Jansen’s Dramatic Win for New York Hustlers: In a rare showcase of singles matchups during a DreamBreaker, the New York Hustlers emerged victorious over the Carolina Pickleball Club in an exciting contest that delighted fans at MLP D.C. on Friday afternoon.
The competition began with a series of intense doubles matches, where both teams battled intensely to gain an edge. Carolina’s ace, Ben Johns, showcased his dominance with wins in both men’s doubles alongside Collin Johns and mixed doubles paired with Jessie Irvine. On the opposing side, New York’s victories came through the women’s doubles partnership of Lea Jansen and Jackie Kawamoto, and the mixed doubles duo of Kawamoto and C.J. Klinger.
However, it was the strategic decision by the Hustlers that ultimately shifted the balance in their favor during the crucial DreamBreaker phase of the match. Instead of following the traditional approach of starting with both male players, New York chose to place Jansen—a skilled women’s singles player—in the second slot, with Klinger taking the third position.
Explaining the strategy behind this lineup change, Jansen revealed, “That was actually Jack’s idea. It’s an old college tennis idea, just seeing if I could go 50-50 and maybe steal a few points. The guys play a little tighter against the girls, and then we wanted to put C.J. down to hopefully rack up some extra points.”
The effectiveness of this strategic move became clear during the most intense moments of the DreamBreaker. With the score tied at 16, Ben Johns pulled ahead with a flawless 4-0 rotation against Jack Sock, giving Carolina a seemingly comfortable 20-16 lead.
The match then shifted to a crucial showdown between Jansen and Collin Johns, where each point was important. Showing great composure, Jansen saved an initial match point with a precise crosscourt forehand winner, narrowing the score to 17-20 and keeping herself in the contest.
Johns, under pressure, made two consecutive return errors, reducing Carolina’s once-comfortable lead to just one point. Although Johns regained the serve and earned another match point, he now faced a revived Jansen who rallied with renewed confidence.
In the next rotation, Klinger put forth a determined 3-1 effort against Andrea Koop, saving yet another match point. This set the stage for Kawamoto to settle the victory against Irvine and secure an exciting 23-21 win for the Hustlers.
Looking back on the match, Sock, who encountered difficulties in both men’s doubles and mixed doubles, credited the team’s victory to their collective perseverance. “I’m glad my team put me on their back today because I was the LVP (Least Valuable Player), losing both matches and getting 4-0’d at 16-16 in the DreamBreaker,” he admitted. “That didn’t feel good, but I’ll turn it around for this evening.”
Looking ahead, both teams are set to face the Dallas Flash in their upcoming matches. Carolina will take the court at 4 p.m. ET, followed by New York later in the evening on the Grandstand Court. As the season progresses, the Hustlers aim to build on their momentum, while Carolina seeks to rebound from a narrow defeat in what promises to be another exciting MLP match.
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In the dynamic world of pickleball, where strategy, skill, and teamwork come together, Jansen’s impressive performance shows the sport’s exciting unpredictability. As fans eagerly await the next chapter in MLP D.C., the determination and strategic skill displayed by the Hustlers demonstrate the enduring appeal of competitive pickleball.
News in Brief: Jansen’s Dramatic Win for New York Hustlers
In an exciting MLP D.C. matchup, the New York Hustlers secured a dramatic victory over the Carolina Pickleball Club, highlighted by a strategic singles showdown. Despite Carolina’s strong start with wins from Ben Johns in men’s doubles and mixed doubles, New York rallied through Lea Jansen and Jackie Kawamoto’s crucial victories. The match concluded in a tense DreamBreaker phase where Jansen’s determined play, supported by C.J. Klinger and Kawamoto, shifted the momentum against Carolina’s Collin Johns and Jessie Irvine. The Hustlers’ strategic lineup adjustments proved crucial in their 23-21 win, demonstrating their resilience and tactical skill in MLP competition.
Also read: James Ignatowich on Playing with Ben Johns and Anna Bright
