Maumee, OH – WPH Press
Men’s Pro Singles: A New Era Dawns
Sunday in Maumee, history will be made as the USHA crowns a first-time Men’s Pro Singles national champion. Jab Bike and Shorty Ruiz—two warriors on divergent paths—have punched their tickets to the final with electrifying semifinal victories.
Jab Bike, riding a wave of dominance this summer, added another chapter to his breakout season by dethroning the undisputed three-wall titan, Sean Lenning. With titles already secured in Ohio and Los Angeles, and deep runs at LaGrange and the Ice Bowl, Bike’s 21-18, 21-3 dismantling of Lenning ended a decade-long unbeaten streak in Maumee.
On the other side of the draw, Shorty Ruiz staged a comeback for the ages. Down 21-8, 20-15 against R48 #1 Lucho Cordova, Ruiz clawed back from match point and rattled off 17 of the final 20 points to seal a stunning 8-21, 21-15, 11-3 victory. For Ruiz, the final represents a shot at the title that’s eluded him for two decades.
Men’s Singles Results
Round of 16
- Lenning def D. Schmitt 21-6, 21-6
- Ruiz def T. Schmitt 21-5, 21-4
- Lucho def Doyle 21-14, 21-5
- Ure def Brule 21-4, 21-4
- Bike def Job 21-4, 21-15
- Esser def Mehilos 21-6, 21-9
- Danos def Montijo 14-21, 21-10, 11-3
- Tyree def Burgos 21-16, 21-8
Quarterfinals
- Lenning def Tyree 21-9, 21-14
- Bike def Ure 21-13, 16-21, 11-7
- Lucho def Esser 13-21, 21-13, 11-8
- Ruiz def Danos 21-20, 21-7
Semifinals
- Bike def Lenning 21-18, 21-3
- Ruiz def Lucho 8-21, 21-15, 11-3
Final (Sunday): Jab Bike vs. Shorty Ruiz
Women’s Pro Singles: Champions Collide
Saturday’s semifinals featured a clash of titans as four current or former USHA Three-Wall National champions battled for a spot in the final. Defending champion Mikaila Esser delivered a masterclass performance, sweeping past the legendary Tracy Davis 21-9, 21-3. On the bottom half, Ashley Ruiz outplayed Megan Dorneker 21-16, 21-8 to earn her place in Saturday’s final.
Women’s Singles Results
Quarterfinals
- Esser def Keeling 21-5, 21-10
- Dorneker def Kirk 21-6, 21-6
- Ruiz def Pecaut 21-3, 21-4
- Davis def Hughes 21-5, 21-9
Semifinals
- Esser def Davis 21-9, 21-3
- Ruiz def Dorneker 21-16, 21-8
Final (Sunday): Mikaila Esser vs. Ashley Ruiz
Catch the quarterfinal action on Braulio Ruiz’s Facebook page Track all brackets from the 74th USHA National Three-Wall Championships [HERE]
—David Fink, WPH Senior Writer