SoCal Hard Eights Challenger Level Review: As we take a moment to assess the Major League Pickleball Premier Level Power Rankings midway through the season, it’s essential not to overlook our teams at the Challenger Level. Among them, the SoCal Hard Eights have displayed notable progress and are making significant waves.
Recent Transactions
- Waiver Period #1: Added Yana Newell; waived Christine Maddox
- Current Team: Irina Tereschenko, Erik Lange, Yana Newell, Max Manthou
Recent Match Performance
The SoCal Hard Eights have recently achieved a string of victories. They won 3-1 against LV, followed by a 3-2 win over the Breakers. Their winning streak continued with a 3-1 victory against ATL and a close 3-2 win over CHI. They capped off their recent success with another 3-2 win against the Black Bears.
- W (3-1) vs. LV
- W (3-2) vs. Breakers
- W (3-1) vs. ATL
- W (3-2) vs. CHI
- W (3-2) vs. Black Bears
Season Overview
The Hard Eights struggled early in the season, with mixed results from the men’s and women’s teams and particularly poor performances in mixed doubles. However, the addition of Yana Newell marked a turning point. Since her arrival, the team has surged to a remarkable 10-game winning streak, including victories in the Mid-Season Tournament. They currently stand second in the standings and are the hottest team in the Challenger Level. The key to their success has been improving across all formats, and if they can refine their mixed doubles play, they’ll be a formidable force.
Playoff Chances
The Hard Eights have a robust chance of making the playoffs, with a 95 percent likelihood. They only need to average 1.3 points per match to secure their playoff spot, and with their current momentum, they seem assured to maintain their strong position.
| Metric | Value |
| Matches Played/Remaining | 13/10 |
| Points | 24 |
| Points Per Match | 1.85 |
| Current Position in the Table | 2nd |
| Max Points Possible | 54 (7th) |
| Overall Match Win % | 61.54% |
| Women’s Doubles Win % | 62% (2nd) |
| Men’s Doubles Win % | 77% (2nd) |
| Mixed Doubles Win % | 43% (T-8th) |
| Dreambreaker Win % | 50% (T-5th) |
News in Brief: SoCal Hard Eights Challenger Level Review
The SoCal Hard Eights have surged into the spotlight at the Challenger Level, marked by a significant turnaround. Initially featuring Irina Tereschenko, Erik Lange, Christine Maddox, and Max Manthou, the team has revamped its lineup by adding Yana Newell and waiving Maddox.
Recent victories include wins against LV, Breakers, ATL, CHI, and the Black Bears, resulting in a 10-game winning streak and a second-place standing. With a 95% chance of making the playoffs, the Hard Eights need to maintain their strong performance, particularly in mixed doubles, to secure their position.
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