Major League Pickleball makes its way down to Daytona Beach, FL for its second major event of 2023. Following the massive success of MLP Mesa, pickleball fans can expect even fiercer competition at both Premier and Challenger Levels.
We’ll be breaking down some of the matches to look forward to and evaluating teams based on their current MLP standings and player ratings. Buckle in, this weekend is going to be one wild ride!
Premier Level
Group A – Clean Cause, BLQK Bears, Mashers, Pioneers
| Team | Current Record | Top Ranked Player |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Pioneers | 3-1 | Ben Johns (DUPR DBL – 6.88) |
| Milwaukee Mashers | 1-3 | Andrei Daescu (DUPR DBL – 6.68) |
| California BLQK Bears | 1-2 | Federico Staksrud (DUPR DBL – 6.50) |
| Frisco Clean Cause | 0-3 | Yana Grechkina (DUPR DBL – 5.85) |
Spotlight Match: Round 1 – Milwaukee Mashers vs. Seattle Pioneers
After getting knocked out in the semifinals at MLP Mesa by the Mad Drops, the Pioneers are hoping to reach the finals this time around in Daytona. The Mashers were able to fight their way to the quarter finals, but were unfortunately shut down by Jessie Irvine and the Florida Smash.
This should be an interesting first round match up, particularly in the Women’s Doubles round. The Mashers have Callie Jo Smith and Lucy Kovalova who are a powerhouse on the court together, having recently won at the PPA Indoor National Championships. However, the Pioneers have Meghan Dizon who recently went to the Women’s Doubles finals at PPA Austin, and Etta Wright who is also fighting to become one of the top 10 Women’s Doubles players in the PPA.
Group B – Night Owls, Hustlers, Hard Eights, 5s
| Team | Current Record | Top Ranked Player |
|---|---|---|
| New York Hustlers | 3-3 | Anna Bright (DUPR DBL – 6.04) |
| New Jersey 5’s | 3-1 | Lea Jansen (DUPR DBL – 5.97) |
| Socal Hard Eights | 1-2 | Stefan Auvergne (DUPR DBL – 6.46) |
| Las Vegas Night Owls | 1-2 | Lauren Stratman (DUPR DBL – 5.62) |
Spotlight Match: Round 2 – New York Hustlers vs. New Jersey 5s
The 5’s are back for vengeance against the Hustlers who knocked the 5’s out in the Quarter Finals at MLP Mesa. After going to a Dreambreaker match, The Hustlers just barely won, 21-19.
Both of these teams have the talent to go all the way to the finals. The Hustlers made it all the way to the finals at Mesa, and the 5’s have a star-studded lineup looking to prove that they can go further than quarters.
Of course, we’re all looking forward to seeing James Ignatowich and Anna Bright on opposite sides of the court once again. The couple have recently paired up in the PPA, and proved their dominance by going all the way to the Mixed Doubles Finals at the Austin Showdown.
Group C – Shock, Smash, Pickleballers, Mad Drops
| Team | Current Record | Top Ranked Player |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Mad Drops | 5-0 | Julian Arnold (DUPR DBL – 6.51) |
| Florida Smash | 3-2 | Jorja Johnson (DUPR DBL – 5.74) |
| St. Louis Shock | 1-2 | Allyce Jones (DUPR DBL – 5.89) |
| ATX Pickleballers | 1-2 | Jackie Kawamoto (DUPR DBL – 5.90) |
Spotlight Match: Round 2 – Florida Smash vs. Los Angeles Mad Drops
Everyone will be gunning for the defending champs: The LA Mad Drops. The round two match up against the Florida Smash should be incredibly interesting, as the Smash are looking for revenge for the last time the two teams met.
At MLP Mesa, the Mad Drops took out the Smash during the main stage, going 3-0. However, all three of those games were super close (21-15, 21-16, 21-13). The Smash have a stellar team, being led by the likes of Jorja Johnson and Collin Johns, so there’s a good chance that they will be able to move through the main draw into the playoffs.
Challenger Level
Group A – Breakers, Squeeze, AZ Drive, Dallas PC
| Team | Current Record | Top Ranked Player |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Area Breakers | 5-0 | Ewa Radikowska (DUPR DBL – 5.16) |
| Orlando Squeeze | 2-2 | Todd Fought (DUPR DBL – 5.94 |
| AZ Drive | 1-2 | Andreas Siljestrom (DUPR DBL – 5.98) |
| Dallas Pickleball Club | 1-2 | Christa Gecheva (DUPR DBL – 5.17) |
Spotlight Match: Round 1 – Bay Area Breakers vs. Orlando Squeeze
The defending champs, the Bay Area Breakers, are back and looking to defend their throne. However, the Squeeze are hoping to make a name for themselves after reaching the Quarter Finals at MLP Mesa.
The Breakers just keep looking better and better. After winning it all in a decisive 3-game final match at MLP Mesa, each player has individually gone on to continue upping their game. Christian Alshon recently won bronze at PPA Austin, and Pablo Tellez picked up bronze the previous week at the PPA Florida Open.
One of the new MLP teams this year, the Squeeze played incredibly well at MLP Mesa and are looking to make it once again to the playoffs. All eyes are on the duo of Bobbi Oshiro and Rachel Rettger, who together went 3-1 together in Women’s Doubles in the main draw at MLP Mesa.
Group B – DC Pickleball Team, Miami PC, Slice, Black Diamonds
| Team | Current Record | Top Ranked Player |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Black Diamonds | 4-2 | Olivia McMillan (DUPR DBL – 5.34) |
| Chicago Slice | 3-1 | Susannah Barr (DUPR DBL – 5.55) |
| DC Pickleball Team | 1-2 | Stefan Auvergne (DUPR DBL – 6.46) |
| Miami Pickleball Club | 0-3 | Regina Goldberg (DUPR DBL – 5.54) |
Spotlight Match: Round 1 – Utah Black Diamonds vs. Chicago Slice
Nothing like eating a slice of Chicago deep dish while cruising down a black diamond near Park City. All jokes aside, this is one of the rematches we’re looking forward to the most!
The Black Diamonds and Slice met in the Semi-Finals at MLP Mesa, where the Black Diamonds won in a very close 4-game match. Each game was incredibly back-and-forth as far as who was on top, but the Black Diamonds managed to clutch the victory in game 4 (18-21, 21-16, 21-17, 21-18).
Mixed Doubles seem to be one of the strong points of both teams, which will make for some very entertaining games to watch. Black Diamonds’ Rob Cassidy and Olivia McMillan were a very strong pairing in Mesa, winning the majority of the games they played together. On the other hand, Susannah Barr and Connor Garnett also built excellent on-court chemistry at Mesa, leading their team to the Semi-Finals.
Group C – Bouncers, Aces, Ranchers, Columbus PC
| Team | Current Record | Top Ranked Player |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Bouncers | 4-1 | Hunter Johnson (DUPR DBL – 6.36) |
| Brooklyn Aces | 1-3 | Cierra Gaytan-Leach (DUPR DBL – 5.57) |
| Texas Ranchers | 1-2 | Steve Deakin (DUPR DBL – 6.27) |
| Columbus PC | 0-3 | Milan Rane (DUPR DBL – 5.37) |
Spotlight Match: Round 2 – Atlanta Bouncers vs. Texas Ranchers
The Atlanta Bouncers were one of the favorites at Mesa who fought hard in the Semi Finals against the Bay Area Breakers who went on to win it all. If they get the chance to meet up with the Breakers again, it’ll be one of the most exciting rematches to watch at MLP Daytona.
Ranchers had some unfortunate luck at MLP Mesa, but are looking to prove that they have what it takes to make it to the playoffs. They also just picked up Scott Soerner in the recent shuffle draft who could be the change that they need to break through the main draw into the playoff picture.
My money is on Lee Whitwell. To be honest, it will always be on Lee Whitwell.
