Mathematical Analysis of Pickleball Serve: In a significant contribution to sports analytics, Miky Wright, a distinguished faculty member in the math department at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, along with engineer William Figary from Elizabethtown, has gained national recognition for their published research. Their article, “Should You Choose to Serve First in Pickleball Match? — MATH VALUES,” was released by the esteemed Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and explores the statistical factors influencing pickleball matches.
A Passionate Pursuit of Knowledge
Wright, who founded Twin Lakes Pickleball in Leitchfield, brings her dual passions for mathematics and pickleball to the forefront. “I’ve been playing pickleball with passion for the past two years, competing in several tournaments. The title of this study has been on my mind,” Wright shared. “I’ve always assumed there was a benefit to serving first, but is there any statistical evidence? As a math instructor who’s been teaching statistics for almost a decade, I needed to find out.”
Collaboration and Community Engagement
In the spirit of collaboration, Wright acknowledged the support of her ECTC colleagues, including Melanie Figary, Joe Galloway, and Navin Madras, who assisted in refining the article. “Having recently gotten into playing pickleball, I was intrigued by this question Miky proposed,” said Figary. “I love using math and programming to discover optimal pickleball strategies in other games, so I was excited to see where this exploration led us. While some of the outcomes were expected, there were also some surprises along the way that left me very satisfied with what we had accomplished.”
Advancing Sports Analytics
This research not only enhances the understanding of sports analytics but also highlights ECTC’s commitment to academic excellence and community engagement. By blending mathematics with a beloved sport, Wright and Figary’s work serves as an inspiration for players and enthusiasts alike, encouraging a deeper examination of the pickleball strategies that shape the game.
News in Brief: Mathematical Analysis of Pickleball Serve
Miky Wright from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College and engineer William Figary have published their article, “Should You Choose to Serve First in Pickleball Match? — MATH VALUES,” with the Mathematical Association of America. Their research explores the statistical dynamics of serve first in pickleball, aiming to enrich the understanding of sports analytics. Wright, an avid pickleball player, emphasizes the importance of statistical evidence in gameplay decisions, while Figary shares excitement over discovering unexpected outcomes in their analysis, reflecting a commitment to integrating mathematics with community sports.
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