Valarie Ogawa

Player Bio

Name: Valarie (Val) Ogawa

Hometown: Torrance, California

Sponsors: None...yet. Just wait.

Age: 49

Family: My mom Reiko, sister Caroline and her husband Ki and their two children (who happen to be my favorite nephew and niece ever) Elijah and Drew. Let's not forget my pups, Happy.

Most influential person in your life: My sister. She's been my rock, my biggest supporter and makes me a better person.

Year started playing pickleball: 2018

Who is your mentor: John Carrizosa- He was one of my first tennis coaches and taught me a lot of my foundation both as a player and an instructor.

Do you have a pickleball coach: Not exactly. It's kind of hard to find a coach when you are a coach. :) But I have great friends who have supported me and helped me with my game from the start. So grateful to Shorty and MA.

How you got into pickleball: I was teaching tennis and kept hearing about this up and coming sport called pickleball. I wanted to get a jump on trying to learn the game to both teach and play.

College Sports: Golf and was recruited for basketball.

Famous person you want to play pickleball with: Steffi Graf

Pickleball accomplishments: I've set goals in pickleball and have been fortunate to have met every one of them. A definite goal and highlight was winning Nationals 5.0 in 2025. 2026 goals? Making the Scorpions team and playing in the Senior Pro Circuit.

What are you most looking forward to this year: I am so proud to be a part of this team that my excitement overwhelms me. I look forward to learning and absorbing all I can with amazing players, building friendships and of course the competition!