The New Jersey 5s have secured the number one overall seed in the playoffs after a thrilling win over the St. Louis Shock on Super Sunday, which was broadcast live on FS1. This victory marks the culmination of an intense weekend of competition at the MLP Orlando event, held at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, where twelve teams battled it out for a spot in the playoffs.
The New Jersey 5s, who recently acquired Federico Staksrud, experimented with their lineup, ultimately settling on Staksrud and Will Howells for men's doubles and Staksrud and Jorja Johnson for mixed doubles. The team's strategy paid off, as they went 5-0 in pool play, securing the event's top seed alongside the St. Louis Shock. The Shock, however, were looking to avenge their previous loss to the 5s, having swept them 3-0 in their last meeting at the Mid-Season Tournament finals.
Key Matches and Turning Points
The Super Sunday final was marked by high intensity, with the 5s ultimately emerging victorious. Some of the key matches and turning points included:
- Jorja Johnson and Anna Leigh Waters vs. Kate Fahey and Anna Bright: The 5s' women's doubles team won 11-5, avenging their previous loss to the Shock.
- Federico Staksrud and Will Howells vs. Hayden Patriquin and Gabe Tardio: The Shock's men's doubles team won 11-5, with Patriquin and Tardio ending the regular season with a dominant 28-4 record.
- Anna Leigh Waters and Noe Khlif vs. Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin: This mixed doubles match was a highlight of the weekend, with the 5s' team winning 15-13 in an epic battle.
- Federico Staksrud and Jorja Johnson vs. Kate Fahey and Gabe Tardio: The 5s' mixed doubles team won 11-2, securing the victory for their team and the number one overall seed.
In addition to the 5s' victory, other top storylines from the weekend included the Chicago Slice's dramatic comeback to secure a playoff spot, with Elsie Hendershot playing a crucial role in their win over the California Black Bears. The Las Vegas Night Owls also secured a playoff spot, after a strong performance at the MLP Orlando event. These teams will now move on to the playoffs in Dallas, where they will face off against other top teams in the league.
The MLP Orlando event was marked by intense competition and dramatic turning points, with multiple teams vying for a spot in the playoffs. The New Jersey 5s' victory sets them up for a strong run in the playoffs, but other teams, such as the Chicago Slice and Las Vegas Night Owls, will be looking to pull off upsets and make a deep run in the tournament.
