Aiken Pickleball News

No Frills Women's Open Play Round Robin Recap

Wow, what an exciting finish to a great RR. After six rounds of play, the twelve women's teams were divided into two groups and seeded based on their win/loss records for a two-game playoff. Surprisingly the number-three seeds in both groups won back-to-back matches over the top two seeds Barbara Dellamora and Christy Prichard won Group B, and Leslie McCowan and Michelle Bullington won Group A. Leslie and Michele also won an earlier head-to-head match over Christy and Barbara. Way to go, players!. See below for pictures from the event.

Farewell to Jeana

Approximately thirty people attended the farewell for Jeana held outside at one of the Odell Weeks picnic shelters on a beautiful evening in Aiken. No wind, no rain - no mosquitoes - could not have been a better evening.

Thanks to all of you that contributed, we were able to get Jeana some nice departing gifts to include a five page scroll with over sixty-five signatures thanking her for everything she had done for Aiken Pickleball these past years. The gifts were much appreciated.

Farewell from Jeana

Dear Aiken Pickleball,

As some of you have probably heard, my last day with the City will be next Tuesday, August 3. I have had such a great time over the past 3.5 years (or less for some) getting to know each of you. I hope you all know how much I cared about the success of your programs during my time here and how much I hope your success continues. As we all know, working here is not about becoming rich in money but becoming rich in friendships, experiences, gratitude, health, and love; these are the things I will miss most about working here and with you. I am still going to be living in Aiken and I hope to bump into you some time (maybe in line at Dunkin Donuts so you can buy me an Americano! ha) and I really would love to keep in touch.

Rasheka and Alison will be your points of contact for a little while until the new Secretary becomes situated. Please please please let me know if there is anything I can do over the next week to help you and your program get through this change of guard. Thank you again for all of your support!

Jeana Carter

Recreation Secretary

Odell Weeks Activities Center

No Frills Open Play Round Robin - Men Only - August 21st

There will be a men’s open round robin on Saturday. August 21st in gym 2 at Odell Weeks. You must have a partner to sign up for this event and only one of you should do the signing. Check-in 1215 pm - court setup 12:30pm. Play/warm-up will start at 12:45pm. Fixed partners - twelve teams - eight games - play to 11 win by 2. Three-minute breaks between rounds. No frills, no charge, no medals - just fun - everyone's a winner. Each team please bring one Onix Fuse orange ball. All slots full. Click here to sign up for the wait list even if a single.

Gregg Park Civic Center Round Robin Results

Fun was had by all at the Gregg Park Civic Center round robin on Saturday, July 17^th,with many competitive, hard-fought matches at all levels.

For pictures click here..

The results were:

4.0 Division

Gold - Cheryl Breidenbach and Harve Mobley

Silver - Kelly and Grant Haney

Bronze Medal - Christine Chandler and Brandon Hoffman

3.5 Division

Gold – Tanya Hoffman and Greg Sparks

Silver – Michele Bullington and Andrew Escobar

Bronze – Cristy Pritchard and Mike Howard

3.0 Division

Gold - Rolene Roux and Michael Breidenbach

Silver – Bebe Murphy and Greg Powers

Bronze - Marcia and Andrew Stivanson

Minutes for the July 2021 Leadership Team Meeting

The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting that was held Wednesday, July 14th, 2021 at 4pm at Gregg Park, have been posted. Topics included what is happening at Odell and Gregg Park, an update on the tournament in September; and much more. Go to Forums or click here to see the full report.

No Frills Open Play Round Robin - Women Only - August 7th

There will be a women’s social round robin on Saturday, August 7th, in gym 2 at Odell Weeks. You must have a partner to sign up for this event. Check-in and court setup will begin at 12:30pm. Play/warm-up will start at 12:45pm. Fixed partners - twelve teams - eight games - play to 11 win by 1. Three-minute breaks between rounds. No frills, no charge, no medals - just fun - everyone is a winner. Each team please bring one Onix Fuse orange ball. Click here to sign up on the wait list. You do not have to have a partner to sign up on the wait list.

On Saturday, August 21st, there will be a Men's Social Round Robin - same format - 12 teams. Sign up for that will be open o/a August 1st. More on that later.

Volunteers for the Palmetto Doubles Tournament

The Volunteer sign up list for the Palmetto Indoor Doubles Invitational Pickleball Tournament being held at Odell Weeks, September 9 - 12, is now available online at our Aiken Pickleball website under the Sign-Ups tab. Volunteers are needed for Venue set-up (2); Player check-in (20); Event desk (27); Court Monitors (63); Lunch Room (3); and Referees (24). Training will be held for Referees and Court Monitors.

A lunch will be provided for shifts that end or begin during lunch time. Volunteer t-shirts will be the same lime green shirt as those from previous years. Volunteers who want or need a shirt (or an additional shirt) this year need to indicate the size on the sign-up.

This tournament provides support to Aiken's local hotels, restaurants as well as new equipment for the pickleball community. The tournament will not function without volunteers, so please be generous with your time. Click here to sign up.

Good news! - You can sign up more than once. Thank you.

Stacey Dezelon

by Loretta Beckner

Stacey Dezelon, along with her husband, Rich, moved to Aiken in 2010 and lived here for 5-6 years before moving back to Maryland. Sadly, Stacey passed away on May 24th following a two year battle with cancer. She was 54 years old.

In 2010, the City PRT gave Mike and Loretta Beckner permission to hold a pickleball demo at Odell Weeks. Loretta met Stacey at a meeting and approached her about learning the sport of pickleball in order to play in the demo match. Stacey and Rich were not only enthusiastic about the idea, but they picked up the sport quickly. After helping the Beckners with the demo, they remained active players and supported the pickleball program as much as possible.

Stacey will be remembered for her fun, vibrant and caring personality. She will be missed dearly by all of us who were fortunate enough to know her. Rest in peace, Stacey.

Minutes for the June Leadership Team meeting have been posted

The minutes for the Leadership Team Meeting that was held Monday, June 7th, 2021 at 5:30pm at Odell Weeks, have been posted. Topics that were discussed included an update on drop-in play at both Odell and Gregg Park; the New Players Clinics at both facilities; an update on the tournament in September; and much more. Go to Forums or click here to see the full report.