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WPH 2021/22 Matches of the Season: The 2022 R48 Aces Player’s Championship

2021/22 Matches of the Season Series: Shorty vs. Collado in Salt Lake City

WPH Showcase, Tucson, AZ

As the 2022 Icebreaker Series and the 2022/23 Race 4 Eight Tour are set to kick off, the WPH is thrilled to introduce WPH 2021/22 Matches of the Season Series, featuring the best match from each of the major stops during the 2021/22 pro handball season.

5th Place Semifinal at the 2022 R48 Aces Player’s Championship: Ruiz vs. Collado

Loren Collado advanced to the round of eight at the 2022 R48 Aces Player’s Championship with a dramatic round of 16 win, while Shorty Ruiz enjoyed his best career season on the tour, ending the season ranked #7. The pair would collide in an early Saturday evening clash, with both aiming for a spot in the 5th place final.

Ruiz raced to a 10-0 lead against Collado, seemingly closing in on the fifth place final. “I got bored and went for a crazy shot at 10-0 and that changed the match,” stated Ruiz. Collado proceeded to score 23 points in a row, standing two points from his best R48 finish.

Fighting the altitude and Collado’s stellar play, Ruiz caught fire with a barrage of aces and paddle kills to tie the score at 23.

After surrendering the lead, Collado finally ended Ruiz’s streak and scored to serve for the match at 24-23. Collado appeared to hit a match-winner from 35-feet with his right hand, a three-inch high laser down the right. Reading the shot, Ruiz left his feet when Collado made contact, diving towards the right corner and paddling an improbable re kill to earn a side out. A demoralized and exhausted Collado could not recover, as Ruiz rode the momentum to three consecutive points to end the match.

5th place semifinal: Ruiz def Collado 26-24

Stay tuned for upcoming WPH 2021/22 Matches of the Season Series features.

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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