SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Missouri State University Handball Bears
returned home with hardware after a standout performance at the
United States Handball Association (USHA) Collegiate National
Tournament, held February 18–22 at the U.S. National Handball
Center in partnership with the St. Louis Hinder Club in St. Louis,
Missouri.
The tournament welcomed 30 universities from across the country,
with competitors facing off across multiple divisions and skill levels.
Missouri State sent 25 players to compete as the Handball Bears,
accumulating points across individual brackets that contribute to
overall combined team standings.
When the final scores were tallied, Missouri State University earned
the Combined Team National Runner-Up title, the Women’s Division
National Runner-Up title, and a third-place finish in the Men’s Division
— a remarkable showing that underscores the program’s depth and
competitive excellence.
Head Coach Christian Madsen expressed pride in his team’s
accomplishment. “I am so proud of how our players competed and
played at nationals,” said Madsen. “They represented well and
continued a tradition of excellence on the court and family
atmosphere that has been the standard for decades in this program.
We are excited about what they accomplished and about the future of
our program with these student-athletes.”
The Bears also drew praise from USHA representative Sam Esser,
himself a Missouri State handball team alum. “Missouri State players
showed a lot of grit and class this weekend,” Esser said. “They were
impressive and represented their university and program well.”
The results reflect a program with deep roots in collegiate handball
and a continued commitment to developing competitive studentathletes at the highest national level.
Mo State Women’s Handball places 2nd in National Tournament
