Las Vegas Night Owls Challenger Comeback: The Las Vegas Night Owls won the Challenger level title at the Edward Jones Major League Pickleball Mid-Season Tournament on Friday, July 12, in Grand Rapids. They defeated the Nashville Chefs in a thrilling DreamBreaker comeback, ending Nashville’s ten-match win streak.
The team—Pablo Tellez, James Delgado, Brooke Buckner, and Zoey Wang—overcame two large deficits in the final singles tiebreak to secure the championship win on Championship Court.
Big Comeback Seals the Win
Just last week, Las Vegas lost to Nashville at MLP New York. But this time, they turned the tables. In the DreamBreaker, the Night Owls trailed 1-7 and 10-16 before fighting back to win.
Brooke Buckner hit the final winning shot, a forehand past Ewa Radzikowska, to end the match.
“We just had to trust our shots,” said Brooke Buckner. “We went down big, but we trust our singles. Every single person came up clutch in different moments, and it was a full team effort today for the W. Nashville is so good in all four spots, so it was a tough battle.”
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A Moment to Remember
Coach and general manager Steve Deakin praised his players after the big win.
“This is first and foremost one of the best moments of my life,” Steve Deakin said. “Every single member of this team, they are champions. Whenever we are down, we find a way to pick each other up.”
Heated Moment During the Match
The championship match wasn’t without drama. During a mixed doubles game, Michelle Esquivel of the Nashville Chefs appeared upset by something Pablo Tellez of the Las Vegas Night Owls said.
She responded by flipping him off while walking back to the bench.
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Looking Ahead to the Rematch
Las Vegas and Nashville will face off again soon at the Marathon MLP event in St. Louis. After Friday’s intense match and on-court tension, all eyes will be on the next chapter in their rivalry.
The Night Owls’ win was not just about skill, but about staying strong under pressure. Their comeback showed how belief and teamwork can make a difference.
News in Brief: Las Vegas Night Owls Challenger Comeback
The Las Vegas Night Owls won the Challenger title in Grand Rapids by beating the Nashville Chefs in a dramatic DreamBreaker. Brooke Buckner hit the final winner, and the team’s comeback ended Nashville’s ten-match win streak. Emotions ran high, setting the stage for a heated rematch next week in St. Louis.
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