It’s no secret that the game of pickleball has become all the rage within the past few years. Available to all ages, this sport has surpassed many other pastimes to become the go-to activity for fellowship and a bit of light exercise. However, for some, pickleball is more than back and forth banter… it is a die-hard competition! You might not have guessed it, but pickleball matches can quickly become intense, just like tennis. 

Resident Ruby Sue Svendsen, a freshman at the Geneva School of Boerne, is no stranger to competition. She is a fierce athlete, having played libero on the Geneva Varsity volleyball team this season, swimming in the summer, will play basketball this winter and softball in the spring. Her biggest accomplishment is running in the Junior Olympics three times! She’s been to Houston, Iowa, and North Carolina to sport her skills as a determined pentathlon runner. There is no doubt of her commitment, perseverance, and joy that comes with her athletic abilities. On a more lowkey note, when she is not busy with weekend tournaments or training for a seasonal sport, Ruby loves to play pickleball at Fair Oaks Ranch Country Club. You could call it her competitive hobby! 

A few weeks ago, Ruby played in a pickleball tournament with her teammate and friend Carolyn Lutz, who is also a freshman at the Geneva School of Boerne. Ruby found out about the tournament at the last minute, but she was beyond excited to spend time with her friend and bat the pickleball around. Ruby is a particularly humble athlete, never boasting or prideful of her achievements. Don’t let this fool you; she is quick, intelligent, and ready for anything. Come tournament time, Ruby was determined not only to enjoy her Saturday, but to showcase her athletic talent. 

The tournament was played round-robin style with seven teams; competitors were both boys and girls, ranging from 8th grade to sophomores in high school. Each game went to 3 sets, and each set ended at 11 points. Ruby had previously played in a similar tournament with her mom, an avid tennis player, but this year Ruby adapted to a different style of play with her peers. The afternoon was filled with excitement, thrilling comebacks, and a whole lot of hustle from all players. Ruby and Carolyn placed second against their fellow Geneva classmate and his sister. However, every team showed up and put their best foot forward! Most athletes were tennis players, meaning that competition was pretty high level across all games. At the end of the day, there were no hard feelings, and it felt like a community of young athletes just enjoying a Saturday together, doing what they love most. 

That is exactly what Ruby loves about living in Fair Oaks Ranch. Everyone here is a neighbor! Ruby says, “I love that you can probably go to the pickleball courts at the club and join in playing with whoever is there at the time! It is a community.” I encourage every resident to never lose this spirit of friendliness, kindness, and welcoming joy!