Pickleball players from the SaddleBrooke Pickleball Association (SPA) competed in their final matches of the Arizona Pickleball Players League (APPL) Winter Season which ends the second week of March. The season kicked off in January with teams competing in Flights based on players’ skill and age divisions. Competition included men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles, with over 100 SPA members on 12 teams competing in the Southern Region against teams from SaddleBrooke Ranch, Oro Valley, Tucson RC, Stone Canyon, Udall Park, Esperanza Estates, The Picklr OV, Quail Creek, Sun City OV, and Green Valley for the opportunity to represent the Southern Region in the APPL Championship.
Teams representing SPA, along with their Flight placements and team captains/co-captains, were:
Spin Sisters 3.0 Women’s Doubles 50+ Brenda Browning, Nancy Maglio
Desert Divas 3.0 Women’s Doubles 65+ Deb Stafford, Ann Barrett, Deanna McCann
TireBiters 3.0 Men’s Doubles 65+ Bill Gray, David Ellman
Dinking Duos 3.0 Mixed Doubles 50+ David Ellman, Jeff Letterman
Double Trouble 3.0 Mixed Doubles 65+ Greg Stymfal
SaddleBrooke Stars 3.5 Women’s Doubles 50+ Jen Massara, Cindy McAlbin
Dill Me In 3.5 Women’s Doubles 65+ Paulette Bosselman, Kandi Connor
The Bruise Brothers 3.5 Men’s Doubles 65+ Doug Turley, Bill Lucy
SB Four Ballers 3.5 Men’s Doubles 70+ Mark Steinsdoerfer
The Final Four 3.5 Men’s Doubles 70+ Bill Lucy, Doug Turley
Bad Appl’s 3.5 Mixed Doubles 65+ Donna Watson, Frank Shipton
Flying Burrito Brothers 4.0 Men’s Doubles 65+ Michael Hovan, John Rathjen
With most SPA teams having one or two matches remaining, the overall results have been mixed. Strong competition has challenged all teams to really up their game this season. Congratulations to the TireBiters who finished in 1st place in their Flight and will compete in a regional match for a chance to move onto the APPL Championship.
SPA’s Bad Appl’s finished in second place in their Flight, while the Dinking Duos, Dill Me In, and The Final Four are headed to 3rdplace finishes or ties for the season. The SaddleBrooke Stars, SB Four Ballers, The Bruise Brothers, and Double Trouble are in 4thplace and along with the Spin Sisters, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and The SB Desert Divas, the last matches of the season will determine their final standings in their respective Flights.
Beginner or advanced players find endless opportunities to make lasting friendships with other pickleball players with the APPL team-based format. Whether you’re a competitive player on an APPL team, or a SPA member who enjoyed the spirit and high level of competition from your fellow SaddleBrooke pickleball players, be assured SPA and SaddleBrooke were well represented by our SPA APPL teams this season.
The SPA Board of Directors is grateful to all the players who have worked hard this season to represent our club in the APPL Southern Region, and to the support people who provided a way through APPL for SPA members to improve their skills and facilitate fun and spirited competition.
See you next season!
