Lisa Phillips’ Pickleball Team Success: Green Canyon High School in Cache Valley had a great year in pickleball. The team, led by head coach Lisa Phillips, saw big wins, including a second-place finish in their region and a strong run to the state quarterfinals. The team is part of a new push to grow high school pickleball in Utah.
Lisa Phillips helped start the Green Canyon Pickleball Club with fellow parent John McFarland. Their kids, Danny Phillips and Lizzie McFarland, are both top-ranked junior players. The club saw 48 students sign up in its first year. The team’s success is part of a larger plan to make pickleball an official high school sport in Utah.
A Family Built Around Pickleball
Lisa Phillips and her family are deeply involved in pickleball. She runs local leagues in North Logan and helps manage a family business that builds pickleball courts. Her husband, Vic Phillips, is also a coach.
Their daughter, Alli Phillips, plays professionally on the Professional Pickleball Association and Major League Pickleball tours. She is a member of the Orlando Squeeze and travels for tournaments across the U.S. and overseas.
“She plays against people like Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns,”. “It’s a very exciting and very rewarding opportunity for her. There’s a lot of travel and she lives in hotels a lot of the time. She’s 22 and can’t even rent a car. But she’s really grateful for the chance to play the sport she loves and make it her career.”(Lisa Phillips)
Vic Phillips travels with Alli when he can to coach and support her on the road.
Club Launch and Team Success
Lisa Phillips joined the high school program after her son, Danny Phillips, entered ninth grade. That same year, the Utah High School Pickleball Association launched, looking for help to start school clubs.
“When Danny became a freshman this year, we were contacted by the Utah High School Pickleball Association, which was formed last fall,”. “They were looking for volunteers who would help start club teams at each high school. So, with our family’s background, we jumped in.”(Lisa Phillips)
With help from John McFarland, they created the Green Canyon Pickleball Club. The team quickly grew in size and skill. Danny Phillips won gold in singles and doubles at Utah’s first high school state championship. He is also nationally ranked as a junior player.
State and National Growth of the Sport
The Utah High School Pickleball Association, led by Jason Peery and Helen Monson, is working to make pickleball an official high school sport in the state. Lisa Phillips supports the idea, saying it gives young players more chances to get noticed.
“It’s a huge step for juniors,”. “These high school tournaments are DUPR-reported, which means players get national ratings that help them gain exposure at the collegiate and even professional levels.”(Lisa Phillips)
Only Maryland currently recognizes pickleball as an official high school sport. Utah could become the second. Colleges like Utah Tech already offer scholarships, and Utah State University runs a top club program led by Olivia Phillips, Lisa’s other daughter.
What Makes Pickleball Special
Lisa Phillips believes that pickleball is a great choice for students of all ages and abilities. It’s easy to learn, gentle on the body, and fun for people of any age.
“Pickleball is a life sport like tennis, but it’s easier to learn and easier on the body,”. “You can walk onto a court for the first time and have a fun game. That’s a big contrast to tennis, which takes a long time to pick up.”(Lisa Phillips)
She also said,
“You’ll see 11-year-olds playing with 75-year-olds and having a great time. It’s one of the most social sports out there.”
While it’s easy to begin, elite pickleball is getting faster and more competitive.
“The game has changed dramatically, even in just the last two years,”. “The speed, the power, it’s increased a lot, especially with the new paddles and younger pros coming in.”(Lisa Phillips)
Danny Phillips recently played in the National Junior Championships in Orem, Utah, earning multiple gold medals in the highest division.
“These kids are hitting the ball hard,”. “It’s a serious, competitive environment for those who want to take it far.”(Lisa Phillips)
Looking Ahead to Nationals
Green Canyon’s next goal is to qualify for the National High School Pickleball Championships. The event is organized by DUPR and was held in Lakeville, Minnesota this past April. Next year’s championship is expected to be in Utah.
“We’re going to try to get ready, not only for our state tournament, but also to be able to participate in the national tournament for high school pickleball. And we feel like we have a great team to get ready to do that,” (Lisa Phillips).
She hopes other high schools will join the movement.
“There are great junior players all over the Valley,”. “I’d encourage other high schools to get involved. This sport is only going to grow.”(Lisa Phillips)
Pickleball’s rise is opening new doors for students, from state medals to college scholarships and even pro careers. And for families like the Phillips, it’s more than a game — it’s a way of life.
News in Brief: Lisa Phillips’ Pickleball Team Success
Green Canyon High School had a great pickleball season under coach Lisa Phillips. The team reached the state quarterfinals and is aiming for nationals next year. With growing support, Utah may soon recognize pickleball as an official high school sport. The Phillips family is leading the charge in Cache Valley.