Often times students pass by as the intramural table tennis team rallies in the HAWC, arms swinging in long swiping motions. November 15, the players could be spotted in the IP office, crammed between a wall and the front desk, holding their first tournament this year under the leadership of Coach CJ Terral, a junior.
The tournament Nov. 15 appeared more lax than usual, with open sign-ups allowing anyone who walked in the door to play.
Around 10 guys alternated in games played up to 11 points with a $25 first prize at stake in the cozy confines of the IP office. Every few minutes a player would retrieve a ball that flew into an open office, or into a pile of backpacks.
Usually, Terral said the tournaments have pre-sign ups, and more room. Terral told the story of a tournament he played his freshman year. He entered his last rally winning the neck and neck match-up 21-20 with $25 up for grabs.
“The guy slammed it and it went 10 feet back,” Terral said. “I somehow curved it over my head and spun it back. I won the point, and the tournament.”
Terral revealed that slams and spins are the main components of the game. When he holds tryouts, he takes notes while observing the volley, slam and control skills of the players.
He held a series of three tryouts in September, but Terral emphasized how he is still looking for more players to join.
“I’m looking forward to taking advantage of all the great competition we have,” Terral said. “I want to build a team with a solid foundation here at Pepperdine. Then I want to expand to other schools.
“Our future is looking better. My goal is to make [college] table tennis a serious sport with credibility.”
The team practices twice a week for a couple hours, and hold three tournaments every year.
“Table tennis has always been a passion of mine,” Terral said. “I played a lot in high school, and when I got to college I noticed there was more competition, so I decided to start a team.”
This year the team includes 10 players. Junior Joel Corrales, freshman Carlos Alejandrino and freshman Mike Norfleet make up some of the team’s top talent, according to Terral.
Like any other sports team on campus, the table tennis team has team captains, but they constantly change. Once a week, team members have a chance to challenge the team captain in a match.
“They have the ability to knock off the captain,” Terral said. “I wanted to give everyone on the team a chance at the leadership position.”
Even though Terral only holds set practices twice a week, players on the team also play in the HAWC at various times during the day.
“Table tennis is a great way to blow off steam after class,” freshman Evan Woodham said.
Teammate Norfleet explained the camaraderie he has built by joining the team.
“It really brings us together in an informal fashion,” Norfleet said. “But at the same time it’s a serious game.”
Contrary to popular belief, table tennis is not the same as Ping-Pong, and Norfleet is not kidding when he says it’s serious business.
Terral distinguished the difference between the activity and the sport: “The way I see it, Ping-Pong is just really fun. You hit the ball back and forth, and there are no official rules. In table tennis you have more regulations. You play because you intend to improve, and you watch and critique the game.”
Interested in joining? Have questions? Contact Head Coach CJ Terral: 408-931-4859
