WPH Press, Tucson, AZ, 3/24/24
The United States Handball Association was proud to present the third annual USHA National Three-Wall Masters Doubles at Clark Park in Tucson, AZ on the fourth weekend in March, featuring 35+, 45+, 55+, 65+, 70+, 75+ nationals doubles brackets, as well as pro doubles brackets with six ranked Race 4 Eight pros.
Pro Doubles
Icebreaker doubles champions and Clark Park “Super Team” Shorty Ruiz and Sam Esser won the pro doubles at the USHA National Three-Wall Masters Doubles, defeating Leo Canales, Jr and Jeff Streibig in a tiebreaker in their opening match and Max Langmack and Ivan Burgos in two games in their second match.
“I guaranteed a win in the pro and the 35’s before this event started,” stated a confident Ruiz.
Masters Doubles
John Bike, Jr. slammed the 45+ and 55+, teaming with the WPH’s Dave Vincent to win the 45’s and former pro tour #2 John Robles to win the 55’s. Vincent double faulted at 20-18 in game one of the 45’s final, ultimately leading to a Team Natale first game win. After falling behind 9-0 in game two, Bike/Vincent rallied with sixteen straight points to take control of the match. Playing in nearly freezing temperatures, Bike/Vincent took game two and after being tied at three in the tiebreaker on the strength of Vincent’s hop serve aces and Bike’s paddle kills and ceiling blasts to claim the title.
“I was looking for people to replace me before we started yesterday,” stated an exhausted Bike, who played five matches during the weekend.
“JB was a total pro in the tiebreaker…..A legend of the game in his upper 50’s playing guys in their 40’s. I’m a fan that got to watch from the server’s box,” stated Vincent.
National Champions
35+: Ruiz/Streibig
45+: Vincent/Bike Jr.
55+: Bike Jr./Robles
65+: Garcia/Martinez
70+: Dyke/Eisenbooth
75+: Deckert/Cambell
Thank you to the USHA’s Matt Krueger and Sam Esser for organizing and hosting an outstanding event at Clark Park.
Follow all of the brackets from the 2024 USHA National Three-Wall Masters Doubles HERE
For more info on the event and the USHA, visit ushandball.org
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer