Artur Fonseca Leads GCU to Victory in the APP Collegiate Western Regional

The APP Collegiate Western Regional took place on Friday, September 27, and Saturday, September 28, at Chicken N Pickle in Glendale, AZ. This is the first of four regional tournaments determining which teams advance to the Team Championships.

The tournament was action-packed, with Arizona and Utah schools making up the majority of competitors. Utah Tech, the University of Utah, ASU, the University of Arizona, and GCU all attended with multiple teams. Other schools that participated included Purdue University and Loyola Marymount.

The eight quarter-finalists from this regional have secured spots in the APP U.S. Collegiate Team Championships, to be held January 3–5, 2025, at the new APP Headquarters, The Fort, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The teams that made the quarterfinals and earned their spot in the Team Championships are:

• Grand Canyon University (x2)
• Utah Tech University (x2)
• University of Utah
• Loyola Marymount
• Purdue University
• Arizona State University (ASU)

Final Four and Prize Money:

• GCU #1 - $3,000
• Utah Tech #1 - $2,000
• GCU #2 - $1,500
• University of Utah #1 - $1,000

Three Standout Players

Three players stood out from this talented group of collegiate pickleballers.

Artur Fonseca – GCU

The Brazilian star didn’t drop a single match in the finals, winning in singles, mixed doubles, and men’s doubles.

Fonseca, the top player at GCU, stands around 5'9", but his stature doesn’t limit his movement. He has a strong two-handed backhand drive and a roll drop that stands out. As the leader and best player on the GCU team, expect to hear more about Fonseca as he rises through the ranks.

His movement and groundstrokes remind me of Federico Staksrud.

Artur Fonseca

Dylan Ciampini – Utah Tech

Ciampini, a championship-winning player for Utah Tech, put on an impressive display over the weekend. Though she may be recovering from an injury, she showed why she’s one of the top women in collegiate pickleball.

Known for her infectious energy and outgoing personality, Ciampini is a player who lifts her teammates when they need it most. In this team format, a player like Dylan is invaluable. She had a smile on her face all weekend long.

Mary Monson – Utah Tech

At just 15 years old, Monson is already competing at the collegiate level, an impressive feat.

I first saw her in singles during the semifinals and was immediately struck by her smooth movement and impressive groundstrokes. Though tall and slightly built, she moves with incredible fluidity and has powerful shots from both sides of the court.

Mary Monson

With her potential, Monson could elevate her game quickly.

The next APP Collegiate Regional will be the Southwest Regional, held at the Oasis Pickleball Club in Dallas, Texas, from October 11–12.