2023 Seattle Open: A Mother/Daughter Journey from Setbacks to Pickleball Triumphs

Photo Credit: TeamCosma

From Hospital Beds to Pickleball Nets

A Mother/Daughter Journey from Setbacks to Pickleball Triumphs

By Jack Olmsted 

Redmond residents Ella, 14, and Angie Cosma’s journey through life has been filled with challenges and setbacks, but their bond and resilience have only grown stronger. They have faced medical conditions and illnesses that have tested their spirits, but found a renewed sense of purpose in pickleball.

Ella was born with multiple medical conditions affecting her intestines and digestive system resulting in extended hospital stays until the age of 12. She endured a lot of teasing and discomfort of a distended belly, leading her to wear oversized shirts to hide her appearance and limiting her participation in sports. After undergoing several successful surgeries, she received an ileostomy bag that eventually cured her condition. Ella's unwavering optimism and resilience earned her recognition as Hero of the Month at Swedish Hospital. She is thriving academically and served as ASB president through her middle school years. 

Angie, a former college tennis player and marathon runner, found herself battling an autoimmune disease for over seven years, experiencing extreme fatigue and limitations in her daily activities. With patience and a focus on a healthy lifestyle, both Ella and Angie supported each other to health and are now enjoying life to the fullest.

It all started one summer day in June of 2022. They spotted two pickleball courts off the Sammamish River Trail in Redmond and decided to give it a try. With cheap wooden paddles in hand, they stepped onto the court and quickly fell in love with the sport. From that day on, they played endlessly, dedicating hours every day to their new found passion. Eventually, they found themselves competing in tournaments. Their dedication and consistent practice paid off, and TeamCosma's skill level quickly rose from beginner to intermediate.

On the court, they are not just mother and daughter but equal partners and best friends. Their special bond and genuine love for playing together are evident as they showcase their unique skills, Ella with her beautiful two-handed backhand and Angie’s powerful shots. They never imagined they would find themselves competing in sports, let alone doing it together. Every ball they hit is a testament to their journey and a moment filled with gratitude. 

Ella's creativity and passion led them to start an Instagram page, "Ella.Angie.Pickle," where they document their pickleball journey and connect with players from around the world. The support they receive from their followers is overwhelming and deeply meaningful to them.

There are two professional pickleball families that serve as tremendous inspiration for their close knit relationship, relentless work ethic and humble nature: The Waters and Johnsons. The mother/daughter duo look forward to meeting them next week at the Carvana Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour Seattle Open. Ella and Angie will be playing Women’s Doubles on Friday July 28. They look forward to seeing you there.