The Edward Jones Major League Pickleball San Clemente event will continue on Friday with eight matches at Life Time Rancho San Clemente. Six Premier Level teams will start their first matches of the week. Fans can expect important games that may impact the season standings.
The event includes the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, Columbus Sliders, Los Angeles Mad Drops, Phoenix Flames, SoCal Hard Eights, and Utah Black Diamonds. These teams will compete to gain points and move up in the rankings.
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Los Angeles Mad Drops on a Winning Streak
The Los Angeles Mad Drops have been performing better than almost any other team in Major League Pickleball. They have won six matches in a row and went undefeated in Daytona Beach. On Friday, they will play against the SoCal Hard Eights and the Brooklyn Pickleball Team. The team will also have Quang Duong back in action after he missed last week’s Orange County Cup because of a suspension.
Columbus Sliders Get a Key Player Back
The Columbus Sliders will play for the first time since their own event in early May. CJ Klinger missed that event due to illness. His return is expected to help the team a lot. CJ Klinger recently earned a bronze medal in men’s doubles and placed fourth in mixed doubles at last week’s PPA Tour event. The Sliders will play the SoCal Hard Eights on Friday.
SoCal Hard Eights Rely on Young Talent
The SoCal Hard Eights are the youngest team in Major League Pickleball. They have three teenagers: Jalina Ingram, Cailyn Campbell, and John Lucian Goins. Jalina Ingram, who is 17, and Cailyn Campbell, who is 15, will play in women’s doubles. They are stepping in for Irina Tereschenko, who is injured. They will face the Los Angeles Mad Drops’ strong team of Catherine Parenteau and Jade Kawamoto, who are 12-2 together. They will also play against the Columbus Sliders’ pairing of Lea Jansen and Parris Todd, who have a 7-4 record together.
Brooklyn Faces Player Shortage
The Brooklyn Pickleball Team will not have any of their three male players available. Dekel Bar is out with illness or injury, Riley Newman is injured from MLP Phoenix, and Pat Smith is sick. Alternates AJ Koller and Rafa Hewett will fill in this week. They will team up with Rachel Rohrabacher and Jackie Kawamoto to try to secure wins.
What Comes Next
These matches on Friday are important because they could change the season rankings. Teams will be fighting to get more points and set themselves up for success later in the season. Fans can watch all matches on Pickleballtv.
News in Brief: MLP San Clemente Friday Matchups
Edward Jones Major League Pickleball San Clemente continues Friday with eight matches at Life Time Rancho San Clemente. The Los Angeles Mad Drops aim to keep their winning streak. SoCal Hard Eights will use young players. Brooklyn Pickleball Team faces roster challenges. All games are streamed live on Pickleballtv.
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