Tennessee’s Averie Stalnaker Proves Her Pickleball Potential: Tennessee High senior Averie Stalnaker, who recently turned 18, made her mark on the national stage this week as she competed in the Pickleball World Championships in Dallas, Texas. Known for her impressive tennis skills, Stalnaker took on the challenge of pickleball and finished ninth in the 5.0 bracket for players aged 8-34, demonstrating her rapidly rising prowess in the sport.
A Festival Atmosphere and High-Level Competition
The tournament, often referred to as the “Super Bowl of pickleball” by outlets such as The New York Times, lived up to its billing. Stalnaker, in awe of the massive event, was quick to share her experience.
“It was such an amazing atmosphere and the facilities were unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” Stalnaker said. “It was like a huge festival and everything was pickleball-related. It was a huge tournament and I was able to watch some of the top professionals and learn some strategies by spectating. I tried not to compare my abilities to those with more experience and this helped me a lot.”
A Rapid Rise in Pickleball and Professional Sponsorship
Her journey into the world of pickleball has been nothing short of extraordinary. Stalnaker first picked up a paddle in 2020, playing casually with family and friends. In a short time, she went from a self-taught beginner to an emerging force in the sport. This year, she signed a deal with Selkirk Sport, one of pickleball’s top manufacturers, as an emerging pro—an impressive achievement for someone who has only recently entered the competitive scene.
Despite her late start, Stalnaker made a significant impact in her first tournament, which took place in August at the Bristol SportsPlex during the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour event. She earned silver at the Tennessee State Championships, further solidifying her reputation as a rising star in the sport.
Tennis Background Fuels Her Pickleball Success
While pickleball may be a new venture for Stalnaker, her background in tennis has played a crucial role in her success. The aspiring kindergarten teacher, who maintains a 3.9 GPA, is already a top-ranked tennis player in Tennessee and has several scholarship offers to pursue the sport at the collegiate level. Her tennis skills have helped her transition seamlessly into pickleball, especially when it comes to her net game.
“Pickleball has certainly improved my net game in tennis,” Stalnaker said. “My reaction time has improved and I have gotten much more aggressive. Having a tennis background has helped me adapt to this new sport and it has made the transition much easier. While some shots in pickleball aren’t used in tennis, many of them are very similar or the same.”
News in Brief: Tennessee’s Averie Stalnaker Proves Her Pickleball Potential
Averie Stalnaker, Tennessee High senior, recently competed in the Pickleball World Championships in Dallas, Texas, finishing ninth in the 5.0 bracket for ages 8-34. Known for her tennis skills, Stalnaker quickly transitioned to pickleball, signing a deal with Selkirk Sport and earning silver in the Tennessee State Championships in August. The aspiring kindergarten teacher credits her tennis background for improving her pickleball skills, particularly her net game and reaction time