Day 3
Missoula, MT, WPH Press, 2/5/23
Sunday featured one of the most anticipated matchups of the season, as well as the R48 playoffs.
Final: Mulkerrins vs. Carroll
Martin Mulkerrins entered the Red Death final seeking his third R48 title of the season and fifth overall, while the 2017-2022 R48 #1 Killian Carroll was seeking his twenty-first R48 title and fourth Red Death title in four Red Death events. Mulkerrins is the only player to have defeated Carroll since 2020, defeating Flash in their last two matchups (R48 Player’s Championship, April 2022 and Tucson Memorial, November 2022).
Martin Mulkerrins was seeking his eighth straight win and second consecutive R48 title and started auspiciously, leading 10-7 and 14-10. The play was at an extraordinary level, with both players executing sensational shots from everywhere on the court. Mulkerrins had several chances to take the first game but was unable to convert. After playing from behind throughout the first game and seemingly exhausted, Carroll caught fire in a comeback nearly identical to the 2020 Red Death final between Carroll and Mulkerrins. “It just seemed like Killian scored six points in 45 seconds to end the game,” stated ESPN play by play announcer Dave Vincent.
Mulkerrins appeared demoralized in the second, while Carroll was reenergized. Carroll raced to a 14-4 lead, as Mulkerrins appeared impatient and unable to put setups away. Killian closed out the match and his twenty-first R48 title with a Mulkerrins left-handed error.
“Martin is just such a gentleman on the court,” stated Carroll. “As I’ve been saying all weekend the crowd is just great and we always love playing in front of a great crowd. Such a fabulous hosts here. Knowing that I was undefeated here definitely put more pressure on me. I’m just happy to be back and it feels great that I’m not hindered in shots that I wasn’t able to hit before.”
Final: Carroll def Mulkerrins 16-14, 15-7
R48 Playoffs
5th place final: Canales vs. Doyle
Leo Canales, Jr. overwhelmed Mark Doyle in the fifth place final, overpowering the youngster with power passes, great serves, and consistent handball. Canales notched his fourth consecutive top five R48 finish as he continues his ascent up the rankings.
“I was serving well and I was keeping him back,” stated Canales. “He has a really good game, kind of scary. Fifth place is a lot of points so it’s very important. I still think I need to work on my left hand, kill shot, pass shots.”
Final: Canales def Doyle 25-12
9th place final: Langmack vs. Burgos
Max Langmack raced to an 8-0 lead to start the ninth place playoff, firing aces and bottom-board kills. Langmack saw his lead cut to two at 6-8, but regained control with deep court kills to lead 15-8 at the half. The second half seemed like a formality, with Langmack leading 24-12. Burgos was still alive after facing eight match points, eventually serving at 19-24. Several furious rallies went the way of Langmack, who closed out the match on his ninth attempt.
“I feel good,” stated Langmack. “I was really happy with how I started. “Ivan has a lot of speed. I need to work on staying in the zone and being ready to adapt. Happy to get the win.”
Final: Langmack def Burgos 25-19
R48 Red Death Finishes
1st: Carroll
2nd: Mulkerrins
3rd: Ruiz/Lucho
5th: Canales
6th: Doyle
7th: Fink/Perez
9th: Langmack
10th: Burgos
11th: Cooney/English
13th: Lenning/Hernandez/Montijo/Collado
Thanks!
Thank you to tournament hosts Sean and Carrie Sandau for their tireless efforts in making the 2023 R48 Red Death an outstanding event. Thank you to the WPH broadcast team, the hardest working team in the business, for providing tremendous coverage from Missoula. Thank you to all of the players and volunteers who helped to make the Red Death such an incredible event. Thank you to Kris Gurrad, Che Lowenstein, Kara Mack, Linda Manning, Dave Fink, Peak Heath Management/ownership/employees, Shorty Ruiz, Abraham Montijo, Ashley Ruiz and the Randy “Red” Jolliffe Family.
Watch R48 Red Death replays on the ESPN+
Follow the brackets from the 2023 R48 Red Death HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
(Pictures/Video provided by the WPH Team: Eilish Owens, Dave Vincent and Kyra Vidas)