American College sports have their Top 25, and NCTTA has a TOP 25 list, too!
Check it out!
Note: this is purely informational and has no bearing on postseason invitations.
Enjoy!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QsL_H23bKLSvpgEFbNlg0vPjjR7ZdVOx...
University of Puerto Rico Arecibo (UPRA) is the first school from Puerto Rico to join NCTTA since 2012
The National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) is proud to announce that the University of Puerto Rico, Arecibo (UPRA) has officially joined the organization, becoming the first Puerto Rican institution to do so since the University of Puerto Rico–Río Piedras competed in 2007-2012. UPRA’s addition is a historic moment for NCTTA and College Table Tennis.
“We are thrilled to welcome the University of Puerto Rico–Arecibo to NCTTA,” said Willy Leparulo, the NCTTA President. “UPRA’s enrollment represents more than just a new team; it opens the door for a resurgence of Puerto Rican programs across the league. The island has always had a strong table tennis culture, and we’re excited to see that tradition return to the NCTTA stage.”
Puerto Rico holds a meaningful place in NCTTA history. Dr. Walter Alomar, a longtime advocate for the sport and current NCTTA Medical Director, was a member of the influential UPR–Río Piedras squad in the 2000s. His teammate from that era, José Pagán, also played a key role in facilitating UPRA’s joining of NCTTA this year. Their continued involvement and passion for Collegiate table tennis helped rebuild the bridge between NCTTA and Puerto Rican institutions—making UPRA’s entry (to NCTTA) symbolic and significant.
To better understand their goals and expectations, NCTTA interviewed UPRA Director of Athletics Christian Tellado Badillo, who spoke enthusiastically about the school’s vision for the sport. The interview was conducted in Spanish and translated here.
“We’ve had a collegiate table tennis program since the early 2000s and have collected many titles within Puerto Rico’s intercollegiate league, La Liga,” said Tellado Badillo. “Our athletes are eager to bring that same competitive spirit to NCTTA. Joining this association allows us to showcase our talent on a larger stage while promoting the growth of table tennis across Puerto Rico.”
La Liga is Puerto Rico’s version of competitive sports within the University structure that includes a total of 17 schools on the island (10 public and 7 private), and includes all sports, not just table tennis. Universidad de Puerto Rico–Arecibo is a public university founded in 1967 and is located in the northern part of Puerto Rico with approximately 3000 students.
With a long-standing program, a strong athletic culture, and a core of experienced players, UPRA is well-positioned to make an immediate impact within NCTTA competition. Their participation also lays the groundwork for more Puerto Rican universities to join in the years to come. Leparulo states further, “Internationalizing the league and expanding opportunities for student-athletes, whether they are in North America or elsewhere, is our primary goal.”
Look out for UPRA as they begin their journey and compete alongside collegiate programs from across the United States and Canada.
About NCTTA
The National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting competitive collegiate table tennis in the United States and Canada. NCTTA organizes regional and national competitions, supports student-athletes, and works to grow the sport across North America.
Media Contact:
National Collegiate Table Tennis Association
Email: press@nctta.org
Website: www.nctta.org
Before this Fall Division tournament in SoCal West, Cal Tech’s fame came from being mentioned in the hit TV Series, Big Bang Theory, but watch out because they are the school to beat in NCTTA.
Cal Tech went undefeated, besting SoCal Powerhouse UCLA. Cal Tech, helmed by former Youth Italian Champion Francesco Calisto, a current PhD student in Physics, led the Tech to a win by going undefeated himself.
Victor Xie, the highest seed in the tournament from Cal Poly SLO said
“He (Francesco) just spawned in Caltech.” Xie lost to Calisto as well.
We will be following Tech and Calisto, but until then, what an impression! As they say in Italy,
Bravo!
(Featured in pic is Cal Tech standout Francesco Calisto)
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
