St Louis Shock Win DreamBreaker: In a thrilling finale to their time in Utah, the St. Louis Shock emerged victorious in a DreamBreaker showdown against the Columbus Sliders early Sunday evening.
The Shock’s Triumph
The match began with Columbus taking the early lead, as Meghan Dizon and Riley Newman secured a win in women’s doubles, marking their first victory together as a partnership. The Columbus duo set a high bar, but the Shock were quick to respond. Hayden Patriquin and Gabriel Tardio stepped up in men’s doubles, leveling the score and setting the stage for an intense finish.
The teams split the mixed doubles matches, setting up a dramatic final round to decide the victor. Columbus, known for its strategic unpredictability, opted for a less conventional lineup in the DreamBreaker format. Instead of the traditional sequence of two male players followed by two female players, they deployed Andrea Koop, Jay Devilliers, Meghan Dizon, and Riley Newman in that order.
This unconventional approach kept the match exceptionally tight, with each rotation nearly even at 2-2. However, the critical moment came during the second bout when Koop faced off against Patriquin. Patriquin’s 3-1 victory in this crucial singles match proved to be the decisive factor. With a slender lead, the Shock maintained their advantage and secured a 21-18 win in the final showdown.
View this post on Instagram
A Weekend to Remember
The Shock’s victory capped off a successful 4-2 weekend, cementing their position as one of the top contenders in the Premier level. They are currently averaging the second-most standings points per match, trailing only the formidable Dallas Flash.
Team captain Anna Bright, the No. 3 overall draft pick, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance. “I think we’re really happy so far,” Bright said. “We’re still right at the top of the standings, which is where we want to be. We’ve played most of our regular season matches now, so we’re in a good spot and really excited for what’s to come with the playoffs at the end of the year.”
Looking Ahead
Both St. Louis and Columbus will continue their campaigns at the MLP Kansas City event, scheduled for August 3-5. As the season progresses, the Shock will look to build on their recent successes and solidify their standing as they head into the playoffs. For Columbus, the challenge will be to regroup and harness their strengths to remain competitive in the coming matches.
The DreamBreaker victory shows St. Louis’s resilience and strategic brilliance, setting the stage for an exciting end to the season.
News in Brief: St Louis Shock Win DreamBreaker
In a thrilling DreamBreaker finale, the St. Louis Shock defeated the Columbus Sliders in a dramatic showdown. Columbus initially led with a win in women’s doubles, but St. Louis equalized with a men’s doubles victory. The teams split mixed doubles matches, leading to a tense final round. Columbus’s unconventional lineup couldn’t overcome St. Louis’s strategy, and Hayden Patriquin’s crucial 3-1 singles win secured the Shock’s 21-18 final victory. The Shock ended the weekend with a 4-2 record, ranking second in standings points per match. Team captain Anna Bright expressed satisfaction with their position as they prepare for the MLP Kansas City event on August 3-5. St. Louis’s victory highlights their strategic depth and resilience as they eye the playoffs.
Also Read: Singles Pickleball Tactics to Master Your Game Like Ben Johns
