Day 2: Friday
Day 5: Monday
Minneapolis, MN, WPH Press, 5/29/23
Monday’s Memorial Day conclusion of the 2023 USHA Four Wall Nationals saw Martin Mulkerrins and Catriona Casey complete their open slams, as Mulkerrins teamed with Killian Carroll to defeat Ivan Burgos and Ray Ure in the men’s open doubles final and Casey team with Aisling O’Keefe to win the women’s open doubles round robin.
Men’s Open Doubles
Final: Carroll/Mulkerrins def Burgos/Ure 21-8, 17-21, 11-5
Women’s Open Doubles
Final: Casey/O’Keeffe def Daskalakis/Ruiz 21-16, 21-8
See the list of 2023 USHA Four Wall National Champions below.
National Champions
Singles
Men’s Open: Martin Mulkerrins
Women’s Open: Catriona Casey
Men’s WallBall: Vlad Klym
Juniors 17-and-under: Ayden Brule
35+: Adam Bernhard
40+: Adam Bernhard
45+: Kevin Pettus
50+: George Repine
55+: John Henning
60+: Joe Tierney
65+: David Steinberg
70+: Greg Sizemore
75+: Greg Raya
80+: Robert Braine
Doubles
Men’s Open: Mulkerrins/Carroll
Women’s Open: Casey/O’Keeffe
40+: Garcia/Lopez
50+: McDonald/De La Torre
60+: Garcia/Scogin
65+: Garcia/Scogin
70+: Sizemore/Lohmueller
75+: Fink/Raya
80+: Braine/O’Connor
Watch the matches on the USHA YouTube page HERE
Follow all of the brackets from the 2023 USHA Four Wall Nationals HERE
For much more on the USHA, visit ushandball.org
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Day 4: Sunday
Minneapolis, MN, WPH Press, 5/28/23
Women’s Final: Casey def Tully 21-8, 21-1
Catriona Casey continued her dominance at the USHA Four Wall Nationals, defeating Fiona Tully in two games in a final on U.S. soil for the fourth time since November. Tully pushed Casey in the first part of the first game, matching Casey’s shots and footwork to stay close. Casey’s shot making and consistency proved to be too much as the first game moved into the second half, controlling the action with fist shots to the ceiling and pass shots down the wall. After pulling away in the first game, Casey was in complete control in game two.
Men’s Singles Final: Mulkerrins def Lenning 21-11, 14-21, 11-7
Martin Mulkerrins and Sean Lenning clashed for the third time in two months, with Lenning winning their previous two encounters. Lenning started hot in the first game, scoring four points in his first inning to seize a 4-0 lead before Mulkerrins stepped into the service box. Mulkerrins quickly erased the deficit, ultimately taking a comfortable lead by neutralizing Lenning’s serve and maintaining control of the front court. Mulkerrins stayed in control late in the game, ultimately outscoring Lenning 21-7 after Lenning’s strong start.
Mulkerrins continued to direct traffic in the second game, keeping Lenning behind him and striking kills with his right. Mulkerrins led 10-7 and Lenning appeared to be completely fatigued, but Lenning found a second wind and Martin seemed to feel the pressure of winning his first national title. Lenning erased the deficit with a number of first-strike kills and served for the game at 20-13. Mulkerrins hit a behind the back kill to earn a side out but could not pull closer than fourteen, as Lenning forced the third.
The tiebreaker produced edge-of-your seat drama, with each player desperately trying to win his first USHA Four Wall national title. With the score tied at two, Mulkerrins scored two straight and would not be tied or behind for the rest of the decider. Mulkerrins eventually led 8-4 but did not convert an easy front court opportunity, opening the door for a possible Lenning comeback. Lenning would get as close as two at 7-9, but a second serve return winner from Mulkerrins gave him the serve, an unreturned serve brought Mulkerrins to match point and a right-handed kill ended the match.
Watch the matches on the USHA YouTube page HERE
Follow all of the brackets from the 2023 USHA Four Wall Nationals HERE
For much more on the USHA, visit ushandball.org
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Day 3: Saturday
Minneapolis, MN, WPH Press, 5/27/23
Men’s Semifinals
Martin Mulkerrins ended Diarmaid Nash’s championship reign, avenging his loss to Nash from last year’s final in Portland. Mulkerrins overpowered Nash, never allowing the lefty into rallies to advance to the Nationals final for the fourth time.
Sean Lenning continued his incredible play that has seen him advance to two R48 finals this spring, blitzing Killian Carroll in two games. Lenning has been wreaking havoc on the game’s best players since returning from a hiatus from the game. “I’ve never seen Sean play that good,” stated St. Louis Hinder Club R48 co-tournament director Eric Hillgren. “I’ve watched him since we were Juniors, it was another level. Truly spectacular play. Sean is one the game’s best shot anticipators and he risked it all and committed to every shot, it was remarkable! And Killian was playing good. Sean never hit a wall. I thought Killian might pull away at the end of the second to force a tiebreaker but Sean continued the onslaught of angles only he creates, power and pace, and nasty hops. It was one of the best performances I’ve seen from anyone, anywhere, in any sport. I’m going to watch it back at least 5 times!”
Sunday’s final will guarantee a first time National champion.
Mulkerrins def Nash 21-8, 21-14
Lenning def Carroll 21-7, 21-17
Men’s Final: Mulkerrins vs. Lenning 11 am CST
Women’s Semifinals
Catriona Casey was in control against Brooklyn’s left-handed superstar Danielle Daskalakis, thwarting Danielle’s offense with perfectly placed passes and drives.
Fiona Tully booked her fourth final against Catriona Casey in the last eight months with a two-game sweep against Minnesota State’s Clodagh Munroe.
Casey def Daskalakis 21-8, 21-5
Tully def Munroe 21-8, 21-6
Women’s Final: Casey vs. Tully 10 am CST
Stay tuned for updates from the age divisions and doubles on Sunday and Monday.
Big thanks to Eric Hillgren for his thoughts on the Lenning/Carroll match.
Watch the matches on the USHA YouTube page HERE
Follow all of the brackets from the 2023 USHA Four Wall Nationals HERE
For much more on the USHA, visit ushandball.org
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Minneapolis, MN, WPH Press, 5/26/23
The Men’s and Women’s singles quarterfinals took center stage on Day 2 in Minnesota, with both draws playing down to the final four.
Men’s Round of 8
Defending champion Diarmaid Nash continued his inspired play in defense of his championship, turning away the LAFD’s Vic Perez in two games. Second-seeded Killian Carroll faced current collegiate national champion Shane Dunne for the second time in three weeks, edging the prodigy in a razor-close first game and dominating in the second.
Martin Mulkerrins was impressive in bouncing countryman Peter Funchion in two games, while Sean Lenning continued to shoot the lights out in his first encounter with Mark Doyle.
The top four seeds will clash on Saturday for a spot in Sunday’s final.
Nash def Perez 21-13, 21-4
Mulkerrins def Pet. Funchion 21-16, 21-6
Lenning def Doyle 21-11, 21-5
Carroll def Dunne 21-20, 21-0
Men’s Semifinals (Saturday, all times CST)
Nash vs. Mulkerrins 11 am
Carroll vs. Lenning 12 pm
Women’s Round of 8
Catriona Casey advanced to Saturday’s semifinals by sweeping St. Louis’s Suz Entzeroth, while second-seeded Fiona Tully blitzed UT’s Kristen Hughes to advance to the final four.
Clodagh Munroe and Ashley Ruiz met for the third time this year in the third quarterfinal, with the pair splitting their first two matchups. Ruiz was on the verge of securing the rubber match, serving with match point in the second, but could not convert. Ruiz also served with match point in the third but was denied again, as Munroe escaped with the best comeback win of the event.
Danielle Daskalakis was impressive in defeating Aisling O’Keeffe to advance to Saturday’s semifinals.
Casey def Entzeroth 21-1, 21-0
Tully def Hughes 21-7, 21-1
Daskalakis def O’Keeffe 21-3, 21-5
Munroe def Ruiz 11-21, 21-20, 11-10
Women’s Semifinals (Saturday, all times CST)
Casey vs. Daskalakis 10 am
Tully vs. Munroe 11 am
Watch the matches on the USHA YouTube page HERE
Follow all of the brackets from the 2023 USHA Four Wall Nationals HERE
For much more on the USHA, visit ushandball.org
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer
Day 1: Thursday
Minneapolis, MN, WPH Press, 5/25/23
The 72nd USHA Four Wall Nationals kicked off on Thursday at University of Minnesota Recreation and Wellness Center in Minneapolis, MN. Defending champion Diarmaid Nash headlined the Men’s Open Singles draw that featured thirty-one players from across the U.S., Canada, and Ireland. Joining Nash were Killian Carroll, Martin Mulkerrins, Sean Lenning, and a number of challengers poised to make a run at the title.
Round of 16
Nash was sharp starting his defense of his title, dropping the Olympic Club’s Loren Collado in two games, while Killian Carroll ousted his junior rival Niall O’Connor in two games. Third-seeded Sean Lenning blitzed Ireland’s Paddy Funchion in two games, fourth-seed Martin Mulkerrins defeated L.A. ‘s Dylan Hernandez in two games, and Vic Perez continued his impressive comeback with a two-game sweep against Ireland’s David Walsh.
Current collegiate national champion Shanne Dunne advanced to the quarterfinals in his first Nationals start by defeating Stephen Cooney, while 2023 R48 Rookie of the Year Mark Doyle defeated Shorty Ruiz for the second time in two months to advance to his first Nationals quarterfinal. Peter Funchion was impressive in overcoming collegiate All-American Ray Ure in two games.
Men’s Round of 16
Nash def Collado 21-7, 21-3
Carroll def O’Connor 21-10, 21-1
Lenning def Pad. Funchion 21-9, 21-5
Mulkerrins def Hernandez 21-8, 21-4
Pet. Funchion def Ure 21-15, 21-15
Doyle def Ruiz 21-12, 21-17
Dunne def Cooney 21-8, 21-12
Perez def Walsh 21-13, 21-6
Men’s Round of 8 (Friday, all times CST)
Nash vs. Perez 11 am
Mulkerrins vs. Pet. Funchion 11 am
Lenning vs. Doyle 12 pm
Carroll vs. Dunne 12 pm
The Women’s Open Singles draw will commence on Friday, with Catriona Casey and Fiona Tully headlining a field of veterans and rising stars.
The age bracket and skill level divisions kicked off on Thursday, with the 273 entered players playing through Monday at the University of Minnesota.
Stay tuned to this thread throughout the week for updates from the 72nd USHA Four Wall Nationals.
Watch the matches on the USHA YouTube page HERE
Follow all of the brackets from the 2023 USHA Four Wall Nationals HERE
For much more on the USHA, visit ushandball.org
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer