Four courts, nine teams and eighteen players all meant one thing.
On Dec. 13, the BVH Pickleball Club hosted their second tournament of the year, held at the Better at Pickleball Complex in Chula Vista. With a prize pool of thirty dollars along with bragging rights on the line, it was no surprise that the tournament was competitive.
“The competition at the tournament was very good with a healthy mix of players that were new to pickleball and others who were not. Despite the skill difference though, the competition was fierce,” junior and competitor Andrew Maywood said.
Teams were expected to play eight rounds, in which the top five teams who scored the most point difference moved onto bracket play. During each match, two teams faced each other on each court, and the first of the two teams to reach eleven points wins. Yet behind the scenes of competition was president and senior Isabel Acevedo, who organized the tournament with her officers during the weeks leading up to the competition.
“[Being able to assemble the tournament] has taught me a lot of organizational skills because a lot of effort goes into setting the tournament up. The best memory [however] was watching the players play and having fun because setting up is stressful but knowing that people are enjoying the tournament is memorable,” Acevedo said.
By 2 p.m., the last match was played between the teams of Maywood and junior Noah McMahan, versus junior Anthony Bernardo and sophomore Andres Moreno Ranon. In the end, Bernardo and Moreno Ranon reigned champion with a score of 11-5, winning the grand prize. Bernardo commented how being able to play and have fun became the highlight of the competition.
“I just really like getting myself out there and playing against skilled opponents. The most prominent lesson was to learn how to communicate effectively and efficiently with my partner while also maneuvering tactically around the court,” Bernardo said.
As players walked out of the complex with high-fives and photos, each one of the players reflected on their own matches and found ways to get better. For some, it was being able to hit the ball harder than the last. For others, it was being able to finally serve the ball. Yet for Bernardo, it was just being able to have fun on the courts.
“I feel like I am able to expand my playing style while also having a good time with the people around me, celebrating the points my partner and I had won during the rallies,” Bernardo said. “It’s something I love to do so I could be able to be with the community that has always been there for me.”
