New Jersey 5s Secure Semifinal Spot: The New Jersey 5s moved into the semifinals of the Edward Jones Major League Pickleball Mid-Season Tournament with a 3-1 win over the Miami Pickleball Club on Saturday, July 13, at Belknap Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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5s Start Strong in Women’s Doubles
New Jersey opened the match with a win in women’s doubles. Anna Leigh Waters and Meghan Dizon defeated Mya Bui and Milan Rane 11-8 to earn the first point. However, Miami quickly responded. Noe Khlif and Yuta Funemizu topped Will Howells and Zane Navratil 11-5 in men’s doubles to even the score at 1-1.
Mixed Doubles Seals the Win
In mixed doubles, New Jersey regrouped and came back strong. Will Howells and Anna Leigh Waters battled to an 11-9 win over Milan Rane and Noe Khlif. Then, Zane Navratil and Meghan Dizon delivered an 11-5 victory over Mya Bui and Yuta Funemizu to close out the match 3-1.
“Noe and Yuta were super solid. I think we came out with the wrong game plan in that one, but going into mixed, we came out with a lot more energy and intensity, and really just went after it when it mattered.”(Will Howells)
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| Event | New Jersey 5s | Miami Pickleball Club | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s Doubles | Anna Leigh Waters / Meghan Dizon | Mya Bui / Milan Rane | 11 – 8 | New Jersey 5s |
| Men’s Doubles | Will Howells / Zane Navratil | Noe Khlif / Yuta Funemizu | 5 – 11 | Miami Pickleball Club |
| Mixed Doubles 1 | Will Howells / Anna Leigh Waters | Milan Rane / Noe Khlif | 11 – 9 | New Jersey 5s |
| Mixed Doubles 2 | Zane Navratil / Meghan Dizon | Mya Bui / Yuta Funemizu | 11 – 5 | New Jersey 5s |
| Dreambreaker |
Will Howells / Zane Navratil / Anna Leigh Waters / Meghan Dizon
|
Noe Khlif / Yuta Funemizu / Milan Rane / Mya Bui | Not Played | — (Match ended 3–1) |
Semifinal Showdown Set
With the win, New Jersey will face the St. Louis Shock in the semifinals. The match will be a rematch of a fiery contest from earlier in the season in Orlando, where tensions rose after Hayden Patriquin directed offensive language at Anna Leigh Waters. Both teams are now just one win away from the championship match.
News in Brief: New Jersey 5s Secure Semifinal Spot
The New Jersey 5s defeated the Miami Pickleball Club 3-1 at the Edward Jones MLP Mid-Season Tournament in Grand Rapids. With strong mixed doubles play, the 5s earned a spot in the semifinals, where they’ll face the St. Louis Shock in a highly anticipated rematch.
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