Corpus, Christi, TX, WPH Press, 9/21/25
The YMCA of the Coastal Bend played host to the 2025 Corpus Christi Fall Tournament, featuring forty-two players in the iconic South Texas tournament that started in 1954.
“This four-court complex is unusually suited for tournament camaraderie, as the viewing areas converge,” stated pre-tournament favorite Adam Bernhard. “The waves of Corpus Christi Bay are a short jog away. There is a Saturday night fish fry; historically a group of older handball players would go fishing during the day and fry up their catch. The fish fry is still done on site at the party and they use one of those original friers.”
“Our Saturday night fish fry is a long-standing tournament staple,” stated tournament director Steven Mendoza. “Chris Nicholson was our host and cook.”
Men’s Open Singles
Race 4 Eight star Adam Bernhard headed the Men’s Open Singles field at the 2025 Corpus Christi Fall Tournament. Weekend at Bernie’s was joined by Texas’ next generation Dylan Schmitt and Holden Smith, as well as tournament director Steven Mendoza and University of Texas and WPH ambassador Noel Aguilar.
Frequent training partners Bernie and Schmitt pushed one another to the limit in the CCF final, with the younger Schmitt aiming to find openings against Bernie’s precise ceiling balls and drives. Schmitt would take game one but found himself in a deep hole in game two.
“The second game was a nail biter,” reported Aguilar. “Dylan came back from a 9-2 deficit to lead 14-12 before Adam forced a breaker.”
Undeterred by nearly clinching the Corpus Christi title in the second, Schmitt rebounded in the third, finding his offense to overcome the Texas legend.
“The final was pretty good,” stated Schmitt. “Ran through the first game smooth 15-10. Tiebreaker I got some serves going and rolled balls out and won 11-7.”
“Dylan played very well,” Bernhard would later say. “It was fun. He earned it and I look forward to playing him again.”
“Great clash of styles with Dylan’s aggressiveness clutching him the win,” stated Aguilar.
“The final was a ninety-minute, knock-down, drag-out affair,” stated tournament director Steven Mendoza.
Semifinals
Bernhard def Mendoza
Schmitt def Smith
Final: D. Schmitt def Bernhard 15-10, 14-15, 11-7
Women’s Singles and Doubles
Caitlin Behne slammed the women’s singles and doubles, teaming with Katie Mills to win her first women’s open title.
“UT, ASU, and TAMU students all came together with energy and enthusiasm, coaching and supporting each other off the court and displaying exemplary sportsmanship on the court,” stated Mendoza. “These lasting connections are made possible by generous support from Doug Randolph.”
Thank you to Adam Bernhard for updates from Corpus Christi. Thank you to tournament director Steven Mendoza for a great event.
Pictures courtesy of Steven Mendoza.
Follow all of the brackets from the 2025 Corpus Christi Fall Tournament HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer