NCPA FLORIDA REGIONAL RECAP

Tournament Recaps,

 🏆 Tournament Overview

  • Date & Location: November 15–16, 2025 | The Hub Pickleball JAX, Orange Park, Florida
  • Teams: 19 teams from 10 colleges competed in Division I
    • FAU, FSU, UF, Clemson, UCF, ERAU, UNF, USF, Coastal Carolina, Auburn
  • At Stake: 8 bids to Nationals + $5,000 in prize money

🏅Final Result

🌴 Sunshine Showdown: Florida’s Finest Take the Court🌴

FAU (Ava Cavataio, Isabella Nelson, Jayden Broderick, and Alec Lamacchio) entered the event as one of the top-ranked programs in the nation — and they proved exactly why. Backed by their Adidas sponsorship and outstanding skills, FAU did not drop a single game all weekend. Before the finals, many of their wins were lopsided, with scores like 11–1, 11–2, and 11–3, underscoring the gap between the elite collegiate players and the rest of the field — and hinting at the pro potential of several FAU athletes.

Credit goes to No. 3-ranked UCF (Ethan Jauschneg, Ben Brietz, Valeria Meruvia, and Gianna Southwick) for delivering one of the best storylines of the day by upsetting No. 2-ranked UF in the semifinals. UCF clawed back from behind in both Men’s and Women’s Doubles, securing the comeback wins they needed to take the match. They carried that momentum into the finals and battled hard, but ultimately fell short against the dominant, top-ranked FAU squad.

⭐ Standout Performances

  • Jayden Broderick (FAU):  Jayden used every inch of his 6-foot-plus frame to establish complete control on the court. He was a threat everywhere — at the kitchen, from the baseline, and throughout the transition zone. As a left-handed beast, he was an ideal right-side partner in Men’s Doubles, where his presence and reach consistently pressured opponents. 
  • Ava Cavataio and Isabella Nelson (FAU): Ava and Bella are highly respected players with extensive experience representing APP Next Gen both nationally and internationally. Their exposure to pro-level competition is evident — it shows in their poise, decision-making, and shot quality. Their skill level consistently rises above most collegiate players nationwide, making them one of the most formidable women’s duos in the country.
  • Alec Lamacchio (FAU):  Alec lived up to his “Erne King” title with authority. Playing the left side brilliantly, he showcased sharp anticipation and impeccable timing, knowing exactly when to launch his offensive moves. 
  • Gianna Southwick (UCF):  Huge shoutout to Gianna for her incredible fighting spirit. After taking a ball to the eye on Saturday — a tough ricochet off her partner’s paddle — she rallied, reset, and continued competing throughout the entire weekend. Her resilience played a key role in helping UCF push all the way to the finals. Gianna stayed mentally strong, kept a positive attitude, and showed the kind of toughness that defines great collegiate athletes.

Side note: Incidents like this highlight why protective eyewear is strongly recommended for all players.

🎯 Key Takeaways

Florida isn’t just hot — the competition is on fire 🔥. The Sunshine State is loaded with some of the best collegiate players in the country, and they proved it all weekend long. If this was only the warm-up, Nationals better get ready — programs like FAU look primed to make a serious run at the national title.

🔝 Change In CollegiatePB Leaderboard 

No shocker — FAU and UF are climbing. Both teams jumped up the rankings and made it clear they’re forces to be reckoned with. See the shake-up-  CollegiatePB Leaderboard.  👉 

📸 Instagram Handles Recap:

📅 Next Up

The NCPA action continues February 27 – March 1 with the NCPA 2026 National Collegiate Pickleball Championships in Bridgeton, MO.  All upcoming tournaments – Tournament Hub – Collegiate Pickleball