EIU Pickleball Club’s Debut Tournament: As a national heat wave gripped the region, the Welcome Back Student Pickleball Tournament at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) became a hot topic of conversation. With temperatures rising, the only question on participants’ minds was whether it was hotter outside or inside McAfee Gym.
“I would rather play outside than in McAfee Gym right now,” said Marquez Davis, a freshman majoring in sport and recreation management.
The event, held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, was the inaugural tournament hosted by the EIU pickleball club, which received $165 from New Student & Family Programs to fund the event. Despite the heat, the tournament marked a successful beginning for the club, setting the stage for future events.
Future Tournaments on the Horizon
This tournament was just the start for the EIU pickleball club. According to club advisor Josh Norman, the organization plans to host another tournament in the spring, featuring separate men’s and women’s brackets. This move is expected to further engage the student body and elevate the sport’s presence on campus.
Students interested in playing outside of tournaments can join the pickleball club, which meets in McAfee Gym every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
“We’d love to have more people,” said Elijah Kubicek, the club secretary. “If we get more interest, the university might start to take notice because there are a lot of universities across the nation sending teams to tournaments. If we want to grow the program, get more people interested, it can become a space where anyone can join and play at different levels.”
Championship Match Highlights
In the doubles tournament, the Kubicek brothers, Elijah and Samson, emerged victorious among 16 teams. They faced off against EIU pickleball club president Ella Zahm and Emily Stortzum in the championship match. The first set saw the Kubiceks take an early lead with a score of 4-0, but Zahm and Stortzum fought back, closing the gap to 4-2 before the Kubiceks surged ahead to win 11-2.
The second set was more competitive. Zahm and Stortzum, just two points from victory, lost service, allowing the Kubiceks to overturn a 9-7 deficit to win 10-7. With renewed service, the Kubiceks seized their opportunity, closing out the championship with a decisive first serve.
“It’s just really fun to compete,” said Elijah Kubicek. “We haven’t had this level of competition at EIU before. It’s been great to lock in and really focus on the game. Before, a lot of open gym times were just for fun, accommodating different play levels. But here, my brother and I could play as hard as we wanted.”
News in Brief: EIU Pickleball Club’s Debut Tournament
The EIU Pickleball Club’s Welcome Back Student Tournament, held amid a national heat wave, proved to be a sizzling success. Running from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the inaugural event, funded with $165 from New Student & Family Programs, showcased the club’s dedication. Future plans include a spring tournament with separate men’s and women’s brackets. The Kubicek brothers clinched the doubles title, overcoming Ella Zahm and Emily Stortzum in a thrilling final. The club meets regularly in McAfee Gym, and growing interest may prompt increased university support for pickleball on campus.
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