Hey y’all, welcome back!

This past week was a big one for Longhorn Pickleball. Between traveling, competing, and catching up with players from all over the country, I’ve had a lot to reflect on… and even more to be proud of.

Let’s get into it.

DUPR Collegiate Nationals Recap

Last weekend, the Longhorn Pickleball Club headed to the DUPR Collegiate National Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, and let’s just say it was one for the books.

I played alongside Eli Trumeter, Zoeya Khan, and Natalie Liu in the MLP team format, repping UT Austin. We cruised through pool play undefeated, then went on to win the whole thing, beating TCU 3-1 in the finals. (I told y’all we were coming for gold!) Two weeks after taking runner-up at the APP Collegiate Nationals, finally closing it out felt really good.

Massive props to:

• Eli for staying cool under pressure and holding it down in men’s.

• Zoeya, who recently signed with the PPA Tour, and dominated on the women’s side.

Also funny: every match from the weekend technically counted toward players DUPR… except mine didn’t budge. My DUPR is a 6.5, and most opponents were in the 4.5–5.0 range, so the algorithm gave me a clean +0.000 or –0.000 every time. Love that.

Highlight Reel ⬇️

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East vs. West All-Star Game = Elite

I was lucky enough to play in the East vs. West game, where top players from both sides of the country went head-to-head in an all-star-style showdown. This was hands-down one of the most fun events I’ve played in. High-level points, a packed crowd, and just the right amount of chaos. More collegiate events should be doing stuff like this. The vibe? It was Immaculate.

Watch this moment! ⬇️

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So… Should Pros Be Allowed in College Pickleball?

This came up a lot last weekend, both online and in-person.

My take?

Yes. Absolutely.

Collegiate pickleball is still in its growth era. Having pros involved brings exposure, legitimacy, and momentum to these tours. The more eyeballs and content we can bring in, the faster the scene grows.

Yes, sometimes the skill gap shows. But college kids are getting better fast. I already know some absolute dogs entering college next year who are going to make these brackets even spicier.

Why College Pickleball Matters to Me

Longhorn Pickleball isn’t just a team, it’s something I built from the ground up. And now it’s competing nationally, bringing home medals, and creating a real presence for UT in the sport.

It means a lot. On a social level, it keeps me connected to my school and gives me a way to build community. On a competitive level, it’s giving UT real shine. My goal? Get some good courts on campus and scholarships for incoming students by the time I graduate.

It’s also just fun. I get to talk to other club members, chirp on the sidelines, and stay grounded with kids my age, even as I compete at the pro level. Being the founder and president of Longhorn Pickleball, it really does feel like my baby. And I’m proud of what it’s become.

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Looking Ahead

Collegiate pickleball is growing fast, and I feel lucky to be part of it, not just as a player, but as someone helping build the foundation. From winning DUPR Nationals with Longhorn Pickleball to connecting with players across the country, this past week reminded me why I care so much about this space.

Whether it’s creating opportunities at UT, building out our club’s future, or pushing the sport forward on a national level, this is only the beginning.

Thanks for following along! See y’all next week with more updates from the court, the club, and everything in between.

- Jack Munro