Written by Elliot Coombes and Nic Fraraccio // Photo by Morgan Pickering

A new sport will be added this semester to Harding’s travel club sports program. Spikeball, also known as “roundnet,” has successfully launched its debut this semester. The spikeball team plans to play in matches against the University of Arkansas, Oklahoma State University and Union University.

The addition is part of a bigger movement from Harding to offer a more attractive variety of sports.

Spikeball is one of the 10 sports offered by the travel sports club program.

Braden Henderson, the Ganus Activities Complex manager, explained the goals behind adding the sport.

“Our primary goal is trying to find things that will bring people to Harding, and our secondary goal is to provide a cool experience for the current students,” Henderson said.

The travel team had interest boosted from its first tournament last week. They competed against 15 to 18 other spikeball teams from other schools. Club president Carter Fitch said eight other people currently comprise the team and are enjoying the experience.

“I’m excited,” Fitch said. “I was a little worried coming here because roundnet is a sport no one really plays competitively, so I didn’t know if anyone would want to commit to playing and learning how to play competitively, but now that we’re here, I’ve gotten many people who are committed and come out and play and who are also excited about the sport, so I’m excited.”

Fitch played a big part in getting the ball rolling. A freshman himself, he worked with faculty who helped him acquire funding and jerseys, and assisted in setting up the tournament.

“It’s not just a game to them,” Fitch said. “It’s a real sport. Most people have played basketball or football for fun, and most people have also played spikeball for fun. The thing is, when you take spikeball to a competitive level, it becomes a whole different game. You have to start learning how to serve better, how to receive serves, how to get hits that are hard, how to get the ball up defensively.”

The spikeball team is open to additional members and welcomes people who want to play a casual game too.

Junior Preston Huitt said travel club sports offer a unique opportunity for those who do not play college sports.

“Travel has been a really great way of getting back into that competitive sports aspect,” Huitt said.