New Jersey 5s Secure Undefeated Season
Having a lineup that includes Anna Leigh Waters, Zane Navratil, Mari Humberg, and Will Howells, the 5s outlasted the D.C. Pickleball Team to secure the victory and remain undefeated for the year.
Waters, New Jersey’s No. 2 overall pick in April’s draft, presented her exceptional talent on Sunday. She secured wins in women’s doubles with Humberg and mixed doubles with Howells, propelling her team into the decisive DreamBreaker, where they ultimately succeeded.
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Unrivaled Success and Future Aspirations
This formula has been the key to success for the 5s throughout the season. All their matches, except for their lone regulation win over the Dallas Flash in Saturday’s semifinals, have gone to a deciding singles contest.
At just seventeen, Waters has accomplished nearly everything in the pro pickleball world, except securing an MLP title. The year is far from over, and while results from Grand Rapids don’t impact the season-long standings, winning an event where all teams compete certainly carries weight.
Waters envisions even greater achievements ahead for New Jersey as the 2024 campaign progresses. She feels that they have a great team, and wouldn’t want anyone to trade them.
“I feel like we have great team chemistry, and I wouldn’t want to trade any of them for anybody,” she said about her teammates. “I think we have a strong rest of the season in mind.”
-( Anna Leigh Waters)
The New Jersey 5s will aim to maintain their undefeated streak at MLP Salt Lake City from July 25-28, marking the first MLP event to be held in Utah.
Meanwhile, the Texas Ranchers secured third place by defeating their in-state rivals, the Dallas Flash, in another DreamBreaker, 21-15.
| Team | Men’s Doubles | Women’s Doubles | Mix Doubles 1 | Mix Doubles 2 | Dream Breaker |
| New Jersey 5s | 15 | 25 | 25 | 23 | 21 |
| D.C. Pickleball Team | 25 | 21 | 22 | 25 | 18 |
News in Brief: New Jersey 5s Defeat D.C. In MLP
The New Jersey 5s emerged victorious at the MLP Mid-Season Tournament with an undefeated record intact, earning $80,000. Led by top player Anna Leigh Waters, they secured wins in women’s doubles and mixed doubles, presenting their adaptability in decisive matches throughout the season. Despite being just seventeen years old, Waters has already made significant strides in professional pickleball, though an MLP title remains her goal. Looking ahead, she pointed out the team’s strong chemistry and ambitious outlook for the remainder of 2024. Their next challenge awaits at MLP Salt Lake City, while the Texas Ranchers secured third place in a competitive event.
Also read: Men and Women Doubles Race to CIBC Finals of PPA Tour 2024
