Collegiate Pickleball Tour Debuts at PPA Mesa Cup: The Collegiate Pickleball Tour (CPT) debuted in style at the Carvana PPA Mesa Cup, where top collegiate and junior players competed on Pickleball TV’s Grandstand court. Grand Canyon University (GCU) and Arizona State University (ASU) faced off in a match that highlighted the growing presence of college pickleball on a national stage.
CPT partnered with the PPA Tour to introduce collegiate matches at major events, ensuring these showcase matches count as sanctioned dual matches. With five stops on the schedule, collegiate pickleball is set to gain more exposure and recognition.
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GCU vs. ASU: A Showcase of Talent
No.14-ranked GCU took on No.25 ASU in a match that delivered intense competition. Despite ASU’s top player, Nathan Tang, missing the event due to injury, both teams displayed their skills in front of a wider audience.
Match Results
- Women’s Doubles: GCU’s Aly Evanson and Sophia Gargiulo defeated ASU’s Zoe Hugos and Hailie Kealoha 22-20.
- Men’s Doubles: GCU’s Carter Eldridge and Artur Fonseca triumphed over ASU’s Josh Leivas and Spencer Johnson 21-12.
- Mixed Doubles: GCU’s Adam Jones and Aly Evanson secured a 21-12 win against ASU’s Josh Leivas and Hailie Kealoha.
Following GCU’s 3-0 sweep, players from both schools joined forces for an exhibition match against top junior competitors, showcasing the depth of talent in the collegiate and junior ranks.
Expanding the Collegiate Platform
Hunter Aiono, collegiate pickleball director for the United Pickleball Association (UPA), provided insights into the importance of these events. With limited streaming opportunities for collegiate pickleball, Pickleball TV’s coverage ensures greater visibility and interest in the sport.
The CPT’s 2025 showcase schedule includes five events:
- February 22 – Carvana Mesa Cup, Mesa, AZ
- March 8 – Veolia Cape Coral Open, Cape Coral, FL
- March 15 – Texas Open, McKinney, TX
- March 26 – Red Rock Open, St. George, UT
- April 5 – North Carolina Open, Cary, NC
Next Up: A Heated Rivalry
The next CPT showcase match will take place at the PPA Veolia Cape Coral Open, where the University of Florida (UF) and Florida State University (FSU) will go head-to-head. This historic rivalry will now extend to the pickleball court, bringing further excitement to the sport. Fans can watch the action live on Pickleball TV.
News in Brief: Collegiate Pickleball Tour Debuts at PPA Mesa Cup
The Collegiate Pickleball Tour’s debut at the Carvana PPA Mesa Cup featured a showdown between Grand Canyon University and Arizona State University. GCU won 3-0 in a thrilling matchup. The CPT’s partnership with the PPA Tour will bring more college matches to national audiences, with the next showcase featuring UF vs. FSU on March 8.
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