Going Pickleball Pro

At 65, Moira Roush embodies the spirit of competition and passion that defines the growing pickleball community. As a seasoned tennis player who once played at the collegiate level, Moira’s journey into pickleball began seven years ago when her husband suggested she try the sport. “I wasn’t really looking for something new,” she recalled. “I still enjoyed tennis, but when we played our first Pickleball tournament and won mixed doubles, and both won our singles, it reignited my competitive juices.”

Moira, who had been teaching high school tennis, soon found herself transitioning to teaching pickleball. “It’s mainstream now, but it wasn’t as much back then. We got into it early,” she said. She and her husband quickly rose through the ranks, starting as amateurs before advancing to the senior pro level, which is open to players age 50 and above.

Last year, Moira took a significant step in her pickleball career as she was drafted by the National Pickleball League (NPL), first to the Oklahoma City Punishers and now to the Indy Drivers. “Tennis has leagues, so it made sense for pickleball to have them too,” Moira explained.

The NPL operates with a structured format, beginning with a combine, where 80 players—40 men and 40 women—participate in a rigorous tryout at Chicken N Pickle. “They played in pods of eight, and each player had to play a game with everyone. Depending on their performance, they were moved to different pods while owners of six teams watched and evaluated them,” Moira described. 

Moira was drafted by the National Pickleball League, first to the Oklahoma City Punishers and then to the Indy Drivers.

The draft followed in April, with 96 players selected to be part of the league. This year, the league expanded to 168 players across 12 teams. The competition is intense, but the camaraderie is equally strong. “Every Friday night before our weekend matches, we have a league dinner, and there’s always a theme. It’s for the love of pickleball.”

The Indy Drivers had a stellar performance last season, winning the final tournament after a dramatic run. “We weren’t first or second at the end of the season, but we came through the final tournament and beat everyone. It was an awesome celebration,” she reminisced.

Pickleball’s appeal, according to Moira, lies in its accessibility and social nature. “It’s doable. It’s a lot easier than tennis, not as expensive, and it’s social. We’re seeing a lot of young folks coming in to play more. They’re having fun, being active,” she said. For the older generation, the sport offers a way to stay active and connected. “You’re mixing in with people you may not know, and with different skill levels. I don’t know how to explain how it becomes so addictive,” she added with a laugh.

Sponsorships from companies like Selkirk, a family-run paddle company from Idaho, and support from Oklahoma City’s Chicken N’ Pickle have been crucial for Moira. She teaches at Chicken N Pickle and Lifetime Athletic, helping to foster the next generation of pickleball enthusiasts.

As the season progresses from May to October, Moira is optimistic about her team’s prospects. “We’re climbing and just had our best weekend. We’re building and getting to know each other as a team. We’re going to do some good stuff.”

Follow the Indy Drivers’ season on Instagram at @indydriverspickleball.