Overland Park, KS, WPH Press, 10/18/22
The Overland Park Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, KS played host to the 74th Annual Handballesta on the third weekend of October, featuring 75 players, including hometown hero and R48 #6 Sam Esser, future Irish stars Shane Dunne and Mark Doyle, and Ross “Hop” Colyer.
In his homecoming event, Esser overcame “Hop” in the upper bracket semis, while Irish teenage prodigies Dunne and Doyle battled in the bottom bracket semis. “Let me tell ya, these Irish lads are very good and very serious about their handball,” stated three-time R48 champion and current R48 Player’s Champion Martin Mulkerrins. “These lads will be aiming for the Race 4 Eight this season. Both are a bit green I’d say but very skilled.”
Doyle bested Dunne in two games in the bottom bracket semis to face the local hero and 2022 Icebreaker singles finalist Esser in the final.
Esser used his experience and two-handed attack to neutralize the young Irishman in two games to take the title. “Mark has a lot of talent and he’s only 19,” stated Esser. “I don’t think either of us played our best game (in the final).”
Esser completed his homecoming by slamming with Colyer, defeating Dunne and Luis Mendez in two games.
Singles final: Esser def Doyle 21-14, 21-14
Doubles final: Esser/Colyer def Dunne/Mendez 21-11, 21-18
Follow all of the results from the 74th Annual Handballesta HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer