MLP New York City Premier Championship: The New Jersey 5s and Columbus Sliders will meet in a best-of-three series to decide the 2025 Premier level championship, starting with their first match on Saturday. The two teams first played each other in April at MLP Orlando, with the 5s winning 3-1.
New Jersey 5s: Returning Contenders
The New Jersey 5s, featuring Anna Leigh Waters, Meghan Dizon, Mari Humberg, Will Howells, Noe Khlif, and Zane Navratil, are back in the Premier level final for the second year in a row. They lost to the Dallas Flash in last year’s final and are aiming for a different result this year in Central Park.
New Jersey beat both the Texas Ranchers and Los Angeles Mad Drops 2-0 to reach the championship. A key storyline has been the partnership of Anna Leigh Waters and Meghan Dizon. “
I feel like we’re just gelling. We know what the other is gonna do, and that’s really been helping us towards the end of the season.”(Meghan Dizon)
On the men’s side, New Jersey made a bold move by trading for Noe Khlif to replace team captain Zane Navratil in July. The Khlif/Will Howells pairing is 4-0 in the postseason against top teams like Christian Alshon/Eric Oncins and Ben Johns/Hunter Johnson.
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Columbus Sliders: The Underdogs
The Columbus Sliders, composed of Parris Todd, Lea Jansen, Marcela Hones, Andrei Daescu, CJ Klinger, and Ross Whittaker, have made a remarkable turnaround in 2025. After finishing 11th out of 12 teams in 2024, the Sliders are now full of confidence and momentum.
Men’s doubles partners Andrei Daescu and CJ Klinger have been perfect in the playoffs with a 5-0 record against Dallas and St. Louis. In women’s doubles, Parris Todd and Lea Jansen have secured key wins over top teams. The pairing is flexible, with Todd recently starting on the left but able to switch depending on the situation.
Columbus has also proven strong in singles, with Todd and Jansen ranked in the top six for women’s singles. Daescu and Klinger, who rarely play singles, have shown skill and confidence in big matches. The Sliders embrace the underdog role and are two wins away from completing a remarkable one-season rebuild.
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What to Expect
The upcoming series promises exciting and competitive matches. New Jersey 5s bring experience and strong partnerships, while the Columbus Sliders carry momentum and underdog energy. Fans can expect tight contests and high-level play as both teams aim for the Premier level crown.
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News in Brief: MLP New York City Premier Championship
The New Jersey 5s and Columbus Sliders will face off in the 2025 Premier level championship series starting Saturday. New Jersey seeks redemption after last year’s loss, while Columbus aims to complete a remarkable turnaround. Key players include Anna Leigh Waters, Meghan Dizon, Noe Khlif, Parris Todd, Lea Jansen, and Andrei Daescu.
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