SALT LAKE CITY - Kate Fahey made quick work of No. 6 seed Judit Castillo with an 11-3, 11-6 victory in Thursday’s final match at Salt Palace Convention Center.

The No. 14 seed seemed to make her way up to the kitchen line with ease, keeping Castillo on defense in most of the rallies. That, coupled with some precise passing shots from both the forehand and backhand wings, helped her take Game 1 in just over ten minutes.

Castillo got off to a better start in the second game, earning a 5-0 advantage as she began to dial in some impressive passing shots of her own.

The run from her opponent prompted Fahey to take a timeout, a reasonable move with that score line.

That proved to be the turning point of Game 2.

“[Judit] was passing me well, and I think I started to overdo it a little bit and tried to force it too much,” Fahey explained of her mentality before the brief break. “And so, when I came off the bench after the timeout, I told myself to just play my game, make my approach shots, and make her pass me. That’s what I tried to do, and I think I executed well.”

Fahey did execute well, scoring 11 of the next 12 points to close out the match.

It’s been quite the run in Utah for Fahey, who didn’t drop a single game in her wins over Castillo, Jessie Irvine, Salome Devidze, and Cade Pierson.

And to think that the former product manager at American Express has only been playing pickleball full-time for a few months.

“I quit a few months ago to pursue this full-time, and I’m so happy I did,” she shared. “I’m really grateful for where I am. I think we’re all really lucky that we can hit a pickleball for a living, so I’m really happy with where I am, and hopefully we’ll keep it going.”

Fahey will take on No. 4 seed Kaitlyn Christian in the final, with both players looking to earn their first PPA titles.