A new Mercer organization is hitting the court as a group of students has officially formed a pickleball club this semester to expand the reach of the country's fastest growing sport. The club currently meets at the Tattnall Pickleball Center in Tattnall Square Park, located next to campus, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Though it is not an official sports team, President Maddie Chambers ‘29 said the club has 50 members so far, and it averages about 10 members at each practice. Though it is typically an outdoor sport, the club can hold practice on the University Center intramural courts if there is inclement weather.
Vice President Sarah Lott ‘29 said the club has been official for less than a month after having been an informal group of pickleball enthusiasts for a couple months prior to this semester.
At the start, Lott and Chambers said they tried out for different club teams at Mercer, but with no success. They added that they came away with the feeling that the club sports offered were not beginner friendly, so they decided to pick up pickleball on a whim and fell in love with it.
“I feel like pickleball is a little more intimate. You get to know each other better. You get to talk. It's beginner friendly,” Lott said. “It's easy to get people to join.”
The executive board also includes Treasurer Giovanni Boucher ‘29, Social Media Manager Mailee Boucher ‘28, Secretary Jacob Hahn ‘27 and Event Coordinator Katie Dodd ‘29. They also have an advisor, Slim Bell, who is an experienced tennis and pickleball player. Bell, who works in the Mercer's Housing and Residence Life Office, has the hardware to back up his affiliation with the nascent club.
“You walk into his office, he's got like 30 awards just dedicated to pickleball,” Lott said.
Pickleball is similar to tennis, but players serve with a whiffle ball instead of a tennis ball, according to Chambers, and the scoring system differs from tennis, too. Players attempt to hit the ball over the net with the objective of earning 11 points in order to win the game, and the pickleball court is roughly a quarter the size of a tennis court.
Chambers said there are some experienced pickleball and tennis players on the team, and that the beginners are quickly picking up the pace. She pairs players together to give them the opportunity for a challenge without going up against opponents who may be too strong.
“Anytime we go to practice and there's a new face, we make an effort to get to know them. We make an effort to make them feel welcomed,” Chambers said. “We're not trying to make anybody feel bad. It's a good environment.”
Chambers said in February, the club is also planning on doing tournaments. She plans to organize fundraisers, such as bake sales or volunteer work, to save money for tournaments and general practices.
“Something easier just to get our foot through the door,” Chambers said regarding fundraising.
