Mankato, MN, WPH Press, 2/12/23
The Minnesota State Mankato Handball Club hosted the 2023 Maverick Open at the beautiful Pennington Hall handball complex, featuring 66 players, including many of the sport’s young stars in the men’s and women’s open singles brackets.
The men’s open singles field featured current Illinois State champion and multiple-time junior national champion Ray Ure, Race 4 Eight top 15 pro Mark Doyle, Irish star Shane Dunne and a number of strong contenders vying for the Maverick title.
Ray Ure won his second consecutive open singles title (IL State Singles) on his home courts at the Mav, sweeping Dunne and Gaulton in two games in the semifinals and finals, respectively.
“Ray was sharper than Micheal controlling the middle of the court while keeping Micheal moving with passes down the line and some very good power serves,” stated top 15 R48 pro and Ure’s Minnesota State teammate Mark Doyle, who was unable to play in the semifinals due to a shoulder injury incurred in the quarterfinals.
Semifinals
Gaulton def Doyle (dns)
Ure def Dunne 21-16, 21-10
Final: Ure def Gaulton 21-13, 21-10
2023 WR48 New Orleans finalist Clodagh Munroe and Mankato State University freshman headlined the 15-player women’s open field at the Maverick.
Munroe was dominant in her three-match Maverick romp, outscoring her three opponents by a combined 126-17 (88%).
“Clodagh won comprehensively,” reported Doyle.
Semifinals
Munroe def Kaupa 21-2, 21-3
Kennedy def Pace 21-13, 21-10
Final: Munroe def Kennedy 21-3, 21-7
The collegiate stars will now set their sights on the biggest prize in college handball, the USHA Collegiate Nationals in ten days in Tucson, AZ.
Follow all of the brackets from the 2023 Maverick Open HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer