Olive Tree has been locked in a fierce ping-pong doubles tournament with our next-door neighbors for the past week. This competition takes skill, cunning, energy, and, most of all, accuracy. Add in some homemade brownies for fuel and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a little lunchtime fun.

The competitor? Partners International, a mission organization full of humble, Christ-like individuals who also enjoy a little spirited competition during their lunch hour.

 

Following the Opening Ceremony on January 26, complete with the Olympics theme song, participants and onlookers alike snacked on olives to represent Olive Tree and cheese and crackers to represent “Partners.” After an early Olive Tree victory, Partners and Olive Tree employees played round robin ping pong, foosball, and cheered on those eager to hone their skills before playing their own tournament games.

 

This week, Olive Tree employees Aaron and Ian faced two worthy Partners’ opponents, Mark and Bob, in a heated intermediate-level contest. Here are the contenders, ready to play. From left to right, Bob and Mark for Partners, and team Olive Tree players Ian and Aaron. Aaron works in our Customer Support department, and Ian is our Quality Assurance engineer (or, as Ian puts it, the Uber Tester).

 

Team Olive Tree in action!

Eager spectators watching the game!

In the end, Partners took home the win for this intermediate bracket round. In light of the Superbowl this Sunday, the question remains: Who will take home the Grand Prize in this highly anticipated, highly competitive Ping Pong Doubles Tournament?

Stay tuned.