CHERISHANN DIAMZON / CONTRIBUTOR

On most evenings near the USD Sports Center, the pop of plastic balls against paddles and the sound of laughter signal a growing campus trend: pickleball. 

For some sophomores living in the Alcala Vista Apartments, those same sounds can be a source of frustration when they are trying to study or wind down and games keep going late into the night.

“I go to bed at 10 and they are playing til 11! Pop, pop, pop, 24/7,” USD sophomore Alexa Krieder said, describing the late-night noise that echoes just outside her apartment window.

For others, Club Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports on campus. What started as a casual idea between two first-year students has quickly turned into an active community at USD.

The club was founded in spring 2022 by seniors Shannon Burns and Nina Pignatello, two friends who met during orientation and quickly bonded over their shared love of pickleball. Back then, USD didn’t have a club team, and they saw an opportunity.

“We realized there was no team yet, and we thought, ‘Why not start one?’” Burns recalled. “Once we had 15 people and approval from Campus Rec, we were good to go.”

Their first roster included mostly club tennis crossovers. Now, just two years later, the club sees over 60 players a semester, with practices held twice a week and tournaments that draw  competitive and enthusiastic students from around campus.

Among those regulars are USD sophomore Roman Di Napoli and his doubles partner USD junior Bella Hong, both club tennis players who’ve become inseparable on the pickleball court. 

“Bella and I basically live on the champions court every Monday and Wednesday night,” Di Napoli said. “It’s kind of our thing.”

Their connection and commitment to the game have made them staple players in the club and helped earn them a shot at national competition.

Club Pickleball at USD includes both recreational and competitive components. While most members participate casually, the club has taken part in off-campus tournaments, including events with San Diego State University. Earlier this year, the club qualified to send players to the National Collegiate Pickleball Championships in Las Vegas, where Di Napoli and USD sophomore Quinn Du Trey competed against teams from across the country.

“[Las Vegas is] my hometown, and it was the first time my parents ever saw me play,” Du Trey said. “It meant everything. The competition was intense, but the experience was unforgettable.”

For Di Napoli, the trip was as much about community as it was about competition. Traveling with his  teammates, meeting players from across the country and bonding over a shared love for the sport made the experience even more meaningful. 

“We don’t get gassed. Ever,” Di Napoli laughed. “The lights were bright, but we showed up.”

Behind the scenes, the club’s growth and organization are overseen by USD junior Marcus Hopkins, who stepped into the role of general manager earlier this year. Since taking over, Hopkins has organized practices, coordinated events and helped the club maintain its welcoming and competitive atmosphere.

“It’s definitely a lot of responsibility, but it’s been amazing,” Hopkins said. “Everyone’s here because they love the game and want to have a good time.”

Hopkins, who can often be found playing on a San Diego court, has found a sense of community both on and off campus through the sport.

“Over winter break, I found a group of 20 strangers who met every day to play,” Hopkins said. “It turned into a real community. That’s what this sport does, it brings people together.”

Not all members join with competition in mind. USD senior Brianna Floyd decided to try out the club during her final semester at USD, looking for a new activity before graduation.

“I figured, this is my last chance,” Floyd said. “I had a total main character moment when I won my first game, even if it was on the lower courts.”

Now, Floyd plays on the top courts, where the rallies are fast, the stakes are high and the energy is infectious.

“It’s refreshing, energetic and totally welcoming,” Floyd added. “Even if    I   show up without a partner, I always find someone to play with. That’s the kind of group this is.”

The club includes a mix of players, some who take the game more seriously and others who approach it with a lighter attitude.

USD sophomore Jack Kiefer, who regularly attends practices, described his enthusiasm for the sport with a bit of humor. He laughs off mistakes, doesn’t mind poking fun at himself and is always ready for a good rally. 

“Pickleball is my life,” Kiefer explained. “I live or die by the paddle.”

Jack Kiefer hitting a pickleball. Cherishann Diamzon/The USD Vista

From around-the-post shots — called ATPs — to accidental home runs over the fence, chaos is always a possibility.

“Whenever someone hits an ATP, the whole court goes wild,” Burns said. “It doesn’t even go over the net — it goes around it. It’s awesome.”

Now in her final year, Burns said watching the club expand has been one of the more memorable aspects of her time at USD.

“I’ve had people say, ‘You’re the reason I came to USD,’” Burns recalled. “Knowing I helped build something that brings people together, that’s the legacy I want to leave behind.”

Club Pickleball is open to all students, regardless of experience. Practices are open, there are no tryouts and participation is flexible. The club offers a low-pressure way to stay active and connect with others.

Players hitting paddles together after a set. Cherishann Diamzon/The USD Vista