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Collegiate pickleball takes center stage

Collegiate pickleball takes center stage

College players will battle for cash and a spot in pro event

April 03, 2025

The NCAA Tournament wraps up this weekend with the Final Four, but fear not, there’s more high-stakes college sports action on the horizon — on the pickleball courts, of course.

64 of the nation’s top collegiate pickleball teams will descend upon Life Time Peachtree Corners in Atlanta from April 11-13 for the Collegiate National Championships. They’ll be battling for a share of a $40,000 prize pool and a national championship — and also a ticket to the pro stage.

Learn more below.

Also in this issue:

Now that’s a good singles point 😮
Defining each skill level 📕
Another paddle ban!? ❌
The best net options 👌
New facility near Seattle has it all 🏰

Let’s cook. 🧑‍🍳

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

The right way to end a singles game

Men’s singles has turned into arguably the most difficult division at the pro level over the past year.

Speed, court coverage, power, finesse — to make a run in the singles draw, you have to have it all. Christian Alshon made his singles breakthrough earlier this year and backed it up with another title a week later, proving that he belongs in the conversation for top dog right now.

He shows us why with this incredible game point against Connor Garnett from the Red Rock Open last week in St. George, Utah.

🔗 This is how it’s done

POLL

Should pickleball be a sanctioned college sport?

FEATURED STORY

College teams have a lot to play for in Atlanta

For the first time in college pickleball history, winning nationals won’t just mean a trophy — it’s a ticket to the pro stage. The 2025 Collegiate Pickleball Tour (CPT) champion and runner-up will face off against Major League Pickleball pros at the league’s mid-season tournament in July, and they’ll also take home some significant prize money.

Backed by the UPA and DUPR, the CPT has evolved from a singular tournament into a full-fledged collegiate tour. In January, DUPR and the UPA formally announced the creation of the CPT, introducing campus regionals, super regionals and showcase events at PPA Tour stops -- and a $100,000 prize pool for the year.

More than 200 schools and more than 4,000 players are expected to participate in 2025 events. The spring season culminates next week with the Collegiate National Championships, as 64 of the nation’s top collegiate pickleball teams will descend upon Life Time Peachtree Corners in Atlanta from April 11-13, fighting for a share of a $40,000 prize pool and a national championship.

Schools will compete in group play, followed by a March Madness style elimination tournament.

HERE’S A LOOK AT A FEW OF THE TOP CONTENDERS:

Utah Tech University

Utah Tech University will be looking to claim back-to-back national championships and will return all four starters from the team that defeated Virginia (UVA) 3-0 in the 2024 final.

University of North Carolina

Former pro Collin Shick led the Tar Heels to victory in the first ever Collegiate National Championship in 2022, etching them into college pickleball history. They’ve followed up that success with a 2nd place and semifinal finish in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

University of Virginia

Another blue blood of collegiate Pickleball, the Cavaliers captured their first national title in 2023 and have made deep runs in every tournament they’ve played in. They’ll look to avenge their loss in the 2024 finals to Utah Tech.

University of Indiana

The Hoosiers come to Atlanta off of a quarterfinal finish at last year’s nationals and boast one of the best collegiate players in the country. Mehvish Safdar, a former University of Minnesota tennis player, was selected with the 13th pick in the MLP Premier Level free agency draft by the Utah Black Diamonds last month.

🔗 Check out our full Collegiate National Championships preview

KNOW YOUR LEVEL

Every pickleball skill rating, defined

Last week we explained why many pickleball players tend to overestimate their skill level. But what defines those skill levels, exactly?

Even if you've been playing for several years it might not be clear what the difference is between 3.5 and 4.0, or between 4.0 and 4.5. We’re here to help, with some simple skill level definitions.

1.0 to 2.0: Just starting, no prior sports background.

2.5: Limited experience. Can sustain a short rally. Knows how to keep score.

3.0: Understands fundamentals. Is learning proper court positioning.

3.5: Knows difference between hard game and soft game and can apply both.

4.0: Knows how to move as a team. Moderate number of unforced errors.

4.5: Good footwork and very comfortable playing at the kitchen line. Limited number of unforced errors.

5.0: Easily adjusts style of play to exploit opponent’s weaknesses. Rarely makes unforced errors.

5.5: Top caliber player. Performance and tournament wins speak for themselves.

🔗 More details on what separates each level

The United Pickleball Association of American earlier this week removed all Luzz paddles from its approved paddle list and revoked the brand's provisional approval status, according to a news release from the PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball governing body.

The UPA-A said Luzz, a newer paddle brand, had gained provisional approval earlier this year, a process that was established to allow paddle brands already approved by USA Pickleball to be eligible for play on the PPA Tour and in MLP events before the full UPA-A certification goes into effect on Sept. 1.

But the UPA-A said in its statement that Luzz provided inaccurate information regarding its "Cannon" paddle and submitted paddles that are constructed differently and had different performance characteristics from the "ZZ" model that was originally granted provisional approval. Oops.

🔗 Get all the details on the latest paddle ban

A NEW PLACE TO PLAY

Pickleball Kingdom bringing modern amenities to region where it all started

A new pickleball facility in Washington state is a shining example of how far the sport has come since it was created in 1965.

Although it will be located just a few miles from the original pickleball court on Bainbridge Island, the newest Pickleball Kingdom facility -- just up the road in Poulsbo, Washington -- takes pickleball to a whole different level compared to its humble beginnings in the region.

The Poulsbo Pickleball Kingdom location (21800 Market Pl NW, Poulsbo, WA 98370) will hold its grand opening this weekend -- April 5th and 6th -- with food trucks, special events, free play and tours available.

The facility boasts 12 premium indoor courts and will offer leagues for all skill levels, daily open play, coaching sessions and group clinics led by certified coaches, free Pickleball 101 sessions and more.

BUT IT’S THE OTHER AMENITIES THAT SET THIS FACILITY APART:

Beer & wine sales: Unwind after hard-fought games.
On-site pro shop: Featuring the latest paddles and gear.
Elevated mezzanine lounge: A place to stretch, socialize and watch the action.
Instant video replay: Instantly review calls or capture memorable moments.

🔗 Everything you need to know about this new facility

HIT THE COURTS

Get connected with PlayTime Scheduler

In 2016, Reine Steel realized she had a problem: finding games that fit her schedule without having to deal with endless group texts or email chains.

As a web developer with decades of experience, she knew there had to be a better way.

So she created what would eventually become PlayTime Scheduler: