Columbus Sliders MLP Championship Upset: The Columbus Sliders shocked the pickleball world by winning the 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) championship in New York City. Entering the playoffs as the fifth seed, the team upset two higher-ranked opponents to claim the crown at the City Pickle Wollman Courts in Central Park South.
Sliders Stun St. Louis Shock in Semifinals
In the semifinals, the top-seeded St. Louis Shock chose to face the Columbus Sliders, hoping to avoid the Los Angeles Mad Drops led by Ben Johns. That decision backfired as Columbus came out strong and swept the Shock 2-0.
The Sliders won the first match 3-0, highlighted by a dominant performance from Parris Todd in Women’s Doubles and CJ Klinger in Men’s Doubles. They followed up with a close 2-1 victory in the second match, knocking out the season’s top seed in a major upset.
Columbus Outlasts New Jersey 5s in Finals
The final against the New Jersey 5s, led by Anna Leigh Waters, went the full distance. New Jersey struck first with a strong opening match. But Columbus bounced back in the second, as Andrei Daescu and Parris Todd teamed up to beat Waters and Will Howells.
In the deciding third match, Daescu and Todd held firm, closing out the fourth game 11-6 to seal the championship for the Sliders and complete their Cinderella playoff run.
Daescu Shines in Playoffs
Andrei Daescu was the standout player for Columbus, excelling in both Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles. He and CJ Klinger went undefeated in Men’s Doubles, dominating a St. Louis pair that had been nearly unbeatable all year.
In Mixed Doubles, Daescu and Todd proved unstoppable, going 6-2 across the semis and finals. Their three straight wins over Anna Leigh Waters and her partners were key to securing the title for Columbus.
A Season to Remember
The Columbus Sliders’ championship marked the end of what many considered the most exciting MLP season yet. Their unlikely rise showed how competitive the league has become and set the stage for even greater drama in future seasons.
News in Brief: Columbus Sliders MLP Championship Upset
The Columbus Sliders won the 2025 Major League Pickleball championship at City Pickle Wollman Courts in New York City. Entering the playoffs as the fifth seed, they upset the St. Louis Shock in the semifinals and defeated the New Jersey 5s in the finals, led by standout performances from Andrei Daescu and Parris Todd.
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