Overland Park, KS, WPH Press, 10/18/26
The Overland Park Jewish Community Center and the Sylvester Powell Community Center proudly played host to the 2026 Handballesta, featuring 70 players in the men’s and women’s small ball 4-Wall singles and doubles.
Men’s Open Singles
Former Race 4 Eight Elite 8 member Sam Esser headlined the 2026 Handballesta field. Esser was joined in the 12-player men’s open singles bracket by R48 #19 Bryan Trejo, Missouri State’s Christian Madsen, and Mankato’s Zach Wells.
The USHA’s Sam Esser was dominant in the 2026 Handballesta, showcasing the form that has seen the two-handed gunslinger rise as high as #5 on the Race 4 Eight.
Esser defeated Zach Wells in the semifinals and dominated Mankato’s newest sensation and R48 #19 Bryan Trejo in the final.
“I was happy with the way I played,” Esser would later tell the WPH. “I was pretty consistent all weekend and didn’t make many mistakes. I was impressed by Zach Wells in the semifinals and Bryan in the finals.”
Semifinals
Esser def Z. Wells 21-12, 21-9
Trejo def Christian 20-21, 21-6, 11-0
Final: Esser def Trejo 21-10, 21-8
Women’s Open Singles
WR48 #5 Mollie Dagg entered the Women’s 2026 Handballesta as the top seed in the 10-player Women’s Handballesta singles bracket. Dagg would have to contend with former WR48 #1 Mikaila Esser, Ireland’s Hannah Grace, and Lake Forest’s Izzy Klicker.
“Mollie played really smart and read Mikaila’s shots well,” Sam Esser reported. “Mollie attacked Mikaila’s left well. Mikaila was pleased with how she played in her first 4-Wall tournament back since the summer of 2025.”
Semifinals
Dagg def Klicker 21-2, 21-2
Esser def Grace 21-6, 21-8
Final: Dagg def Esser 21-8, 21-17
Thank you to tournament director Adam Azeltine for another outstanding Handballesta.
Follow all of the brackets from the 2026 Handballesta HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer