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Women’s Racquetball Showcases Top Pros at Grand Slam in New Orleans

By: Shannon Feaster
April 10, 2008

Women’s Racquetball Showcases Top Pros at Grand Slam in New Orleans;
Championship Benefits the American Breast Cancer Foundation

New Orleans – The best women’s professional racquetball players in the world will descend upon the Big Easy April 17-20 at the Elmwood Fitness Center – Harahan (1200 Clearview Parkway, Suite 1200) for the 2008 WPRO World Championships presented by Ektelon. This is the second time in as many years that the WPRO will end its season in New Orleans, with the number one ranking hanging in the balance.

The WPRO has partnered with The American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) to create the “Racquetball for Life” campaign, which raises funds to support ABCF’s mission of providing breast cancer screenings and treatment to underserved and uninsured citizens throughout the United States. VIP/Sponsor Doubles benefiting ABCF will take place on Thursday night (April 17) at Elmwood Fitness Center.

Following Hurricane Katrina, ABCF helped to fund a mammography unit used in the Saint Thomas Community Health Center in New Orleans. The health center is among the largest and most comprehensive primary care facilities serving both insured and uninsured patients in the New Orleans area. On Thursday, top pro Rhonda Rajsich will be among those who will visit the health center and show support for ABCF’s commitment to providing grants for mammograms to those in need in New Orleans.

This championship’s title sponsor for the second straight year is Chemtech Chemical Services, LLC, a south Louisiana based water treatment and engineering company servicing the chemical industry in the US and Canada.  Scott Trahan, president and cofounder of Chemtech, is from the New Orleans area and is a big supporter of positive efforts to empower south Louisiana. Trahan is always looking for ways to give back to his home state, which makes Chemtech a natural fit to support the WPRO in New Orleans. To learn more about our title sponsor, visit www.chemtechllc.com.
Special thanks also to Ektelon, the presenting sponsor of this Grand Slam. The Ektelon Fireball is also the official ball of the WPRO. Visit their website at www.ektelon.com for more information.

WPRO Championship Preview:

Defending champion and #1 ranked Rhonda Rajsich (Phoenix, AZ) is on a three-tournament winning streak, having claimed titles in Phoenix, Miami and York heading into the Chemtech WPRO World Championships presented by Ektelon. Always a threat to take home the gold, Rajsich will bring her exciting game style of gut-wrenching dives and between the legs kill shots to thrill the New Orleans crowd.

A lot is at stake for Rajsich, who hopes to take home her third year-end number one ranking on the WPRO circuit.  She has five championship victories this season and is trailed closely by Cheryl Gudinas Holmes (Naperville, IL) who also has her sights set on the top spot on tour. Gudinas Holmes is looking for her seventh year-end number one title on her way to the racquetball Hall of Fame, and is currently ranked number two on tour.  Cheryl has played extremely well all season and comes to New Orleans with four tournament titles to her credit this year.

There will also be a strong international presence at this championship, including 18-year-old Paola Longoria from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, who had a breakthrough event in New Orleans last year as she reached the finals before losing to Rajsich in four games.  Longoria followed that up with her first pro title at this season’s first tour event in Fayetteville, NC last September.  Longoria will come into the World Championships with the #6 ranking and will be looking to bookend the WPRO season, while adding to her recent victory at the IRF World Junior Championships in the 18 and under division.

Pros from Canada, Bolivia and Japan will also compete in the WPRO division of this championship. Top contenders based on their finals appearances this season are #3 Angela Grisar from Santiago, Chile and #4 Kerri Wachtel of Cincinnati, Ohio.  Also in the hunt will be #5 Kristen Bellows (Salt Lake City, UT), #7 Brenda Kyzer (Leesville, SC) and #8 Adrienne Fisher (Centerville, OH).

In addition to being a Grand Slam event, the WPRO World Championships is sanctioned as a USA Racquetball Regional Qualifier for amateurs with players from around the country coming to participate. All are welcome to compete in the tournament and pro matches are open to the public. Tickets may be purchase onsite. Visit www.elmwoodracquetball.com for more information.

The opening rounds of the Pro division will begin on Thursday evening.

Round of 32 – Friday 10am – 2pm

Round of 16 – Friday 3pm – 8pm

Quarterfinals – Saturday 11am – 2pm

Semifinal #1 – Saturday 6pm

Semifinal #2 – Saturday 7:30pm

Championship – Sunday 12pm

To view the pro and amateur draws or to learn more about the Chemtech WPRO World Championships, visit: www.wpro-tour.com or www.elmwoodracquetball.com.  Also, catch all the Pro matches live by logging in to Racquetball Online’s Web cast at:  www.racquetballonline.tv. Registration is free to view all matches!

About the WPRO
The Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) is the governing body of a growing membership of the top female racquetball players in the world. The WPRO’s mission is to promote health and fitness through racquetball among women and girls around the world.