Tempe, AZ, ASU Campus -
World Intercollegiate Handball Championships
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WPH Collegiate Championshipsby dave fink
The first WPH World Collegiate Championships was a huge success with 123 college handball players enjoying 5 days of great handball in beautiful Tempe, Arizona. All players were treated to an incredible facility on the campus of Arizona State University, and were able to play 4+ matches with the advent of the innovative triple drop-down format.
Every player had access to lessons from World #1 David Chapman, the opportunity to meet and play handball with tournament host and NFL Legend Jake Plummer, watch some of the best players in the world compete in the mens and womens open divisions, and to have their matches webcasted, where thousands of viewers from over 20 different countries tuned into the live handball action each day.
Thanks to the generous contributions from the Mort Leve fund, every player received a free entry to The World Collegiate Handball Championships. Players enjoyed 3 meals each day, and a tremendous banquet and dance on Saturday night. Players and organizers quickly developed camaraderie that will continue to grow the sport and this tournament for many years to come.
The Men's Open featured World #2 Allan Garner, The Blonde Bombshell, from San Antonio City College in San Antonio, Texas, World #3 Luis Moreno, The Natural, from Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona, and top 30 ranked pros Eric Hilgren From Missouri State, and Abe Montijo from the University of Arizona.
The field was incredibly deep, as evidenced by first round upsets of Abe Montijo at the hands of Nicky Anthony, and Iowa's Scottie Moler of Iowa defeated 5th seeded Padraig Mcglinchey.
The semifinals featured #1 seeded Allan Garner against Nicky Anthony, and #2 seed Luis Moreno against Eric Hilgren. Garner and Moreno easily dispatched of their overmatched opponents, proving why they are 2 of the very best players in the world.
The finals was a rematch of the Arizona State Championships, and the semifinal clash at the World Championships, both won by the Blonde Bombshell. Garner started strong in the first game, displaying the all-around game that has earned him to his #2 World Ranking. Relying on his incredible 2-handed power and offense, Garner applied constant pressure to The Natural, maintaining front-court position, and taking advantage of nearly every backwall setup. Garner built a comfortable 20-11 lead in game 1, and looked to be on his way to a relatively easy first game win. The Natural found his stride, and began executing his serves and kills to climb back into the game. Scoring 8 consecutive points, Moreno trailed 19-20, but he narrowly missed a setup with his right hand into the right corner, giving Garner the sideout, and his 5th opportunity to serve out the first game. The Bombshell flat killed a frontcourt setup to avoid a collapse, and took game 1, 21-19.
Moreno appeared to be somewhat discouraged after making a valiant comeback at the end of the game 1. Garner took advantage of a somewhat flat Moreno at the start of game 2, and quickly surged to a 10-0 lead. This lead proved to be insurmountable as the pair traded points for the remainder of the 2rd game. Garner closed out the 2nd game and the match with a trademark right corner kill to capture his 1st WPH World Collegiate Championship.
The Women's Open provided the most exciting match of the tournament, and announced the arrival of 2 future superstars in Women's Handball. Marianna Rushe from CDU, College of Dublin in Dublin, Ireland was seeded 1st, and she breezed into the finals with impressive and lopsided wins over Jaime Mackoul, Emily Mcmahill, and Cara Arsenault. Bailey Chandler from Missouri State in Springfield, Missouri was seeded 2nd, and arrived in the finals behind equally impressive and lopsided victories over Aileen Quinn, Hilary Rushe, and Katie Costelloe. The finals was an incredibly entertaining and competitive showdown between 2 very evenly-matched and athletic young ladies.
Marianna and Bailey dazzled the Arizona State Rec Center Gallery with phenomenal retrieves, incredibly impressive off-hands, and the ability to end rallies with both hands. Trading leads throughout the 1st game, Marianna trailed 13-16 before executing nearly flawless percentage and mistake-free handball, scoring 8 consecutive points to win game 1 21-16.
Maintaining the momentum she seized to capture game 1, Marianna built a seemingly insurmountable lead in game 2. Leading 17-8 and eventually 20-16, Marianna seemed destined to win the WPH Collegiate Championship. Bailey continued to do whatever she could to stay alive, scrambling all over the court to keep balls in play, and applying constant pressure to Marianna. The Irish-woman was clearly feeling the enormity of the moment as she was unable to execute several opportunities to end the match. Bailey completed her improbable late-game rally with a perfectly struck pass shot down the left to win the game 21-20, and forced a tiebreaker for the championship.
Marianna took a short walk outside the Arizona State Rec Center between games, and retuned with the poise of a true champion. Marianna was able to put the game 2 and 5 match point collapse behind her, and executed a revamped gameplan to dominate the tiebreaker. Serving a hard 2-wall serve into the right side glass on the Rec Center's Showcourt, Marianna earned a number of setups on Bailey's service returns, and took full advantage of the opportunities she was given. Bailey was unable to make the adjustments in the tiebreaker, and there would be no comeback for the Missouri State Senior and Team Captain, as Marianna captured the WPH Women's Open World Collegiate Championship 21-16, 20-21, 11-1.
This outstanding event would not have been possible without the diligence and hard work of so many. The WPH must be recognized for running a first-class event. WPH President Fred Lewis put in so many hours organizing the logistics of the week, and WPH Executive Director David Vincent worked tirelessly webcasting the event, setting up each day, and promoting the event. Volunteers Lolita Vincent made sure all of the players were fed throughout the week, Sal Santa Ana ran the tournament desk each day from early morning until late in the evenin. The coaches are the cornerstone of the collegiate tournament because they put in hours every day teaching their players, promoting the sport, and bringing their players to the event. The players were so willing to learn, play, and help throughout the week, and they made the event so much fun for everyone involved.
The event also would not have been possible without the support and generous donations of Jake Plummer and his Foundation, the incredible professionalism of the Arizona State Rec Center Staff, and the vision of everyone involved to make this one of the great handball events of the year.
Tempe, AZ, ASU Campus -
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