Judit Castillo Rescues Las Vegas Night Owls: MLP Dallas delivered a nail-biting showdown as Judit Castillo’s backhand passing shot whizzed past Emily Cederquist, landing just inside the baseline at 20-19 and sending the Las Vegas Night Owls’ bench into a frenzy. For Las Vegas Night Owls, this point was more than a mere score; it was a lifeline, a season-extending play that brought waves of relief and exhilaration.
This thrilling DreamBreaker victory allowed the Las Vegas Night Owls to even their quarterfinal series with the Atlanta Bouncers, closing out the first day of the MLP Dallas Playoffs with newfound momentum. Earlier, Las Vegas Night Owls had stumbled in their opening match against Atlanta Bouncers, falling 1-3 with setbacks in both mixed doubles games.
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Early Setbacks and a Crucial Comeback Moment
As the second match of this best-of-three series got underway, it seemed like déjà vu for the Las Vegas Night Owls. Atlanta Bouncers’s Jaume Martinez Vich and Todd Fought emerged victorious against Rafa Hewett and Blaine Hovenier in men’s doubles.
However, Las Vegas Night Owls quickly responded as Zoey Wang and Judit Castillo claimed a solid win over Susannah Barr and Emily Cederquist in women’s doubles.
The critical moment came in the first mixed doubles game, where Atlanta Bouncers’ Todd Fought and Emily Cederquist reached match point at 24-21 against Las Vegas Night Owls’s Blaine Hovenier and Judit Castillo.
Refusing to give in, the Las Vegas Night Owls surged back, winning five consecutive points to secure a 26-24 victory. Blaine Hovenier admitted that this pivotal win lifted the team’s spirits.
“At that point, I think a lot of our spirits were down knowing that if we lose that mixed, we’re probably done. It was really a matter of just going for our shots and just trusting it. We got a couple lucky balls, and things ended up going our way.” – (Blaine Hovenier)
DreamBreaker Brilliance by Las Vegas Night Owls
This mixed doubles victory ensured that Las Vegas Night Owls would advance to the DreamBreaker, where they boasted an impressive 9-2 record from the regular season.
In this decisive singles showdown, the Las Vegas Night Owls initially pulled ahead to a 15-9 lead. However, the Atlanta Bouncers weren’t ready to concede, rallying back to level the score at a tense 18-18.
At this intense point, Rafa Hewett and Judit Castillo delivered crucial points against Jaume Martinez Vich and Susannah Barr, respectively. Their resilience allowed the Las Vegas Night Owls to secure the final points and stay alive in the competition, reaffirming their dominance in DreamBreaker matchups.
Setting the Stage for a Winner-Takes-All Rematch
With this victory, the Las Vegas Night Owls notched their third DreamBreaker win against the Atlanta Bouncers this season. Confident in their skills, Blaine Hovenier highlighted the team’s success in the DreamBreaker format.
“I think we’re the best DreamBreaker team in Challenger. I think everyone but me has made a medal match this year in PPA singles, so I’m kind of calling myself out, but that just shows the level of singles play on this team.” – (Blaine Hovenier)
Now, the stage is set for a final match between the Las Vegas Night Owls and the Atlanta Bouncers on Saturday. The winner will not only advance to the semifinals in Orlando but also secure promotion to the Premier level in 2025, while the losing team will remain in the Challenger division for another season.
News in Brief: Judit Castillo Rescues Las Vegas Night Owls
The Las Vegas Night Owls defeated the Atlanta Bouncers in a thrilling DreamBreaker to tie their series in the MLP Dallas Playoffs. Judit Castillo’s game-winning backhand shot capped off an intense 20-19 victory, setting up a decisive showdown on Saturday.
Las Vegas Night Owls, with a 9-2 DreamBreaker record, aims to secure a spot in the semifinals and a promotion to the Premier level in 2025 with one more win over the Atlanta Bouncers.
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