The University of Alabama Roundnet Club lets students experience the exciting, fast-paced sport, also known as spikeball.
When Devin Baron arrived on campus, he discovered there was no club dedicated to the game, so he founded one. Baron, a creative media undergraduate now pursuing a Master of Business Administration, wanted to introduce the sport he loved to the University. He’s since created a community that has grown over the past four years.
“I started this as a way to share the sport I love with other students,” he said. “Our achievements along the way are a small piece of our success. I’m most proud of the number of people we’ve introduced the game to.”
The club’s vice president, Mitchell Roussey, a senior kinesiology major, said the club is open to players of all skill levels, introducing newcomers to the sport and fostering a competitive yet welcoming atmosphere.
“We’re pretty casual as a club, but we focus on developing skills and creating a positive experience for everyone, whether they’re competitive or just learning the basics,” Roussey said.
Spikeball is a fast-paced, dynamic sport played between two teams of two players. The goal is to hit the ball off a circular net so that the opposing team cannot return it, with each team allowed three touches, similar to volleyball. What makes spikeball unique is that the ball can be hit in any direction, offering a 360-degree range of movement that makes the game highly strategic.
While the club’s primary goal is to ensure everyone enjoys the sport, competitive play is also a focus. Tournaments are held throughout the year, with divisions ranging from beginner, advanced, contender and pro. Most players within the club compete in the contender division, but the club also offers opportunities for players to advance through the divisions. Though matchups with other schools are limited, the club prepares for regional tournaments each semester.
“The people I’ve met playing spikeball are some of my closest friends,” said Roussey. “The game is an exciting thrill to experience, but half of the enjoyment comes from the people you play with.”
Both Roussey and Baron are proud of the community they’ve built.
“We’re happy to see how far we’ve come and how much the club has grown,” Mitchell said. “It’s about the people, the game, and the community we’ve built here.”