University of North Carolina Claims Victory: The University of North Carolina (UNC) claimed victory at the first Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) Super Regional of 2025, held at Pickle and Social in Buford, Georgia. This event marked the start of an exciting collegiate pickleball season, leading up to the National Championship in April.
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A New Era for Collegiate Pickleball
The tournament was the first of four Super Regionals in the United Pickleball Association (UPA) & DUPR Collegiate Pickleball Tour.
This newly launched series includes 30 Campus Regionals, eight Super Regionals, and two major championships: the Collegiate National Championship and the Collegiate World Championship in Dallas this fall. The initiative aims to provide structured competition and national exposure for student-athletes.
Over 250 players from 25 schools participated, reflecting the sport’s rapid growth at the collegiate level. Teams battled for four coveted bids to the Collegiate National Championship, making each match critical.
Among the newcomers, the University of Alabama made its debut in collegiate pickleball, marking a major milestone for the program. Schools like Fresno State, Stanford, and Arizona State traveled from the West Coast, further proving the sport’s national expansion.
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Surprises and Standout Performances
One of the biggest surprises came from the University of North Florida (UNF), which entered the elimination bracket as the #15 seed and stunned #2 seed the University of Central Florida (UCF) in the Round of 16. Their impressive run ended in the semifinals against UNC, the eventual champions.
Meanwhile, the University of Florida showcased its depth, with four teams reaching the Round of 16 and three advancing to the quarterfinals.
A semifinal matchup between two Florida teams added to the intensity, with Florida’s top team (Christian Franke, Martine Sundsten, Zoe Routson, & Jake Bower) securing a spot in the championship match against UNC (Sarah Carpenter, Jayna Shah, Matthew Nesbitt, & Ian Hutter).
A Thrilling Championship Final
The final match was a back-and-forth battle. Florida dominated the gender doubles events, winning the men’s and women’s doubles matches. However, UNC made a strong comeback in mixed doubles, securing wins in both matches to force a Dreambreaker. In a tight finish, UNC edged out Florida 21-18 to claim the title.
With the collegiate pickleball scene expanding through the UPA and DUPR tour, this Super Regional set the stage for an action-packed season. More intense competition is expected in the upcoming events, with teams fighting for a spot at the National Championship.
News in Brief: University of North Carolina Claims Victory
University of North Carolina won the first DUPR Super Regional of 2025, defeating Florida in a thrilling final. The event, held in Georgia, kicked off the UPA and DUPR Collegiate Pickleball Tour.
With over 250 players from 25 schools, the tournament highlighted the sport’s rapid collegiate growth. More Super Regionals will follow before the National Championship in April.
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