25th USHA Hall of Fame Event


2018 Decatur recipient Kelly Albers presents the Marty Decatur Sportsmanship Award to Kristen Hughes.

TUCSON — Saturday’s action set the table for an exciting Championship Sunday for all of the divisions in the 25th USHA Hall of Fame event.  The day’s action wrapped up with a celebration at the USHA Headquarters and Handball Hall of Fame.  Kristen Hughes was awarded the 2019 Marty Decatur Sportsmanship Award by last year’s recipient Kelly Albers.  The award honors the player who exhibits tremendous goodwill on and off the court making the tournament a better experience for anyone they have a chance to meet or play.   

In the WPH R48Pro LTE, David Fink and Sean Lenning split two somewhat lopsided games in the first semifinal, setting up an exciting tiebreaker decider for the first spot in the final.  Lenning continued to zip the ball around the court, keeping Fink off balance with incredible hooks and ball movement on his serve.  Fink countered with dazzling athleticism, keeping rallies alive with incredible gets and capitalizing on any mistakes his opponent would offer.  Lenning controlled the tiebreaker early, leading 9-5, only to see his lead evaporate as Fink finished the match with a 10-2 scoring run to win, 15-1, 6-15, 15-11.  Fink will also play in the Masters Singles final against Adam Zimet.  

In the other semifinal, brothers Daniel and Luis Cordova put on an amazing match for the fans at the Tucson Racquet Club, showing why they’ve been two of the tour’s top finishers this season.  Through two spirited games, Daniel found more scoring opportunities to edge his older sibling, winning 15-11 and 15-11 to face Fink in Sunday’s 11 a.m. final.

In Women’s Classic action, 2017 champion Tracy Davis answered Kristen Hughes’ upset bid with a series of passes and kills to advance to the final, 21-9, 21-15.  Hughes put together a string of points by engaging Davis in long rallies, hoping to tire the top seed and set up offensive opportunities.  Davis not only showed incredible conditioning, she unleashed her powerful service game to finish the match.  

A rematch of the 2015 Women’s Classic final between Ashley Moler and Jennifer Schmitt took place in the other semifinal.  Schmitt rolled to a victory that year, and she looked poised to make a return to the this year’s final by showing off a solid game that won her numerous national crowns.  Moler has shown constant improvement since that tournament, and on Saturday she turned the tables against Schmitt, playing aggressively throughout the match earning a 21-6, 21-17 victory.  She’ll face Davis in the Women’s Classic final.  Schmitt and Hughes will battle in the third place match. 

In the Masters Singles, top seeds ruled the day with the exception of the 55-plus and 80-plus divisions.  Steve Roberts of Salt Lake City continued his flawless play, edging top seed Paul Pfannenstiel 21-6, 21-16 to advance to the final where he’ll face William Cervantes of Albuquerque.  Elsewhere, Mike Lundy (Colorado Springs) edged Ed Grossenbacher in an 11-10 tiebreaker to advance to the 80-plus final.  He’ll meet Norm Young who also advanced with a tiebreaker win.  

See the draws and today’s results HERE.  

 

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