MLP New York 2025 Showdowns: The Major League Pickleball season will continue Thursday at Sportime Randall’s Island in New York. Several top players and teams will compete in important matches. This week is the seventh event out of ten in the regular season. Each team wants to gain wins to reach the playoffs later this year.
Six Premier level teams and six Challenger level teams will take part. In Premier matches, the Columbus Sliders will face the New York Hustlers. The Orlando Squeeze will compete against the Miami Pickleball Club. In Challenger contests, the D.C. Pickleball Team plays the Nashville Chefs, the Bay Area Breakers take on the Las Vegas Night Owls, and the Nashville Chefs meet the Florida Smash.
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Collin Johns Returns as a Substitute
After being released by the Carolina Hogs, Collin Johns will play this week as a substitute for the Bay Area Breakers. The Breakers, who have a record of 3 wins and 7 losses, traded Eric Roddy to the Atlanta Bouncers for Sam Querrey. But Sam Querrey is not available because he is commentating at Wimbledon. Collin Johns will step in to play men’s doubles with DJ Young and mixed doubles with Angie Walker when the Breakers play the Las Vegas Night Owls, who lead with 9 wins and 1 loss.
Carolina Hogs Make Big Roster Changes
The Carolina Hogs also made major moves. They traded Kaitlyn Christian and cash to the Texas Ranchers for Etta Tuionetoa. Etta Tuionetoa will join Ben Johns, her 2024 PPA titles partner, in mixed doubles. She will also pair with Tammy Emmrich in women’s doubles. Ben Johns will team up with Roscoe Bellamy in men’s doubles. The Carolina Hogs, with only 2 wins and 12 losses, will try to improve their record when they face the New York Hustlers.
New York Hustlers Add Helena Jansen Fink
The New York Hustlers have brought in Helena Jansen Fink. She was acquired from the Texas Ranchers in a trade for Felicity Di Laura right after Waiver Period #2. Helena Jansen Fink, who played tennis at Appalachian State, will make her debut. She will join Dominique Schaefer in women’s doubles and play mixed doubles with Donald Young. The New York Hustlers, who have 3 wins and 10 losses, will play two matches against the Columbus Sliders and the Carolina Hogs.
Yuta Funemizu to Debut for Miami Pickleball Club
Yuta Funemizu will also make his first appearance in Major League Pickleball. He joins the Miami Pickleball Club to replace Jay Devilliers, who is out. Yuta Funemizu is a soft tennis world champion from Japan. He recently won men’s doubles gold with John Lucian Goins at the PPA Flower City Challenger. He will play men’s doubles with Noe Khlif and mixed doubles with Mya Bui. Miami, with 6 wins and 9 losses, will play the Orlando Squeeze, who have 10 wins and 5 losses.
These matches are expected to have a big impact on the standings. Every team is trying to collect points to reach the playoffs. The results of this week’s games may shape the rest of the season and show which teams are ready to contend for the championship.
News in Brief: MLP New York 2025 Showdowns
Major League Pickleball returns Thursday at Sportime Randall’s Island in New York. Collin Johns will play for the Bay Area Breakers. The Carolina Hogs traded for Etta Tuionetoa. Helena Jansen Fink joins the New York Hustlers. Yuta Funemizu debuts for Miami Pickleball Club. Matches could reshape playoff hopes.
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