MCC High School Pickleball

by Dave Fuhrig

There has been no doubt that Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport in the world for the last 10-15 years.  This is just as true in the St. Louis area.  Public courts popping up in parks.  New pickleball facilities are being built all around the metro area.  The next great expansion seems to be into the world of youth sports.  

The Metro Catholic Conference is a collaboration of five Catholic Boys High Schools in the Greater St. Louis Area.  These schools are Chaminade, CBC, DeSmet, SLUH, and St. John Vianney.  During the 2024-2025 school, the MCC through their hat into the Pickleball arena. 

Spear-headed by Scott Brown, Assistant Athletic Director at CBC High School, the league took form.  A full schedule would be formed with a season running from November through March.  The season would be capped with a playoff tournament to determine a league champion.  One question remained.  Where would matches be held?

Enter Missouri Pickleball Club, also known as MPC.  MPC stepped up to the plate offering their facility.  MPC is an indoor Pickleball Club located in Fenton, MO.  They boast 18 indoor pickleball courts.  Each court is individually fenced in to isolate it from other courts.  A testament to how quickly the game has grown.  They host many of the MCC Conference matches including the playoff tournament.

Inaugural Season

• Chaminade Champions

• SLUH 2025-2026 Champions

St. Louis University High School, located in South St. Louis City at 4970 Oakland Avenue, has been member of the MCC Conference since 1991. SLUH High School’s Pickleball Program is coordinated by staff member Teresa Corely.  The formation of SLUH’s pickleball team has a unique story.  Teresa shared some of its origin with me

Senior Parker Holthaus is a former baseball player who sustained significant injury and was recommended by doctors to eliminate sports with any possibility of contact.  Parker was cleared to play racquet sports.  He picked up pickleball shortly thereafter.

“Parker’s newfound passion and competitive spirit drove the formation of SLUH’s team,” said Teresa Corley.

Parker helped recruit many of the players that are currently on the team.  

The 2025-2026 MCC season was highly competitive.  Chaminade was considered the favorite to win the Championship.  They were dominant during the regular season.  Chaminade had bested SLUH 6-3 during the regular season.    

“The boys were extremely fired up for the finals,” said Teresa.

The finals began with all 6 doubles matches being played first.  All matches were tightly contested.  The doubles matches were split down the middle.  The score was tied 3-3 going into singles competition.  The next 2 singles matches were split as well leaving the score tied once again at 4-4.  It all came down to one match.  Spectators gathered around the court where the final remaining match was being played.  

Pickleball Matches consist of opponents playing best 2 out of 3 games to 11 points.  If the first 2 games are split, a third and decisive game is played.  This is exactly what happened on the final court of the championship match with the title on the line.  Everyone held their breath.  Wolf from SLUH High to serve.  The point was won by SLUH.  Teammates stormed the court and celebrated.  SLUH was crowned league champions in an unlikely upset.    

Future of High School Pickleball in St. Louis

MSHSAA (Missouri State High School Activities Association) is the governing body for High School Athletics in the State of Missouri.  Pickleball is not currently under this umbrella, as it is still considered a Club Sport.  With pickleball still on the rise, there is great opportunity for it to become a sanctioned sport.