Competition and Sore Palms Go Hand in Hand
May 5th, 2004
By Archived Story
On April 18th, the University of Minnesota Recreation Center was the place to be. People were balling on the courts, sprinting on the treadmills and weights were being thrown around the fitness centers. But the stir about the Recreation Center resided near the racquetball courts, also known as the handball courts.
In the Minnesota Spring Handball Classic, 117 competitors signed up for their shot at the state title. They battled within their respective brackets for the title. Of the 117 in the field, the top 16 competed for the Minnesota State Title in the open division, which is the top division. The tournament went from Friday to Sunday chiseling away the field of players until a champion was crowned.
Handball is played within the same walls of the more popular racquetball courts.
“Handball and racquetball are about 99 percent the same, except of course we use our hands instead of a racket,” commented Matt (check) Hiber, who claimed the title.
The players bat the ball against the wall with padded gloves that are a little thicker than batting gloves used in baseball. Using their hands as rackets, they scoop, swat and send the ball soaring towards the wall. The ball is smaller than a racquetball and much harder, causing some soreness in the players’ palms after a match.
Hiber has competed for many years at the professional level, playing in numerous tournaments around the nation. He stopped traveling around the country but has a large role with the handball club. He continues to play in some of the sponsored tournaments near the area.
On Sunday, in front of a close to capacity crowd, he won his first match and faced off against Pete Crouser for the championship. With a repertoire that includes a devastating serve and powerful forehand-and-backhand shots, Hiber has the total package.
It seemed after every brilliant return from Crouser, Hiber answered with a jaw-dropping hit. Crouser delivered a valiant effort but Hiber’s experience helped him cruise to victory. He defeated Crouser 21-7 and 21-3 en route to the Minnesota State Handball Title.
After the match, the media swarmed around Hiber, looking for pictures, quotes and high fives from the champion. The Wake was lucky enough to catch up with Hiber and found a humble champion acting like a winner should. He is a champion with class, dignity, and some sweaty, sore and red hands.
