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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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The depth of talent of the current LPRT athletes is arguably the best we have seen in years, and that was highlighted with this year's battle for season end rankings. Mexico leads with 6 players ranked in the top 20, including players holding the 1, 2, and 3 ranking positions. USA edges out Argentina with 4 players in the top 20, verses a respective 3 out the top 20. Bolivia, Guatemala, and Colombia tie with 2 players ranked in the top 20, and to round out that list, Chile has 1 athlete.

The LPRT 2022-2023 season ending event “Battle at the Beach” presented by Invicta
Security Services was full of amazing athleticism, ace serves, and emotions. Montse Mejia
(MEX) not only won the event, but she also finished the season as the new, #1 ranked
player on the LPRT.
In a tearful, heartfelt, post-final interview, Mejia reflected on her #1 accomplishment being a
childhood dream. She said, “I have no words. I am too happy.”
Mejia joins an elite crowd of 13 other women who earned the season-end #1 title. The most
recent of those being Paola Longoria (MEX). Although this was a difficult loss for Longoria,
her recording-setting accomplishments will be celebrated for years to come. Longoria has
earned a record 13 season ending #1 titles (to date), 11 of those titles consecutively.
A big thank you to tournament director and sponsor, Malia Bailey, for bringing the LPRT
back to Virginia. Thank you to presenting sponsor Invicta Security Services for your
repeated support. Thank you to sponsors Joreth Consulting, City Wide Truck and Auto
Sales, LPL Financial, JKB Solutions, Tidewater Landworks, Spencart Properties, Gene Fry, Malcolm Dailey-Costco, Greg Giordano, and Sunshine Arterburn.

Exciting upsets, tiebreakers, and southern hospitality were all included in the 7th Annual Sweet Caroline Open. This premier charity and athletic event, which showcased the LPRT, raised funds for two local charities this year: Carolina COPS https://carolinacops.org/ and Front Porch Housing https://frontporchhousing.org/.
Fans were packed in for the finals at the Sportsclub Greenville to watch Gaby Martinez (GUA) storm through a difficult pro draw to take her second pro title of her young career. Then they stayed to witness the winningest doubles team in LPRT history, Samantha Salas (MEX) and Paola Longoria (MEX) add another belt to their titles.

The Battle at the Alamo has been four years in the making and it was no surprise that the women’s pro draw was larger than any pro stop outside of the US Open. Jessica Parrilla (MEX) and Erika Manilla (USA) were both tested early on by juniors trying to make their mark but came through the early rounds. Upsets were prevalent in the round of 16. A win by Valeria Centallas (ARG) over Alexandra Herrera (MEX) in the round of 16 following an upset by Brenda Laime (BOL) over six seed Natalia Mendez to make the quarterfinals. Maria Jose Vargas (ARG) caused an upset, on paper anyway, over Jessica Parrilla, and Samantha Salas (MEX) shocked Angelica Barrios (BOL).

The Boston Open continued the trend of 2022-2023 season: the season of upsets. Thirteen seeded Valeria Centellas (ARG) started the drama when she defeated her doubles partner and four seed Natalia Mendez (ARG) in the round of 16 for the first time on tour. Of the eight matches in the round of 16, four were upsets by seed. In the bottom half of the draw, second and third seeds Montserrat Mejia (MEX) and Erika Manilla (USA) both advanced to the semifinals. However, in the upper half, 12 seed Maria Jose Vargas (ARG) continued her fine form after time away for family and advanced to the semifinals.
Also in the upper half, world number one Paola Longoria (MEX) looked to be in cruise control early against Angelica Barrios (BOL) taking game one and leading in game two. But Barrios found some momentum and ensured that the most dominant female player over the last dozen years went home without a singles title again this season. This must be the hardest season Longoria has had on tour, and the invincibility that she once seemed to hold over others on tour has faded.

The Sun Devil’s Fitness Complex at Arizona State University always produces some surprising results. This weekend's LPRT event presented by HD Solutions, LLC was no exception, with tiebreakers and upsets busting fantasy brackets early. Perhaps it was a few months respite in the middle of the season or perhaps it was the dry air and altitude, but high seeds fell early and often on the 12 courts at ASU. Maria José Vargas, returning from an extended period away with the birth of her third child, was expected to be a little rusty. As the #16 seed, no one expected too much, but she stormed through the field to the final, taking out World #1 Paola Longoria in the process. Number two seed Alexandra Herrera fell in the quarterfinals to #10 seed Angelica Barrios, but neither Barrios nor Vargas had any answer for the consistency of #3 seed Monserrat Mejia, who cruised to another title, her second consecutive. Mejia has proved that her early talent as a junior has matured into one of, if not the best in the world.

Another loss for #1 Paola Longoria will be a shock, but Longoria’s aura of invincibility over the past 12 months has waned. Yet, she still remains firmly entrenched at the top of the rankings, and proved she still wants to win with a fine display of doubles, taking the title with veteran Rhonda Rajsich. Another division full of upsets, Longoria and Rajsich were tested throughout the draw, overcoming Argentine pair Natalia Mendez and Valeria Centellas in the final. Speaking of Centellas, the young pro claimed the U21 title at this event, overcoming Erin Slutsky in two games.

Having not competed on tour since the beginning of December, this event was a litmus test for what will be a busy several months for these athletes, many trying to peak for the Pan Am Games in October. For some, their results suggest their path is clear. For others, it’s a chance to regroup and refocus. Only time will tell.