This past weekend was a double feature of pickleball with both the APP and PPA Tour putting on tournaments. The APP Tour visited California for the APP Sacramento Open. PPA Tour goers endured a much more frigid environment, heading to Minnesota for the PPA Indoor Championships. At both events, Team JOOLA athletes excelled in multiple events. 

APP Sacramento Open

Milan Rane - Milan Rane demonstrated exceptional prowess on the court, securing the silver medal in the Women’s Doubles category at the APP Sacramento Open. Rane's journey included impressive victories against formidable opponents such as Alexa Schull & Hannah Blatt and Simone Jardim & Allison Harris. Rane & Newell took out Alix Truong & Mari Humberg (11-7, 12-10) in the semifinals to claim their spot in the finals. In the finals, Jorja Johnson & Jill Braverman were too strong -- upending Rane & Newell 11-1, 11-6.

PPA Indoor Championships

Federico Staksrud - Federico Staksrud's stellar performance at the PPA Indoor Championships earned him two remarkable achievements. In the Men’s Singles category, Staksrud's dominance was on full display as he clinched the gold medal after a series of commanding victories against top-tier opponents like Todd Fought and Alex Neumann. His victories unfolded with scores as follows: Staksrud defeated Todd Fought 11-8, 11-2, Alex Neumann 11-6, 11-4, Dustin Boyer 11-7, 11-1. In the semifinals, Staksrud faced his doubles partner, Pablo Tellez, beating him 11-8, 11-2. In the finals he faced Connor Garnett, dropping the first set but coming back to win in three sets 4-11, 12-10, 11-2.

Additionally, Staksrud partnered with a Rachel Rohrabacher in the Mixed Doubles category. Staksrud/Rohrabacher took down Cass Hoog & Phillip Locklear and Tyra Black & Christian Alshon in the early stages of the draw. In the quarters, they faced Catherine Parenteau & Jack Sock, winning in three sets 8-11, 11-4, 11-1. In the semifinals, Staksrud/Rohrabacher bested Lea Jansen & Hayden Patriquin 8-11, 11-2, 11-6. They then suffered a loss against Vivienne David & Thomas Wilson with scores of 12-10, 11-6, 11-2. Staskrud/Rohrabacher claimed the silver medal at the PPA Indoor Championships.

Lea Jansen - Lea Jansen's stellar performance in the Mixed Doubles category at the PPA Indoor Championships earned her and Patriquin a well-deserved bronze medal. Jansen's journey to the podium was marked by thrilling victories against tough opponents such as Liz Truck & Quang Duong and Anna Bright & Collin Johns. Her matches unfolded with scores as follows: Jansen won against Liz Truck & Quang Duong 11-4, 11-7, Alex Walker & Steve Deakin 11-5, 11-6, and Tina Pisnik & Dekel Bar 11-5, 11-5. In the semifinals, she faced a tough loss against Rachel Rohrabacher & Federico Staksrud with scores of 11-8, 2-11, 6-11. However, managed to battle back to beat  Anna Bright & Collin Johns 10-12, 14-12, 13-11 to earn bronze.

Anna Bright -

Anna Bright's exceptional performance in the Women’s Doubles category at the PPA Indoor Championships culminated in a gold medal victory. Bright partnered with Rachel Rohrabacher to form an unstoppable force through the women's draw. Bright/Rohrabacher bested Jennifer Tavernier & Audrey Brown 11-0, 11-0 and Chao Yi Wang & Brooke Buckner 11-7, 11-7. In the semifinals, they faced Tyra Black & Parris Todd, beating them handily 11-1, 16-14. They remained undefeated in the finals, besting Lucy Kovalova & Callie Smith 11-6, 11-5, 11-1.