Utah Tech Pickleball Takes Home Collegiate World Champions Title
By Katie Walker
The Utah Tech University club pickleball team recently made history a the first Collegiate World Champions. Yep, the Trailblazers went global...and came home with the crown.
In a historic event hosted by the Professional Pickleball Association and Adidas, Utah Tech Trailblazers stood among other student-athletes from across the globe. Athletes from places like Poland, Brazil, India, Malaysia and more met for a three-day championship in Dallas, Texas for three days of some seriously impressive pickleball.Utah Tech stayed undefeated, sweeping all five opponents-including an intense in-state showdown with Utah State. Yeah, we're going to repeat that for those of you in the back - We beat Utah State (But are we surprised? Not really!).
Utah Tech performance placed them into the top seed of the bracket for elimination play. The Trailblazers continued their winning streak throughout elimination play, cementing them as one of the toughest competitors and a crowd favorite. Audiences would surround the court every time UT played, cheering on our athletes like they were stars.
The Buildup
The grand finale of the tournament, set to determine who would bring home the title, had two teams that grew into close friends facing off. India and Utah Tech entered into the competition as the highest ranked teams based on DUPR, a private pickleball rating software.
Team India spent much of the tournament cheering at the Utah Tech court side and the team formed close relationships with players and coaches alike. Now, they had to put aside their friendships and fight tooth and nail to take home the title.
The Final Showdown
The finals kicked off with women's and men's doubles, each ending in a matching 21-13 - one win for India, ne for Utah Tech. Tied up. Tensions rising. And everything hinging on mixed doubles.
Mary Monson and Liam Duffin delivered an impressive performance, swinging the score in Utah Tech's favor. The results of the final match all came down to sibling duo, Clayton and Ella Boydston. Like something out of a movie, the score climbed to 20-20. After an intense volley, Clayton lobbed the ball over the kitchen, allowing Ella to smash it down along the right side.
The Outcome
In a nearly unbelievable scenario, Utah Tech had become the first-ever World Collegiate Champions.
"It was awesome to be able to bring home the trophy and represent the legacy that Trailblazer pickleball has and is continuing to make," Liam Duffin, one of the winners of the championship, said. "We are grateful for the opportunity we have to represent Utah Tech."
And it wasn't just the team title - UT athletes cleaned up individually, too.
- Mary Monson and Dylan Ciampini are now the No.3 and No. 4 players in the world.
- Liam Duffin sits at No. 2 globally.
- Dylan Ciampini and Ashlee Peterson claimed the women's doubles world title.
The Impact
This win is much bigger than a trophy. As the newly crowned collegiate world champs, Utah Tech's pickleball program is gearing up for a surge in recognition, support, and future Trailblazers eager to join the stampede.
The team took their talents to a global stage - and showed the world exactly what it means to be a Trailblazer.