Owner Cristen Kessler grew up playing competitive sports, including baseball, volleyball, softball and tennis.  As she got older she focused on tennis and played and coached Division 1 Tennis. Later in life she started golfing and continued to compete in tennis. She captained a 5.0 tennis team that made it to Nationals when she was 40. Her son went to work for Diadem when she was 51. He convinced her to try pickleball.She was hooked after a handful of times playing. She quit playing tennis and decided she wanted to see how good she could get in pickleball.  Within six months of playing she was drafted into the NPL on team Austin Ignite, and her team won the championship that year. Since turning senior pro she has earned six senior pro medals and has been ranked as high as #14 on the APP Tour.  Cristen also plays on a Humana Cup Team.  She is a math specialist at an elementary school, and teaches pickleball as well. She is super excited to be the owner of the Buffalo Blizzards and be a part of the USLPL. She is equally excited to be a player in this amazing league.