“It’s America’s fastest growing sport,” junior Matteo Galui said.
Pickleball season has hit the Utica community with full force, captivating students and fac-
ulty alike. Players of all skill levels gather on local courts to engage in friendly competition and enjoy the thrill of the game.
For those who are new to the game, pickleball is a paddle sport that is a variant of tennis.
The sport uses a pickleball, which resembles a whiffle ball. It is made of plastic material
with multiple small holes on its surface.
In recent years, pickleball has gained recognition as a competitive sport at various
levels, including regional, state, and even national competitions. The sport has attracted
a growing number of athletes who train rigorously to excel in this sport. Utica High
School has seen its fair share of talented pickleball players, including junior Matteo
Galui, who plays competitively on a league at Lifetime Fitness.
“I’ve been playing for about two years, I first started playing with my friends
casually. Then I joined the league at my local lifetime.”
Pickleball is known for its fast pace, quick reflexes, and strategic shot placement. Making it a challenging and engaging sport for players of all ages and skill levels. The sport’s competitive ranking is ranked 1 through 5, with 5 being the best and 1 being the start. Galui is currently ranked 4, just under a pro.
TOOLS OF
THE TRADE
Pickleball equipment consists of a solid-faced paddle, similar to a
smaller tennis racket, and a plastic ball with multiple small holes
called a wiffle ball. The ball’s holes reduces its speed and pro-
vide a controlled flight pattern.
ORIGINS OF THE GAME
Pickleball was invented in 1965 in Bainbridge, Washington, by Joel Pritchard. He made the sport by combining elements of badminton and tennis, using a wiffle ball and homemade paddles. The game was named after his dog, Pickles, who would chase after the ball and run off with it. Pickleball quickly gained popularity in the community and eventually spread to other parts of the U.S.
MATTEO GALUI
• League pickleball player at
Lifetime Fitness
• Won a tournament in
August with his doubles
partner, Nathan Cardiff
• Helped to raise $5,000 for
breast cancer research in a
Lifetime tournament
• Ranks in the top ten of
every tournament
• Ranked 3 in singles
• Ranked 4 in doubles
“I play every Sunday for about two hours,” Galui said, “to get ready for my future league matches.”
PICKLEBALL TIPS
Junior Matteo Galui hits a forehand lob over the net off of a bounce. “A good tip for this move is to plant your feet and follow through with the ball to get a more consistent shot.”
Galui hits an overhead spike. “Make sure your hitting a consistent shot to the opponent’s box at their feet.”
Galui hits a forehand and adds spin to throw the opponent off. “A good tip for this is to make good shot selection and to think of a good place your opponent can’t get to.”
