Southeast Qualifier 2025 Recap — Tallahassee

The Southeast Qualifier in Tallahassee was defined by adaptation. The tournament ran in a quad format with 20-minute games.

Originally scheduled for May 10–11 at the Leverne F. Payne Community Center, the weekend quickly turned rainy and stayed that way. By Sunday, the tournament was relocated to a parking garage on FSU’s campus. It wasn’t ideal, but it worked. Courts were taped out, schedules adjusted, and games continued with the same focus and care as day one.

The winning team was a true Southeast blend: one player from Greenville (Dana), two from Asheville (Joel and Stu), and a fourth from Charlotte (Chadwick). Their consistency stood out across the weekend: clean rotations, great communication, and steady pressure when it mattered.

Second place went to a mixed team with two local Tallahassee players and two visiting players who previously competed in the Southeast. The familiarity showed. They played with confidence and cohesion.

Third place belonged to a short-handed trio who played the entire tournament without a fourth. It consisted of two players from Charlotte and one from Richmond, VA. Despite the disadvantage, they stayed competitive, managed their energy, and earned their spot through discipline and smart positioning.

Greenville fielded another team, with our Christi-An and Seema, plus Jimmy from Tallahassee and Dru from Lafayette, IN. They finished tied for fifth alongside an Asheville quad. Both teams had moments of strong play, particularly defensively.

One of the most talked-about stories of the weekend came from a young Tallahassee team. Newer players, still finding their footing, held their own against experienced teams and consistently made their opponents work for their win. They didn’t win a match, but they earned respect. Their communication improved each game, their defense got cleaner, and they stayed engaged through every match.

That spirit carried through the entire event. When the rain came down, people didn’t pack up; we moved courts. When plans changed, teams adjusted. The qualifier did what it was meant to do: test adaptability, reward steady habits, and bring the region together to find the best teams to compete at the North American Competition later this year.

Thanks to Tallahassee for hosting, everyone who helped relocate and reset on Sunday, and all the players who showed up ready to make it work. This is what a qualifier is supposed to feel like.