New Jersey 5s Bounce Back in Style: The New Jersey 5s ended their Major League Pickleball Austin event on a high note by beating the Texas Ranchers 3-1 on Monday afternoon. The win improved New Jersey’s record to 8-2 with 23 points, helping the team bounce back from a tough loss to the Dallas Flash the day before.
This match took place in Austin, Texas, and was the final Premier Level contest for both teams at the event. The Texas Ranchers dropped to 5-3 and sit at 16 points. For the New Jersey, it was an important recovery after Sunday’s DreamBreaker loss.
Strong Team Play Leads New Jersey to Victory
New Jersey got off to a solid start in women’s doubles. Anna Leigh Waters and Meghan Dizon defeated Tina Pisnik and Etta Tuionetoa of the Texas Ranchers 11-5.
Next, in men’s doubles, Will Howells and Zane Navratil added to the lead by beating Christian Alshon and Eric Oncins 11-7.
The 5s sealed the match in the first mixed doubles game. Meghan Dizon and Zane Navratil beat Tina Pisnik and Eric Oncins 11-8.
Texas managed to win the final mixed doubles game, with Etta Tuionetoa and Christian Alshon edging out Anna Leigh Waters and Will Howells 11-9.
| Match Type | New Jersey 5s | Texas Ranchers | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Doubles | Anna Leigh Waters / Meghan Dizon | Tina Pisnik / Etta Tuionetoa | 11-5 | New Jersey 5s |
| Men’s Doubles | Will Howells / Zane Navratil | Christian Alshon / Eric Oncins | 11-7 | New Jersey 5s |
| Mixed Doubles 1 | Meghan Dizon / Zane Navratil | Tina Pisnik / Eric Oncins | 11-8 | New Jersey 5s |
| Mixed Doubles 2 | Anna Leigh Waters / Will Howells | Etta Tuionetoa / Christian Alshon | 9-11 | Texas Ranchers |
Team Captain Reflects on Mindset
After the match, New Jersey captain Zane Navratil spoke about the importance of staying focused during a long season.
“We just needed to have a goldfish memory. It’s a long, long season. We’ve got 25 matches apiece, so we’re going to win some, we’re going to lose some. Nobody’s going to end up with an undefeated season, and we had points left to get today.” – (Navratil)
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Looking Ahead in the Season
With another win under their belts, the New Jersey continue to build momentum heading into the rest of the season. Their strong record puts them in a good position for playoff contention. The Texas Ranchers, still with a winning record, will look to make adjustments for their upcoming matches.
News in Brief: New Jersey 5s Bounce Back in Style
The New Jersey 5s beat the Texas Ranchers 3-1 on Monday at 2025 MLP Austin, ending their event with a solid 8-2 record. After losing to the Dallas Flash, the 5s quickly rebounded. Captain Zane Navratil said the team is staying focused for the long season ahead.