PPA and MLP Nominees: As the 2024 pickleball season reaches mid-season, it’s time to pause and recognize the standout moments and figures that have defined the year so far. The PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball (MLP), and Pickleball Central have joined forces to honor these achievements with the debut Midseason Awards. These awards go beyond the usual honors for performance, celebrating the diverse contributions that make pickleball the dynamic and fast-growing sport it is today.
PPA Tour Stop of the Year
Choosing the best tour stop of the year is no easy task, given the remarkable events we’ve seen. The nominees are the Select Medical Orange County Cup in San Clemente, the Vizzy Atlanta Open, the Carvana Mesa Cup, and the Hyundai Masters in Palm Springs. Each of these tournaments brought something unique, from breathtaking venues to exciting matches that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Best Match of the Year
The best match category features some of the most electrifying encounters of the season. Highlights include the Orange County Cup’s mixed doubles showdown between Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns and JW Johnson/Jorja Johnson and the LA Open’s men’s doubles battle where Ben Johns and Collin Johns faced Tyson McGuffin and Jaume Martinez Vich. Another standout was the Mesa Cup’s women’s doubles duel between Meghan Dizon/Etta Wright and the Brascia sisters, Mary and Maggie. Finally, the Masters saw a riveting singles clash between Dylan Frazier and Federico Staksrud.
Biggest Upset of the Year
Upsets are the heart and soul of any sport, and this year, pickleball delivered some shocking results. Among the nominees is the Orange County Cup’s surprise victory by Pablo Tellez and Hayden Patriquin over the formidable duo of Collin and Ben Johns. The Sacramento Open witnessed Hayden Patriquin and Federico Staksrud overcoming Dylan Frazier and JW Johnson. At the Texas Open, Salome Devidze stunned Anna Leigh Waters, while the Masters saw Quang Duong take down Ben Johns. Additionally, Rachel Rohrabacher and Anna Bright’s win over Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau at the Austin Open, and Sarah Ansboury/Audrey Banada’s victory against Rohrabacher and Bright at the North Carolina Cup, are all in contention.
Best Commentator
Good commentary can improve the viewing experience, and this year’s nominees for Best Commentator have done just that. Dave Fleming, Michelle McMahon, Adam Stone, Kyle McKenzie, Daniel Roditi, and Matt Manasse have all brought their unique insights and engaging styles to the broadcast booth.
Coach of the Year
Behind every great player is a great coach. This year’s Coach of the Year nominees include Athena Trouillot, who has guided Parenteau and the MLP LA Mad Drops; Leigh Waters, coaching her daughter and Christian Alshon with the MLP New Jersey 5s; Mike Wolf, who has steered Staksrud and Jansen with the MLP NY Hustlers; Vinny Brascia, mentor to Maggie and Mary Brascia; and Jason Peery, who has worked with Dizon, Wright, Loong, and Truong of the CA Black Bears.
Premier GM/Coach of the Year (MLP)
The leadership and strategic skills of general managers and coaches are crucial for team success. Nominees for Premier GM/Coach of the Year include Dave Fleming (Carolina Pickleball Club), Ryan Dawidjan (Texas Ranchers), Kyle McKenzie (D.C. Pickleball Team), Mike Wolf (NY Hustlers), and Brandon and Taylor Hubschman (St. Louis Shock).
Challenger GM/Coach of the Year (MLP)
The Challenger level has also seen remarkable management and coaching efforts. Leigh Anne Rehkopf (Atlanta Bouncers), Jim Dobran (Brooklyn Aces), Scott Crandall (Bay Area Breakers), Kaitlyn Kerr (Las Vegas Night Owls), and Tim Parks (SoCal Hard Eights) are all in the running for this prestigious award.
Team Most Likely to Win MLP Premier 2024 Season
Predicting the future is never easy, but the teams most likely to win the MLP Premier 2024 season include the New Jersey 5s, the St. Louis Shock, the Carolina Pickleball Club, the NY Hustlers, and the Texas Ranchers. Each of these teams boasts a roster packed with talent and potential.
MLP Premier Sleeper Pick of the Year
Every season has its dark horses. The male nominees for MLP Premier Sleeper Pick of the Year are Hunter Johnson (LA Mad Drops), Augie Ge (Dallas Flash), Quang Duong (Texas Ranchers), Collin Johns (Carolina Pickleball Club), and Will Howells (New Jersey 5s). For the women, the nominees include Alix Truong (Utah Black Diamonds), Vivian Glozman (D.C. Pickleball Team), Kate Fahey (St. Louis Shock), Mari Humberg (New Jersey 5s), and Tina Pisnik (Texas Ranchers).
Best MLP Team Chemistry (Premier and Challenger)
Team chemistry is often the secret ingredient to success. This year’s nominees for Best MLP Team Chemistry are the St. Louis Shock, the D.C. Pickleball Team, the Brooklyn Aces, the Atlanta Bouncers, and the Dallas Flash. These teams have demonstrated exceptional cohesion and companionship, contributing to their standout performances.
The 2024 Midseason Awards celebrate not just the athletic skills of pickleball’s top players but also their style, personality, and contributions to the sport’s exciitng community. As we look ahead to the rest of the season, these players and coaches will continue to inspire, entertain, and elevate the game of pickleball.
News in Brief: PPA and MLP Nominees
As the 2024 pickleball season reaches its midpoint, the debut Midseason Awards recognize standout moments and figures in the sport. The PPA Tour, Major League Pickleball (MLP), and Pickleball Central honor achievements across various categories, including PPA Tour Stop of the Year, Best Match, and Biggest Upset.
Notable nominees include Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns for best match and Pablo Tellez for biggest upset. Commentary excellence is celebrated with nominees like Dave Fleming and Michelle McMahon. Coaches like Athena Trouillot and Mike Wolf are recognized, alongside teams like the New Jersey 5s and St. Louis Shock for their talent and chemistry. These awards highlight the energetic community that defines pickleball today.
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