Sampras
Fink
Registered: 03/16/07
Posts: 1,203
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| | 01/29/12 at 07:32 AM | Reply with quote | #1 |
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Super Saturday outside of Hotlanta highlighted the top three players on the tour and the sixth-ranked rising superstar from Ireland. Handball fans were treated to three incredibly high level and dramatic matches.
The first semifinal was a battle between top ranked Sean Lenning against Race points leader Luis Moreno. Lenning captured his first Race Title in the last stop, and Moreno was bidding for his third Race Title in five events. Moreno and Lenning are virtual mirrors of one another, and their similar styles produced sensational rallies. Moreno captured game one by capitalizing on a number of Lenning errors and a dominating two-way hop serve. Moreno built a comfortable game two lead, and with an incredible 30-foot left handed rollout, Moreno was two points from the final at 23-19. Lenning refused to yield, and scored six consecutive points to force the decisive third game. Moreno seized the momentum in the middle of the tiebreaker by consistently blasting passing shot with both hands. Moreno earned his third Race finals appearance in five events with a 25-22, 23-25, 25-18 victory.
Second-ranked Naty Alvarado faced the streakiest player on the Race For 8 Tour in a rematch of a quarterfinal clash in Race Stop #1 won by Alvarado. Shanks held a match point in their Race Stop #1 match before succumbing to Alvarado, and Shanks was prepared to avenge that heartbreaking defeat in Atlanta. Alvarado controlled the action throughout most of the match with deep-court offense and front-court guile. Alvarado was too explosive in the later stages of both games, and clinched his third Race Finals birth with a convincing 25-18, 25-18 win.
Alvarado and Moreno renewed their heated rivalry in a classic matchup between the 38 year-old elegant shotmaker and the 22 year-old natural. Moreno overwhelmed a sluggish Alvarado in game one with his incredible agility and power. Alvarado was unable to find his rhythm or footwork necessary to capitalize on his offensive opportunities, and Moreno claimed game one 25-21. Alvarado was poised to claim his first Race Title, and forced a tiebreaker with a number of rally-ending kills and aces. Moreno remained poised and fresh in the tiebreaker, and took advantage of the 38 year-old's aging legs. Moreno dominated game three to claim his third Race Title, and solidify his spot atop the Race standings.
Thank you to Pat Boyd, the USHA, and the WPH for all of their efforts in making this event so successful. Tune into raceforeightlive.com for Race Stop #6 in Salt Lake City in three weeks.
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Sampras
Fink
Registered: 03/16/07
Posts: 1,203
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| | 01/29/12 at 08:22 PM | Reply with quote | #2 |
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5th Place Playoff:
TBB def. Fink 25-12, Chapman def. Cordova 25-18
TBB def. Chapman 4-0 fft.
9th Place Playoff:
Morales def. MDB 25-16, Peixoto def. Little 25-18
Peixoto def. Morales 25-5
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scherz
Registered: 06/18/07
Posts: 1,180
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| | 01/30/12 at 08:24 AM | Reply with quote | #3 |
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who took the pictures? Those are pheeenomenal. Was the camera an SLR? The pic of Luis stretching to his right is neatorama.
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WimbleDotte. The handball player factory. |
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DV
WPH Exec Dir
Registered: 03/21/08
Posts: 1,571
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| | 01/30/12 at 08:30 AM | Reply with quote | #4 |
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We used Omar Lemus' $5k Cannon. Ashley Moler was the sideline reporter and photographer. We have a talented bunch. Very proud of Ashley.
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scherz
Registered: 06/18/07
Posts: 1,180
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| | 01/30/12 at 09:48 AM | Reply with quote | #5 |
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Oh. Now that you mention it was Ashley, I'm not impressed.
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WimbleDotte. The handball player factory. |
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scherz
Registered: 06/18/07
Posts: 1,180
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| | 01/30/12 at 09:49 AM | Reply with quote | #6 |
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Wait. Cannon or Canon? Because the former would be a bit more badass.
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WimbleDotte. The handball player factory. |
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DV
WPH Exec Dir
Registered: 03/21/08
Posts: 1,571
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