Utah Tech Clinches 2024 DUPR Collegiate National Title: In a thrilling culmination to the collegiate pickleball season, Utah Tech University, the top seed from the Southern Conference, claimed victory over the defending champions, the University of Virginia, at the 2024 DUPR Collegiate National Championship.
A Journey Through the Bracket
Utah Tech’s path to glory was anything but easy. The team faced fierce competition, starting with a decisive win over George Mason University. They continued their momentum by defeating Penn State University, the University of Texas at Austin, the second-seeded Indiana University, and the 2022 DUPR Collegiate National Champions, the University of North Carolina. Finally, they set their sights on the University of Virginia, the ultimate rematch after their semifinal loss to UVA the previous year.
A Raucous Atmosphere
The championship match began at 11:00 a.m. at the Brookhaven Country Club, with stands packed full of enthusiastic pickleball players, parents, teammates, and spectators from various schools. The atmosphere was electric, with the University of Virginia fans chanting and cheering loudly enough to resonate throughout the venue. Their confidence was palpable, as they prepared to defend their title.
A Battle of Determination
For Utah Tech, this match represented a chance for redemption. The players entered the court with vengeance in their hearts, ready to avenge their prior defeat. The tension was evident, especially in the women’s doubles match, where the duo of Averee Beck and Kamryn Bliss engaged in a nail-biting battle, ultimately winning the first game with a score of 22-20.
In the men’s doubles, Liam Duffin and Benson Parry maintained their lead, finishing their match with a score of 21-15. This victory began to shift the energy in the arena; the once-rowdy University of Virginia supporters began to quiet as Utah Tech’s fan base grew louder and more energized. Everyone loves an underdog story, and Utah Tech was beginning to capture that narrative.
Momentum Shifts
The momentum continued to build as Utah Tech sent out Bliss and Duffin for a pivotal third match. The pair triumphed in a climactic battle, winning 21-19. Despite some moments where the University of Virginia threatened to extend the match to a fourth game, Utah Tech held strong, executing strategically long rallies that exemplified textbook pickleball.
Championship Glory
Utah Tech earned their championship title in a swift three games, though each match was a nail-biter filled with tension and skill.
“I feel like it really came down to who could play the most disciplined. Who could stick with the patterns that we came in prepared to do – and who could execute. We came in with a plan and they stuck with it in the clutch moments and that was the difference,”- chloe butterfield
The victorious players—Bliss, Duffin, Beck, and Parry—were elated as they accepted their championship trophy and a check for $15,000.
“I’m feeling on top of the world right now,” said Beck, a sophomore majoring in business management.
“We’ve worked so hard to get here, and I’m just so proud of my team. We’ve been super focused all year. I’m feeling so happy, super grateful, and a little bit emotional,” added Bliss, a junior studying radiology.
“I am unbelievably proud of them. I’m proud of the grind and the mental toughness that these guys have shown. It’s unbelievable. And I love each of them as individuals, and it’s so awesome to see them succeed and have that confidence,” – chloe Butterfield
News in Brief : Utah Tech Clinches 2024 DUPR Collegiate National Title
Utah Tech University claimed the 2024 DUPR Collegiate National Championship, defeating the University of Virginia in a thrilling rematch. After battling through a tough bracket, Utah Tech triumphed in three intense matches, highlighted by key victories from players Averee Beck, Kamryn Bliss, Liam Duffin, and Benson Parry. Coach Chloee Butterfield praised her team’s discipline and execution, leading them to a championship win and a $15,000 prize.
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