Latest News
Denver Mile High Open
August 4, 2024
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photos by Maripa
Thank you to LPRT pro, Erika Manilla, for hosting a fabulous event to kick off our 2024-2025 season! Thank you to Matt Melsteer, the Manilla Family, and all the volunteers who ran a smooth and fun tournament at the Denver Athletic Club. And of course, many thanks to all the sponsors who made this event possible, we would not be there without your support.
2023-2024 Season Ending Rankings
June 10, 2024
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In her 11th professional season, Maria Jose Vargas (ARG) captured her first career pro title. She finished the season #1 after winning 5 events, and making 2 semis. Paola Longoria (MEX) finished at #2 for the season, winning 3 events, making 1 other final and 4 semis. Montse Mejia (MEX) and Alexandra Herrera round out the top 4, respectively.
2023-2024 Season Player Awards
June 10, 2024
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LPRT fans were asked to vote for their favorite athletes of the season. Thousands of votes were cast and all players in the Top 20 were in the race, but in the end, Montse Mejia was awarded this season's "Fan Favorite" award."
Kelani Lawrence (USA), who started this season ranked #14, earned the "Most Improved Athlete" award after climbing up to #5 headed into Battle at the Beach, and then finished with a career high season-ending rank at #6.
For the first time in her 11-year career, Maria Jose Vargas (ARG) finished with a season-ending #1 title. Vargas was awarded the "Player of the Year" award.
Congratulations to the winners of the LPRT Player Awards for the 2023-2024 Season!
Season Finale Upsets and Excitement
June 8, 2024
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The 2023-2024 season came to an end in June. The finale included exciting tiebreakers, upsets, and a few season ending player awards to round out the competition. Paola Longoria (MEX) dominated the singles draw without dropping a game. Montse Mejia (MEX) and Alexandra Herrera (MEX) clinched their almost perfect run, 6 out of 7 titles, to finish the season decisively the #1 doubles team.
The LPRT would like to thank Battle at the Beach tournament director, Malia Bailey, for hosting another great event. Thank you also to Justin Carpenter and Bill Milbach for all you did to make the event a success. Our gratitude goes out to all the sponsors who made the event possible, including Invicta Security Services – Presenting Sponsor, Joreth Consulting – Presenting Sponsor, Fleet Valet Services - Presenting Sponsor, Jeff Wagner, Excel Paving, Greg Giordano, Tidewater Landworks, and Spencart Properties.
Vargas takes Season 5th in Greenville, SC
May 18, 2024
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Maria Jose Vargas (ARG) earned another title at Greenville, South Carolina’s Sweet Caroline Open, her 5th for the 2023-2024 season. She fought off a comeback from Paola Longoria (MEX) to win 11-10 in the tiebreaker, Longoria was down 10-5. In doubles action, the duo of Montse Mejia (MEX) and Alexandra Herrera (MEX) took home another trophy, solidifying why they are the #1 ranked doubles players.
The LPRT would like to thank the team that hosted the 2024 Sweet Caroline Open, it was another fantastic event. Thank you to South Carolina Racquetball President Jacob Varughese along with James Stone, Kooper Pablo-Keita Buchanan, Jerry J Josey Jr., Maria Renee Rodríguez, Matt Dersch, Josh Osborne, Holli Snyder Meindl, Amber Ritacco, Brittany Bracket, Amy Farmer, and Geoff Goldberg. Thank you to the host site Sportsclub Greenville for supporting racquetball. And a big shout out to Mrs. Watkins for supplying the event with her world-famous banana pudding.
LPRT Battle at the Alamo 2024
April 28, 2024
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T. J. Baumbaugh
The LPRT returned to San Antonio, Texas in April for another epic season battle. Maria Jose Vargas (ARG) returned to the winner’s circle after a victory over Montse Mejia (MEX) in an intense tiebreaker final. This was Vargas’ 4th title this season. Although Mejia’s loss was a heartbreaker (she had a big lead in the tiebreaker), she moved back up to the #2 ranking position. Mejia fell to #3 recently, after finishing the 2022-2023 at #1. In doubles action, the #1 ranked team of Mejia and partner Alexandra Herrera (MEX) added another title to their resume. In the final, they fought off the team of Carla Munoz (CHI) and Michelle Key (USA), after Munoz/Key upset both the #3 and #2 seed teams to get there.
Thank you to the Alamo City Racquetball Association and Mike Cantu for welcoming the LPRT back to Texas. And thank you to sponsors San Rios (Sandy Rios), Splathead (Joe Hall), and Dean Schear for your continued support.
Boston Open 2024
March 4, 2024
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Dr. Tim Baghurst
The seventh edition of the LPRT Boston Open did not disappoint. The top three seeds, Montse Mejia, Maria Jose Vargas, and Paola Longoria, entered the tournament with a chance to go home as world number one. Montse Mejia was largely untroubled on her way to the final, facing some stiff tests but not dropping a game to get there. The matchup circled on most calendars would have been Vargas vs Longoria in the semifinal on the other side of the bracket. While Vargas has been on a hot streak of success over the last several months, Longoria put it all together to take out the number two seed in two straight games. The relatively slow courts appeared to favor Longoria's more controlled and patient game.
The final was a tense affair between the current number one in Mejia and the player she had replaced. Like the recent Mexican National Championships, Longoria reasserted her dominance over Mejia, winning in a tiebreaker 11-8. Mejia will rue the many opportunities she had throughout the match to put away shots from which Longoria benefited. Vargas emerged from Boston as the new world number one based on points earned over the past year.
Vargas Wins 3rd Straight at ASU
January 15, 2024
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The Arizona Open presented by The Madison Trust was an exciting event for the LPRT. Maria Jose Vargas earned her 3rd straight singles title, Montse Mejia and Alexandra Herrera added another doubles title to their resume, and many high school volleyball players stopped to watch, and cheer, for professional racquetball!
Thank you to Coach Winterton for making the event happen, to presenting sponsor The Madison Trust (Dan Parker) for your support, and to Tournament Director Sean Davis for running a stellar event. Thank you to all of the sponsors and volunteers who made the event a success: The Madison Trust, Granite Dude, Mattfield Family, CTS Ceramic Tile Services, Winterton Racquetball, Boyer Design, Tempe Tourism, FixMyRacquet, Farmers Insurance, Burrito Express, The Eismann Group, Paradise Windows. And a special thank you to the outstanding hospitality provided by Susie, Lori, and Michelle, we loved it!
31st Annual Christmas Classic
December 11, 2023
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This very special event was one of the warmest, friendliest events of the season. It was a celebration of the holidays, and of the sport, and it showcased the amazing athleticism of the LPRT athletes, but it was also a coming together of the local racquetball community that included new junior players as well as former pros who came out as fans.
The event proceeds went to Frontline Family Foundation (frontlinefamilyfoundation.org), a non profit that grants care and support to veterans, first responders, and their family members to enable them access to the necessary care and treatment they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
Maria Jose Vargas Clinched another title after some close battles and tight tiebreakers, playing some of her best racquetball to date. Montse Mejia and Alexandra Herrera also added to their doubles resume by earning winning another close final.
Famous Glass Court Hosts LPRT Turkey Shoot 2023
November 20, 2023
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Decades of battles have been fought on the famous "fish-bowl" green glass wall court at the famous Glass Court Swim & Fitness Club in Lombard Illinois, and this year's LPRT event was no different. Maria Jose Vargas came out victorious this time earning her 6th career singles title while tough duo Montse Mejia and Alexandra Herrera added another doubles title to their resume.
2023 3WallBall Championships Celebrated on the Vegas Strip
October 3, 2023
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The KWM Gutterman 3Wallball Outdoor Championships was the largest of 3, outdoor major events of 2023. Each year, Tournament Director Mike Coulter and his team construct the outdoor courts for this multi sport event, right in front of the iconic STRAT Hotel. Armatures and Pros competed and then celebrated their victories on the Vegas strip.
LPRT athletes put on a show while capturing the top titles in pro singles, pro doubles, and mixed pro doubles. Matches were streamed live by the LPRT and IRT.
KWM Gutterman World Singles & Doubles Open Championships
August 13, 2023
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T. J. Baumbaugh, Photos by Coach Maripa
Highlands Ranch Rec Center, Highlands Ranch, Colorado – Well over 300 pro and amateur players made their way to Colorado for what was likely the biggest indoor event of the season. The Championships spotlighted both the LPRT and IRT, with special attention to arguably the toughest Mixed Pro draw in racquetball history. Paola Longoria and Conrado Moscosco were double winners on the weekend taking home some heavy hardware, including engraved glass event trophies.
The LPRT would like to extend our sincere thanks to Jim Hiser and his event team for hosting a fun, action packed, and successful event. Our appreciation goes to all of the sponsors who made the event possible, with a special shout out to Title Sponsor Keith Minor of KWM Gutterman.