Esser wins 2025 Women’s Classic!
AUSTIN — Mikaila Esser notched her first Women’s Classic title by defeating Clodagh Munroe Sunday morning by the scores of 15-12, 15-10. It was a sweet victory for Esser, who has come close to winning the Classic title several times but never prevailing until this weekend.
In 2022, Esser lost on these same courts in Austin in the Classic finals against Ashley Ruiz in a tiebreaker. Ruiz again defeated her in the finals in 2023, and then it was Clodagh Munroe defeating her in the semifinals of last year’s tournament in St. Louis.
Esser was determined to win this year and it showed with her play on the court. She played phenomenal handball in the final against Munroe, who also looked strong. The famous “fish bowl” court at the Gregory Gym is known for it’s all glass walls and a tough court to return ceiling balls off the back wall. Esser used that to her advantage by pounding the ceiling and putting Munroe deep in the corners of the court. This forced several errors and weak returns from Munroe that Esser converted into corner kills.
Esser was equally impressive in her semifinal win over Aoife Holden who defeated her only a month earlier on the Women’s Pro tour and has been playing strong. Munroe was dominant in her semifinal win over Handball Hall of Famer Jennifer Schmitt. Holden defeated Schmitt to claim third at the Classic.
University Texas Alum Kristen Hughes hand an impressive win over Lake Forest star Emma Kinane to win fifth in the tournament.
The Women’s B division had 26 ladies competing in it! Many of them were collegiate players and we saw awesome play from them. Sarah Reels made the trip from Pacific University in Oregon and brought home the B title by defeating Missouri State’s Elaina Schoene.
On Saturday night, the 175+ players and some guests gathered in the banquet room at the Gregory Gym to honor long time Texas Coach Pete Tyson. Tyson, now 88, coached handball for over 50 years and has introduced thousands of players to the game.
Some of his former players came to be a part of the celebration, including John Bike Jr. who gave the first speech of the night and touched on how much Tyson did for his players and cared for them on and off the court. Bike Jr. was followed by former USHA Executive Director Vern Roberts and another one of Tyson’s former players, LeaAnn Martin. Both Roberts and Martin reflected on their memories with Tyson, but also talked about how much he has meant to the game of handball and it’s development. Tyson closed out the banquet with a touching speech and by thanking Bike Jr, Roberts and Martin for being there and being some of his best friends.
A big thank you to the University of Texas Handball Club for putting on an awesome Women’s Classic and LTE Pro stop with a huge draw. A special shoutout to Noel Aguilar, who envisioned this tournament a year ago and did an amazing job of putting it together and ensuring it ran smoothly with tons of matches to be played.
Check out all of the results from the tournament HERE.
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AUSTIN– The 2025 Women’s Classic is underway from the Gregory Gym on the campus of the University of Texas. A huge draw of nearly 50 women are on hand competing for the prestigious classic title.
Defending champ Clodagh Munroe has cruised so far in the tournament. She’ll face stiff competition though if she wants to retain her title from the likes of Aoife Holden, Mikaila Esser, Emma Kinane and more who are all vying for their first Classic title.
The coolest moment of the tournament so far was Jennifer Schmitt squaring off against Amesely Davis in the round of 16. Schmitt, a Hall of Fame player who has dominated the sport for years took down Davis’s mom, Sharon Baylor, in the 1991 Collegiate National Finals. Davis was unable to get revenge for her mother as she fell in two straight games.
Follow along with the draws HERE and stay tuned for more updates.
AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas Handball Team proudly invites players and fans from across the country to the Pete Tyson Classic, featuring the WPH Race 4 Eight LTE Stop #8 and the prestigious USHA Women’s Classic—all set in the iconic Gregory Gymnasium on the UT-Austin campus.
This event marks a powerful union of tradition, elite competition, and the future of the sport.
The University of Texas boasts one of the most storied handball legacies in collegiate history—home to countless national titles, legendary athletes, and a passionate community that has helped shape the game for generations. At the heart of that legacy stands Pete Tyson, a Hall of Fame Contributor, revered coach and mentor whose impact on the program and its players continues to inspire. The tournament bearing his name celebrates not just his contributions, but the spirit of excellence and inclusion that define Texas Handball.
This year’s Classic also hosts Stop #8 of the WPH Race 4 Eight Men’s LTE series, bringing some of the top men’s players in the world to Austin for high-caliber action in a setting steeped in tradition. It’s the perfect pairing of elite play and student-driven passion.
Alongside, the USHA Women’s Classic returns, highlighting the current and rising stars of women’s handball. This Classic traditionally features emerging talent and seasoned competitors alike, continuing the USHA’s longstanding commitment to advancing women’s handball.
Whether you’re a longtime player, a new fan, or returning to where it all started, join us for a weekend that celebrates handball’s past, present, and future—deep in the heart of Texas. Get more tournament details HERE.
