Carol Emanuel’s Pickleball Journey: Naples JBB United is deep into its second season, with Carol Emanuel gripping a pickleball paddle in her rookie campaign for the National Pickleball League’s Naples JBB United. The league, tailored for athletes aged 50 and above, marks Emanuel’s transition from collegiate basketball at Purdue University to competitive pickleball.
Carol Emanuel, reflecting on her transition from basketball to pickleball, observed that she never lost her competitive edge. She still harbored the drive to compete, so when the opportunity to be drafted arose, she thought, “Why not? I feel fortunate for the chance.” Drawing on her basketball background, Emanuel saw parallels in court coverage, defensive strategy, and teamwork with her pickleball partner.
“You never lose that competitive edge, I still have that drive to compete, and when the opportunity came to be drafted, I thought, why not? I feel fortunate for the chance.” – (Carol Emanuel)
“it’s the court coverage. It’s being able to play defense until you can get an offensive shot. It’s working together with your partner which would be the same as your teammate on the court in basketball.” – (Emanuel)
Living locally in Naples, Emanuel is part of a roster that embodies community pride, alongside teammates like Gerald Alvarado, who shares a similar sentiment.
“being a part of Naples now living here for a year and then representing the Naples team, you feel the love. I love it. It’s great and you want to represent your town the best you can.” – (Alvarado)
For Naples JBB United, now in its second season, team owner Bob Strommen explains the origins of their name, a tribute to the sport’s founders.
“The initials of them are Bill, Bob and Joel, And so there came JBB United, which was really a tribute to the legacy of the game.” – (Strommen)
“We had a lot of players that signed up and wanted to be a part of and drafted just curious to see if this is something they really wanted to do long term. And what they discovered this was not only was competition at the highest level for the 50 and over crowd, but it was fun. And we developed relationships. And it was dynamic.” – (Strommen)
Emanuel echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the joy of team play. “Being part of a team like this is special. I love being out there, supporting my teammates, and striving together towards success.”
News in Brief: Carol Emanuel’s Pickleball Journey
Naples JBB United, in its second season of the National Pickleball League, sees Carol Emanuel making a rookie debut, transitioning her Purdue basketball skills to competitive pickleball. Emanuel, driven by her enduring competitive spirit, embraced the opportunity to join the league and has found similarities in court strategy and teamwork between basketball and pickleball.
Local pride runs deep among the team, with Emanuel and her teammates like Gerald Alvarado embodying community spirit. Team owner Bob Strommen reflects on the team’s origins and success, highlighting their commitment to honoring pickleball’s legacy. Emanuel cherishes the friendship and competitive thrill of playing with her teammates.
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