The first Indiana College & High School Pickleball Super Regional at The Picklr – Noblesville brought together one of the deepest Midwest fields of the season. With 188 players competing across 39 MLP teams and 16 Challenger teams, the weekend served as both a proving ground for Nationals contenders and a look at how quickly the region continues to grow.

Many of the programs highlighted ahead of the event on this blog, including Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue, Michigan, and Ohio State, entered with strong lineups and several existing bids already secured. Early results followed expectations, where favorites lead the way. Higher-seeded teams advanced cleanly through the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals, with outcomes closely matching DUPR team averages.

The later rounds told a different story.

Upsets Define Championship Sunday

After a predictable start, the semifinals and finals flipped the direction of the bracket. Every deciding match from the semifinal stage onward went against the higher seed, reshaping what initially looked like a straightforward path to the title.

Ohio State ultimately capitalized on that shift, putting together one of the strongest runs of the weekend.

Ohio State Continues Midwest Success

Ohio State defeated the top two teams by DUPR average on its way to the championship, continuing a stretch of strong regional performances that includes a win at the 2025 Ohio Super Regional.

Their lineup adjusted well as matches tightened late in the bracket, closing out the final against Indiana 1 to secure the title.

Indiana Depth Shows at Home

Indiana programs made a strong showing in front of local supporters, with three teams reaching the quarterfinals. The turnout reflected the growing interest around both college and high school pickleball in the region, with parents and fans consistently filling the venue throughout the weekend.

Purdue’s depth also stood out, following up on the preview storyline of seven entered teams by placing multiple lineups into competitive positions across the brackets.

Bids Earned

Illinois, Ohio State, and Kentucky secured bids through their finishes in Indiana, adding to a growing list of programs positioning themselves for Nationals.

High School Pipeline Continues to Grow

Alongside the college competition, high school teams competed throughout the weekend, reinforcing the connection between developing junior players and future college programs. The inclusion of high school brackets continues to expand the pathway into college pickleball, something that was visible throughout the event.

The college pickleball growth isn’t just coming from new programs joining the scene; established schools continue to expand their depth at a rapid pace. Indiana, Notre Dame, and Purdue each brought at least five teams to the Indiana Super Regional, marking the first time three programs have reached that level of participation at a single event.

With just six weeks remaining until Nationals, the focus now shifts toward final preparations as teams continue to test lineups,establish DUPR rankings, build experience, and position themselves for what will once again be the largest college pickleball event in history.