MLP Las Vegas Top Teams: MLP’s Las Vegas tour saw intense competition over three days, with ten Premier Level teams and four Challenger Level teams battling it out. St. Louis Shock dominated, earning 14 of 15 points, while Arizona Drive made a notable leap in the standings. Strong performances from teams like the New Jersey 5s and California Black Bears highlighted the event’s action.
1. Top Teams
St. Louis Shock
The St. Louis Shock brought their best to the desert, putting on a clinic at MLP Las Vegas. Across the weekend, the St. Louis Shock earned 14 out of a possible 15 points, dominating the competition with an impressive 18-3 record over 21 games.
The chemistry across the team was undeniable, as they seemed to be firing on all cylinders. Even Kate Fahey and Gabe Tardio, who had struggled for consistency earlier in the year, managed to pull off a solid 3-2 showing in this event.
Wednesday proved pivotal for the St. Louis Shock. They faced off against the Dallas Flash in a match that held significant playoff implications, winning 3-1 and collecting all three points.
They weren’t done there. St. Louis Shock followed up that victory with another critical win against the Arizona Drive, a team that had shown promise throughout the tournament.
With their dominant performance, St. Louis Shock secured one of the top two coveted playoff spots, making a strong statement as they head into the post-season.
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Arizona Drive: A Team on the Rise
The Arizona Drive hadn’t found much traction before MLP Las Vegas, averaging just 0.92 points per match. But the addition of Jessie Irvine proved to be a game-changer.
Jessie Irvine delivered a 6-4 record, marking a clear upgrade over Kaitlyn Christian’s previous stats with the team. Her presence provided the spark the Arizona Drive desperately needed.
The only blemish on an otherwise promising weekend was their loss to the St. Louis Shock. That said, Arizona Drive jumped from 10th to 7th in points per match (ppm), an impressive leap in the standings.
Their wins against Utah Black Diamonds, Carolina Pickleball Club, and Los Angeles Mad Drops—and a stunning upset over the Dallas Flash—showed that Arizona Drive is trending in the right direction.
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Las Vegas Night Owls: Playoff Hopes Still Alive
Heading into MLP Las Vegas, the outlook for the Las Vegas Night Owls wasn’t particularly bright. However, the team saw some signs of life, particularly from Blaine Hovenier and Rafa Hewett.
Though their combined 5-7 record in doubles matches doesn’t tell the full story, the pair showed improvement, with much of the heavy lifting done by Judit Castillo and Chao “Zoey” Yi Wang.
The final day of play saw Las Vegas Night Owls facing the California Black Bears and the SoCal Hard 8s. Their five-point haul from those matches brought their overall total to 35 points, putting them squarely on the playoff bubble. For a team that appeared down and out, it was a much-needed spark.
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2. The Good: Teams That Showed Promise
New Jersey 5s: Building Momentum
Aside from a tough loss to the Orlando Squeeze, the New Jersey 5s performed admirably at MLP Las Vegas. They secured nine points across four matches, a solid showing that positions them well heading into MLP Miami next week. With this result, the New Jersey 5s are in a prime position to make a strong push as they look ahead.
California Black Bears: Chris Haworth’s Breakout
The California Black Bears saw a standout performance from Chris Haworth, who ranked as the fourth-best player in the entire event at the Challenger Level.
His rise at this level has been remarkable, and he’s certainly a player to keep an eye on moving forward. With Chris Haworth leading the way, the California Black Bears can approach next season with optimism.
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News in Brief: MLP Las Vegas Top Teams
At MLP Las Vegas, the St. Louis Shock dominated, earning 14 out of 15 points and securing a top playoff spot with an 18-3 record. The Arizona Drive made strides, jumping from 10th to 7th in points per match, thanks in part to Jessie Irvine’s strong play.
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Night Owls remain on the playoff bubble after earning five points on the final day, and the New Jersey 5s and California Black Bears showed promise with solid performances.
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