By Michael Reff
Press Committee Chair

There was an abundance of divisionals this month for college table tennis, but something truly magical happened in the Pacific Northwest Divisional, owing largely in part to Angela Guan’s initiative and NCTTA sponsor Paddle Palace’s support.

Guan, an elite table tennis player who has graciously given back in multiple volunteer roles, one of which being NCTTA’s PNW divisional director, was able to negotiate with Paddle Palace for them not to charge a fee for hosting the event. In exchange, Paddle Palace asked that their junior teams be able to participate in this typically college-exclusive event.

Guan obliged, and a sort of interscholastic ping pong diplomacy arose, with “3 junior teams, including one women’s team, with our 7 college teams!”
Guan said the division became so large that they “actually ended up splitting into 2 subdivisions.”

These junior teams competed against the Coed B and Women’s teams, and Guan hopes that they will be “inspired to keep playing TT.”
NCTTA celebrates this exemplary, friendly, and competitive clash of the table tennis generations and sincerely hopes that more such events will occur in the future!

To check out the latest results of all the divisionals that have occurred, please click here:
https://www.nctta.org/content/results

(Team pic of PNW divisional at Paddle Palace Club)

Peakapong is now featured in 5 out of 6 NCTTA Regions! Peakapong is NCTTA's newest partner, bringing an emerging sport that combines the speed and precision of table tennis with the fun of pickleball.

This Fall in NCTTA anyone can sign up for these events that serve as a qualifier for the 2026 NCTTA College Table Tennis Championships in Rockford, Illinois (April 9-12) as there will be a Championship event (but you must qualify!).

Anyone in NCTTA with a passing academic eligibility form can enter, and you can participate in any tournament you like, even if you are not from the geographical area.
In addition, this event will not count against your overall competitive NCTTA eligibility
Lastly, if you are graduating this semester, you are eligible to play.

Sign up today at NCTTA.app for one of the qualifiers.
Cost is 30 dollars, and the event is coed men and women play together in perfect NCTTA fashion!

Contact NCTTA Peakapong Liaison, Chris Mar for more information: c.mar@nctta.org

Be “in the know” with new 2025-2026 NCTTA Regulations*

Every year, NCTTA updates its rules and regulations. Whether you are a coach or current player it is a good idea that you are familiar with any changes.

All that being said, we don’t have that many changes. Click Here for the new NCTTA Rules.
Here are the highlights:

· NCTTA fees went up slightly. Click here (https://www.nctta.org/content/fee-schedule) for the registration deadlines updates.
· Clarified how to be eligible for the postseason (no change from last year, just made it easier to read, we think)
. B teams do not have to have matching uniforms but are just strongly encouraged (wasn’t specified in the rules in the past, but now is)
. Team name, logo must be in the front
. Divisions with 8 or more coed schools will be split into 2 separate divisions at the discretion of the Regional Director and League director

In addition (as a reminder), the NCTTA Eligibility Form, which must be done by every school 72 hours before your first tournament, is here (Fall 2025 Eligibility Form). Click Here: (https://www.nctta.org/doc/Fall_2025_Eligibility_Form.pdf)

Reviewed by Michael Reff
NCTTA Press Committee Chair

Full disclosure: upon getting the news I was going to read and review Underspin by
author E.Y. Zhao, I was extremely excited, but I possessed many preconceived notions
about what it would encompass. I thought it may be a joyous homage to the sport, full of
happy nostalgia, perhaps taking place over a few days at a tournament.

However, upon looking at the associated blurb and description on the back cover, I
knew I was going to be in for a roller coaster ride! That being said, what I got out of the
novel, and I’m sure many readers will as well, were equal parts intellectual, emotional,
and spiritual reflections that I will cherish moving forward.

As I read the book, with its painstaking attention to detail  in the description of table
tennis (especially USA table tennis, scandals, ambitions, personalities, as well as the
actual form of the chapters representing points of a game!) and the doomed trajectory of
its tragic  hero due to abuse, drugs, and heartbreak, I came to realize that it was not a
“table tennis novel.” 

Rather, it is a character analysis that depicts the flawed, multifaceted natures of its
ensemble cast, but happens to have table tennis at its backdrop. The reason I write this
is because I believe this novel has universal appeal, as these are real things that can
and have occurred to real people in the past, present, and unfortunately in the future.

This is a wonderful, heartbreaking, and beautiful novel that I highly recommend to both
table tennis aficionados and general booklovers alike.

Underspin comes out on September 23rd. Be sure to check out the following link for purchase: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/796326/underspin-by-ey-zhao/

Emily Zhao (https://eyzhaowriter.com/) started playing table tennis when she was nine and competed in USATT until the age of 16, after which she played NCTTA for Harvard and University of Michigan. She writes and edits fiction, and recently reported on the inaugural US Smash for Defector.

The National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) is proud to announce the launch of PeakaPong Singles at certain NCTTA division tournaments this Fall! This interesting new addition is made possible through a partnership with PeakaPong, an emerging sport that blends the speed and precision of table tennis with the accessibility and fun of pickleball.

For the first time in NCTTA history, student-athletes will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in both traditional table tennis and the unique challenge of PeakaPong. Division winners will qualify into the 2026 NCTTA Championships (back in Rockford!) for a chance at the Championship PeakaPong title.

“PeakaPong represents the spirit of Innovation that NCTTA embraces,” says Joe Wells, NCTTA VP and current avid Table Tennis and Pickleball player. Chris Mar, NCTTA’s PeakaPong Liaison says in addition, “First time hardbat-like event provides new opportunities for student athletes to compete for a nationals appearance.”

As an official sponsor of NCTTA, PeakaPong brings more than just a new game-it brings community. With hybrid rules and inclusive design, PeakaPong lowers the barriers for entry while still rewarding skills and quick reflexes. NCTTA PeakaPong Division play will be in 4-6 divisions across NCTTA, and all PeakaPong Division tournaments are open to anyone in any division. To find out more about NCTTA PeakaPong click here for the rules.

Sign up after Labor Day on nctta.app for these events!

(Featured here is NCTTA's Media extraordinaire Andy Nguyen brandishing a Peakapong Paddle!)

The National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) is calling on passionate and skilled photographers across the country to join our growing media team. If you have a keen eye for fast-paced sports action, love table tennis, and want to contribute to one of the most exciting college sports communities in North America, then this is your opportunity.

NCTTA is actively recruiting photographers to cover Division Tournaments during the 2025-2026 season. Selected individuals will have the chance to:
-Capture high-quality action photos of student-athletes in competitive matches
-Edit and upload curated images shortly after events for use on NCTTA’s media platforms
-Gain exposure through national and regional promotion of their work
-Become eligible for selection to the official NCTTA Championships Photography Team

This is more than just volunteering — it’s an opportunity to build your portfolio, work alongside a passionate team, and potentially earn a credentialed spot at the NCTTA Championships, the pinnacle event of the collegiate table tennis season.

“We’re looking for photographers who can not only snap great action shots, but also know how to tell a story through imagery — fast reactions, great timing, and the ability to edit and share quickly are what make someone stand out,” said Willy Leparulo, NCTTA President.

Requirements:
-Access to professional or semi-professional photography equipment
-Experience shooting sports or fast-moving events (preferably indoor/action)
-Ability to edit and upload photos within 24-48 hours post-event
-Passion for collegiate table tennis and commitment to quality

If selected to shoot Division Tournaments and your work meets our standards, you may receive an exclusive invitation to join our Photography Team at the 2026 NCTTA Championships.

To apply, please email us at info@nctta.org

Include:
-Your photography portfolio (especially any sports/action work)
-Brief background or resume
-Divisions you’re available to cover

Help us showcase the talent, energy, and spirit of NCTTA athletes through your lens!

(Featured here is a rare sighting of star photographer Grant Bergmann, photo credit to fellow star photographer Dennis Yanga!)

They came, they saw, they ponged in 7 events in the Table Tennis area, similar to NCTTA Championships except they have Mixed Doubles and a different team format.
A quick recap of how they did!

Men's and Women's Team
Both teams exited at the Round of 16

Mixed Doubles
Ved Sheth (UC Berkeley) and Emily Tan (BU) got to Round of 16 losing to a Hong Kong pair that eventually medaled

Women's Doubles
Emily Tan (BU) and Anastasia Wang (NYU) advanced from preliminary rounds to Round of 32

Men's Doubles
Sid Naresh and Ved Sheth (UC Berkeley) clinched many matches and exited at Round of 16

Women's Singles
Emily Tan (BU) made it to Round of 64

Men's Singles
Sid Naresh (UC Berkeley) had an amazing run eventually exiting in the Quarter Finals

Thanks to our sponsors: Peakapong and PongSpace for their continued support and uniforms.
Thanks to USA Table Tennis for allowing NCTTA to take on this project.
Thanks to our staff, including Coach Gao Yanjun (NYU), Coach Yue Wu (former Texas Wesleyan student-athlete), Team Leader Alex Figueroa (former NCTTA Division Director), and NCTTA Media: Rachel Ou (Current UPenn student-athlete), for their help in organizing and advising our student-athletes.

Lastly, a big thanks to our student-athletes who put it all on the line for their school, country and our brand (College Table Tennis--NCTTA). You are our heroes!

Sid Naresh, Ved Sheth (UC Berkeley)
Emily Tan (Boston University)
Anastasia Wang, Tiffany Lam (New York University)
Joanna Sung, Kai Zarehbin, Angie Tan, Ryan Wu, Ethan Liu (UCLA)

#LoudNProud #NCTTA #WorldUniversityGames
Photo Credit: Jarah Lemus

The National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) Is proud to announce that Rockford, Illinois, will host the 2026 National Collegiate Table Tennis Championships. The event is scheduled to take place April 10-12, 2026 at the UW Health Sports Factory, marking the second year in a row that the city will serve as the championship venue.

Following the success of the 2025 Championships, which attracted over 250 student-athletes from more than 50 colleges and universities, the NCTTA has reaffirmed its confidence in Rockford's ability to bring in a world class event!

“We’re thrilled to bring the excitement of table tennis back to Rockford in 2026,” said Kara Davis GoRockford Senior Sales Manager. “After the incredible success of the 2025 National Collegiate Table Tennis Championships, the return of this event is a testament to our community’s outstanding hospitality and world-class facilities. It’s an incredible opportunity to see world-class collegiate athletes and top universities compete in our community. Hosting again reinforces Rockford’s place on the national stage for premier sporting events and continues to energize our region with global talent and local pride.”

NCTTA President, Willy Leparulo, states, "NCTTA Championships were a tremendous success both in terms of athletic performance and community engagement. Excited for 2026!"

Look out for more information soon!

By Michael Reff
Press Committee Chair

We at NCTTA are extremely excited for the newest crop of youth table tennis athletes that could potentially join our ranks come time to make the college decision.

Children being exposed to our favorite Olympic sport at a young age provides the perfect infrastructure that will make table tennis thrive at all levels of organization.

That being said, it is important to highlight two great youth championships coming up quite soon in the month of May.

To start, tomorrow May 18th, LA Ping Pong will be hosting their championship tournament at South Bay Table Tennis in Torrance, CA for the first time. The actual event is a result of a seasonal league play of 22 teams and 111 players! According to Jordan Yee, a veritable table tennis organizing workhorse, the championship will feature the final teams that made it through the playoff rounds.

“Many of our teams have students that are new to ping pong and playing a sport for the first time,” Yee notes.

“A few teams from South Bay Table Tennis have middle school teams that are coached by high school students who are volunteering their time and talents to help the next generation of players. A few of these high schoolers have volunteered at the SoCal NCTTA divisionals to help me set up, process results, etc.”

It’s great to see that the volunteering spirit is being cultivated way before players are even in NCTTA!

It’s also important to highlight as well that LA Ping Pong was founded by future USA Table Tennis Hall of Famer David Del Vecchio, who does all things video production at NCTTA’s Champs, and the “Voice of Table Tennis,” Adam Bobrow, who founded NCTTA member team Ping Pong Posse!

Check out LA Ping Pong’s Tourney live-streamed through YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@Lapingpong).

Furthermore, another excellent organization, American Youth Table Tennis (AYTTO) is having their own event, The National Scholastic Table Tennis Championships, on May 25th from 9am to 5pm, expecting 12 schools, with 8 high schools and 4 elementary schools projected to participate. In total there should be 50 students and 20 adults in attendance, with schools from New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Texas, California, and Washington! The event will be held in Louisiana.

According to Thomas Hu, self-proclaimed “Table Tennis Evangelist” (and all his accomplishments can attest to spreading his love of the sport!), the AYTTO leagues have “several Jr. National Team members.” But, he says.

“The bigger the metro area, the bigger the spectrum of skills levels. The AYTTO focus is not just on competition. Although we have several high-level players, we are more proud that the high-level players are able to lead a group of less skilled players to expand the sport.”

I sense a commonality here between LA Ping Pong and AYTTO: mentorship and volunteerism are at the forefront, and NCTTA embodies those ideals as well.

In fact, to partner with these great organizations, NCTTA is also giving out neon NCTTA bracelets at both events.

Brace yourselves for two great upcoming weekends of competition, camaraderie and volunteerism that arises from our future: youth table tennis.

Struggling to land an internship because you don’t have enough experience? Want to develop real-world software skills while supporting the sport you love? Or maybe you're passionate about improving NCTTA and want to make a meaningful impact?

Apply now for our Software Engineering Internship with NCTTA!
Deadline: May 30th

This internship is a unique opportunity to:
Build practical experience by working on real software projects with real impact

Collaborate with a team of motivated individuals who care about both technology and the sport

Improve systems and tools used by NCTTA, helping shape the experience of hundreds of student-athletes

Gain mentorship and feedback from experienced professionals in both software and organizational operations

Boost your resume with concrete accomplishments—not just passion or club participation

Work remotely and flexibly, making this internship manageable alongside your classes or summer plans

We’re looking for self-motivated, focused individuals who take initiative. In your application, focus on the kind of work you want to do and what you bring to the table—rather than just your passion for table tennis.
Apply here: SWE Intern Application

Questions? Want to learn more about the internship program?
Reach out to our Internship Coordinator, Victoria Pham, at victoria.pham@nctta.org.