Atlanta Bouncers Challenge Las Vegas Night Owls: The second quarterfinal matchup in the Challenger Level shows Atlanta Bouncers against Las Vegas Night Owls. Both teams are ready to battle for a spot in the semifinals, showing their unique strengths and strategies.
Rosters
- Atlanta Bouncers: Jaume Martinez Vich, Todd Fought, Susannah Barr, Emily Cederquist
- Las Vegas Night Owls: Chao Yi Wang, Judit Castillo, Blaine Hovenier, Rafa Hewett
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Regular Season Performance
In their regular season matchups, the Atlanta Bouncers and Las Vegas Night Owls ended with a split, each winning one match. The Las Vegas Night Owls won 3-2 during their encounter in Major League Pickleball (MLP) Washington, D.C., while the Atlanta Bouncers secured a 3-1 victory in MLP Virginia Beach. The matchup in Virginia Beach is particularly noteworthy, as both teams fielded the same rosters.
In terms of recent performance, the Atlanta Bouncers earned two points per match in MLP Miami, while the Las Vegas Night Owls did not compete. In their last event, MLP Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Night Owls amassed seven points from three matches.
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Matchup Breakdown
Men’s Doubles
The Las Vegas Night Owls made mid-season changes, swapping in Blaine Hovenier and Rafa Hewett. This new pairing is considered volatile, with the potential for either strong or weak performances. In contrast, the Atlanta Bouncers boast some of the best male players in the Challenger Level.
Women’s Doubles
The Atlanta Bouncers’ women have struggled recently, going 2-9 in their last 11 matches since MLP Virginia Beach. However, they managed to secure victories in their last two matches. The Las Vegas Night Owls feature Chao Yi Wang and Judit Castillo, regarded as the best women’s doubles duo in the Challenger Level.
Mixed Doubles
Both teams possess a strong first pairing and a capable second team. The outcome of the mixed doubles matches may depend on the results of the gender doubles contests.
If the Atlanta Bouncers win both gender doubles matches, they might choose to send out Todd Fought and Emily Cederquist against the Las Vegas Night Owls’ Rafa Hewett and Chao Yi Wang, while Jaume Martinez Vich and Susannah Barr would face Blaine Hovenier and Judit Castillo.
Dreambreaker
The Las Vegas Night Owls hold a solid 9-2 record in Dreambreakers, while the Atlanta Bouncers have a less favorable 5-8 record. The two best women in Dreambreakers at the Challenger Level, representing the Las Vegas Night Owls, are on the same team, giving them a significant advantage.
The Atlanta Bouncers do have an edge in the men’s division, but the disparity among the women could be crucial. The Atlanta Bouncers are expected to win the first match in regulation, achieving victories in both mixed doubles matches and securing a win from the men’s doubles.
In the second match, the Las Vegas Night Owls will manage a mixed doubles win and may push the contest to a Dreambreaker. Ultimately, the experience of the Atlanta Bouncers is likely to prevail, allowing them to clinch victory in regulation during the third and final match.
News in Brief: Atlanta Bouncers Challenge Las Vegas Night Owls
The 2nd quarterfinal matchup in the Challenger Level features the Atlanta Bouncers facing the Las Vegas Night Owls. The teams split their regular season encounters, each winning one match.
The Atlanta Bouncers earned two points in MLP Miami, while the Las Vegas Night Owls secured seven points in MLP Las Vegas. The Atlanta Bouncers boast strong men’s doubles players, but the Las Vegas Night Owls excel in women’s doubles.
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