Maumee, OH, WPH Press, 9/6/26
The United States Handball Association proudly played host to the 75th USHA National Three-Wall Championships on Labor Day Weekend, featuring the best men’s and women’s 3-Wall players in the world.
“The Three-Wall National Tournament is everyone’s the favorite event of the year, and the Toledo Handball Club offered another prime event,” stated the USHA.
Men’s Open Singles
Sean Lenning reclaimed his spot at the top of 3-Wall handball with a dominating victory at the 2026 USHA National Three-Wall Championships. After losing in the semifinals of last year’s Three-Wall Championships, Lenning returned to Maumee with revenge on his mind. Lenning dispatched his protégé Ayden Brule in the quarterfinals, the USHA’s Sam Esser in the semifinal, and in one of his finest performances in his illustrious 3-Wall career, Lenning handed Killian Carroll his first 3-Wall singles loss.
“It was maybe the most dominant performance he has ever had out there in a final given the opponent,” Jab Bike would later say. “The first game was 11 minutes total. He played pretty much perfect handball. In the second he was down 6-7 and it seemed like Killian had some life and could take control of the match but Sean kept pushing and was able to extend the lead. He served perfectly today and converted so many shots.”
“Sean looked like vintage Sean,” echoed Sam Esser. “I think he aced Killian seven times in a row in the second game.”
Quarterfinals
Lenning def Brule 21-2, 21-15
Esser def Jab Bike 11-21, 21-4, 11-1
Carroll def Burgos 21-10, 21-1
Ure def T. Schmitt 21-13, 21-11
Semifinals
Lenning def Esser 21-9, 21-13
Carroll def Ure 11-21, 21-11, 11-2
Final: Lenning def Carroll 21-3, 21-9
Women’s Open Singles
Mikaila Esser defended her Women’s Open Singles title at the 2026 USHA National Three-Wall Championships, while winning her first as a mother. Mikaila ousted Carly Munson in the semifinals and outlasted multiple-time USHA National Three-Wall Championships queen Megan Dorneker in the final.
“It felt incredible,” Mikaila would later say. “(Being a mother) really gave me a whole new perspective. I want my son to be able to see how hard I work not only being a good mom for him, but also continue doing the things I love (such as handball). It was really a full circle moment because last year at this tournament I was seven weeks pregnant and it was the last time I really played competitive handball. And now this is my first big tournament back and it feels cool to be able to win it again seeing my son on the sidelines.”
Semifinals
Esser def C. Munson 21-9, 21-1
Dorneker def Hughes 21-9, 21-7
Final: Esser def Dorneker 21-7, 21-17
Follow all of the brackets from the 75th USHA National Three-Wall Championships HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer