Florida Atlantic University’s Landmark Win: The DUPR Collegiate Florida Super Regional took place this past weekend, September 21-22, at The Pickleball Club in Port St. Lucie. As the season’s inaugural Super Regional, the event was charged with excitement, showing a mix of nerves and fresh talent.
A Competitive Showcase
This year’s Super Regional ranked as the fourth largest, featuring 22 teams competing for a coveted bid to nationals. A total of 88 student-athletes participated, including 11 teams and 22 players competing in the challenger bracket division, bringing the total to 110 participants. Below are the highlights from the competition:
FAU vs. University of Miami (UMiami)
- Women’s: FAU 21, UMiami 16
- Men’s: FAU 21, UMiami 18
- Mixed 1: FAU 21, UMiami 11
Semi-Final Matchup
- University of Florida (UF) vs. Florida State University (FSU)
- Women’s: UF 21, FSU 17
- Men’s: UF 21, FSU 17
- Mixed 1: UF 21, FSU 11
With UF and FAU advancing to the finals, the anticipation soared.
The Championship Clash
Final Result: FAU vs. UF
- Women’s: FAU 21, UF 12
- Men’s: FAU 21, UF 14
- Mixed: FAU 21, UF 17
With their victory on Sunday, FAU made history as the first school to repeat as a collegiate pickleball tournament champion, having won the Florida Regional in 2023. Remarkably, they improved their performance, going from one doubles loss in 2023 to none in 2024. This impressive statistic shows their dominance at the DUPR Florida events, where they have recorded more championship wins than doubles losses.
What’s more concerning for opposing teams is that FAU’s squad consists entirely of teenagers. This formidable force could evolve into a powerhouse by 2026, with two additional years of play and chemistry building. Fans are eager to see how FAU fares against other collegiate heavyweights at the upcoming Collegiate National Championship from November 1-3 in Dallas, Texas.
Looking Ahead
FAU will face familiar foes at Nationals, as Florida State University, University of Miami, and Kennesaw State also secured their bids through their performances at the Florida Super Regional. Broward College made a noteworthy debut by winning the challenger bracket in their first tournament. In a stunning upset during the Round of 16, the #14-seeded UGA team defeated the #3-seeded UF 2 in a dreambreaker, setting the stage for a potential rematch at Nationals.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the DUPR Collegiate Pickleball partners: JOOLA, HEAD, GAMMA, Rally Republic, Osaka, No Apologies Hydration, Erne, Pickleball Superstore, and Total Pickleball. Special appreciation is also extended to The Pickleball Club in Port St. Lucie, FL, for hosting the second annual Florida Super Regional.
Upcoming Event: Virginia Beach Super Regional
The excitement continues as the Virginia Beach Super Regional kicks off on Saturday, September 28. This DUPR pickleball tournament will feature 17 schools and 35 teams, led by the University of Virginia (UVA) with five teams participating. Notably, this event ranks as the second largest in collegiate DUPR history, reflecting the increasing enthusiasm for collegiate pickleball.
Saturday, September 28 Schedule
Among the participating teams, only North Carolina State, Duke, UNC Charlotte, High Point University, Liberty University, and UNC Chapel Hill are eligible to secure bids, as the other teams either already possess a bid or rank outside the top 16. With only three Super Regionals left to claim national bids (Nevada, Houston, and Arizona), the stakes are high.
Sunday, September 29 Schedule
Additionally, there are 11 wildcard bids available for teams not qualifying for a bid, providing a crucial second chance later in the season. This weekend is set to deliver thrilling matchups and intense action for players, coaches, and fans.
News in Brief: Florida Atlantic University’s Landmark Win
The Florida Super Regional showed 22 teams and 110 student-athletes at The Pickleball Club in Port St. Lucie, FL, on September 21-22. Florida Atlantic University (FAU) won, defeating the University of Florida in the finals and becoming the first repeat champion.
They improved their performance, achieving no doubles losses in 2024. The Virginia Beach Super Regional follows this weekend, featuring 17 schools and 35 teams, continuing the excitement of collegiate pickleball. With wildcard bids up for grabs, the competition remains fierce as teams compete for national championship slots.
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