The New Jersey Fives have secured their second consecutive Major League Pickleball (MLP) event win, taking home the top spot at the MLP Austin event. This victory has propelled the Fives into second place in terms of points per event, positioning them well for the playoffs.
In pool play, the Fives demonstrated their strength by defeating the Smash 4-0 and the Breakers, Ranchers, and Bouncers 3-1. Their closest match was against the Dallas Flash, which they won 3-2 in a Dreambreaker with a score of 22-20. The team's success can be attributed to the outstanding performance of Anna Leigh Waters and Jorja Johnson, who both achieved an impressive 11-1 record. However, the men's doubles team, comprising Howells and Khlif, continues to be a weak link, with a mediocre 7-5 overall record and a 2-4 record in men's doubles.
Notable Performances and Trades
The Columbus Sliders, despite being without their top player Parris Todd due to illness, managed to secure second place at the MLP Austin event. Judit Castillo filled in for Todd, achieving a 5-5 record and helping the team sweep Pool A. The Sliders' victory in Pool A was marked by a dominant performance, with their closest match being against the California Black Bears, which they won 21-9 in a Dreambreaker.
In a significant trade, Danni-Elle Townsend has been traded to the Dallas Flash in exchange for Hurricane Tyra Black and cash. This move is expected to have major consequences for the teams involved, both in the current season and in the future. Black will be joining forces with Parris Todd, with whom she has previously played on the PPA Tour.
The MLP Austin event also saw notable performances from other teams, including the Miami Pickleball Club, SoCal Hard Eights, and Texas Ranchers. The Miami Pickleball Club started strong, beating the California Black Bears, but ultimately finished third in their pool. However, they bounced back on Super Sunday, earning 10 standings points and tying for the last playoff spot. The SoCal Hard Eights, meanwhile, made a significant jump from 15th to 10th in the standings, earning 12 points at the event. Cailyn Campbell was a standout player for the Hard Eights, and their coach, Adam Stone, is credited with finding effective strategies to turn the team's performance around.
The Texas Ranchers also had a strong showing, with Nico Acevedo making a positive debut and going 7-5 overall. Despite trading away Dylan Frazier for Acevedo, the Ranchers moved up four spots in the standings, earning 15 standings points. Acevedo is expected to continue improving and developing chemistry with his teammates as the season progresses.
The event was not without its challenges, with the heat and court placement posing significant issues. The temperature in Austin reached 95 degrees with 95% humidity, making conditions difficult for players. The court positioning on Championship Court was also problematic, with limited space on the bench and a cumbersome process for accessing the court.
Some of the big winners of the MLP Austin event, outside of the Fives, include:
- Miami Pickleball Club: Finished third in their pool but earned 10 standings points on Super Sunday, tying for the last playoff spot.
- SoCal Hard Eights: Jumped from 15th to 10th in the standings, earning 12 points at the event, with Cailyn Campbell making a notable impact.
- Texas Ranchers: Moved up four spots in the standings, earning 15 standings points, with Nico Acevedo making a strong debut.
These teams will look to build on their momentum as the season progresses, with the next event taking place in St. Pete. The Fives, meanwhile, will aim to continue their winning streak and solidify their position in the standings.
