SoCal Hard Eights Outlast Chicago Slice in MLP: The SoCal Hard Eights clawed their way back from an early deficit to defeat the Chicago Slice 3-2 in a dramatic Major League Pickleball battle that came down to the wire. Held on July 11, the matchup showcased high-level grit, composure under pressure, and the electrifying energy fans have come to expect from MLP Dreambreakers.
After dropping both doubles matches to start the day, SoCal flipped the script in mixed play and edged out Chicago in the Dreambreaker to secure one of their most memorable victories of the season.
A Rough Start: Slice Take Command Early
The match opened with women’s doubles, where Chicago’s veteran leader Callie Smith teamed up with Vivian Glozman to dominate SoCal’s Cailyn Campbell and Jalina Ingram. The Slice duo controlled the kitchen line early and never let up, cruising to an 11-4 win and giving Chicago an immediate edge.
The momentum carried into the men’s doubles match, where Chicago’s Carlos Di Laura and Max Freeman looked sharp and composed. Despite a few strong drives from SoCal’s Ryan Fu and Blaine Hovenier, the Slice pair dictated the tempo and pulled away late for an 11-6 win, pushing their team to a 2-0 lead and placing the Hard Eights on the brink.
SoCal Strikes Back in Mixed Doubles
Just when it looked like the Slice might sweep their way to victory, SoCal mounted a comeback.
Mixed Doubles 1 saw Jalina Ingram and Blaine Hovenier come up clutch against Callie Smith and Max Freeman. Ingram’s quick hands and Hovenier’s steady resets neutralized Chicago’s aggression, leading to a confident 11-7 win to put SoCal on the board.
That momentum carried into the second mixed doubles game, where Cailyn Campbell and Ryan Fu faced Carlos Di Laura and Vivian Glozman. The SoCal pair showed excellent synergy, executing sharp third-shot drops and smart switches to take an 11-8 win, evening the match at 2-2 and forcing a Dreambreaker.
Dreambreaker Drama: Team Effort Wins It for SoCal
In a Dreambreaker that had fans on the edge of their seats, both squads rotated through singles matchups in a race to 21.
SoCal’s lineup of Fu, Hovenier, Campbell, and Ingram stayed locked in, delivering a balanced effort from start to finish. While Chicago’s Smith and Freeman had their moments, it was the Hard Eights who showed slightly more poise during crunch-time rallies.
With the score tied late, Hovenier stepped up with a clutch passing shot, and Campbell closed it out with a smooth forehand winner to seal a 21-19 victory for the Hard Eights in the Dreambreaker.
Key Performers
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Blaine Hovenier: Played in all three SoCal victories (Mixed Doubles 1 + Dreambreaker), providing steady court coverage and key returns under pressure.
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Jalina Ingram: Bounced back from a tough women’s doubles start to shine in mixed play and contribute in the Dreambreaker.
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Callie Smith: Strong throughout for Chicago, especially in women’s doubles, but couldn’t recapture momentum in singles.
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Carlos Di Laura: Impressive in doubles but couldn’t hold off SoCal’s attack in the Dreambreaker.
News in Brief: SoCal Hard Eights Outlast Chicago Slice in MLP
For the SoCal Hard Eights, this comeback victory could prove pivotal as the MLP season heats up. Coming from 0-2 down to win 3-2 not only boosts their standings, but sends a strong message to the league: this team won’t go down quietly.
As for the Chicago Slice, it’s a tough loss after such a promising start. Still, they showcased depth and chemistry, and with stars like Smith and Freeman on the roster, they remain a formidable playoff contender.
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