Spikeball: Students’ Social, Sporty Specialty

As springtime approaches, many Hopkins students enjoy the warmer weather and head to the Thompson Quad. While others read, talk with their friends, or simply enjoy being outside, many students opt for a game that offers both a casual or competitive experience: Spikeball. 

Spikeball is a four-player game that is played with an inflatable ball, called a “Spikeball,” and a round net. There are two teams of two players, competing against each other. The four players line up so that each is next to their teammate and across from their opponent. To begin the point, a player serves the ball to their opponent across from them by bouncing the Spikeball off of the net. Now the ball is in play. Teammates can pass the Spikeball to each other, but each team is limited to three touches before they have to hit the ball to their opponent on the net. Consecutive touches by the same player are not allowed. A point is scored if the ball hits the ground before the other team can return it, or if they hit the rim of the net (in which case the other team gets a point). Games are typically played to 7, 11, or 21 points and last about 5-15 minutes.

For many students at Hopkins, Spikeball is a social, bonding activity. Ariel Adams ’27 remarked, “I enjoy the community that arises from playing Spikeball.” Arjun Vashist ’27 forwarded that idea, saying, “I like spikeball; I get to be with my friends.” 

In addition to tightening bonds between students, Spikeball also has the potential to introduce the Hopkins community to new people. Adams stated that she enjoys the game because, “it grants students to meet other individuals they might not otherwise interact with.” Jack Randazzo ’27 enjoys Spikeball because “even if you're having a bad day or the lunch was awful once you get to the quad and you're hanging out with friends all of your problems go away and spike ball is an outlet to that.”

As a casual pastime, Spikeball allows students of all skill levels the opportunity to play and enjoy their time outside. Vashist asserted, “I’m not good at it, but I enjoy it.” 

Randazzo declared, “I think that spike ball is the most fun when you’re just having a good time and not being competitive about it.” 

Nevertheless, some students enjoy the competitiveness of Spikeball. Adams spoke to her appreciation for the dual-faceted nature of the game, stating, “I think it is both fun and competitive because while I’m enjoying hanging out with friends of course I also enjoy the thrill of the competition.” Sam Lawler ’27 elaborated, “I enjoy the fast pace of Spikeball and playing with friends, especially on nice days. Spikeball is both fun and competitive, which makes every game exciting.” 

While Spikeball has been a very popular game in the past few years, a recent rise in popularity for the old game of Hacky Sack has diverted students’ attention from the Spikeball nets to the Sack Circles. Hacky Sack is a game played with two or more players, who stand in a circle. The game is played extremely casually; there are no rules. A sack is kicked around and players try to do tricks.

In comparison with Spikeball, students consider Hacky Sack a more social and silly activity. Julien Turner ’28 stated, “I enjoy Sack more [than Spikeball] because it brings lots of friends together, more than you can get with Spikeball and it also creates more laughable moments that make Sack fun. I care more about having fun playing Sack so I can enjoy it.” Brendan Tagliarini ’28 agreed, “I enjoy sack more because there are more people you can play with. In spike ball it’s just two teams of two, but in sack we can all be in one circle and play with each other.” 

As a relaxing hobby, a competitive match, or a way to connect with old (and new) friends, Spikeball plays a big role in the Hopkins community. While some students participate in other activities during their free time, such as Hacky Sack, Spikeball has been a staple of the Quad for the past few years. As Randazzo affirmed, “everybody loves it.”