2015 Maverick Open
October 23-25, 2015
Mankato Family YMCA, Mankato, MN
The 16th annual Maverick Open Handball tournament was held October 23-25 at the Mankato YMCA. 100 participants played in nine divisions at the tournament featuring collegiate players from Minnesota State, University of Illinois, and University of Minnesota. Many of the top handball players from the upper Midwest participated in the largest tournament in Minnesota. The Mavericks were highly successful and advanced deep into almost every division.
The Open Division final came down to current Maverick sophomore, Tyler Stoffel, who finished 9th at last year’s collegiate national tournament against Maverick alum, Matt Job, who finished 13th. Both players defeated opponents from Minneapolis in the semi-finals. These two Mavericks spar weekly and are preparing to try and qualify for the professional handball tour in Tucson, AZ in November. Before a packed gallery at the Y, these two fabulous athletes battled in a tightly contested first game. Stoffel took an early 10-3 lead, but Job battled back to tie the score at 14, 15, and 16. With a couple of ace serves, Stoffel was able to close out the first game 21-16. The second game began the same way with Stoffel getting off to a hot start. Leading 6-0, he rolled his ankle. After taking an injury timeout and taping his ankle, Stoffel was able to win the championship 21-7. Maverick sophomore Jordan Taylor won the Open Consolation bracket.
The A division final featured the University of Illinois’s Nathan Stables against 16 year old phenom Devin Peters of Chicago. Peters is a product of the legendary Lattof YMCA’s handball program in Des Plains, Ill. Stables proved to be too tough and was victorious by a score of 21-16, 21-11. Devin and his father took a tour of MNSU’s campus during the open house on Saturday and the Mavericks hope he will become part of the handball team in the fall of 2017.
Maverick sophomores, Adrian Anderson and Austin MacLeod were defeated in the semi-finals of the B Division by local standout Ben McAnnich of Mankato and Sam Ure of Chicago, Ill. McAnnich defeated the 13-year old Maverick recruit, Ure, by a score of 21-11, 21-0. The gallery was amazed at the athleticism of young Ure even though he lost to a more experienced opponent. Maverick assistant handball coach, Josh Hoflock defeated the Maverick’s top women player, Jessica Herion in the B Consolation final.
The C Division final was between Maverick senior Tyler Edwards and Maverick sophomore Dalton Cothron. Cothron made fewer errors and defeated Edwards by a score of 21-6, 21-11. The University of Illinois’ Allie Weston took the C Consolation title.
Maverick sophomore, Leah Grisim, took Chicago’s Amy Ure to a tie breaker in the finals of the Women’s Novice Division before losing 8-21, 21-14, 11-0. Maverick Janice Chen brought home consolation honors.
In the Men’s Novice Division, Maverick newcomer J.T. Nevers defeated Carl Vagle 21-12, 21-11. Both of these players are currently enrolled in the Introduction to Handball (HP180) course offered through the Human Performance Department. Anyone interested in learning more about handball should consider enrolling in the course. It is offered every fall and spring semester. This upcoming spring semester there are two sections, one on Wednesday from 5-7pm and one on Monday/Wednesday from 11:00 – 11:50am.
The Mavericks are preparing for the United States Handball Association’s national collegiate tournament in February. Their next major event is the Fall Classic handball tournament at the University of Minnesota in November.
Open Singles
Quarters
Semis
Finals
Consolation
90+ Doubles
A Singles
Quarters
Semis
Finals
Consolation
B Singles
Round of 16
Quarters
Semis
Finals
Consolation
C Singles
Round of 16
Quarters
Semis
Finals
Consolation
Women’s Novice Singles
Round of 16
Quarters
Semis
Finals
Men’s Novice Singles
Round of 16
Quarters
Semis
Finals
100+ Doubles
Quarters
Semis
Finals
Golden Masters Singles
Quarters
Semis
Finals
Consolation
Forbess d. McQuillan 13