Choosing just 10 top moments was nearly impossible for us as we sit back and reflect on the past 12 months. After all, The World Players of Handball Foundation enjoyed an incredible 2015, complete with more than 750 junior handball clinics, junior handball competitions and a number of incredible matches. Enjoy 2015’s best, starting with number’s 9 and 10!
9. WPH Player’s Championship R48 and WR48 Finals: Sean Lenning vs. Mando Ortiz and Catriona Casey vs. Aisling Reilly
Catriona Casey and Aisling Reilly kicked off the 2015 WPH Player’s Championship Sunday in the best rivalry in handball. Reilly was just one month removed from defeating Casey in the 2015 All Ireland Senior Championships and continued her momentum in game one against Casey, routing the WR48 #1 15-2 in just 11 minutes. Casey demonstrated her poise and ability to make adjustments, building a huge lead and holding off a late Reilly rally to force a third game. The third game witnessed several momentum shifts and very few mistakes, with Casey ultimately maintaining her undefeated WR48 record in a thriller
The Men’s finals featured two surprise finalists, as fourth-seed Sean Lenning advanced through the upper bracket and sixth-seeded Mando Ortiz surged past Emmett Peixoto and Luis Moreno in the bottom bracket. Lenning and Ortiz staged an instant classic with the WPH Player’s Championship on the line, trading the first two games and battling down to the wire in a spellbinding display of handball. Lenning earned his first WPH Player’s Championship, while a new rivalry was undoubtedly born
For a full recap on the matches, click here
10. WPH Outdoor Back to School Bash featuring more than 120 junior players
The 2015 WPH Outdoor Back To School Bash featured one of the best vibes of any handball tournament in recent memory. Flanked by the backdrop of stunning Southern California sunshine, the WPH Outdoor Back to School Bash featured multiple junior clinics with WPH Coaches David Fink, Sal Duenas and Jonathan Iglesias, as well as singles and doubles junior divisions for more than 120 young players. “The juniors certainly stole the show at the Bash, as their passion and enthusiasm for the game was infectious and inspiring to all players and fans at the event,” stated WPH Executive Director David Vincent. The Back to School Bash junior participation was boosted by the 2015 Player’s Cup WPH Outdoor Stop #4, featuring the game’s best 3-Wall Big Ball stars playing singles and doubles
For a full recap on the Back to School Clinics and Tournament, click here
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer