WPH Icebreaker #4
WPH Patreon Press
The WPH is proud to present the WPH Icebreaker #4, the fourth official WPH Icebreaker event since September.
“We want to show people that we could safely hold an event with all of the COVID protocols in place,” stated WPH Executive Director David Vincent. “We closed the park, the referee wore a mask, we allowed a limited number of masked, socially distant fans, while ensuring the players were distanced as much as possible.”
Leo Canales, Jr. and Sam Esser entered the WPH Bubble to renew their rivalry at Clark Park. Canales and Esser played one of the most dramatic collegiate national finals in history, with Canales edging Esser 11-8 in the final to clinch the individual and team titles for Lake Forest College. Esser had never defeated Canales, and was aiming to score his first win against the “El Paso Kid” on his home court at Tucson’s Clark Park.
Watch Icebreaker #4 Canales, Jr. vs. Esser HERE
Game 1 & 2 Combined Stats
Aces
Canales: 14
Esser: 2
Leo’s serve was the main difference-maker in this Icebreaker, as the “El Paso Kid” rattled off 14 ace serves to Esser’s two. The low, hard, and hooking power serve gave Esser problems, leading to 33% of Leo’s points.
First Strike Kills
Canales: 10
Esser: 4
In addition to Leo’s 14 ace serves, EPK struck ten first-strike kills, meaning his first and second shots accounted for 57% of his 42 points. Esser scored just six points on his serve and first-strike, leaving him 18 points behind Leo in the serve and plus one department. Leo outscored Sam 42-25 (17) in the match, meaning the serve and plus one made the difference
Return of Serve Kills
Canales: 5
Esser: 3
Right Hand Rally-Enders
Canales: 28
Esser: 14
Left Hand Rally Enders
Canales: 5
Esser: 5
Canales doubled Esser’s right-hand rally-ender total, while both struck five off-hand kills. Overcoming a 14 to 28 rally-ender differential is virtually impossible, as it turned out to be in the Icebreaker #4.
6+ Shot Rallies Won
Canales: 22
Esser: 17
Game one featured just ten 6+ shot rallies, while game two seemingly saw each rally extended to as least six shots (29). Leo dominated the 6+ shot rallies in game one (8-2), but Esser edged the EPK 15-14 in game two
Errors
Canales: 25
Esser: 17
Fly Kills:
Canales: 12
Esser: 2
Canales drove into Clark Park, but flew home, ending 12 rallies with fly kills and taking more than four times that amount of shots out of the air throughout the match
Hinders: 0
Time: 44:05
Final: Canales, Jr. def Esser 21-6, 21-19
Total Points Scored: 67
Game 1 Stats
Aces
Canales: 8
Esser: 1
First Strike Kills
Canales: 5
Esser: 1
Return of Serve Kills
Canales: 1
Esser: 0
Right Hand Rally-Enders
Canales: 8
Esser: 2
Left Hand Rally Enders
Canales: 3
Esser: 1
6+ Shot Rallies Won
Canales: 8
Esser: 2
Errors
Canales: 6
Esser: 7
Fly Kills:
Canales: 5
Esser: 1
Hinders: 0
Time: 12:45
Final: 21-6
Total Points Scored: 27
Game 2 Stats
Aces
Canales: 6
Esser: 1
First Strike Kills
Canales: 5
Esser: 3
Return of Serve Kills
Canales: 4
Esser: 3
Right Hand Rally-Enders
Canales: 20
Esser: 12
Left Hand Rally Enders
Canales: 2
Esser: 4
6+ Shot Rallies Won
Canales: 14
Esser: 15
Errors
Canales: 19
Esser: 10
Fly Kills:
Canales: 7
Esser: 1
Hinders: 0
Time: 31:05
Final: 21-19
Total Points Scored: 40
Watch Icebreaker #4 Canales, Jr. vs. Esser HERE
David Fink
WPH Statistician