Artur Fonseca Leads GCU to Victory in the APP Collegiate Western Regional
The APP Collegiate Western Regional took place on Friday, September 27, and Saturday, September 28, at Chicken N Pickle in Glendale, AZ. This is the first of four regional tournaments determining which teams advance to the Team Championships.
The tournament was action-packed, with Arizona and Utah schools making up the majority of competitors. Utah Tech, the University of Utah, ASU, the University of Arizona, and GCU all attended with multiple teams. Other schools that participated included Purdue University and Loyola Marymount.
The four semi-finalists from this regional have secured spots in the APP U.S. Collegiate Team Championships, to be held in 2025. The date and location will be announced soon.
Final Four and Prize Money:
- GCU #1 - $3,000
- Utah Tech #1 - $2,000
- GCU #2 - $1,500
- University of Utah #1 - $1,000
Three Standout Players
Three players stood out from this talented group of collegiate pickleballers.
Artur Fonseca – GCU
The Brazilian star didn’t drop a single match in the finals, winning in singles, mixed doubles, and men’s doubles.
Fonseca, the top player at GCU, stands around 5'9", but his stature doesn’t limit his movement. He has a strong two-handed backhand drive and a roll drop that stands out. As the leader and best player on the GCU team, expect to hear more about Fonseca as he rises through the ranks.
His movement and groundstrokes remind me of Federico Staksrud.
Dylan Ciampini – Utah Tech
Ciampini, a championship-winning player for Utah Tech, put on an impressive display over the weekend. Though she may be recovering from an injury, she showed why she’s one of the top women in collegiate pickleball.
Known for her infectious energy and outgoing personality, Ciampini is a player who lifts her teammates when they need it most. In this team format, a player like Dylan is invaluable. She had a smile on her face all weekend long.
Mary Monson – Utah Tech
At just 15 years old, Monson is already competing at the collegiate level, an impressive feat.
I first saw her in singles during the semifinals and was immediately struck by her smooth movement and impressive groundstrokes. Though tall and slightly built, she moves with incredible fluidity and has powerful shots from both sides of the court.
With her potential, Monson could elevate her game quickly.
The next APP Collegiate Regional will be the Southwest Regional, held at the Oasis Pickleball Club in Dallas, Texas, from October 11–12.
