Columbus Sliders’ Season Opener: The Columbus Sliders will take on the New Jersey 5s in their season opener at the USTA National Campus. New Jersey will look to build on its strong 2024 season, which ended with a runner-up finish, while Columbus has strengthened its lineup for MLP Orlando 2025.
Offseason Moves Strengthen the Sliders
Columbus had one of the most successful off-seasons in Major League Pickleball, adding three key players to their roster. Andrei Daescu, CJ Klinger, and Lea Jansen join the team, while Parris Todd remains a vital part of the lineup. These additions aim to boost the Sliders’ performance in 2025.
Individual Matchups Announced
The match will feature the following individual matchups:
-
Women’s Doubles (WD): Parris Todd and Lea Jansen (COL) vs. Anna Leigh Waters and Meghan Dizon (NJ)
-
Men’s Doubles (MD): Andrei Daescu and CJ Klinger (COL) vs. Will Howells and Zane Navratil (NJ)
-
Mixed Doubles 1 (MXD 1): Todd and Daescu (COL) vs. Dizon and Navratil (NJ)
-
Mixed Doubles 2 (MXD 2): Jansen and Klinger (COL) vs. Waters and Howells (NJ)
What’s at Stake for Both Teams
The New Jersey 5s aim to improve on their second-place finish from 2024, while the Columbus Sliders hope their offseason moves will help them compete at a higher level in 2025. This match will be crucial for both teams as they look to make an impact in the early stages of the season.
News in Brief: Columbus Sliders’ Season Opener
The Columbus Sliders will play the New Jersey 5s in their season opener at the USTA National Campus in Orlando. The 5s look to build on their 2024 runner-up finish, while the Sliders have strengthened their lineup with Andrei Daescu, CJ Klinger, and Lea Jansen. Key matchups have been announced.
ALSO READ: MLP 2025: New Rules, Top Teams, and Surprising Contenders Ready to Shake Up the Season