WPH New Orleans Race

Sunday at the R48 6 New Orleans ‘17

New Orleans, LA, WPH Press, 2/19/17- The World Players of Handball and the New Orleans Handball Community presented the finals of the fourth stop of the Race 4 Eight season from New Orleans, as the Race 4 Eight superstars continued their quests for Race 4 Eight crystal and jockeyed for the top spot in the Race 4 Eight Power Rankings.

Race 4 Eight Final: Carroll vs. Fink

Killian Carroll and David Fink were both making their third appearances in a Race 4 Eight final, with Carroll having lost his first at last years New Orleans stop and winning his second at the 2016 WPH R48 Player’s Championship. Fink was appearing in his third consecutive final and still in search of his first title, having lost to Mando Ortiz in Minnesota and Luis Moreno at the Plummer Bash. The finals showdown marked the first matchup between the Race 4 Eight stars, with the winner of the final moving to #2 on the WPH Power Rankings and moving to within striking distance of #1.

Fink was on fire to start the match, rolling out ball from virtually every spot on the court en route to an 11-minute first game romp. Fink continued to apply pressure in the second, building a 12-9 lead and standing just three points from his first R48 title. A costly error handed Carroll the serve and another back wall right-handed error by Fink changed the momentum of the match completely. “That huge setup with my right off the back wall is something I practice in the court by myself four times a week for moments just like that one,” stated Fink. “I knew if I converted that shot I’d be two points from the match and serving but I think I just got ahead of myself and shanked it.” Carroll seized control of the second game from there, finding his range on his serve and scoring the final six points of the game to force a tiebreaker.

Carroll continued to charge in game three, using a perfect ceiling game and v pass shots to keep Fink in the deep court and off balance. Carroll led 9-3 when Fink found his rhythm again, scoring five quick points to cut the deficit to just one. Carroll was unfazed, rattling off three aces and three kills to win the match and his second R48 title.

Carroll def Fink 2-15, 15-12, 15-8

Playoff Finals

5^th Place Final: D. Cordova vs. Perez

Daniel Cordova avenged his Player’s Championship 5^th place final loss to Vic Perez by defeating the LAAC superstar in the New Orleans final, using his dominating serve and power hops to keep Perez off balance and in the back court.

9^th Place Final: L. Cordova vs. Iglesias

Jonathan Iglesias had as little difficulty as possible in defeating Mardi Gras’ attendant Luis Cordova, wining the shortest match in R48 Playoff history.

17^th Place Final: Gaulton vs. Chu

Canada’s Michael Gaulton became the youngest ranked player in the history of the Race 4 Eight tour, winning 17^th place with impressive victories againt Russell Kenworthy, Michael Morgan, and Matt Chu. Congratulations to the Newfoundland man!

New Orleans ’17 R48 Finishes

1^st: Carroll

2^nd: Fink

tied 3^rd: Ortiz/Moreno

5^th:  D. Cordova

6^th:  Perez

tied 7^th:  Chavez/Nett

9^th: Iglesias

10^th: L. Cordova

tie 11^th: Bowler/Montijo

tied 13^th: Pesch/Peixoto/Bernhard/Ruiz

17^th: Michael Gaulton

Updated R48 Power Rankings: Post R48 6 Plummer Stop #3

Ortiz (38)

Carroll (32.5)

Fink (31)

Lenning (30.5)

Brady (26)

Peixoto (21.5)

D. Cordova (16.5)

Perez (15.5)

L. Cordova (15)

Iglesias (14)

Chavez (10.5)

Updated R48 6 Points Standings

Ortiz (27) 9-2

Fink (26) 9-3

Moreno (23) 9-4

Carroll (16)

Peixoto (15) 7-5

Lenning (14.5) 6-5

Perez (12) 4-4

D. Cordova (12) 7-6

L. Cordova (11.5) 6-3

McCarthy (10) 4-0

Nett (10) 5-5

JR WPH New Orleans Clinic

JR WPH proudly hosted an instructional clinic for the JR WPH sponsored University of West Florida Argonauts Handball Club at the 2017 New Orleans Race 4 Eight Mardi Gras Open. WPH Coaches David Fink and Daniel Cordova led the clinic, with the Elite 8 pros teaching the enthusiastic college students the proper footwork and swing for the power serve and the right corner kill. Following the demonstration by Coach Cordova, the UWF team played a skills competition trying to hit targets on the serve and kill shot. Each of the collegiate handballers then had the opportunity to play singles points with R48 #7 Daniel Cordova. “This group of players was one of the most eager and appreciative groups we’ve ever taught on the R48 tour,” stated Coach Fink. “You could see each player soaking in the information and really trying to apply it.”

Thanks!

Thank you to New Orleans tournament director Bob Caluda for another outstanding Nola Mardi Gras Open. Thank you also to the entire WPH staff and film crew for their tireless efforts in bringing the 2017 R48 Nola Mardi Gras Open to hundreds of thousands of homes across the world. Catch the Race 4 Eight 6 Stop #5 Houston March 3^rd-5^th with weekend coverage on ESPN3.

To watch replays of the 2017 Race 4 Eight 6 New Orleans, go to the ESPN App ESPNApp (here), as the WPH continues its electrifying handball coverage for the third consecutive season on the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

For more information on the R48 6 Stop #4 Mardi Gras Open, including starting times, brackets, and results, click here

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

Saturday at the R48 6 New Orleans ‘17

New Orleans, LA, WPH Press, 2/18/17- The World Players of Handball and the New Orleans Handball Community presented an electrifying Saturday at WPH Race 4 Eight 6 Stop #4 & Mardi Gras Open on Friday, featuring the Race 4 Eight quarterfinal and semifinal rounds from the Elmwood Fitness Center, just a few miles from New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Round of 8

Fink vs. Perez

David Fink and Vic Perez kicked off an exciting quarterfinal morning on Saturday, with the two Race 4 Eight veterans pushing one another to the limit in a three-game classic. Perez entered his fourth quarterfinal in his last six R48 starts with an 0-5 R48 record against Fink but played like the favorite in game one, building an 8-4 lead and scoring the final eight points of the game after a Fink comeback. “I was just feeling good off the back wall and my shots were coming off,” stated Perez.

Fink seized the momentum in game two, building a 9-3 lead by playing more aggressively. ”I knew I had to start fly killing and taking advantage of my opportunities,” stated Fink. Fink closed out game two with two flat kills with his right and started quickly in the third game. Fink built a 7-0 lead and completed his comeback with an array of left-handed kills. “I felt really strong in the first game but my shots just weren’t staying down and Vic made a lot of great shots,” stated Fink. “I just wanted to trust my fitness and keep the pressure on him and that’s what I did.”

Ortiz vs. Nett

Mando Ortiz and Andy Nett met for the second time this season, with Ortiz crushing Nett in their first encounter in the quarterfinals in Minnesota. Saturday’s match would be anything but a blowout, as Nett and Ortiz thrilled the large Nola galleries with power handball. Nett was on the verge of taking game one after 35 minutes of sensational action, leading 14-13 with an opening off the back wall. The Minnesota Dreamboat was unable to convert the opening and Ortiz scored the final three points of the game to take a one-game lead. Game two was also close throughout, with Ortiz able to pull away late to advance to his third semifinal of the season.

Carroll vs. D. Cordova

Killian Carroll returned to New Orleans for the second time after making the finals in last year’s Mardi Gras Open. Carroll was precise and clinical in game one, needing just 12 minutes to close out Cordova in game one. Carroll continued to steamroll in game two, building a 12-5 lead and closing out Cordova 15-10.

“Killian just has such great movement and he really uses his pass shots well,” stated Cordova.

“I wouldn’t say I’m playing the best I’ve ever played but I’m playing consistent and not just running around and retrieving,” stated Carroll.

Moreno vs. Chavez

Luis Moreno continued his Race 4 Eight mastery of 42-year old SR48 #1, extending his Race 4 Eight record to 3-0 against Chavez in a routine two-game sweep. “I’ve been spending more time practicing and doing cross fit and just trying to get back to where I was,” stated Moreno. “My body feels good and I’m really hungry to play well right now.”

Ortiz def Nett 16-14, 15-12

Fink def Perez 9-15, 15-8, 15-3

Carroll def D. Cordova 15-2, 15-10

Moreno vs. Chavez 15-8, 15-3

Semifinals

Fink vs. Ortiz

David Fink met R48 #1 Mando Ortiz for the second time this season, with Ortiz taking down Fink in a tiebreaker in the finals of the R48 6 Stop #2 Minnesota. Fink started hot in the first game, building a 10-0 lead with six ace serves and crisp kills. Fink closed out the first game and continued to surge in game two, building a 6-0 lead and seemingly just minutes from his third R48 final. Ortiz changed his game, began serving left-handed and rattled off 10 consecutive points. Undeterred, Fink regained his form from early in the first two games and scored the final nine points of the match to advance to the final. “My serves were really good and I was attacking the ball really well,” stated Fink. “I felt great in the court and I’m very excited to play in the final tomorrow.”

Carroll vs. Moreno

Killian Carroll and Luis Moreno met for the third time in the Race 4 Eight, with the pair splitting their first two matches last season. Carroll started terribly, making 12 unforced errors in a first-game blowout. “Luis just kept him off balance with power and hops,” stated R48 #1 Mando Ortiz.

Moreno led 4-2 in game two, but Carroll found his game, eliminated his errors, and seized the momentum to force the tiebreaker.

Moreno appeared to be in control in the tiebreaker, taking an 8-4 lead, but a costly left-handed miss from the short line opened the door for Carroll, who took full advantage. Carroll tracked down most of Moreno’s kills and passes for the remainder of the match, scoring 11 of the final 12 points of the match to advance to his first final of the season and third final of his R48 career. “I had to tell myself to slow down my mind and keep my eye on the ball,” stated Carroll in reference to his slow start. “I was having difficulty with the walls but I suppose I adjusted.”

Fink def Ortiz 15-4, 15-10

Carroll def Moreno 5-15, 15-5, 15-9

Final (Sunday on ESPN3 at 11:30 am cst): Carroll vs. Fink

Playoffs

9^th Place

Luis Cordova advanced in the upper bracket 9^th place playoff with victories against Shorty Ruiz and Abraham Montijo, while Jonathan Iglesias ousted Adam Bernhard and Ryan Bowler to advance to the final in the bottom bracket

5^th Place

Daniel Cordova overwhelmed Marcos Chavez in the semifinals of the 5^th place playoff, avenging his loss to the SR48 #1 from last month’s Plummer Bash to advance to Sunday’s 5^th place final. Vic Perez earned his first win against Andy Nett in four meetings to meet Cordova in the final.

Watch Sunday’s Race 4 Eight final and R48 Playoff finals from The Big Easy live on the ESPN App ESPNApp starting at 10 am central time (here), as the WPH continues its electrifying handball coverage for the third consecutive season on the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

For more information on the R48 6 Stop #4 Mardi Gras Open, including starting times, brackets, and results, click here

Editor’s Note:  WPH R48Pro Tour, Powered by ESPN airs the indoor 4 Wall Handball Finals from New Orleans (Sunday, February 19th): (All times Central)

10am – 9th place final – Luis Cordova vs Jonathan Iglesias
10:45am – 5th place final – Vic Perez vs Daniel Cordova
11:30am – Elite Men’s Final – David Fink vs Killian Carroll

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer

Friday at the R48 6 New Orleans ‘17

New Orleans, LA, WPH Press, 2/17/17- The World Players of Handball and the New Orleans Handball Community were thrilled to kickoff the WPH Race 4 Eight 6 Stop #4 & Mardi Gras Open on Friday, featuring the Race 4 Eight’s Elite 8, as well as qualifiers from Texas, New York, California, Louisiana, Minnesota, Arizona, and Canada

Qualifier

Shorty Ruiz played with intensity and precision in dismantling current 17-and-under national champion Michael Gaulton to qualify, while Adam Bernhard struggled to advance against vastly improving Matt Chu to qualify for the first time this season. Andy Nett, Ryan Pesch, Ryan Bowler, and Abraham Montijo easily advanced in their qualifier finals to move into the round of 16.

Round of 16

Mando Ortiz struggled but advanced against second time qualifier Ryan Bowler, needing 58 minutes to win both games. “I felt really good in there,” stated Canada’s top R48 pro Ryan Bowler. “I felt like I was battling and giving him a hard match.”

Former college roommates Vic Perez and Jon Iglesias met for the second time this season, with Perez taking their first encounter in a tiebreaker at Plummer. Perez blitzed his former bunkmate in game one, but found himself trailing 3-9 in game two. Perez methodically climbed back into the game on the heels of sensational rallying and bottom-board kills to serve for the match at 14-11. Iglesias saved the first match point and tied the score at 14 but was unable to climb the mountain, succumbing 16-14 in overtime. Perez clinched his fourth quarterfinal finish in his last sox starts.

Killian Carroll was virtually flawless in taking down Minnesota’s Ryan Pesch, making just one error in the 23-minute match.

Luis Moreno continued the stellar play that saw him win his 10^th R48 title at Plummer three weeks ago, dominating game one and overcoming a 2-7 deficit in game two to take down junior rival and 3WallBall world champion Shorty Ruiz.

David Fink faced percentage handball specialist Adam Bernhard, with Fink seeking his third consecutive R48 final. Bernhard played even with Fink throughout the grueling 67-minute battle, losing a close game one and leading 11-6 in game two before Fink reeled off nine consecutive points with diving re kills and back wall rollouts. “I don’t know how Adam isn’t in the top eight,” stated an impressed Fink after the match. “It felt like the only way I could score was making diving kills. I thought the second game was over after he scored seven points in a row to take the 11-6 lead.”

Daniel Cordova faced former Southwest rival Abe Montijo in a battle of 20-somethings. The first game was close throughout, with neither player able to build more than a three-point lead. Montijo earned a big setup to score his 15^th point but just missed, allowing Cordova to come into the server’s box at 14-all. Cordova ended the first game with a kill and an ace and cruised in game two. “His serve just keeps me off-balance,” stated Montijo. “I had good runs when I was serving but his serve was the difference.”

Luis Cordova dominated 40-something veteran superstar Marcos Chavez in game one and appeared to be en route to a quick two-game victory. Chavez turned the tables in game two, forcing a tiebreaker with an equally dominant second game win. Chavez built a 9-1 tiebreaker lead and held off a Cordova rally to punch his ticket to his second straight R48 quarterfinal. “Did you see some of those shots!” exclaimed a thrilled Chavez. “I was feeling it!”

The marquee match of the day pitted Elite 8 staple Emmett Peixoto against surging comeback player of the year contender Andy Nett. Peixoto entered the clash as the only player on the R48 6 tour to finish inside the top five in all three stops this season, but “The Rock” found himself trailing 12-4 in game one. Peixoto rallied, scoring the final 11 points of the game to steal a one-game lead. Tied at seven in game two, Peixoto paid a visit to the trashcan to throw up and returned sluggish and a half step slower. Nett served for the game at 14-11 and needed four serves to close out game two and force a tiebreaker. Nett and Peixoto traded six side outs before a point was scored in a tiebreaker. Nett eventually led 4-2 before a Peixoto raced to an 8-4 and 12-5 advantage. Nett fought back, scoring six of the next eight points to close within two when Peixoto lunged and tweaked his back on the 31^st shot of the 11-13 rally. Peixoto took a 15-minute injury timeout but was barely able to swing following the break. Nett served for the match at 14-13 and ultimately closed out the thriller, 16-14.

Ortiz def Bowler 15-8, 15-10

Nett def Peixoto 12-15, 15-13, 16-14

Perez def Iglesias 15-2, 16-14

Fink def Bernhard 15-9, 15-11

Carroll def Pesch 15-3, 15-0

D. Cordova def Montijo 16-14, 15-11

Chavez def L. Cordova 4-15, 15-6, 15-8b

Moreno def Ruiz 15-1, 15-10

Quarterfinal matchups (Saturday morning on ESPN3)

Ortiz vs. Nett

Fink vs. Perez

Carroll vs. D. Cordova

Moreno vs. Chavez

Watch Saturday’s matches from The Big Easy live on the ESPN App ESPNApp starting at 10 am central time (here), as the WPH continues its electrifying handball coverage for the third consecutive season on the Worldwide Leader in Sports.

For more information on the R48 6 Stop #4 Mardi Gras Open, including starting times, brackets, and results, click here

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer