Pickleball DreamBreaker Strategies and Key Performances: The New Jersey 5s secured their spot in next week’s DoorDash MLP Finals, powered by Toray, on Sunday afternoon by defeating the Texas Ranchers in a dramatic DreamBreaker at the Toray MLP Playoffs in San Diego, California. Anna Leigh Waters led the team to a 21-13 victory, ending the Ranchers’ season.
Match Overview
New Jersey started strong as Anna Leigh Waters and Meghan Dizon won their women’s doubles game, and Will Howells and Noe Khlif took the men’s doubles match. The 5s seemed close to sweeping the Texas Ranchers.
However, the Ranchers fought back. Kaitlyn Christian and Christian Alshon, along with Tina Pisnik and Eric Oncins, won both mixed doubles games. Their comeback forced a deciding DreamBreaker match.
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DreamBreaker Performance
In the deciding match, Anna Leigh Waters dominated, outscoring Kaitlyn Christian 7-1 through two rotations. Her performance helped New Jersey win 21-13 and advance to the semifinals.
Waters shared her thoughts on how she prepared after mixed doubles losses. She said,
“I felt like when we played the Shock and Will and I lost that mixed game to go into the DreamBreaker, I kind of let the mixed game affect me, and I was focused more on that than my singles points.
Today, I really wanted to focus on singles after losing the mixed and be ready for that and win as many points for my team as I possibly could.
I’ve been practicing certain DreamBreaker scenarios back home, and I feel a lot more confident. If we go to a DreamBreaker, I’m ready.”
Her preparation showed as she took control in the final moments to secure the win.
What This Means
New Jersey 5s will now join the St. Louis Shock, Dallas Flash, and other Premier teams in next week’s DoorDash MLP Finals in New York City. Sunday’s win highlighted the importance of mental focus and practice for DreamBreaker situations.
News in Brief: Pickleball DreamBreaker Strategies and Key Performances
The New Jersey 5s beat the Texas Ranchers in a DreamBreaker to advance to the DoorDash MLP Finals in New York City. Anna Leigh Waters led the team with strong singles play. The Ranchers forced a DreamBreaker after winning both mixed doubles games, but the 5s prevailed 21-13.
ALSO READ: New Jersey 5s Stun Texas Ranchers With Dramatic Comebacks in Major League Pickleball Playoffs