St. Louis Shock’s Mixed Doubles Dilemma in MLP: The St. Louis Shock, having seen their dominance waver in Salt Lake City, set out to reclaim their top spot in Kansas City. With a solid performance, the Shock went 13-3, boasting a formidable point differential of +62 across six matches. They captured two victories in regulation and another two in Dreambreakers. This resurgence has reasserted their place as a top contender, although their road to the top remains filled with challenges.
Mixed Doubles Dilemma
Despite their overall success, the Shock grapple with a significant issue in their mixed doubles matches. The partnership of Gabe Tardio and Kate Fahey has struggled mightily, posting a dismal 2-16 record, reflecting an 11 percent win rate. This problem is not unique to the Shock; Zane Navratil and Mari Humberg share similar woes with a 1-8 record. However, the Shock’s ability to excel in men’s and women’s doubles—where they hold impressive win percentages of 72 and 78, respectively—helps offset these mixed doubles struggles.
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Playoff Implications and Future Prospects
Being a top-two seed is crucial in Major League Pickleball. It grants the team substantial strategic advantages: they can choose which gender doubles team to field first, dictate the reaction in mixed doubles, and even decide the order in a Dreambreaker. The Shock currently holds the top spot, a position that could prove vital as the season progresses.
With 38 points from 18 matches, the Shock leads the league in team energy. Anna Bright continues to shine as an MLP star, with a 28-8 record. Hayden Patriquin, often underrated, has proven his worth, while Tardio and Fahey, despite their struggles, still hold potential for improvement. Dallas and Texas may boast more talent, but as history shows, raw ability alone doesn’t guarantee an MLP championship.
As the season heads towards its climax, with the Shock and the Flash leading the standings, the battle for playoff positions promises to be intense. With Miami set to host the next pivotal matches in late November, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion. The Shock, needing about nine points from their final five matches, are well-positioned but must handle their mixed doubles issues to secure a strong playoff run
News in Brief: St. Louis Shock’s Mixed Doubles Dilemma in MLP
The St. Louis Shock, despite a solid 1.83 points per match average and a tied-for-third finish in MLP Salt Lake City, bounced back strongly in Kansas City with a 13-3 record and a +62 point differential. Anna Bright and Hayden Patriquin led the team to two regulation wins and two Dreambreaker victories. However, mixed doubles remain a weakness, with Tyson McGuffin and Mari Fahey struggling to a 2-16 record.
In contrast, their men’s and women’s doubles teams excel, boasting win rates of 72% and 78%, respectively. The Shock’s strong overall performance keeps them in playoff contention, with the top-two seeds and crucial advantages still up for grabs. The season’s climax will likely depend on MLP Miami in late November.
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