Quincy University students gathered at the Health and Fitness Center on Wednesday, March 5, for an exciting night of competition at the intramural pickleball tournament. Held on the rubber court area, the event featured 16 matches played across two courts in 20-minute increments.

Players arrived at 6:45 p.m. to receive their match time assignments before the tournament officially began at 7:00 p.m. The single-elimination format kept the stakes high, with teams battling to stay in the game and advance to the next round.

Participants teamed up with partners to battle for not only victory but also gift card prizes and campus bragging rights.

Belle Dehner was one of the students who showed up for the pickleball tournament. Dehner plays soccer for the Hawks so pickleball was out of her comfort zone.

“I thought the pickleball tournament was super fun and different and it was great to compete in a sport that’s not mine,” Dehner said.

Those who lost their matches on Wednesday were eliminated from the competition and would not move on to the next stage on Monday, March 10.

The tournament involved many students and fans, with many choosing to stay beyond their own matches to cheer on their classmates. The atmosphere was electric, as players showcased their skills, strategy, and teamwork to claim victory.

Marina Oberschmid reflected on her experience, emphasizing the fun of the tournament.

“My partner and I just had fun playing. We were laughing at our mistakes, celebrating the good shots, and just enjoying the moment. We lost 11-3, but honestly, it didn’t matter; we were just here to have fun and be part of the experience,” Oberschmid said.

For people who wants to try a game of pickleball, the game starts with an underhand serve, which must be hit diagonally across the court.

Only the serving team can score points, and the play continues until a team reaches 11 points with at least a two-point lead. A key rule is the “double bounce rule,” requiring the ball to bounce once on each side before volleys are allowed.

Lisa Albarran, who attended the tournament as a fan, shared her excitement about the event.

“I just wanted to show up and support my friends and see what the tournament was about. Also it was fun to watch the competition. It was fun to see that some people went all in while others had fun and played around,” Albarran said.

Albarran preferred not to show her pickleball skills and stay on the sideline cheering to just enjoy the atmosphere.

“I thought about signing up, but I haven’t played much pickleball before. I figured I’d have more fun cheering on my friends and enjoying the atmosphere,” Albarran said.

Intramural sports, like pickleball, offer Quincy University students an opportunity to engage in friendly competition while staying active and building camaraderie within the campus community.

As the tournament progresses, anticipation is high to see which teams will emerge victorious in the final round.