By Alex Cannella ’19

THE ROUNDUP

This school year Owen Blake ’19 along with friend Joey Bottini ’19 attracted the attention of over one hundred students with their new Spikeball club.

Spikeball is growing in popularity across the United States. It has a become a common sport on college campuses and beaches across the country.

Spikeball is a two vs. two spinoff of volleyball with the net being on the ground. The first to 21 points wins the game.

Blake was introduced to spikeball in his freshmen year while playing with his older brothers. Since then, he has grown a love for the game and competed against college students in tournaments all over California.

Most recently, Blake and Bottini competed in a 60 team tournament in Long Beach, California in late July. The pair finished in 25th place despite playing college students and professional spikeball players.

“Joey and I made it far in the tournament,” Blake said. “We were surprised we did so well considering we played people a few years older than us.”

The spikeball club meets on the front lawn every Tuesday and plays “King of the Hill” styled game during lunch. According to the spikeball members, Jack Westra ’19 is usually one of the guys that wins a lot of games.

“I really enjoy playing with my friends. I think the fact that so many people are interested in this club is really cool,” Westra said.

Mr. Tony Oldani has allowed the spikeball club to use student councils spikeballs and nets until the the club gets ahold of more sets. Blake and Mr. Oldani have been coordinating to form an intramural spikeball tournament for this school year.

Blake hopes to continue the club next year and pass on the torch to some other spikeball lover. “For anyone interested, I highly suggest to come try it out,” Blake said. “You might find yourself having fun.”

Editor’s Note: Joey Bottini ’19 is a Roundup staff member but did not take part in the production of this article