Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour

Summary

The Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour is the latest name for the women's professional racquetball tour. It features the world's best players and several events each season - running from September to May - that are mostly played in the USA.

History edit

Women's professional racquetball has existed since the 1970s but the women's pro tour began in 1980, when the Women's Professional Racquetball Association (WPRA) was created.[1] The tour was run by International Management Group, and did well in the early 1980s in part due to the great rivalry between Lynn Adams and Heather McKay. The WPRA lasted until 1994, when the Women's International Racquetball Tour (WIRT) was created.

In 2000, the United States Racquetball Association (USRA) took over administration of the WIRT, and renamed it the Ladies Professional Racquetball Association (LPRA). This led to significant growth under the supervision of the USRA, which had a three year plan for the LPRA.[2]

In 2005, the players took over control and ownership of the tour, and again it was reorganized and rebranded as the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization.[3] Shannon Feaster, a former player and marketing executive, served as the WPRO Commissioner from February 2006 to May 2011, when she stepped down to focus on her family. Gigi Rock was then hired as the new commissioner in July 2011.[4]

In 2012, the players decided to reorganize and created the LPRT with T. J. Baumbaugh as President and Andy Kulback Deputy Commissioner. Kulback resigned in October 2016.

Current season edit

2022-2023 (Tier 1 and Grand Slam Events) edit

Event Champion Runner Up Semi Finalists Quarterfinalists Doubles Champions Finalists
KWM Gutterman World Singles and Doubles Open Racquetball Championships

Highlands Ranch, Colorado
August 10-13, 2023

  Paola Longoria
13-15, 15-3, 11-5[5]
  Montserrat Mejía   Alexandra Herrera
  Brenda Laime
  Samantha Salas
  Natalia Mendez
  Gabriela Martinez
  Erika Manilla
2023 LPRT Turkey Shoot

Lombard, Illinois
November 16-19, 2023

  Maria Jose Vargas
15-9, 15-5[6]
  Erika Manilla   Montserrat Mejía
  Paola Longoria
  Alexandra Herrera
  Brenda Laime
  Natalia Mendez
  Kelani Lawrence
  Alexandra Herrera
  Montserrat Mejía
12-15, 15-5, 11-9[7]
  Paola Longoria
  Samantha Salas
31st Annual LPRT Christmas Classic

Millersville, Maryland
December 9–11, 2022

  Maria Jose Vargas
15-8, 15-7[8]
  Montserrat Mejía   Paola Longoria
  Cristina Amaya
  Alexandra Herrera
  Samantha Salas
  Kelani Lawrence
  Gabriela Martinez
  Alexandra Herrera
  Montserrat Mejía
15-10, 15-8[9]
  Paola Longoria
  Samantha Salas
Arizona Open

Tempe, Arizona
January 12–14, 2024

  Maria Jose Vargas
15-5, 15-12[10]
  Alexandra Herrera   Paola Longoria
  Erika Manilla
  Angélica Barrios
  Montserrat Mejía
  Gabriela Martinez
  Brenda Laime
  Alexandra Herrera
  Montserrat Mejía
15-9, 15-4[11]
  Paola Longoria
  Samantha Salas
Boston Open

Marlborough, Massachusetts
March 1–3, 2024

  Paola Longoria
8-15, 15-11, 11-8[12]
  Montserrat Mejía   Maria Jose Vargas
  Alexandra Herrera
  Cristina Amaya
  Kelani Lawrence
  Angélica Barrios
  Brenda Laime
  Natalia Mendez
  Maria Jose Vargas
8-15, 15-10, 11-4[13]
  Alexandra Herrera
  Montserrat Mejía
Battle at the Alamo

San Antonio, Texas
April 25–28, 2024

Sweet Caroline Open LPRT Grand Slam

Greenville, South Carolina
May 17-19, 2024

LPRT Battle at the Beach - Season Finale

Chesapeake, Virginia
June 6-9, 2024

Season Summaries (Tier I and Grand Slam Events) edit

Season Wins US Open winner
2023-24   Maria Jose Vargas (3),   Paola Longoria (2) -
2022-23   Montserrat Mejía (5),   Paola Longoria (3),   Alexandra Herrera,   Gabriela Martinez   Paola Longoria
2021-22   Paola Longoria (6),   Alexandra Herrera (2),   Gabriela Martinez   Paola Longoria
2020-21   Paola Longoria (2),   Montserrat Mejía No event due to COVID-19 pandemic
2019-20   Paola Longoria (7),   Maria Jose Vargas   Paola Longoria
2018-19   Paola Longoria (9),   Maria Jose Vargas   Paola Longoria
2017-18   Paola Longoria (7),   Samantha Salas,   Maria Jose Vargas   Paola Longoria
2016-17   Paola Longoria (10),   Frédérique Lambert,   Samantha Salas   Paola Longoria
2015-16   Paola Longoria (11)   Paola Longoria
2014-15   Paola Longoria (10),   Maria Jose Vargas (2),   Rhonda Rajsich   Paola Longoria
2013-14   Paola Longoria (12)   Paola Longoria
2012-13   Paola Longoria (11)   Paola Longoria
2011-12   Paola Longoria (7),   Rhonda Rajsich   Paola Longoria
2010-11   Paola Longoria (5),   Rhonda Rajsich (4),   Samantha Salas (1)   Rhonda Rajsich
2009-10   Paola Longoria (5),   Rhonda Rajsich (2),   Cheryl Gudinas (1)   Rhonda Rajsich
2008-09   Paola Longoria (4),   Rhonda Rajsich (4),   Kristen Walsh Bellows (1)   Paola Longoria

Rankings edit

Season ending top 10 rankings edit

Rank 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23[14]
1   Paola Longoria   Paola Longoria   Montserrat Mejía
2   Alexandra Herrera   Alexandra Herrera   Paola Longoria
3   Montserrat Mejía   Maria Jose Vargas   Alexandra Herrera
4   Maria Jose Vargas   Natalia Mendez   Erika Manilla
5   Samantha Salas   Gabriela Martinez   Brenda Laime
6   Natalia Mendez   Erika Manilla   Angélica Barrios
7   Jessica Parrilla   Angélica Barrios   Maria Jose Vargas
8   Angélica Barrios   Jessica Parrilla   Jessica Parrilla
9   Valeria Centellas   Rhonda Rajsich   Carla Muñoz
10   Rhonda Rajsich   Montserrat Mejía   Natalia Mendez
Rank 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
1   Paola Longoria   Paola Longoria   Paola Longoria   Paola Longoria   Paola Longoria
2   Rhonda Rajsich   Frédérique Lambert   Frédérique Lambert   Samantha Salas   Maria Jose Vargas
3   Maria Jose Vargas   Samantha Salas   Jessica Parrilla   Maria Jose Vargas   Samantha Salas
4   Frédérique Lambert   Jessica Parrilla   Alexandra Herrera   Alexandra Herrera   Alexandra Herrera
5   Samantha Salas   Alexandra Herrera   Rhonda Rajsich   Rhonda Rajsich   Natalia Mendez
6   Jessica Parrilla   Rhonda Rajsich   Nancy Enriquez   Natalia Mendez   Montserrat Mejía
7   Sofia Rascon   Cristina Amaya   Natalia Mendez   Nancy Enriquez   Rhonda Rajsich
8   Alexandra Herrera   Carla Muñoz   Cristina Amaya   Cristina Amaya   Nancy Enriquez
9   Susana Acosta   Susana Acosta   Maria Jose Vargas   Frédérique Lambert   Cristina Amaya
10   Cristina Amaya   Adriana Riveros   Carla Muñoz   Adriana Riveros   Jessica Parrilla
Rank 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13[15] 2013-14[16] 2014-15[17]
1   Rhonda Rajsich   Paola Longoria   Paola Longoria   Paola Longoria   Paola Longoria
2   Paola Longoria   Rhonda Rajsich   Rhonda Rajsich   Rhonda Rajsich   Maria Jose Vargas
3   Samantha Salas   Kerri Wachtel   Samantha Salas   Maria Jose Vargas   Rhonda Rajsich
4   Kerri Wachtel   Krystal Csuk   Susana Acosta   Samantha Salas   Frédérique Lambert
5   Cheryl Gudinas   Adrienne Fisher   Cheryl Gudinas   Cristina Amaya   Samantha Salas
6   Susana Acosta   Susana Acosta   Adrienne Fisher   Frédérique Lambert   Cristina Amaya
7   Jennifer Saunders   Jennifer Saunders   Grace Hughes   Aubrey Kirch   Michelle Key
8   Adrienne Fisher   Cristina Amaya   Kerri Wachtel   Susana Acosta   Sofia Rascon
9   Cristina Amaya   Kristen Walsh Bellows   Cristina Amaya   Veronica Sotomayor   Cheryl Gudinas
10   Krystal Csuk   Cheryl Gudinas   Maria Jose Vargas   Da'monique Davis   Da'monique Davis
Rank 2005-06[18] 2006-07[19] 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
1   Rhonda Rajsich   Rhonda Rajsich   Rhonda Rajsich   Paola Longoria   Paola Longoria
2   Cheryl Gudinas Holmes   Kerri Wachtel   Cheryl Gudinas Holmes   Rhonda Rajsich   Rhonda Rajsich
3   Christie Van Hees   Cheryl Gudinas Holmes   Kerri Wachtel   Cheryl Gudinas Holmes   Cheryl Gudinas Holmes
4   Kristen Walsh Bellows   Angela Grisar   Angela Grisar   Kristen Walsh Bellows   Kerri Wachtel
5   Angela Grisar   Christie Van Hees   Kristen Walsh Bellows   Kerri Wachtel   Adrienne Fisher
6   Diane Moore   Brenda Kyzer   Paola Longoria   Veronica Sotomayor   Jo Shattuck
7   Brenda Kyzer   Kristen Walsh Bellows   Adrienne Fisher   Adrienne Fisher   Keely Franks
8   Jo Shattuck   Samantha Salas   Brenda Kyzer   Angela Grisar   T. J. Baumbaugh
9   Tammy Brown   Jo Shattuck   Christie Van Hees   Jennifer Saunders   Vivian Gomez
10   Laura Fenton   Diane Moore   Doreen Fowler   Jo Shattuck   Samantha Salas
Rank 2000-01[20] 2001-02[20] 2002-03[21] 2003-04[20] 2004-05[22]
1   Cheryl Gudinas   Cheryl Gudinas   Cheryl Gudinas   Cheryl Gudinas   Christie Van Hees
2   Jackie Paraiso   Jackie Rice   Jackie Paraiso Rice   Christie Van Hees   Cheryl Gudinas
3   Rhonda Rajsich   Kerri Wachtel   Kerri Wachtel   Rhonda Rajsich   Rhonda Rajsich
4   Laura Fenton   Rhonda Rajsich   Rhonda Rajsich   Kerri Wachtel   Kerri Wachtel
5   Kersten Hallander   Kersten Hallander   Kersten Hallander   Kristen Walsh Bellows   Kristen Walsh Bellows
6   Susana Acosta   Kristen Walsh Bellows   Adrienne Fisher   Kersten Hallander   Angela Grisar
7   Doreen Fowler   Claudine Garcia   Kim Russell   Adrienne Fisher   Tammy Brown
8   Kerri Stoffregen   Kim Russell   Kristen Walsh Bellows   Tammy Brown   Adrienne Fisher
9   Lori-Jane Powell   Lori-Jane Powell   Lori-Jane Powell   Angela Grisar   Diane Moore
10   Kim Machiran   Laura Fenton   Susana Acosta   Jackie Paraiso Rice   Brenda Kyzer
  • Note - Christie Van Hees announced she was retiring at the end of the 2000-01 season, and was omitted from the season ending rankings despite winning two tournaments that season and being in the finals of two others. She certainly would have been in the top 10 that season.[23]
Rank 1995-96[24] 1996-97[24] 1997-98[24] 1998-99[24] 1999-2000[24]
1   Michelle Gould   Michelle Gould   Michelle Gould   Jackie Paraiso   Jackie Paraiso
2   Cheryl Gudinas   Cheryl Gudinas   Jackie Paraiso   Cheryl Gudinas   Cheryl Gudinas
3   Amy Kilbane   Jackie Paraiso   Marci Drexler   Christie Van Hees   Christie Van Hees
4   Marcy Lynch*   Laura Fenton   Cheryl Gudinas   Kersten Hallander   Kersten Hallander
5   Anita Maldonado*   Molly O'Brien   Laura Fenton   Lydia Hammock   Susana Acosta
6   Kim Machiran   Lynne Coburn   Lynne Coburn   Robin Levine   Lisa Hjelm
7   Molly O'Brien   Marcy Lynch   Molly O'Brien   Molly O'Brien   Kim Machiran
8   Jackie Paraiso   Janet Myers   Lorraine Galloway   Michelle Wiragh   Phyllis Morris
9   Dina Moreland   Lydia Hammock   Lydia Hammock   Janet Myers   Doreen Fowler
10   Lynne Coburn   Randi Friedman   Doreen Fowler   Lori-Jane Powell   Michelle Lucas
  • Note - Marcy Lynch and Anita Maldonado tied for 4th in 1995-96.
Rank 1990-91[25] 1991-92[25] 1992-93[25] 1993-94[25] 1994-95[24]
1   Michelle Gilman   Jackie Paraiso Gibson   Michelle Gould   Michelle Gould   Michelle Gould
2   Lynn Adams   Malia Kamahoahoa Bailey   Marci Drexler   Marci Drexler   Robin Levine
3   Malia Bailey   Toni Bevelock   Malia Bailey   Robin Levine   Marci Drexler
4   Caryn McKinney   Michelle Gilman Gould   Jackie Paraiso Gibson   Cheryl Gudinas   Cheryl Gudinas
5   Jackie Paraiso   Dottie Fishl Kelly   Lynne Coburn   Lynne Coburn   Lynne Coburn
6   Toni Bevelock   Marci Drexler   Kaye Kuhfeld   Molly O’Brien   Chris Evon
7   Kaye Kuhfeld   Marcy Lynch   Toni Bevelock*   Laura Fenton   Laura Fenton
8   Marci Drexler   Lynne Coburn   Molly O'Brien*   Chris Evon   Molly O'Brien
9   Lynne Coburn   Kaye Kuhfeld   Chris Evon   Ellen Crawford   Marcy Lynch
10   Marcy Lynch   Robin Levine   Caryn McKinney   Roz Olson   Amy Kilbane
  • Note - Toni Bevelock and Molly O'Brien tied for 7th in 1992-93.
Rank 1985-96[25] 1986-87[25] 1987-88[25] 1988-89[25] 1989-90[25]
1   Lynn Adams   Lynn Adams   Lynn Adams   Caryn McKinney   Lynn Adams
2   Caryn McKinney   Caryn McKinney   Caryn McKinney   Lynn Adams   Michelle Gilman
3   Marci Drexler   Marci Drexler   Kaye Kuhfeld   Toni Bevelock   Caryn McKinney
4   Vicki Panzeri   Molly O'Brien   Marci Drexler   Marci Drexler   Toni Bevelock
5   Terri Gilreath*   Vicki Panzeri   Molly O'Brien   Kaye Kuhfeld   Kaye Kuhfeld
6   Bonnie Stoll*   Kaye Kuhfeld   Jackie Paraiso   Molly O'Brien   Malia Bailey
7   Molly O'Brien*   Terri Gilreath   Vicki Panzeri   Dottie Fishl   Molly O'Brien
8   Sandy Robson*   Marcy Lynch   Liz Alvarado   Jackie Paraiso   Jackie Paraiso
9   Fran Davis   Chris Evon   Toni Bevelock   Cindy Doyle   Dottie Fishl
10   Trina Rasmussen   Jackie Paraiso]]   Cindy Doyle   Marcy Lynch   Chris Evon

Note: In the 1986-85 season, Terri Gilreath and Bonnie Stoll tied for 5th and Molly O'Brien and Sandy Robson tied for 7th.

Rank 1980-81[25] 1981-82[25] 1982-83[25] 1983-84[25] 1984-85[25]
1   Heather McKay   Lynn Adams   Heather McKay   Heather McKay   Lynn Adams
2   Lynn Adams   Heather McKay   Lynn Adams   Lynn Adams   Vicki Panzeri
3   Shannon Wright   Shannon Wright   Shannon Wright   Shannon Wright-Hamilton   Terri Gilreath
4   Marci Greer   Marci Greer   Laura Martino   Janell Marriott   Caryn McKinney
5   Karin Walton-Trent   Peggy Gardner   Vicki Panzeri   Vicki Panzeri   Marci Drexler
6   Peggy Gardner   Laura Martino   Janell Marriott   Terri Gilreath   Janell Marriott
7   Laura Martino   Terri Gilreath   Marci Greer   Laura Martino   Heather McKay
8   Linda Prefontaine   Rita Hoff   Terri Gilreath   Caryn McKinney   Liz Alvarado
9   Francine Davis   Jennifer Harding   Peggy Gardner   Marci Greer   Diane Bullard
10   Janell Marriott   Vicki Panzeri   Heather Stupp   Brenda Barrett   Cindy Baxter

Most years in top 10 edit

Rank Player Years
1.   Rhonda Rajsich 22
2.   Cheryl Gudinas 21
3.   Paola Longoria 16
3.   Jackie Paraiso 16
5.   Kerri Wachtel 12
5.   Molly O'Brien 12
7.   Samantha Salas 11
7.   Lynn Adams 11
7.   Marci Drexler 11
9.   Cristina Amaya 10
9.   Maria Jose Vargas 10
11.   Susana Acosta 9
11.   Kristen Bellows 9
11.   Adrienne Fisher 9
11.   Michelle Gould 9
11.   Caryn McKinney 9

Players ranked #1 at season's end edit

Years ended No. 1
1.   Paola Longoria 13
2.   Michelle Gould 7
3.   Lynn Adams 6
4.   Cheryl Gudinas 4
4.   Rhonda Rajsich 4
6.   Heather McKay 3
6.   Jackie Paraiso 3
8.   Montserrat Mejía 1
8.   Caryn McKinney 1
8.   Christie Van Hees 1

References edit

  1. ^ "Video". CNN. October 29, 1984.
  2. ^ "Racquetball: May/June '03 Feature". Archived from the original on 2003-08-02. Retrieved 2003-08-02. Racquetball Magazine article
  3. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20050824155731/http://ladiesproracquetball.com/ 2005 WPRO website
  4. ^ http://wprotour.com/documents/Rock_And_The_Role.pdf WPRO Press Release
  5. ^ "KWM Gutterman World Singles and Doubles Open Racquetball Championships - LPRT Singles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  6. ^ "2023 LPRT Turkey Shoot". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  7. ^ "LPRT Turkey Shoot - Doubles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  8. ^ "LPRT 31st Annual Christmas Classic". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  9. ^ "LPRT 31st Annual Christmas Classic - Doubles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  10. ^ "LPRT 2024 Arizona Open". R2 Sports. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  11. ^ "LPRT 2024 Arizona Open - Doubles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  12. ^ "2024 LPRT Boston Open - Singles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  13. ^ "2024 Boston Open - Doubles". R2 Sports. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  14. ^ "End of season rankings 2023". Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour. LPRT. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  15. ^ "LPRT - Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour" (PDF). Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  16. ^ "LPRT - Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour" (PDF). Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  17. ^ "LPRT - Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour". Retrieved 9 November 2015.
  18. ^ "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2006-07-03. Retrieved 2006-07-03. Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
  19. ^ "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2007-06-09. Retrieved 2007-06-09. Women's Professional Racquetball Organization
  20. ^ a b c "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2003-02-14. Retrieved 2003-02-14. Ladies Professional Racquetball Association
  21. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20030720144454/http://ladiesproracquetball.com/ Ladies Professional Racquetball Association
  22. ^ "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2005-08-26. Retrieved 2005-08-26. Ladies Professional Racquetball Association
  23. ^ Racquetball magazine, July–August 2001
  24. ^ a b c d e f "WIRT Results". Archived from the original on 2003-06-07. Retrieved 2003-06-07. Women's International Racquetball Tour
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Ladies' Pro Raquetball - LPR Association". Archived from the original on 2003-06-07. Retrieved 2003-06-07. Women's Professional Racquetball Association
  • "2010-11 Schedule". Archived from the original on 2011-08-17. Retrieved 2010-10-15.

External links edit