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Icebreaker Semifinal #2: Loren Collado vs. Dylan Hernandez – Full Recap w/Crunched Stats

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

DV: David Vincent formed the World Players of Handball in 2005 and ushered live handball viewing into our living rooms for the first time. Since its inception, the World Players of Handball has broadcast over 1,500 matches live. Dave Vincent serves as the lead play-by-play announcer for virtually all matches, combining his unique perspective and personality with a lifetime of handball experience. DV brings 25 years of broadcast radio experience (in Oregon and California) to World Players of Handball & ESPN broadcasts and provides professionalism and wit to the amazing game of handball. DV also serves as the Executive Director of the World Player of Handball at the WPH headquarters in Tucson, AZ, working daily to grow the game of handball through innovation.
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