Hawkes’ Ace in Hole Leads to Another Victory

Brian Hawkes of Laguna Hills defended his singles’ title and won his 16th crown in the open division of the National Outdoor Racquetball Championships, Sunday at Golden West College.

Hawkes, 35, had to rally, but swept Orange’s Greg Solis, 15-7, 15-13 for the championship.

It was Hawkes’ 26th national title overall, including 10 in doubles.

“This feels great,” Hawkes said. “Greg really played a great match. He came with his A-game today. But, I think experience came through today instead of youth.”

In both games, Hawkes, trailed early, but came back behind the strength of a blistering serve, which resulted in nine aces.

Trailing, 6-3, in the first game, Hawkes won 10 consecutive points, five on aces, to take a 13-6 lead. After four game-point attempts, Hawkes finally put it away.

In the second game, Solis, 23, took a 3-0 lead, before Hawkes quickly strung together another run on three aces, taking a 5-3 lead.

Solis regained the lead, 11-7, but Hawkes switched serves. Instead of serving from the right, and banking the ball off two walls then crossing it to the other side of the court, Hawkes moved to the left and served overhand.

“I felt like I wasn’t being effective and I just needed to mix it up,” Hawkes said. “I was getting stagnant and I didn’t want to get in a bad rhythm.”

He quickly closed the gap to 11-9. Solis hit three consecutive serves long and Hawkes threw in another ace to trail, 13-12. Hawkes then racked up three consecutive points for the title.

“Brian is just too good,” said Solis, who has never beaten Hawkes. “If you give him anything he is going to take advantage.”

Solis got back at Hawkes in the doubles’ final, when he and his brother, Andy, took on Hawkes and Craig Lane of Alabama.

The match was marred by numerous arguments with the referee, delaying play on several occasions, but the Solis brothers defended their title, winning in a tiebreaker, 15-12, 9-15, 11-4.

Hawkes and Lane, who hadn’t competed together for three years after winning three straight titles dating back to 1992, trailed 8-0, before rallying back to tie the first game, 8-8. Two consecutive unforced errors by Hawkes, gave the Solis brothers a 10-8 lead, one they didn’t relinquish it.