New York Hustlers Triumph Over Utah Black: In one of the wildest matches of the 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season, the New York Hustlers completed a stunning turnaround, defeating the Utah Black Diamonds 22-20 in the DreamBreaker on July 11 to advance in the back draw. After dropping all four doubles games, the Hustlers clawed their way back in the final singles rotation, delivering one of the most dramatic finishes in recent MLP memory.
A Clash of Urgency and Grit
With playoff implications looming large, both teams came in needing a win. The Utah Black Diamonds—riding the momentum of strong recent form—looked poised to control the match early. Meanwhile, the New York Hustlers, known for their aggressive baseline play and mental toughness, were desperate to flip the script on a season filled with near-misses.
Utah Sweeps Doubles
The match began with Utah setting the tone. In women’s doubles, Allyce Jones and Genie Erokhina edged out Dominique Schaefer and Helena Jansen in a tightly fought 13-11 contest.
That momentum continued in men’s doubles, where Connor Garnett and Yates Johnson topped Zane Ford and Stephen Madonia 11-9 in another intense battle.
In mixed doubles, Utah kept rolling. Garnett and Jones outpaced Ford and Schaefer 11-7, while Johnson and Erokhina overwhelmed Jansen and Madonia 11-5. With a 4-0 sweep of the doubles rounds, it looked like Utah would cruise to victory.
Hustlers Take Over the DreamBreaker
But the Hustlers had other plans.
With the match officially going to a DreamBreaker, New York threw everything into the singles rotations. The team of Zane Ford, Stephen Madonia, Dominique Schaefer, and Helena Jansen came out swinging—playing loose, fearless, and with nothing to lose.
Point by point, they chipped away at Utah’s early lead, refusing to blink in the face of elimination. The score tightened late, reaching a tense 20-20 deadlock, before New York’s final rotation delivered the knockout blow.
The Hustlers clinched the DreamBreaker 22-20, pulling off a remarkable comeback and sending shockwaves through the tournament bracket.
Key Players and Turning Points
For the Hustlers, Zane Ford’s composure and shot-making under pressure were vital, while Schaefer’s gritty baseline play helped turn the tide in singles. Madonia and Jansen also stepped up, proving the team’s depth and resilience.
On Utah’s side, Connor Garnett and Allyce Jones were instrumental in the doubles rounds, executing their roles to near perfection. But the DreamBreaker format left no room for error, and New York capitalized on their only window of opportunity.
One unforgettable moment came when Jones appeared to injure her elbow during a dive, yet kept playing through pain—earning admiration from fans and players alike.
Season Implications
The victory breathes new life into the New York Hustlers’ postseason campaign, proving they can rise under pressure and overcome adversity. It also serves as a warning to other MLP contenders: even a 0-4 deficit isn’t safe.
For the Utah Black Diamonds, the result stings. Despite a dominant showing in doubles, they’ll need to regroup quickly and fix cracks exposed during the DreamBreaker. Their playoff hopes remain alive but now face a more challenging path forward.
News in Brief: New York Hustlers Triumph Over Utah Black
Despite losing all four doubles games, the New York Hustlers mounted a comeback for the ages—defeating the Utah Black Diamonds 22-20 in the DreamBreaker to stay alive in the 2025 MLP tournament. The victory reignites their playoff push and highlights the unpredictable drama of pro pickleball’s evolving format.
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