New Jersey 5s Dominate Carolina Pickleball Club: The New Jersey 5s notched their third win of the season against the Carolina Pickleball Club. Key to the victory were two impressive performances from Anna Leigh Waters, paired with an unexpected men’s doubles win from Will Howells and Zane Navratil at the Las Vegas event of MLP, who managed to take down Ben Johns and Collin Johns.
Anna Leigh Waters’ Endurance Tested After PPA Success
The win for New Jersey 5s was particularly satisfying, as Anna Leigh Waters—just 17 years old—was coming off a physically demanding Championship Sunday at the PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships. The back-to-back competition, including a grueling two-and-a-half-hour battle in the women’s doubles final, left Anna Leigh Waters with little time to rest. Despite her packed schedule, she showed no signs of fatigue. She credits her teammates for keeping her focused and energized throughout the match.
“It’s just hard not to have energy with these guys. I think they really helped me to get locked in—especially this morning in practice—because today is usually my rest day where I’m doing nothing but laying in my bed and watching TV.” – (Anna Leigh Waters)
Her ability to recharge and perform at a high level once again showed her position as one of the top young stars in the sport.
New Jersey 5s’ Men’s Duo Stuns the Johns Brothers
While Anna Leigh Waters’ performance was expected, the surprise of the day came in the men’s doubles matchup, where Will Howells and Zane Navratil delivered an upset against the Johns brothers. Ben Johns and Collin Johns, often seen as nearly unbeatable in the men’s game, were outplayed in a tightly contested match, adding a crucial point for New Jersey 5s.
The victory gave New Jersey 5s even more momentum heading into their remaining matches in Las Vegas as they eye a potential playoff spot.
News in Brief: New Jersey 5s Dominate Carolina Pickleball Club
The New Jersey 5s secured their third victory of the 2024 season over the Carolina Pickleball Club. Anna Leigh Waters played a pivotal role with two key wins, despite coming off a grueling Championship Sunday at the PPA Rate Las Vegas Championships. She credited her teammates for keeping her energy levels high, especially after her intense schedule.
The New Jersey 5s men’s doubles team, Will Howells and Zane Navratil, also delivered an upset win over Ben Johns and Collin Johns, sealing the match at the MLP Las Vegas. With the win, New Jersey 5s continues to dominate the Carolina Pickleball Club and remains in the hunt for a playoff spot.
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