News & Stories

What Paddles Are College Players Using? (2026 Massachusetts Regional)

By · September 28, 2026

Pickleball courts — a great place to drill out bad habits

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?

Most college players are chasing the same feel the pros do. See what paddle every pro uses, or run our Paddle Finder to match a paddle to your own game.

Event details via the official NCPA broadcast of the 2026 Massachusetts Regional. Photos courtesy of the National Collegiate Pickleball Association.

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