WPH Icebreakers #8: 3-Wall Small Ball Pro Singles
The WPH is proud to present the WPH Icebreaker #8, the eighth official WPH 3-Wall Singles Icebreakers since September of 2020.
“We want to show people that we can safely hold events with all of the COVID protocols in place,” stated WPH Executive Director David Vincent. “We allow a limited number of socially distant fans, while ensuring the players are distanced as much as possible. The Icebreaker is our way of “breaking the ice” during the pandemic and reintroducing pro handball to the world.”
The WPH Icebreaker #8 featured men’s stars Sean Lenning, Killian Carroll, Luis Cordova, David Fink, Abraham Montijo, Shorty Ruiz, Leo Canales, Jr., and Dylan Hernandez in one of the best 3-Wall draws in history competing at Tucson’s Clark Park in Tucson.
The field shrunk to four, as Lenning and Fink advanced in the upper bracket and Ruiz and Carroll advanced in the bottom bracket.
Icebreaker #8 Quarterfinal recap HERE
Men’s Semifinal #1: Sean Lenning vs. David Fink
Sean Lenning entered his first Icebreaker as the 11-time defending 3-Wall national champion, while David Fink entered his fourth Icebreaker undefeated in Icebreaker action, having won his first three Icebreaker events.
Lenning blitzed Fink in the opening game, starting with six consecutive ace serves and continuing his torrid pace in the 150-second game. Fink served just twice, as Lenning served the second bagel in Icebreaker history.
Lenning continued to cruise early in game two, building a 4-1 lead. Fink finally worked his way into the game, finding his serve and first-strike kill, scoring 13 of the next 14 points to take a 14-5 lead. An exhausted Lenning mounted a charge, ultimately stalling at nine, as Fink forced a third game.
Lenning started fast in the third, rattling off aces and corner kills. Fink was never able to apply pressure, falling for the first time in Icebreaker action, as Lenning advanced to the final.
Final: Lenning def Fink 15-0, 9-15, 15-7
Men’s Semifinal #2: Shorty Ruiz vs. Killian Carroll
Shorty Ruiz entered his third Icebreaker in search of his first title, having lost in the finals of his first two Icebreaker appearances. Killian Carroll has held the Race 4 Eight #1 ranking since the spring of 2017, but had never entered a major 3-Wall event.
Ruiz’s lifetime of 3-Wall experience appeared to be a huge advantage throughout most of game one, as Ruiz blasted fist shots to the ceiling, sending Carroll 65-70 feet from the front wall. Unlike virtually every other player, Carroll not only tracked down the ceiling drives, but recovered for the next shot.
“I kept telling myself that I need to run back further for those ceiling shots, but I wasn’t running back as far as I should have,” stated Carroll after the match.
Carroll’s conditioning stood the test, as the “K Train” appeared to be gaining strength with each long rally. Ruiz held two game points in game one, but was unable to convert, as Carroll hit a punch-fist left-handed return down the left wall to save the first and benefitted from a Ruiz error on the second. Carroll converted his first game point to take a one-game lead.
Ruiz led 11-8 in game two, just as he had done in game two, but saw his lead and momentum evaporate in the 110-degree court. “Don’t play safe!” urged Ruiz fans. Carroll did not give Ruiz a chance to play offense in the second half of the second game, rattling off seven straight points with ace serves and fly kills.
“I just got tired, I need to get in shape,” stated a disappointed Ruiz.
Final: Carroll def Ruiz 17-15, 15-11
Men’s Final: Sean Lenning vs. Killian Carroll
Sean Lenning cruised to the final in the upper bracket in his first Icebreaker, while Carroll adjusted and adapted to the 3-Wall game on the fly en route to his first major 3-Wall final in the bottom bracket. Lenning and Carroll have developed one of the most exciting rivalries in 4-Wall handball in the last few years, and brought that rivalry outside for the first time.
Unlike in his first two matches, Carroll started quickly in the final, earning a quick side out with a left-handed Lenning error and scoring the first three points of the game. Carroll was able to handle a number of Lenning laser serves to the right, allowing the “K Train” to engage in rallies. “Killian is probably the only person in the world who could return those serves,” stated Icebreaker play-by-play announcer Dave Vincent.
Killian sprinkled aces and left-handed first-strike kills to serve for the first game at 14-11, but could not convert, finding himself in overtime for the third consecutive first game of the Icebreaker. Carroll ended Lenning’s three-point streak, and quickly scored two consecutive points to win his third overtime game of the event, adding “Houdini Carroll” to his growing list of nicknames.
Carroll built a 10-2 lead in game two, but Lenning charged back, scoring points in a hurry to climb within striking distance at 10-12. Carroll was able to weather the storm, defeating the current 3-Wall national champion in two games.
“No lead is safe against Sean,” Carroll would later say. “I’m enjoying playing outside because I don’t feel the same pressure as playing 4-Wall. I am learning the game and I can try new things, so I’m having fun.”
Final: Carroll def Lenning 16-14, 15-10
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer