Day 2
Houston, TX, WPH Press, 2/18/23-
Moving Day in Houston featured the R48’s final eight and the WR48’s final four battling for spots in Sunday’s showcase.
R48
The four R48 finalists from the first five R48 events of the 2022/23 season were in action in Saturday’s quarterfinals, as Martin Mulkerrins was seeking his third title of the season, Lucho was also seeking his third title of the season, and Killian Caroll was seeking his second. Martin was joined by his brother Diarmuid in the quarterfinals, making Houston the first time two sets of brothers appeared in the same quarterfinals (Cordovas, Mulkerrins).
Quarterfinals
Mulkerrins put the disappointment of his last ESPN match to rest with a comprehensive two-game sweep of former R48 champion Danos Cordova. Mulkerrins overwhelmed Danos with power, keeping him off-balance and forcing him to play mostly defense.
“I think my training and preparation has been very good since the last tournament,” stated Mulkerrins. “I had a higher percentage of serves than he did in the first. I felt good, preparations been good. My serve will have to be better and none of those revolving doors (in the semifinal).”
Killian Carroll raced to 10-0 leads in the first and second games against 2023 Montana R48 semifinalist Shorty Ruiz, closing out the Tucson star in two games. Carroll’s speed and court coverage, in addition to his sublime shot making, were too much for Tucson’s favorite son.
Lucho Cordova faced 2022 USHA collegiate singles finalist and Race 4 Eight rookie Diarmuid Mulkerrins for a spot in his sixth R48 semifinal of the season. Lucho was too strong for the collegiate senior, allowing just ten points in two games.
In the final quarterfinal, David Fink was seeking his first R48 semifinal since December’s R48 Icebreaker, while Leo Canales, Jr. was aiming for his third semifinal of the season. Fink fell behind 3-0 after three dazzling deep court kills from Canales but took over from there, sticking his power serve down the left wall and executing a high percentage of setups. Leo made a late run in game one but was not enough to catch Fink. Fink raced to a 12-3 lead in game two and there would not be a late run from Canales, as Fink closed out the match in two games. “Dave was playing really intense and never really let Leo into it,” stated Danos Cordova. “His serves were really good starting in the middle of the second game.”
Semifinals
In what has become the most exciting rivalry in pro handball, Carroll and Mulkerrins met in the first semifinal. Just as he had done in Montana three weeks ago, Mulkerrins took control in the first. Mulkerrins seemed to execute every opportunity Carroll presented throughout the first, even 38-footers. Leading 14-11, Mulkerrins appeared to be a lock to take a one-game lead. Just as he did in Montana, Carroll charged back, extending rallies and benefitting from Mulkerrins playing overly cautious handball with game point. Carroll caught Mulkerrins at 14 and quickly closed out the game to complete the comeback. “When Killian tied it at 14, you knew the game was over,” ESPN sideline reporter and R48 Elite 8 pro Max Langmack stated.
Mulkerrins quickly put the disappointment of game one behind him, attacking Carroll with power and kills. Despite not being known as a diver, Mulkerrins hit the deck multiple times in game two. “I have never seen Martin dive like this and make these kinds of gets,” stated R48 Juarez tournament director Lucho Cordova, Sr., who loves watching the grit and determination of the pro players. Mulkerrins handed Carroll one of his most lopsided scores of his 21-victory R48 career, leaving him on one and forcing a tiebreaker.
Mulkerrins is the only player to have defeated Carroll since 2019, both in tiebreakers (2022 R48 Player’s Championship and 2022 R48 Memorial). Despite appearing exhausted and out of sorts in game two, Carroll grabbed the momentum in the decider, taking control of the front court and digging Martin’s best shots. Carroll earned his second consecutive win against Mulkerrins in a dominant tiebreaker and will aim for his twenty-second R48 title on Sunday.
Lucho Cordova and David Fink played the final match of the evening, with Fink continuing his hot play form earlier in the day en route to a 10-6 lead in the first. Two right-hand errors from Fink opened the door for Cordova, who ended the game on a nine-point streak on the strength of a great power serve to the left and right and first-strike kills.
The two played well to start the second, with the lead changing hands three times before Lucho led 9-7. Just as he had done in the first, Lucho ended the game on a six-point streak, sending him to his fifth final of the season.
Quarterfinals
Mulkerrins def Danos 15-6, 15-6
Carroll def Shorty 15-5, 15-1
Fink def Canales, Jr. 15-9, 15-4
Lucho def D. Mulkerrins 15-5, 15-5
Semifinals
Carroll def Mulkerrins 16-14, 1-15, 15-5
Lucho def Fink 15-10, 15-7
Final (Sunday, 11:30 am CST): Carroll vs. Lucho
WR48
Catriona Casey was seeking her twenty-fourth WR48 title in Houston, but would need to overcome the tour’s newest threat, Eilise McCrory, to advance to her twenty-sixth WR48 final. The bottom bracket semifinal was one of the day’s most intriguing matchups, as the tour’s second-ranked Fiona Tully faced the 2023 WR48LTE champion Aimee Tuohey for a spot in the final.
Catriona Casey was pushed in game one of her semifinal against Ireland’s 25-year-old WR48 rookie Eilise McCrory, with McCrory hitting sensational left-handed power serves down the left and several highlight reel kills. Casey weathered the storm, executing shots to maintain a comfortable lead and closing out the first game, 15-8. “If it wasn’t for a few hand errors, Eilise could have been much closer,” stated ESPN play-by-play announcer Kyle English. “That sweat on Catriona’s shirt is not just the Houston humidity, that’s Eilise making Catriona work.”
Eilise slammed into the side wall early in game two, injuring her back and rendering her helpless against the Casey attack, as Casey booked her spot in her twenty-sixth WR48 final. “It can be difficult to replicate these conditions in practice,” Casey would later say. “Eilise is definitely the most improved player I’ve seen in the last two years.”
WR48 #2 and 2022 Houston WR48 finalist met 2023 WR48LTE New Orleans champion Aimee Tuohey in a rematch of the 2022 Houston WR48 semifinal won by Tully in a tiebreaker. Tully quickly squashed the pre-match anticipation between the two stars, racing to a 10-0 lead in game one. Tuohey scored her first point at 0-10 but never seriously threatened Tully. Game two was closer, literally, as the ladies found themselves nearly on top of one another in several rallies. “The ref told me I’m not allowed to get up after she hits,” screamed an exasperated Tuohey, who had a miscommunication with the referee. Tuohey was never able to settle into the match, as Tully’s power and precision kept her off-balance throughout. “Fiona is as fit as she’s ever been and she’s playing the best I’ve seen her play,” stated ESPN announcer Dave Vincent. “To beat her you need to be just as fit and execute your shots.”
Semifinals
Casey def McCrory 15-8, 15-3
Tully def Tuohey 15-4, 15-8
Final (Sunday, 10:45 am CST): Casey vs. Tully
2023 Houston Race 4 Eight Broadcast Schedule on the ESPN+: Sunday, February 19, 10 am-1 pm CST.
Follow the brackets from Houston HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
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Watch on ESPN+
Sunday, February 19, 2023 (All Times Central Standard)
10:00 Men’s 5th Place Final – Daniel Cordova (TX) vs Leo Canales Jr (AZ)
10:45 Women’s Pro Final – Catriona Casey (IRE) vs Fiona Tully (IRE)
11:30 Men’s Pro Final – Killian Carroll (MA) vs Luis Cordova (MEX)