Passionate ping pong players fill Sgt. Bluff hall - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

Sunday, the Sergeant Bluff community center hosted a massive ping pong tournament, with competitors coming from all over the region, including Omaha, Des Moines, and Sioux Falls.

Winners of the singles and doubles competition received cash prizes and trophies.

Some competitors are already embracing the challenge of facing their friends. 

"I go to a club and all of my friends that go there are here," said Sam Pawaskar of Omaha, Nebraska.

Early round competition allowed players of all skill levels to play each other.

After folks emerged as winners of the round robin, more even matches began to play out, and the rallies became a bit longer.

The players say it's always fun to be paired up with those who have different styles.

"You know, you get two people that have different games and you may have a stronger player and a weaker player, and sometimes that stronger player can carry that weaker player," said Matthew Ziegler of Omaha, Nebraska.

This was the fourth tournament in Sergeant Bluff, and another one will take place in six months.

If you're interested in playing ping-pong, the Sergeant Bluff community center offers it Wednesday and Sunday nights most weeks from 7 to 10 P.M.