The GCU Club Roundnet team sent a duo to Raleigh, North Carolina for the Spikeball Roundnet Association College Nationals for the first time this June, returning with a 2nd-place finish in the top individual division. GCU's competition duo was composed of team captain Aidan Mackey and relative newcomer Reese Anderson, both seniors.
Fresh on the scene of the highest level of collegiate roundnet, Anderson is known for his extreme effort.
"He's very passionate. He puts his body on the line for every point," said Mackey.
Mackey, on the other hand, is the experienced and savvy veteran. Recently signing with the Spikeball Tour Series Seattle Stop after spending over a year as the Lopes' Student Coach, Mackey is an established force on the Spikeball competitive scene.
"I was lucky to play with Aidan," said Anderson. "He is very experienced and knows so much about the game. He also believes in me as his partner so much."
Being in a new environment across the country, the road to the podium wasn't easy for the first-time nationals competitors.
"It was a mental grind," said Mackey. "Raleigh is hot and humid. The sun was beating down on the turf field the whole day. We tried hard to make every game as clean and mistake-free as possible to save energy."
The tournament wrapped up the season for the Lopes, but they know how much it means to have earned the chance to "dance" this spring.
"Being able to represent GCU and our team against so many bigger schools is a great experience for us," said Anderson. "It was my favorite part of the tournament."
