Utah Valley Claims NCPA Nationals Title: The National Collegiate Pickleball Association (NCPA) Nationals took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, this past weekend, featuring the best collegiate teams in the country. Utah Valley claimed the national title with a dramatic 4-3 victory over in-state rival Utah Tech, winning a $14,000 grand prize.
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Pool Play and Semifinals Set the Stage
The tournament kicked off with pool play on Friday, where teams fought for positions in the knockout rounds. After an intense day of matches, the field was narrowed down to four teams: Utah Tech, Utah Valley, the University of Utah, and Virginia Tech. Each team demonstrated exceptional skill and teamwork to advance through the initial rounds, setting the stage for the semifinals.
Championship Match Highlights
In the championship match, Utah Tech fielded a talented lineup, including Averee Beck, Liam Duffin, Benson Parry, and Kamryn Kolb. Utah Valley responded with their own strong squad, featuring Dodo Kong, Brenna Murray, Bryce Larson, Thatcher Schwendiman, and Ryan Smith.
The match was a thrilling back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging wins. Ultimately, Utah Valley came through in the clutch during the final moments, securing the 4-3 victory and etching their name in the history books as national champions.
NCPA’s Rapid Growth and Impact
This pickleball tournament was the culmination of five NCPA Super Regionals held last semester, where teams earned bids to compete on the national stage. The NCPA, founded in January 2023 by Noah Suemnick, has quickly expanded its footprint in collegiate pickleball.
What started with a single tournament in San Diego has now transformed into a nationwide series of events, with competitions taking place across every region of the U.S. Despite being only in its second year, the NCPA is playing a significant role in legitimizing and promoting the college pickleball scene.
Exhibition Match Showcases Talent
In addition to the championship matches, the NCPA Nationals featured an exciting pro vs. college exhibition match. Four professional players—Amanda Hendry, Anderson Scarpa, Allison Harris, and John Sperling—competed against a group of standout collegiate players, including Utah Tech’s Liam Duffin and Averee Beck, Samford’s Jake Wilson, and Utah Valley’s Dodo Kong.
This exhibition provided college players with a valuable opportunity to test their skills against experienced professionals, adding excitement to the weekend’s events.
Looking Ahead: APP Nationals
With the NCPA season now concluded, collegiate pickleball teams will shift their focus to the upcoming APP Nationals next month in Coral Springs, Florida. This tournament will also crown the best individual players in the country, signaling a bright future for pickleball at the college level.
News in Brief: Utah Valley Claims NCPA Nationals Title
Utah Valley won the NCPA Nationals in Las Vegas, defeating Utah Tech 4-3 to secure the national title and $14,000 prize. The tournament featured pool play and semifinals, culminating in an exciting championship match. College teams now prepare for APP Nationals next month in Florida.
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