2 in game two before being tied at six. Fink was able to pull away from there, advancing to his fifth Icebreaker final.
The final was one-way traffic, as Lucho won the first 13 rallies of the match en route to a dominant victory. “I feel like my greatest strength is my power right now,” stated Lucho. “I’m hitting the ball a little bit harder than everyone else and that’s throwing people off. I started slow on the Icebreaker tour (last summer) because I hadn’t been playing, but I’m feeling comfortable on these courts now.”
Semifinals
Lucho def Leo 15-12, 15-1
Fink def Bidegain 15-9, 15-9
Final: Lucho def Fink 15-7, 15-2
Women’s Small Ball Singles Final
2022 Women’s Icebreaker #1 Mikaila Esser was aiming for her second Icebreaker title on Sunday against Ashley Ruiz, who was also seeking her second Icebreaker crown. Esser took control from the outset, pushing Ruiz back with overhand drives and never allowing Ruiz into the front court. Esser clinched her second Icebreaker title, retaining her #1 ranking in the process.
“I just had no energy today,” lamented Ruiz. “I didn’t make any kills and just could not get anything going. Mikaila really kept the balls down the walls.”
“I made some adjustments after losing the first game (2-15) to Aimee yesterday,” stated Esser. “I tried to get my serves deeper. Against Ashley, I know she is so good at fly killing and cutting the ball off in the front so I tried to push the ball deep with my volleyball swing. I love playing out here.”
Final: Esser def Ruiz 15-5, 15-6
Men’s Big Ball Singles
Clark Park King Brian Medina aimed to stay undefeated at Clark Park in Sunday’s final against one of the game’s legends, Samzon Hernnadez. The pair traded the lead several times throughout a brilliant first game, with the game tied at 12. A furious rally at 12-all saw both players covering the entire court, with Medina earning a setup with his left in the front court. Medina was unable to execute, losing the rally and the next two to drop game one, 15-12. “Of course I was thinking about that missed opportunity at 12-12 in game one,” Medina would later say. “When you get the chance against Samzon you have to put it away.”
Medina took the lead in game two and ran away with the game to force a third.
Samzon played with renewed energy and passion in the third, staying within striking distance throughout. The crucial rally in the decider came at 10-9 with Medina serving. Unlike in game one, Medina converted, parlaying the winning rally into a 14-10 lead. Samzon scored two consecutive points, but Medina closed the show on his third match point.
“It is so satisfying (to win) because there was such great competition here,” stated the three-time undefeated Icebreaker champion. “I love the support I get playing here and I really appreciate the events.”
Final: Medina def Samzon 12-15, 15-4, 15-12
Men’s Small Ball Pro Doubles
Sam Esser and Shorty Ruiz dropped game one of the Sunday morning semifinal 15-1 against Team Montijo/Canales but rallied to win in three games to make the final. “It usually takes me about 30 minutes of playing before I can actually hit the ball,” joked Esser.
The Flying Cordovas were dominant in their semifinal against Team Cooney/Medina, quickly advancing in two games. “I feel like we are about 50/50 in the rally but Daniel aced us about 15 times,” declared Cooney.
The Flying Cordovas handed Team Ruiz/Esser their only 3-Wall loss in March, motivating the Tucsonans for redemption on their home court. Not even Lucho Sr. could motivate the Flying Cordovas, as Team Ruiz/Esser never allowed the Cordovas into the match, earning their redemption and first Icebreaker title.
“Shorty is the best back court 3-Wall doubles player in the world and I just stay up front and let him control the game,” stated Esser.
“Sam has two great hands and great kills in the front,” stated Ruiz. “I said yesterday (after losing in the singles) that I was coming strong today in the doubles. I can’t let my partner down.”
Final: Team Esser/Ruiz def the Flying Cordovas 15-4, 15-9
Thank you to the WPH staff and all of the volunteers and players who made the 2022 WPH Ice Bowl such a successful event
2022 WPH Ice Bowl brackets and results HERE
Icebreaker pro player bios HERE
2021 Icebreaker Facts, Numbers, Finishes, and Rankings HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer