Lina Padegimaite Leads California Black Bears off their MLP Las Vegas’ Tour first victory with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over the SoCal Hard Eights, leaning on strong mixed doubles performances to secure the win at the first match of the MLP league. Despite being out of playoff contention, the California Black Bears showed resilience, with new addition Lina Padegimaite playing a crucial role in their success.
A Standout Addition
The California Black Bears kicked off their Las Vegas run with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over the SoCal Hard Eights, leaning on strong mixed doubles performances to secure the win at MLP Las Vegas. Despite being out of playoff contention, the California Black Bears showed resilience, with new addition Lina Padegimaite playing a crucial role in their success.
Padegimaite has wasted no time making her presence felt for the California Black Bears. Her performance in Las Vegas has already justified California Black Bears’ decision to trade for her at the deadline. In the women’s doubles, she and Hendry dispatched Yana Newell and Genie Erokhina, setting the tone early. Later, Padegimaite’s pairing with French in mixed doubles was enough to secure the victory, besting Newell and Erik Lange 25-21.
The win gives California Black Bears a strong start in Las Vegas, even though their playoff hopes have already been dashed. They’ll look to carry the momentum into their next match against the Bay Area Breakers later in the day.
Mixed Doubles Seals the Deal
While Padegimaite’s contributions stood out, the men’s doubles didn’t go as smoothly for the California Black Bears. Chris Haworth and Brandon French were outplayed by Erik Lange and Max Manthou, falling 14-25. However, the mixed doubles pairings stepped up when it mattered most. Haworth and Amanda Hendry edged out Erokhina and Manthou in a nail-biter, winning 27-25. Then, Padegimaite and French closed the door on the SoCal Hard Eights, finishing strong with a 25-21 win.
For a team with no playoff future, the California Black Bears showed plenty of fight and will be a tough opponent as Las Vegas play continues.
Score Board
| Event | California Black Bears | Score | SoCal Hard Eights | Score |
| Men’s Doubles | Chris Haworth / Brandon French | 14 | Erik Lange / Max Manthou | 25 |
| Women’s Doubles | Lina Padegimaite / Amanda Hendry | 25 | Yana Newell / Genie Erokhina | 18 |
| Mixed Doubles | Chris Haworth / Amanda Hendry | 27 | Genie Erokhina / Max Manthou | 25 |
| Mixed Doubles | Lina Padegimaite / Brandon French | 25 | Yana Newell / Erik Lange | 21 |
News in Brief: Lina Padegimaite Leads California Black Bears
The California Black Bears started their Las Vegas campaign with a 3-1 win over the SoCal Hard Eights, highlighted by strong mixed doubles performances. Lina Padegimaite, a trade deadline acquisition, played a key role in the victory, winning both her women’s doubles and mixed doubles matches. Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Black Bears are off to a strong start and look to carry their momentum into their next match.
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