Race Stop #6 : Super Saturday in Salt Lake City

Super Saturday in Salt Lake City featured the Mens semifinals and finals, the Women's Pro Round Robin, and the Men's Pro Playoffs.

Naty Alvarado Jr. and Luis Moreno faced off for the fifth time this season on the Race for Eight Pro Tour in the first Men's semifinal of the day. Moreno had won three of their four encounters this season, but "El Tigre" appeared poised to take this clash, building a 20-15 point lead in game one of the semifinal. Moreno ran 10 consecutive points to steal the first game from the grasp of Alvarado. "The Natural" continued to apply pressure in game two, maintaing a comfortable four to six point lead throughout, ultimately closing out Jr. with a 21-20, 21-19 win.

"The Blond Bombshell" Allan Garner faced his arch rival Sean Lenning in the second semifinal of the day. TBB had won just one of their previous seven encounters, but a focused and determined TBB dominated a weary Lenning in game one, clinching the game with one of his patented left corner kills to win 25-19. TBB had numerous opportunities to build a substantial lead in game two, but several costly errors and incredible Lenning rekills kept the game tight throughout. TBB was just two points from the finals at 23-23, and earned several killshot opportunities in a 19 shot rally ultimately won by a Lenning two-inch high backwall kill. Lenning served an ace to force the tiebreaker. TBB continued to make errors in the tiebreaker, and Lenning capitalized with timely kills and aces to advance to the final.

The Final was a showdown for the number one ranking between Lenning and Moreno. Moreno was undefeated against Lenning in three matches this Race season, and completely dominated Lenning from the outset of the match. Moreno captured the title with the most lopsided rally scoring match this season 25-5, 25-8, pitching a nearly perfect game with 12 aces, 17 kills, and only two errors. Moreno took over the number one ranking and maintained his position atop the Race standing, solidifying his place as the most dominant player on the tour.

Tracy Davis dominated the women's pro invitational round robin with three quality wins over Bitty Bidegain, Jennifer Hinman, and Ashley Moler. Tracy's fitness and shotmaking was the difference in her march to the WPH Salt Lake City Ladies Pro Invitational. 

David Fink defeated Luis Cordova and Chip Morales to capture 5th place for the second time in the last three Race events, and Charly Shanks captured 9th place for the second time in the last three Race events with wins over Tommy Little and Emmett Peixoto. 

Thanks to Lon Stalsberg and the rest of the incredible crew in Salt Lake City for an amazing weekend of handball and hospitality. Thanks also to the WPH for webcasting and providing the opportunity for the pros to showcase their incredible talents.