FAU and UF dominate - Take Podium at APP Southeast Collegiate Regional.

The final regional tournament of the semester brought plenty of excitement as twelve teams competed for not only the regional title, but also four coveted bids to the APP Collegiate National Championships in March. The intensity on the courts proved one thing: college pickleball is heating up.

Florida Atlantic University took down the University of Florida Blue squad to capture its second regional championship of the semester and first place at APP’s Southeast Collegiate Regional. 

University of Florida’s Orange team would also take down in-state rival Florida State to secure third, bringing a second Gator team to the podium. 

FSU’s fourth place finish helped them clinch the final bid to the APP National Championships.

1st Place: FAU - Bella Nelson, Zack Card, Zach Marceau & Ava Cavataio

2nd Place: UF-Blue - Caitlyn Khan, Adele Dorion, Django Chassang, Maxwell Ruyle

3rd Place: UF-Orange - Kiana Polanin, Jake Bower, Christian Franke, Zoe Routson

Talent on Display

Spectators were treated to a showcase of some of the nation’s brightest young pickleball stars, with the APP Next Gen and Collegiate Regional events running concurrently.

“The sheer amount of talent there is in college pickleball is truly amazing,” said Ken Herrmann, founder of the APP.

With the top four finishers all coming from Florida, the sunshine state remains one of the top regions in the country for pickleball talent. The combination of year-round warm weather, abundant court availability, and a thriving community of elite players and professionals makes it a breeding ground for the sport’s next generation of stars.

“Florida has long been a hotbed for pickleball talent with a thriving community statewide,” said Hermann.

What’s Next

College Pickleball will take a break for the holidays, but there’s still plenty more to come in 2025. Thirty-two schools have emerged from APP’s four collegiate regional qualifier events and will compete in the National Championship. 

APP will host its U.S. Collegiate National Championships, March 28-30 at Lake Kennedy Racquet Club in Cape Coral, Florida. Schools from all across the country will travel to compete for collegiate glory and over $32,000 in prize money. 

Fans can expect “a weekend full of high-energy pickleball with the rivalries and camaraderie that makes college sports so great, played in front of a national television audience,” said Herrmann.