Minnesota State Handball Association

Ice Box Invitational Handball Doubles
January 18-19, 2013
St. Anthony AC, Minneapolis

The 19th annual Ice Box Doubles Invitational featured the #6 seeds.   Both in the A and the B divisions, the number six seeds came through to win.  While the weather was unusually warm at the beginning of the tournament, the ice box like temperatures returned by the end – almost a 50 degree change!  As usual the closed circuit TV action was a hit with the larger than usual crowd as the gallery was crowded. The usual non-stop great hospitality enhanced by the unique atmosphere of the St. Anthony AC kept everyone satisfied and noisy.  Usually a tournament full of closely contested matches and many tie-breakers, like last year there were seven tie-breakers.  Also known to suffer some wet walls or other entertaining slips and bounces the ventilation crew did a great job and kept the courts squeaky dry for the second year in a row! 

The Open division was defended by last years champs Andy Nett and John Nett as they three-peated. That is four out of the last five years! Once again Andy showed his world-class skills taking control of the court and the play.  It is truly a treat to have the reigning World, National and State champion handball player grace our courts.   Tim Kappes and Brian Burke won the consolation prize in a great 18-21, 21-8, 11-6 match against Jay Spooner and Dan Passolt from Fargo.

Products of the University of Minnesota handball program, Dane Swanson and Nick Olson led a youth movement in winning the A division coming from the sixth seed.  They were seriously challenged with a 16-21, 21-20, 11-4 win in the quaterfinals by eventual consolation winners Erik Seiberlich and Clancy Mylan.  Seiberlichj/Mylan had a huge lead in the second game and served at 20 more than a half dozen times without getting the winning point.  In the top half Steve Tamminga and Joe Lacey-Gotz gained their way into the finals with a very tough match against Hank Ulrich and Brett Broxey.  Unfortunately, Hank hurt his leg in the tie-breaker and had to forfeit.

Hooked up by the tournament committee at the last minute Jared Vale (from New York) and Bill Russell advanced from the sixth seed to win the B division in an entertaining 21-20, 20-21, 11-3 tie-breaker finals match against Rob Schultz and Brent Rickenbach.  Rob and Brent had an extra match as they had to play a preliminary match just to get into the quarters – it looks like it took a toll.  Since they defeated the #1 seeded team of Mike Kloos and Greg Sothern they claim the iron-man title for playing in four matches (including three tie-breakers)  Kloos and Sothern also played four matches in claiming consolation honors, but lose the iron-man by head-to-head records.

Thanks to the St. Anthony AC and the tournament committee of Sheldon Silberman, Emil Weiler, Brian Mahaffy, Steve Tamminga and Larry Larson for making this one of the best tournaments in the Twin Cities.  Thanks to the Rush River Brewing Co. for providing the beer everyone enjoyed.

John Nett, Andy Nett, Mat Langhorst, Mike Gustafson

Open Doubles
Quarterfinals

• Andy Nett (Eden Prairie)/John Nett (Winona) BYE
• Brian Burke(St. Paul)/Tim Kappes(Maplewood) def. David Miller(St. Paul)/Marc Tobin(Inver Grove Heights) 21-19, 21-2
• Mike Gustafson(Burnsville)/Mat Langhorst(Duluth) def. Dan Passolt(Frago)/Jay Spooner(Fargo) 21-17, 21-15

Semifinals

• Nett/Nett def. Bruke/Kappes 21-5, 21-6

Finals

• Nett/Nett def.  Gustafson/Langhorst 21-2, 21-17

Consolation

• Kappes/Burke def. Passolt/Spooner 18-21, 21-8, 11-6

Joe Lacey-Gotz, Steve Tamminga, Dane Swanson, Nick Olson

A Doubles
Quarterfinals

• Brett Broxey(Brooklyn Park)/Hank Ulrich(Minneapolis) def. Dan Levey(Minneapolis)/Sheldon Silberman(Golden Valley) 21-3, 21-1
• Joe Lacey-Gotz(St. Paul)/Steven Tamminga(Minneapolis) def. Bill Hickey(St. Paul)/Brian G. Mahaffy(Minneapolis) 21-13, 21-12
• Nick Olson(Minneapolis)/Dane Swanson(St. Paul) def. Erik Seiberlich(Roseville)/Clancy Mylan(Minnetonka) 16-21, 21-20, 11-4
• John  Miller(Edina)/Emil Weiler III(St. Paul) def. John  Nakasone(Waconia)/Don Reiter(Stillwater) 21-12, 21-8

Semifinals

• Lacey-Gotz/Tamminga def. Broxey/Ulrich 21-14, 15-21, injury forfeit
• Olson/Swanson def. Miller/Weiler 21-11, 21-16

Finals

• Olson/Swanson def. Lacey-Gotz/Tamminga 21-10, 21-9

Consolation

• Seiberlich/Mylan def. Hickey/Mahaffy 21-15, 21-16

Brent Rickenbach, Rob Schultz, Jared Vale, Bill Russell

B Doubles
Preliminary

• Brent Rickenbach(Eden Prairie)/Rob Schultz II(Excelsior) def. Mike Erdmanczyk(Vadnais Heights)/Rich Ryan(Woodbury) 21-12, 21-9
• Jack Leveille(Golden Valley)/Paul Nelson(Hager City) def. David Abramson(Hopkins)/Lee Johnson(Des Moines) 21-5, 20-21, 11-10

Quarterfinals

• Rickenbach/Schultz def. Mike Kloos(Woodbury)/Greg Sothern(Maple Grove) 21-15, 16-21, 11-10
• Sergio Gonzalez(Oakdale)/Ed Simonet, Jr.(Stillwater) def. John Laliberte(Shoreview)/Kristina Rude(Grand Marais) 21-12, 21-9
• Bill Russell(St. Louis Park)/Jared Vale(New York) def. Jessica Bohlken(Minneapolis)/Brian Coonce(St. Paul) 21-18, 21-15
• Bailey Chandler(Eden Prairie)/Kara Smith(Minneapolis) def. Leveille/Nelson 21-6, 21-19

Semifinals

• Rickenbach/Schultz def. Gonzalez/Simonet 21-4, 19-21, 11-1
• Russell/Vale def. Chandler/Smith 21-15, 21-15

Finals

• Russell/Vale def. Rickenbach/Schultz 21-20, 20-21, 11-3

Consolation

• Kloos/Sothern def. Abramson/Johnson