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Team Canales/Vollink Take the WPH Pro/A Doubles

WPH Press, Tucson, AZ, 3/16/24

The WPH hosted its second doubles event in four weeks at the Tucson Racquet Club, as tournament director Dr. Ashley Ruiz organized the WPH Tucson Pro/A doubles, pairing six Race 4 Eight pro players with six A players.

Tucson’s Race 4 Eight pros Ivan Burgos, Shorty Ruiz, Sam Esser, Max Langmack and Abraham Montijo were joined by 2023 Race 4 Eight Player’s Championship finalist and current R48 #5 Leo Canales (Phoenix), with Dave Vincent (S. Ruiz), John Henning (esser), James Bardwell (Montijo), Matt Vollink (Canales), Mikaila Esser (Langmack) and Carlos Espinoza (Burgos).

The six teams were divided into two round robin groups, with the winners from each group playing for the title.

Team Canales/Vollink swept Group 1 without dropping a game to advance to the final, while Team Burgos/Espinoza also swept their two opponents in Group 2 to meet Team Canales/Vollink in the final.

Team Canales/Vollink dominated the final, taking the top spot.

“The tournament was fun with some good games,” stated Canales. “Matt and I played well in all our matches. We got off to a big lead in the final but Ivan and Carlos came back and made it close. The second game they were a bit tired and we were able to win in two games.”

Final: Team Canales/Vollink def Team Burgos/Espinoza 15-11, 15-5

“The next WPH doubles event will be in late June,” stated Dr. Ruiz. “It will be a pro auction event – the highest bidder plays with the pro of his/her choice.”

Thank you to all of the players and tournament director Dr. Ashley Ruiz for a great event.

February 2023 WPH Pro/Am Doubles recap HERE

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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