Two three-team squads from the Hillsdale Roundnet Club traveled to Bowling Green, Ohio for a Spikeball tournament on Sep. 21, with the A team finishing sixth.
The club’s B team also placed ninth out of 39 total teams.
Roundnet, often referred to as “Spikeball” after the brand, is a sport where teams of two pass a ball across a trampoline net.
“It was enjoyable,” freshman Symeon Clark said. “There were some people there that were fun to watch because they were so good. You could tell how much time they put into it.”
Clark said although he had played roundnet before, this was his first tournament.
The tournament followed a soccer-style format with teams playing each other in a best two out of three series, setting up a single elimination bracket in the afternoon.
“I loved to see our team dynamic and energy explode in this tournament,” junior and club president Joseph Duncan said. “There was lots of cheering and hilarious engagement from all the guys for each other. Adding seven new players was incredibly encouraging this fall.”
Duncan founded the Hillsdale Roundnet Club in fall of 2022 with junior Jacob Beckwith when they were freshmen. The club gained official status in spring 2023 but has participated in tournaments each semester since fall 2023.
“From taking four guys to our tournament to now having 12 guys play just a year later is a testament to the commitment of our officers and club members,” Duncan said.
Junior Cameron Frye played on the A team with Duncan. He has played with the club since his freshman year.
“It was a lot of fun playing with Joe this last weekend,” Frye said. “The last time I played with him in a tournament was at our very first one last fall, which we won.”
Frye said he is optimistic about the future of the club.
“We’re seeing a lot of interest in the club, especially this year,” Frye said. “We’ve got a lot of freshmen who have started to play. Five of the guys in this past tournament were freshmen, so we’re building a really solid foundation for the club.”
The Hillsdale Roundnet Club plans to host a tournament on Hillsdale Oct. 5, featuring Michigan State University, Purdue University, and Bowling Green State University.