NCTTA’s National Table Tennis Scholarship Program has been developed to give deserving table tennis athletes the opportunity for financial support while pursuing a college education. With the original generous support from NEWGY Industries and the current fabulous support from The HSING FAMILY FOUNDATION, NCTTA can award a limited number of scholarships to male and female student-athletes, based on the criteria described on this site.

Recipients are expected to practice with and compete for their school's table tennis team in NCTTA league competition (i.e. Divisional, Regional, or Championship tournaments).
Application deadline is June 30, 2026, click here for more information and for the application.

By Michael Reff
Press Committee Chair

The most recent NCTTA Championships held in Rockford, IL were a success in many ways. First, we had elite college table tennis players battling it out for exquisite 3D-printed trophies and the glory. But also, our volunteers, who are the pivotal backbone of our organization, ensured that everything ran smoothly.

Volunteers have multiple reasons to come help out at the Champs and beyond, and some can even be inspired by the tournament itself to figure out new ways to help the college table tennis organization we all love and support.

One such volunteer is Mr. Chance Key. Returning as an umpire to volunteering for the first time in almost a decade, he was so positively affected by the logistics of it all, that he has decided to make a generous donation to NCTTA’s scholarship fund on behalf of the Doris M Rice Foundation (Named after his mother) and matched by his workplace Wells Fargo. The total donation is $4000!

Many college table tennis aficionados would have known Mr. Key as an Assistant Head Coach (2010-2012) and then Head Coach (2013-2016) of Lindenwood University’s team.

Mr. Key first became enamored with the sport in his native Detroit, Michigan when he “saw the Chinese National Team play at the Cobo Hall Arena Detroit, Michigan.” He started out “with a Chinese pen holder grip with short pips on one side only.” Then, he changed to the J-pen style with smooth rubber. Reaching as high a rating as close to 1800, a knee injury sidelined his playing, and so he pivoted to coaching at Lindenwood. Lindenwood would eventually make it to a No.3 national ranking in teams at one point!

When asked further about the reasons for his generous donation, Mr. Key stated:

The idea of donating money did not enter my head until I started feeling the excitement and electricity from all the players. It reminded me of the excitement my players had in playing at the championships. In addition, I noticed how Willy had a nice Taco bar, hot hamburgers, and hot chicken with all the trimmings for the volunteers. I started to think that if [NCTTA President] Willy treats his volunteers with this level of care, concerning food, then he will treat my financial investment with the same level of care.

Additionally, Mr. Key explains how his mother’s fiscal responsibility has shaped who he is and how he hopes to empower young students in NCTTA to take care of their finances as well.

My mom has a philosophy of zero credit card debt, paying cash for everything, and keeping her “wants” to almost zero therefore she spends little money. Using that same philosophy, I conducted an experiment in which instead of spending $9.00 for my daily Starbucks coffee and $6.00 for my Starbucks muffin, I placed that money into a savings account for one year. It added up to $3,900 ($15 per day X 5 days X 52 weeks). I brought my own coffee from home, in a mug, and now I eat a granola bar and lose approximately twenty pounds. I decided that not only can I financially donate to NCTTA, but I can hopefully inspire young people to make a choice to sacrifice their immediate “wants” and have the power to save money instead of digging deeper into unforgivable credit card debt purchasing things that they “want” instead of “need”.

When asked about the stipulations of the Doris M Rice Foundation contribution, which included highlighting women’s teams, Mr. Key noted:

I wanted to ensure that empowering women must be the focus of the foundation because my wife, mother, grandmother Debbie, and great-grandmother Georgia are all strong women that helped shaped my life. I wanted to ensure that the women players in NCTTA had financial assistance to inspire them to compete in NCTTA throughout the college careers and beyond college. Chelsea Edghill graduated from Lindenwood University in 2019 and is a Two time Table Tennis Olympian and Founder of Edge Sports Management in Guyana, South America.

It’s only fitting that this article coincides with the same month as Mother’s Day, to honor all the powerful mother figures in our life who shape us to make great decisions.

NCTTA President Willy Lepearulo is very grateful for the donation. “We are excited at Chance's contribution and at being a part of the Doris M Rice Foundation and further thankful for their assistance for Women's College Table Tennis"

NCTTA expresses its utmost gratitude to Mr. Chance Key and the Doris M Rice Foundation for this generous donation.

Featured in the above photo is Mr. Key's mother, the namesake for the Doris M Rice Foundation

The time has come for elections for certain NCTTA Board of Directors positions. NCTTA is a “working” board, meaning board members serve as both volunteer directors and staff. We put in lots of hours b/c we love it, so one of the prerequisites is passion, of course!

For those of you interested in further involvement with NCTTA, here is your opportunity to play a crucial role in the organization's direction, as well as that of college table tennis in the US and beyond.

These are the positions that are open for election. They are 4-YEAR positions.
Vice President External
Treasurer (Financial Officer)
Athlete Rep

Please remember to read the NCTTA bylaws for qualifications to run and the description for each position:
Bylaws (pages 11-15):

Candidates must submit a Statement of Intent to elections@nctta.org to be approved to run for the NCTTA Board of Directors. The deadline is May 26th.

On or around June 1st, the statements will be posted, and approved candidates will be announced. At that time, voting will take place until June 25th
Voting will be done by presidents (or representatives) of each NCTTA member school; each school will have 1 vote for each position.

Training for newly elected Board members will occur immediately after the election is complete, and terms will officially begin on July 1.

Please direct any questions and statements of interest to elections@nctta.org

To those who decide to run, NCTTA wishes you the best of luck.

By Michael Reff
Press Committee Chair

The 2026 NCTTA Championships in Rockford, IL successfully delivered on the excitement and passion of our elite college table tennis players.

The Women’s and Men’s singles finals, though, were the icing on the cake for fans and players alike. Both matches went the distance, with a 7th game deciding it all.

This writer got a chance to interview Harvard University’s Kelly Yenn, a freshly minted 2-time NCTTA Women’s Singles Champion, and 2026 Women’s Doubles Champion alongside teammate Hannah Song.

Yenn was ecstatic and reflective in her performances both individually, in doubles, and as a whole team.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the Harvard team, for the sport, and for all the support that made winning the Women’s Singles title at Nationals again possible,” she remarked. “This experience means so much to me, and I’m truly thankful to be part of a team where everyone lifts each other up and we’ve grown so close together.”

Yenn was very honest about the difficulty level of the intense table tennis she experienced throughout the three-day crown jewel event of the NCTTA Champs.

“These were tough matches, especially the final, and I’m grateful for that challenge. I’m deeply thankful for what table tennis has given me,” she reflected.

Yenn further elaborated by saying she has tracked her progress in the sport, and that the Championships demonstrated the culmination of that improvement.

“Through this experience, I’ve seen growth in myself across many areas, in my mentality and mental game, becoming more analytical, more adaptable, and more present. Those are qualities I will carry with me far beyond the sport.”

Furthermore, in the double’s event with Song, Yenn noted how well she and Song work together on the table and know each other's games:

For doubles, Hannah and I have built such a strong sense of chemistry. We trust each other, communicate naturally, and really stay aligned tactically. We’re constantly supporting and grounding one another, and at the core, I believe it's our shared faith in ourselves and in God that carried us through.

When asked about her takeaway of NCTTA Champs, Yenn was positive and looking forward to the future iterations.

“Nationals was truly special, from the matches to the energy and the moments shared with the team. It’s an experience I’ll always value and carry with me, and I’m really excited for what lies ahead.”

Congratulations to Kelly, Hannah, and the rest of the Harvard team on their strong finishes!

Featured in pic are Kelly, Hannah, and the Harvard team

NCTTA's scholarship program has been developed to give deserving table tennis athletes the opportunity for financial support while pursuing a college education. With original support from Newgy Industries and now from the HSING Family Foundation and other NCTTA Alumni, NCTTA is able to award a limited number of College Table Tennis Athletes these awards. We would like to highlight one of the criteria on community service that requires meaningful involvement in service activities that positively impact others within the table tennis community.

First, a hearty congratulations to our winners Angie Tan (UCLA), Rachel Ou and Sushant Lebaka (UPenn), Bella Xu (UNC) and James Good (Penn State). We salute you for your efforts within our greater table tennis community!

Applicants are typically expected to document their role, hours, and the impact of their service, showing a genuine commitment to giving back beyond personal competitive achievements. Let's dive into some of the more unique accomplishments!

Angie Tan from UCLA was a cofounder of the LA chapter of a 501c nonprofit organization called Ping Pong Parkinson's LA (https://www.pingpongparkinsonla.com/). Angie, together with Joanna Sung (fellow UCLA student and NCTTA player), both with a strong passion for medicine and table tennis, decided to connect their strengths for this organization to help the discovery towards an effective therapeutic treatment for Parkinson's disease. A welcoming community where all Parkinson's patients can be together and have fun was created!

UPenn’s Sushant Lebaka and Rachel Ou were busy this year participating in NCTTA Committee's in Press and World University games. Additionally, they were part of UPenn's first free group coaching program and the local chapter of Ping Pong Parkinson's as well!

Bella Xu from UNC Chapel Hill leveraged college table tennis as a platform to promote neurological health and community engagement! Xu is a cofounder and President of the North Carolina Youth Table Tennis Association (NCYTTA) (https://ncytta.wixsite.com/ncytta) and also received a fellowship from UNC, and with those resources, she helped to develop table tennis programming in senior communities that centers on brain health initiatives.

For more information on NCTTA's scholarship click here: https://nctta.org/scholarship/

By Michael Reff
Press Committee Chair

Congratulations are in order to Round Rock, Texas, as they are set to host the NCTTA Championships for a record-breaking 5th and 6th time at their beloved venue! Everything is bigger in Texas, and it is only fitting that they are the hosts with the most Champs.

Ms. Nancy Yawn of the Round Rock Conventions and Visitors Bureau had this to say about the news:

“We are thrilled that the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association has selected Round Rock, the Sports Capital of Texas, for this exciting multi-year partnership through 2028. Hosting these tournaments brings a dynamic collegiate atmosphere to our community while also driving meaningful economic impact, from hotel stays to dining and local attractions. We look forward to welcoming student-athletes, families, and fans from across the country.”

NCTTA is looking forward to the continuation of this fruitful partnership with Round Rock.

See you there April 9-11, 2027!

By Michael Reff
Press Committee Chair

Fresh from last night with a wonderful shindig,
Where great food was had, and athletes celebrated,
Now to last day of Champs, volunteers tired but elated.
Singles showcased a close race Men’s and Women’s went the distance.

First we had Women’s Kelly Yenn of Harvard,
Defending her title from Columbia’s Rachel Wang,
Both equal parts passionate, skilled and very strong,
Yenn ultimately closed the match out, 2nd Singles secured.

On the Men’s side, an all-California school clash transpired.
Victor Xie of Cal Poly vs UC Berkeley’s Ved Sheth,
The cheering was deafening, the shots took away breath,
Again 7th game decider, Xie clinched it, then donned One Piece attire!

While all this was happening, in background, and foreground,
The volunteers were very focused and diligent,
Jobs had to be done and time of the essence,
Commencing and finishing an event breakdown.

So let’s bask in college pong glory days and share a laugh,
Remember this moment, remember the feeling,
And as you scroll through all the pong Highlight reeling
Let’s honor the champions, let’s honor unpaid staff.

Featured in photos are 2 time NCTTA Women's Singles and 2026 Double's Champion Kelly Yenn, and 2026 Men's Singles Champion Victor Xie. Photo credit to Robert He.

About 2026 NCTTA College Table Tennis Championships

The championships are hosted by the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association and GoRockford (Rockford Convention and Visitors Bureau). The event crowns national champions in Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles, Men’s/Coed Teams, and Women’s Teams and Collegiate Peakapong Singles.

PongSpace, Peaka Pong, Major League Table Tennis, Nittaku and Paddle Palace will sponsor the event.

Watch the event on live stream starting Friday, April 10th on https://www.nctta.org/champs/2026/video.html

About NCTTA

The National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) is a non-profit organization established exclusively to promote the sport of table tennis at the college level. As the national governing body for college table tennis in the United States and Canada, NCTTA organizes elite intercollegiate competitions throughout North America. www.nctta.org

By Luke Scotchie
NCTTA Press Committee Member

Rockford, IL — Several student-athletes signed up for the PeakaPong Singles Tournament, the final event of the NCTTA Championships 2026. This co-ed tournament had a similar rulebook to most other Singles events, without many striking differences.

Except for the rackets these players strike the ball with.

The rackets each player grips aren’t covered in rubber, but rather an array of small holes carved into its wooden face. Players smack a much larger ball using these unique rackets, creating a distinct echo. It sounds like a table tennis ball hitting the bottom of a well after a long descent, which fits the much slower rallies these rackets induce.

At first glance, an onlooker could mistake this racket for a pickleball paddle. That’s by design. The PeakaPong paddle was invented to allow its wielders to “perform with the thrill of pickleball and the precision of ping pong.” That precision is what makes table tennis so captivating to play, but difficult to ace. So many skills are required for a player to excel at table tennis, including a mastery of the weapon they use. PeakaPong aims to rid newer players of that barrier of entry, and force the already-elite players to learn a brand-new game altogether.

“If [new players] play against Sid [Naresh] and them, they can’t compete,” said PeakaPong shareholder Thomas Hu. “But in this game, people who play pickleball, people who play tennis, actually have an advantage playing this sport.”

For a seasoned table tennis player, learning this new game isn’t easy. The ball moves downward when smacked with this racket, an obstacle some players navigate by attempting to hit it from underneath. There’s no spin. No pips. None of the features that most players have spent years getting used to. It’s as simple as a block of wood and some holes, which makes for a very complex style of table tennis.

“Most people I saw today, they were just playing it safe,” said Livia Belem Rangel De Carvalho, a freshman at the University of Central Florida who competed in this year’s PeakaPong Singles Tournament. “Because if you try to hit it hard, it’s mostly not going to work.”

These paddles have caused a racket throughout this year’s NCTTA Championships, which could be for the final time. PeakaPong intends to unveil a new racket in the near future, one with a larger surface area, a longer handle and a more angular perimeter. That may sound more like a pickleball paddle than a table tennis racket, but the racket holds a similar weight as the one players use this year. They hope this new racket can enable its wielders to fall in love with either sport more easily.

That was why PeakaPong created its racket to begin with. It’s a racket intended for a game that weds the two sports in what onlookers and participants alike hope to be a long, healthy marriage.

“I just thought it was really cool,” Belem Rangel De Carvalho said. “I hope they do it again next year.”

Featured in the photo is current PeakaPong racket. Photo credit to Dennis Yanga.

About 2026 NCTTA College Table Tennis Championships

The championships are hosted by the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association and GoRockford (Rockford Convention and Visitors Bureau). The event crowns national champions in Men’s and

Women’s Singles and Doubles, Men’s/Coed Teams, and Women’s Teams and Collegiate Peakapong Singles.

PongSpace, Peaka Pong, Major League Table Tennis, Nittaku and Paddle Palace will sponsor the event.

Watch the event on live stream starting Friday, April 10th on https://www.nctta.org/champs/2026/video.html

About NCTTA

The National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) is a non-profit organization established exclusively to promote the sport of table tennis at the college level. As the national governing body for college table tennis in the United States and Canada, NCTTA organizes elite intercollegiate competitions throughout North America. www.nctta.org

By Emily Zhao
NCTTA Press Committee Member

Everyone in American table tennis knows the Naresh brothers, Nandan and Sid. Hailing from the Greater Chicago Area, the Nareshes are fixtures on U.S. National Teams and represent America at a huge number of international events. Sid was a member of the Berkeley squad that won Co-ed teams last year. What not as many people may know is their family legacy in NCTTA.

Nandan and Sid’s father, Arcot Naresh, has served as NCTTA’s Upper Midwest Division Director since 2015. In India, where he grew up, Naresh played table tennis in high school and college. He took a twenty-year break after immigrating to the States, but returned to the sport in 2010 when some work colleagues asked him to play. This led to competing at a local club and inducting Sid and Nandan into the sport. The rest is history.

“I wish I’d known about [NCTTA] when I was in [school at Iowa],” Naresh said. “I would’ve gotten involved.” In India, he said, many schools have tables and teams. Even if people don’t play seriously, they take the sport seriously. There was no equivalent to NCTTA, however, “nothing as well-organized as this.” And Naresh knows what it takes: for ten years he has run his division of six to seven schools with just one additional volunteer. “I’ve worked twenty-five years in my life,” he said, “and the day of Divisionals is probably the hardest I’ve ever worked.”

When he’s not playing, spectating, or organizing table tennis, Naresh works as a software architect. Over the last two years, he’s begun doing start-ups, including video analysis software for coaching. It’s pickleball for now, but he hopes to add table tennis next. He doesn’t have thoughts on World Table Tennis’s TTR technology yet, but maybe someday we’ll see his version in a WTT stadium alongside his sons.

About 2026 NCTTA College Table Tennis Championships

The championships are hosted by the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association and GoRockford (Rockford Convention and Visitors Bureau). The event crowns national champions in Men’s and

Women’s Singles and Doubles, Men’s/Coed Teams, and Women’s Teams and Collegiate Peakapong Singles.

PongSpace, Peaka Pong, Major League Table Tennis, Nittaku and Paddle Palace will sponsor the event.

Watch the event on live stream starting Friday, April 10th on https://www.nctta.org/champs/2026/video.html

About NCTTA

The National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) is a non-profit organization established exclusively to promote the sport of table tennis at the college level. As the national governing body for college table tennis in the United States and Canada, NCTTA organizes elite intercollegiate competitions throughout North America. www.nctta.org