The air was thick with excitement and the aroma of sizzling carnitas at the Bill Doles Baby Doll Doubles Tournament at the Tournament House in Riverside, CA. The burning question on everyone’s mind was, who would emerge as this year’s champions?
This year’s field of players was a rich tapestry of talent featuring a diverse range of outstanding individuals. The lineup, from big-ball phenoms to handball legends, was a testament to the sport’s inclusivity and appeal.
After a series of hard-fought early rounds, the Open Division semifinals came down to the teams of Dylan Hernandez/Ryan Watkins, John Wayne Cortez/Chava Cordova, Brian Medina/Mark Zamora Jr., and Armando Ortiz Jr./Brian Trejo. The pairing of Ortiz/Trejo bested Medina/Zamora Jr. in two action-packed games, and the duo of Hernandez/Watkins squeezed out a thriller 21-20, 21-20 over Cortez/Cordova. This set up a thrilling final that did not disappoint. The tiebreaker was close through most of the match. However, the relentless attacks by Ortiz Jr. proved to be the difference. The tiebreaker final score was 21-4, 16-21, 11-6.
In the A division, the semi-finalists were Danielle Daskalakis/Marco Coromac, Ismael Meneses/David Ruiz, Fausto Castro/George Magana, and Cesar Carlos/Ray Vicario. Menenses/Ruiz defeated Daskalakis/Coromac in one of the semifinal matches, and Castro/Magana defeated Carlos/Vicario in the other. In the final, Castro/Magana proved too strong for Menenses/Ruiz.
The 100+ finals, a category reserved for seasoned players, were one of the most exciting of the day. Handball legends John Bike and John Robles won in a thrilling tiebreaker match over the fiery team of Alex Garcia and Roy Harvey, showcasing these veteran players’ enduring spirit and skill.
In the 120 finals, David Ruiz and Mike Barnes defeated Jerry Jarret and Jesus Cisneros.
Sergio Guzman and Anthony Sanchez defeated Jose Delatorre and Jesus Cisneros in the B division.
On Sunday, 19 juniors competed in 2 divisions. Youngsters representing the Santa Barbara and Santa Ana Handball Clubs were poised and ready for some of their exciting matches. Ultimately, the Santa Ana Handball Club kids earned all the medals. Andrew/Raymond defeated Victor/Andrew to win the A division, and Brando/Yahir bested Greg/Jason in the consolation bracket.
World Players of Handball (WPH) Race 4 Eight legend Mando Ortiz, known for his skill and tenacity on the court, conducted a JR WPH Clinic for the juniors in attendance. This clinic was a unique opportunity for the young players to learn from a master and hone their skills.
Thank you to all the participants, volunteers, and SCHA for your invaluable contributions, which made this event a memorable experience! Your dedication and hard work did not go unnoticed. The Norco Handball Wives Club’s excellent food service throughout the weekend was a crucial part of the event’s success. Special thanks to Mando Ortiz Jr. for his clinic and to Gilbert Granado for his leadership in bringing his Santa Ana Handball Club kids. And, of course, a huge thank you to Bill Doles for his continued support.
