Dink. Drive. Donate. The First Ever PAA Paddle Battle: Pickleball, Laughter, and a Whole Lot of Fun

What a day! The PAA Paddle Battle was everything we hoped it would be and more.

This fun event was also a PAASS (PAA Student Scholarship) fundraiser, and every dollar raised goes to help students be at PAA. Twenty teams registered, and our eight courts were full of energy from the first serve. Parent teams, friends of PAA, student teams, and parent and student teams all showed up ready to play. Some were seasoned players. For some, it was the first time they had ever held a paddle. It did not matter. Everyone dove in, and the laughter, encouragement, and friendly rivalry were everywhere you looked. A few of us may have been a little sore the next day, and it was completely worth it.

Teams started with pool play and then moved into a single elimination round, and the games got more exciting with every round. Between matches, players and spectators fueled up at the concession stand with avocado toast, hummus and pretzels, and yogurt, granola, and berry bowls, along with plenty of drink options. There were also raffles for great prizes, including self-care and massage, a Chick-fil-A basket, a dinner and dessert on the town basket, and tickets to a Portland Pickles game.

After many hard-fought games, the Dynamite Pickles, friends of PAA, faced The Dillquists, a brother and sister student team, for third place. And for the championship, Haystack Attack, two parents, took on the Alpha Aces, two young people, in a great match. In the end, Haystack Attack took the title, along with the medals, pickles, and cash prizes. Go Haystack Attack!

Thank you to every team, every player, every volunteer, and everyone who cheered from the sidelines. Days like this are what community is all about: people of all ages and experience levels coming together to play, laugh, and cheer each other on, all while helping students receive a Christ-centered education.

Dink. Drive. Donate. Our community did all three, and it was beautiful.

We hope to host another Paddle Battle soon. Stay tuned! 💙