New Jersey 5s Outlast Arizona Drive: The New Jersey 5s have secured their place in the semifinals of the MLP Mid-Season Tournament, emerging victorious in a tense DreamBreaker showdown against the Arizona Drive. This match marked New Jersey’s first appearance since the Atlanta event in May, but the team of Anna Leigh Waters, Zane Navratil, Will Howells, and Mari Humberg displayed no signs of rust, coming out strong right from the start.
Strong Start with Gender Doubles
The New Jersey 5s established an early lead by winning both gender doubles matches. Their solid teamwork and strategic play set the tone for the match. However, the Arizona Drive responded fiercely. Lacy Schneemann and AJ Koller, followed by Kaitlyn Christian and Dylan Frazier, rallied to take both mixed doubles games, pushing the match into a decisive final contest.
Dominance in Singles Play
Despite the setback, New Jersey 5s regained their momentum when it mattered most. In singles play, both Will Howells and Anna Leigh Waters delivered commanding performances, combining for an impressive 7-1 record in their respective matchups against Koller and Schneemann. This dominance paved the way for a decisive 21-9 victory, propelling the No. 3 seeds into the semifinals with confidence.
This wins marks the fourth win of the season for the New Jersey 5s, with all victories achieved through the intensity of a DreamBreaker. Clearly, this team thrives under pressure, consistently demonstrating their ability to rise to the occasion.
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Looking Ahead
The New Jersey 5s will face the Dallas Flash in the semifinals on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Arizona Drive will shift their focus to the consolation bracket, where they are set to encounter the Utah Black Diamonds later in the day. With the stakes higher than ever, all eyes will be on New Jersey as they continue their pursuit of the championship title.
News in Brief: New Jersey 5s Outlast Arizona Drive
The New Jersey 5s secured their semifinal spot in the MLP Mid-Season Tournament with a thrilling victory over the Arizona Drive in a DreamBreaker showdown. This match marked their return since the Atlanta event in May, and the team, featuring Anna Leigh Waters, Zane Navratil, Will Howells, and Mari Humberg, started strong by winning both gender doubles matches. Although Arizona fought back by taking both mixed doubles games, New Jersey regained momentum in singles, with Howells and Waters combining for a dominant 7-1 record. Their commanding performance led to a decisive 21-9 victory, marking the team’s fourth win this season. The 5s will face the Dallas Flash in the semifinals, aiming for the championship title.
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Ours Readers Queries:
Ques. How many teams are in Major League pickleball?
Ans. The league is composed of 24 geographically-based teams divided into the MLP Premier Level and MLP Challenger Level. The Premier Level features the top 48 drafted players, while the Challenger Level showcases the next 40 draftees aspiring to climb to the league’s elite ranks.
