The WPH CA Next Gen Icebreaker
WPH Press
The WPH is thrilled to present the CA Next Gen Icebreaker, featuring four of the top 20-something stars in the sport. Northern Californian’s Loren Collado and Erik Torres and Southern Californians Dylan Hernandez and Ricardo Palma traveled from the Golden State to the Grand Canyon State and Tucson’s Clark Park to battle for the second WPH Icebreaker crown.
The WPH CA Next Gen Icebreaker was played with all of the CDC protocols in place, as the players were socially distanced from one another and the WPH staff, the park was closed to the public, and all non-playing participants and staff wore masks throughout the event.
“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, had the referee wearing a mask, and had the limited number of fans social distance in masks, while ensuring the players were distanced as much as possible.”
Meet the four CA Icebreaker Next Gen Stars
Dylan Hernandez HERE
Erik Torres HERE
Ricardo Palma HERE
Loren Collado HERE
NOTE: TO WATCH ALL MATCHES FROM THIS EVENT IN THEIR ENTIRETY, PLEASE GO TO PATREON.COM/WPHLIVE AND BECOME A PLEDGE SUPPORTER (This video will be available to WPH members within two weeks)
CA NorCal vs. SoCal Icebreaker Semifinal #2: Loren Collado vs. Dylan Hernandez: Full Recap + Crunched Stats
Dylan Hernandez is on the cusp of handball superstardom, having pushed several of the game’s best players in R48 matches. Loren Collado possesses all of the attributes to become a R48 Elite 8 star as well. Hernandez prepared for the second WPH Icebreaker by playing 3-Wall regularly in Southern California. “There are a lot of good games in L.A. with local guys,” stated Hernandez. Collado has also been active on the 3-Wall courts, playing at his home courts in Campbell in NorCal.
Loren appeared to be the favorite heading into the second semifinal, as the Olympian possesses all of the attributes to play top 3-Wall: length, power, hops, and a strong overhand game. Hernandez brings a 4-Wall style to 3-Wall, serving low, avoiding deep rallies, and shooting the ball with both hands.
“I wanted to play hard from the get go with Loren (and Erik) because they are good players and I’ve had a reputation for starting off slow in tournaments, so I wanted to change that,” stated Dylan. “ I was trying to keep both of those players off balance so they couldn’t catch a good rhythm. And I believe those things are what allowed me to win it all.”
Hernandez was in complete control in game one of this semifinal, striking three aces to Loren’s two, hitting 11 rally-enders to Loren’s five, winning eight of the 11 six+ shot rallies, and making five errors to Loren’s 14. The statistical dominance translated to a comprehensive 21-6 first-game victory in 14 minutes.
Game two was virtually identical, as Dylan out-aced Loren four to three, struck five first-strike kills to Loren’s zero, hit 11 rally-enders to Loren’s six, won seven of the 10 six+ shot rallies, and made three errors to Loren’s 13 en route to a 21-5 victory in 15 minutes.
“When I got the call to play in this Icebreaker a few weeks ago I was really excited,” stated CA Icebreaker champion Hernandez. “I’ve been really hungry to play in a tournament.”
Final: Hernandez def L. Collado 21-6, 21-5
Crunched Stats (game one and two combined)
Aces
Hernandez: 8
Collado: 5
Return of serve kills
Hernandez: 2
Collado: 2
First-strike kills
Hernandez: 8
Collado: 3
Right hand rally-enders
Hernandez: 15
Collado: 8
Left-hand rally-enders
Hernandez: 7
Collado: 3
6+ shot rallies won
Hernandez: 15
Collado: 6
Errors
Hernandez: 8
Collado: 26
Fly kills
Hernandez: 6
Collado: 0
Hinders: 0
Time: 29 minutes
Hernandez dominated in all facets of the match, starting with his serve and first-strike, striking 22 rally-enders to Collado’s 11, winning 15 of the 21 six+ shot rallies, and most notably, committing 18 fewer errors (8/26).
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer