The 2015 WPH Outdoor 3-Wall “X” Fest- The Xrossover Revolution and Junior 1-Wall Challenge: Saturday

Junior handball players kicked off the Junior 1-Wall Challenge on Saturday at the Xrossover Revolution, while juniors also enjoyed the second of three days of 3-Wall junior “Mega Clinics” coached by WPH elite superstars Sal Duenas, Timbo Gonzalez, Cartriona Casey, Cianna Ni Churraoin, Ricky Ruiz and David Fink. Thank you for giving back to the game! Saturday also featured the conclusion of men’s and women’s pro small ball, as pro small ball stars and WPH Outdoor stars transitioned to the big ball portion of the “X” Fest and 2015 WPH Outdoor Cup Stop #2 on Saturday evening.

Sean Lenning dominated Saturday’s men’s pro small ball play, dismantling Vic Perez, David Fink and Shorty Ruiz to claim the title. Lenning outscored his three Saturday opponents 66-20 with alarming ease, dominating every facet of the game against his hapless foes. Lenning’s two-way hop serve was nearly unreturnable, and the few returns that were made were punished with fly kills, ceiling shots that were blasted into the bleachers or 80 mile per hour lasers glued to the wall. With his victory, Lenning took the points lead through the small ball portion of the Xrossover Revolution.

Catriona Casey entered the women’s pro small ball as the #3 seed, as she entered her first 3-Wall small ball event. Casey easily defeated WPH Outdoor Women’s #1 Tanisha Groomes in the quarterfinals and allowed just 11 points in a two-game victory over New York’s Sandy Ng in the semifinals. Casey would face her good friend and traveling partner Cianna Ni Churraoin for the second time in seven days in the final. CNC upset top seed Tracy Davis in the quarterfinals and outlasted Danielle Dasksalakis in the semifinals. Casey cruised in game one of the final, needing just six points to clinch a one game lead, 11-3. CNC regrouped in game two, building a seemingly insurmountable 8-2 lead and appearing to be on the verge of forcing a tiebreaker. CNC failed to convert an offensive opportunity that would have stretched her lead to 9-2 and Casey seized the momentum, scoring the final nine points of the match to join Lenning as the leader in the clubhouse in the women’s Xrossover points chase.

Over 30 juniors entered Saturday’s Junior WPH clinic and 1-Wall Challenge, with each junior demonstrating exceptional sportsmanship and outstanding handball acumen. Rolo Ruiz proved he is nearly ready for the pros, as he dominated the 19-and-under singles. Jesus Mendez defeated Danny Vasquez to claim the 15-and-under in one of the best matches of the tournament. Vasquez earned Junior WPH’s highest honor in defeat, the Sportsmanship Award. Eddie Rocha claimed the 11-and-under in another thrilling final. New York’s Jason Ke teamed Jeffrey Barrios to claim the junior doubles. Thank you to all of the junior players for their passion for the game, all of their parents for supporting the event, Marco Coromac for bring “Marcos’ Kids,” and to Mr. and Mrs. “Alley Cat” for running the tournament for over six hours. Wow!

Sunday at the Xrossover Revolution will feature the conclusion of the men’s and women’s pro big ball and the crowning of the men’s and women’s cross over champions.

The 2015 WPH Outdoor 3-Wall “X” Fest- The Xrossover Revolution and Junior 1-Wall Challenge will not be broadcast live, but matches will be filmed and uploaded in the weeks following the event. To follow all of the action from Venice Beach, Like the World Players of Handball on Facebook, follow the WPH on Twitter @wphlive.tv and @dfwph and go to wphlive.tv. To follow all of the draws and scores, click Here>