ValeU Group 1-WallBall Small Ball Singles at the 2019 3WB
Las Vegas, NV, WPH Press, 9/29/19- The ValeU Group was thrilled to sponsor the 1-Wall small ball men’s pro singles at the 2019 3WB Outdoor World Championships. Eight of 1-Wall small ball’s top stars competed in the ValeU Group 1-Wall small ball singles at the 2019 3WB, including current 1-Wall small ball national champion Timbo Gonzalez and former 1-Wall small ball world champion Joe Kaplan.
“We are committed to promoting and supporting 1-Wall small ball handball,” stated Jared Vale, president of ValeU Group and one of 1-Wall’s greatest contributors. “Our aim is to revitalize this form of the game; for more people to play it and watch it! We were excited to team with the WPH and 3WB to hold this prestigious 1-Wall small ball division this September at the 3WB Outdoor World Championships.”
Timbo Gonzalez ended David Fink’s quest for the 2019 ValeU Group slam in the upper bracket semifinals, as the current 1-Wall small ball and big ball national singles champion raced to a 13-0 lead, only to find himself receiving serve at 20-22 after a Fink hot streak. Timbo played solid defense in the late stages of the match, eventually advancing, 25-21.
Joe Kaplan trailed Tywan Cook throughout the first half of their bottom bracket semifinal, eventually catching Cook at 16 and playing virtually even the rest way of the way. Kaplan relied on his serve and fly kill to meet Timbo in the final, defeating Cook 25-23.
Having already won two titles that morning (1-Wall big ball singles & 3-Wall big ball doubles), Timbo Gonzalez was playing in his third consecutive final in two hours when he faced Joe Kaplan for the ValeU Group 1-Wall small ball title.
Timbo was ruthless against his New York rival, keeping Kaplan behind him and controlling the center of the court. Timbo built a 17-2 lead in the one game match to 21, but developed a severe cramp in his calf that left the outcome in doubt. Following three consecutive timeouts, Timbo was immobile, unable to move forward and barely able to move more than one step. With the door ajar, Kaplan was unable to take advantage, hitting the ball to Timbo or making errors. “I just didn’t have anything today,” lamented Kaplan. Timbo was able to close out the match with a lob serve and effective (legal) blocking, taking his third title of the day. Final” Timbo def Kaplan 21-7
“The 1-Wall small ball singles was a very exciting addition to the 3WB Outdoor World Championships,” stated 3WB founder and tournament director Mike Coulter. “We love seeing the best of all of the 3WB court sports on display and adding the 1-Wall small ball singles was certainly a huge boost. Players and fans from all sports loved watching these incredible athletes demonstrate the 1-Wall small ball game on the highest level.”
Thank you to Jared Vale and the ValeU Group for their generous sponsorship of the 1-Wall small ball singles!
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer