Handball returns as champions once again

Pacific University’s handball team wrapped up their National Championship weekend in Springfield, MO at Missouri State University. 
Over the weekend, the team of 22 athletes showed their dominance as they once again captured numerous national titles. 
In Springfield, the team faced nothing but Division I and Division II schools. These schools included host Missouri State, Arizona State, University of Texas, University of Minnesota, Utah State, and Cal Berkeley.
“We had the most successful Collegiate Championship performance in Pacific history, the Grand Slam and more,” Head Coach David Steinberg said.
The Boxer women went out and three-peated in their team championship while the men were able to come away with a championship in their team division as well. Ultimately giving Pacific the combined team championship. 
Leading the women’s team to a combined 2,109 total points was senior Karissa Komo. Komo became the most decorated Boxer handball athlete increasing her total of national championships to eight after her and freshman Tessa DeBartolo won the Women’s A Division doubles title.
Komo also got up to eleventh in the women’s open single division, the highest position ranking ever held by a Boxer.
Joining Komo in dominance of the women’s division were sophomore Julie Huestis and senior Michelle Brown. Both were able to reach the championship of their single’s divisions, but were unable to finish strong due to ailment and injury. 
In the men’s division, the team finished with a combined record of 24-6 and were led by a quintet of seniors to the title. Three of the seniors, Corey Hedger, Brandon Howes, and Corey Mason, were able to reach the semi-finals of their divisions.
While in the doubles bracket, the team of Geoff Kastel and Chase Bodor made the men’s doubles B final before falling to the team from Utah State. 
Outside of just the hardware earned through their play, three Boxers were nominated for the Sportsmanship award. Huestis won the Sabo Scholarship award. The scholarship is chosen by the USHA and a committee and given during the national championship. Just two of these scholarships are given away every year.