PVAC's Lloyd reaches senifinals in World Racquetball Championships

An injury to his partner took Petaluman Sawyer Lloyd out of the World Junior Racquetball Championships as the tem was on the verge of playing for a world title. Petaluma's Sawyer Lloyd reached the semifinals in doubles play at the World Racquetball Championships before an injury to his partner forced the team to withdraw. Lloyd and his partner, Adam Manilla, represented the United States in the tournament after winning the national 16-and-under title. Lloyd and Manilla went 3-0 in pool play, and were seeded No. 3 in the playoff draw after beating teams from Ecuador, Guatemala and Costa Rica. As the No. 3 seed, they drew a bye into the quarterfinals where they defeated Bolivia in two games to reach the semifinals. Manilla was also playing singles and reached the semifinals. He was ahead in game one of that match when he injured his knee and had to forfeit. Manilla's knee would not permit him to continue, and he and his Petaluma partner had to forfeit their semifinal match against Canada. The winner of the U.S.-Canada match would have taken on Mexico. At the World Championships two years ago, Lloyd and Manilla lost a close tie breaker to Mexico in the finals. Lloyd plays out of the Petaluma Valley Athletic Club and is coached by Brian Dixon, who runs the youth program at PVAC. Jose Diaz and Markie Rojas, both from Stockton and partners in doubles play, met in the 18-and-under singles championship, with Rojas winning in two close games. As a doubles team they won the title.