Florida Smash Pickleball Comeback Win: Florida Smash earned a 3-1 victory over the Florida Atlantic University Pickleball Club at the Edward Jones Major League Pickleball Mid-Season Tournament on Thursday. The event is being held at Belknap Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with 22 teams competing over five days. Despite dropping the opening match, Florida Smash bounced back strongly to win the next three games and secure their third win of the tournament.
Florida Atlantic Takes Early Lead
Florida Atlantic University Pickleball Club started strong in the women’s doubles match. Ava Cavataio and Bella Nelson defeated Martina Frantova and Paula Rives with a score of 11-5, putting Florida Atlantic up 1-0 in the team matchup.
Florida Smash Comes Back in Doubles
In men’s doubles, Cason Campbell and Travis Rettenmaier of Florida Smash edged out Zachary Card and Zachary Marceau in a close battle, winning 13-11.
That win tied the overall team score and gave momentum to Florida Smash going into the mixed doubles rounds.
| Match | Florida Smash | vs | Florida Atlantic University Pickleball Club | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Doubles | Martina Frantova / Paula Rives | vs | Ava Cavataio / Bella Nelson | 5-11 |
| Men’s Doubles | Cason Campbell / Travis Rettenmaier | vs | Zachary Card / Zachary Marceau | 13-11 |
| Mixed Doubles 1 | Travis Rettenmaier / Martina Frantova | vs | Ava Cavataio / Zachary Marceau | 11-3 |
| Mixed Doubles 2 | Cason Campbell / Paula Rives | vs | Bella Nelson / Zachary Card | 11-3 |
| DreamBreaker | Cason Campbell / Travis Rettenmaier / Martina Frantova / Paula Rives | vs | Zachary Card / Ava Cavataio / Zachary Marceau / Bella Nelson | 0-0 |
Mixed Doubles Seals the Win
Travis Rettenmaier and Martina Frantova took the first mixed doubles match for Florida Smash, beating Ava Cavataio and Zachary Marceau 11-3.
In the second mixed doubles match, Cason Campbell and Paula Rives dominated Bella Nelson and Zachary Card with another 11-3 win, bringing Florida Smash to a 3-1 overall team victory.
The match did not go to a DreamBreaker since Florida Smash had already secured the win.
Florida Smash Advances in Challenger Bracket
This win improves Florida Smash’s record to 3-1 in the Challenger division. The Florida Atlantic University Pickleball Club, competing as a guest team, put up a strong fight and now stands at 1-3.
With the victory, Florida Smash strengthens its chance to reach the knockout rounds as the tournament moves closer to the semifinals.
News in Brief: Florida Smash Pickleball Comeback Win
Florida Smash beat Florida Atlantic University Pickleball Club 3-1 at the Edward Jones MLP Mid-Season Tournament in Grand Rapids. After losing the women’s doubles match, Florida Smash won three straight games to take the overall win. This improves their Challenger bracket record to 3-1 in the tournament.
ALSO READ: Florida Smash Seals Thrilling DreamBreaker Win in Nail-Biting Major League Pickleball Finale