The first Collegiate Super Regional of the season went down in Utah last weekend, and it was all about Utah Tech. The Trailblazers dominated the whole pickleball tournament, sending both of their top teams to the finals  and neither dropped a single match on the way there.

Utah Tech’s Big Weekend

The finals turned into an all-Utah Tech battle. Newcomers Clayton and Ella Boydston made their collegiate debut and wasted no time making noise. The sibling duo helped their team capture the title in what was a statement weekend for the Trailblazers.

Utah Valley and USC Punch Their Tickets

Last year’s champs, Utah Valley, couldn’t quite repeat, falling to Utah Tech in the semis, but they still walked away with a Nationals bid.

The other big story was USC, the lone non-Utah school in the draw. The Trojans fought through a dramatic Dreambreaker in the quarterfinals to lock in the third bid. Gritty, scrappy, and a ton of fun to watch.

Packed House, School Pride

The atmosphere was incredible. Utah Tech, Utah Valley, Southern Utah, Utah State, and the University of Utah all rolled deep with three or more teams each. Every court had fans cheering, players battling, and school spirit on full display.

DUPR Ambassadors in the Mix

This Super Regional also featured three of our very own DUPR Collegiate Ambassadors:

• Mary Monson (Utah Tech) – ended up facing fellow ambassador Liam in the final.
  
• Liam Duffin (Utah Tech) – helped his squad secure a finals spot in the all-Utah Tech showdown.
  
• James Kerrigan (Utah Valley) – came up clutch to help UVU earn their bid to Nationals.
  

Seeing our ambassadors leading their squads in such big moments is exactly what this season is all about.

Standout Players to Watch

While Utah Tech’s dominance stole the headlines, the Utah Super Regional also gave us a look at several players who could soon be on the radar for Major League Pickleball. From undefeated runs to breakout performances, these athletes proved they can hang on the biggest collegiate stage and their names are worth keeping an eye on.

• Clayton Boydston (Utah Tech) – The freshman phenom went undefeated all weekend and looked right at home on the big stage.
• Liam Duffin (Utah Tech) – Another Trailblazer who didn’t drop a match. His consistency and composure make him a dangerous piece of Utah Tech’s stacked lineup.
• Rachel Garff (Utah Valley) – Formerly with the University of Utah, Garff switched to UVU this season and immediately made an impact, helping her team reach the semifinals.
• Kenadee Bailey (USC) – Entered the tournament with no DUPR rating and left with a semifinal run. A breakout performance that turned plenty of heads.
• Jace Wilkins (Southern Utah) – The leader of SUU’s squad, Wilkins proved why he’s their go-to player and someone who could thrive at the next level.

What’s Next?

With this kind of showing, Utah Tech has made it clear: they’re the team everyone is chasing this year. But with Nationals still ahead and plenty more Super Regionals on the calendar, the race for collegiate pickleball bragging rights is just getting started.

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