Marianna Petrei’s Performance at PPA: At 27 years old, Marianna Petrei has already made quite an impression, in collegiate tennis and now in professional pickleball. The Italian-born former Division 1 tennis star, who recently reached the quarterfinals at her first Pickleball Professional Association (PPA) event—the Picklr PPA Utah Open—showed the same tenacity and mental toughness that earned her accolades throughout her tennis career.
A Tennis Upbringing in Italy
Born in Udine, Italy, Marianna Petrei grew up in a world surrounded by sports. Her early years saw her exploring gymnastics before picking up a tennis racket around age nine or ten, influenced by her parent’s passion for the sport.
Her junior tennis career took off in local and international tournaments across Europe, including the prestigious Perin Memorial in Umag, Croatia. By 16, Marianna had already begun making waves, reaching the third round of the main draw at the Perin Memorial by 2014.
“I had such great memories from my junior tournaments. But I knew I needed a bigger challenge.” – (Marianna )
Dominance at the University of Idaho
Marianna’s tennis career took a decisive turn when she moved to the U.S. to play for the University of Idaho. Her freshman year was extraordinary, as she went undefeated in conference play and earned multiple awards, including the Big Sky MVP and First-Team All-Big Sky. Over the next three years, Marianna’s dominance continued, setting school records and winning conference titles with her team.
Her accolades at Idaho speak for themselves:
- 3x Big Sky Conference MVP
- 4x Big Sky First Team honors
- NCAA Tournament appearances in three consecutive years
- Most career wins in Idaho women’s tennis history
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Transition to Pickleball
After college, Marianna took a brief break from competitive sports to pursue her Master of Finance and a career in financial data. It wasn’t until she casually picked up pickleball a year ago that the competitive fire reignited. Marianna began playing with her husband, a former college tennis player and found herself drawn into the growing sport.
Despite limited experience in pickleball, Marianna’s tennis background set the stage for her rapid success. Her adaptability and mental fortitude, honed through years of high-pressure matches, proved invaluable.
A Breakout Performance at the PPA Picklr Utah Open
Entering the PPA Picklr Utah Open with little professional pickleball experience, Marianna defied expectations. She cruised through the qualifiers with dominant victories and shocked the tournament’s top seed, Lea Jansen, in a thrilling three-game match.
“I went in with no pressure. The expectations were all on her.” – (Marianna)
Her run ended in the quarterfinals against Judit Castillo, but Marianna’s performance left a lasting impression. Though she continues to work full-time and isn’t ready to fully commit to the pro pickleball circuit, her potential in the sport is undeniable.
News in Brief: Marianna Petrei’s Performance at PPA
Marianna Petrei, a former Division 1 tennis star from Italy, made it to the quarterfinals in her first professional pickleball event, the PPA Picklr Utah Open. With a strong background in tennis, Marianna transitioned to pickleball a year ago and quickly showed her skill.
She upset top seed Lea Jansen before losing in the quarterfinals to Judit Castillo. Despite working full-time, her breakout performance suggests she has the talent to succeed at the pro level if she decides to pursue the sport more seriously.
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