One thing jumps out watching college pickleball: the players are swinging the same gear as the pros. At the 2026 NCPA Massachusetts Regional, the paddle brands on court read like the top of the pro rankings.
What was on court
- Joola — Harvard’s lineup leaned on Joola’s Hyperion and Perseus paddles; champion Katie Murphy even played for a Joola team abroad over the summer.
- Selkirk — Tufts’ players ran Selkirk, including the popular Selkirk Era.
- A mix of other control- and power-oriented paddles across UConn, Boston University and WPI.
The official ball
The NCPA plays with the newer Swell ball — described by players as a touch faster than a Franklin and slower than a Dura — and the tour is rated by VER, its title sponsor.
Want the same setup?
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Event details via the official NCPA broadcast of the 2026 Massachusetts Regional. Photos courtesy of the National Collegiate Pickleball Association.