Atlanta Bouncers vs Chicago Slice: The first full season of Major League Pickleball (MLP) is nearing its conclusion, with the highly anticipated semi-finals and finals set to take place in Orlando from Friday, November 22nd to Sunday, November 24th. A thrilling weekend of action lies ahead, but before diving into the matchups, there’s important context to consider regarding what’s at stake.
What’s at Stake: Premier Level Spots for 2025
The four Challenger Level teams that have made it to the semi-finals have already secured spots in the Premier Level for the 2025 season. This allows them to showcase their skills at an elevated level next year. But for now, the focus is on securing victory in Orlando.
Challenger Level Matchup 1: #4 Atlanta Bouncers vs. #1 Chicago Slice
Atlanta Bouncers Roster:
- Todd Fought
- Susannah Barr
- Emily Cederquist
- Anderson Scarpa
Chicago Slice Roster:
- Jack Munro
- Megan Fudge
- Allison Harris
- Wyatt Stone
Regular Season Recap
The Atlanta Bouncers and Chicago Slice have met twice during the regular season, with each team winning one match. Their most recent encounter in October at MLP Miami was a tightly contested affair, where Chicago won both gender doubles games, but Atlanta fought back to win both mixed doubles, ultimately forcing a Dreambreaker. Atlanta secured the win 22-20 in that final, pivotal game.
Both teams enter this weekend with a notable challenge: they are each missing a substitute player, which is far from ideal in a playoff scenario.
Women’s Doubles
- Atlanta: Barr and Cederquist have had a tough time in gender doubles this season, with a disappointing 18% win percentage (2-9 record).
- Chicago: Fudge and Harris, on the other hand, have been highly successful, with an impressive 80% win percentage (16-4 record).
Men’s Doubles
The men’s doubles match promises to be an intriguing one, with Munro and Stone facing off against Fought and Scarpa. There’s uncertainty about which side Fought and Scarpa will play, as Scarpa’s cross-court dinks could be crucial against Munro. But Fought’s counter-attacks are also a key factor.
Mixed Doubles
Atlanta has been dominant in mixed doubles this season, but that success largely came with Jaume Martinez Vich. Chicago, meanwhile, has a strong top-tier team and a capable second team. Fudge and Munro will need to step up in mixed doubles to secure the win for Chicago.
Dreambreaker
Both teams are relatively weak in Dreambreaker matches, making any encounter an intense battle of attrition. If the match comes down to a Dreambreaker, the advantage may lean toward the men of Atlanta and the women of Chicago. Still, Fudge, with her sharp play, could prove to be the difference if the match stretches into a deciding game.
While Atlanta is poised to claim one match in regulation, Chicago is expected to win the final match in a Dreambreaker, with Megan Fudge playing a decisive role in securing the victory. The Slice will win the match series 3-1.
News in Brief: Atlanta Bouncers vs Chicago Slice
The semi-finals and finals of Major League Pickleball’s first full season are set to take place in Orlando from November 22-24. The Atlanta Bouncers face the Chicago Slice in a key Challenger Level matchup, where the stakes are high as both teams aim for victory while also securing spots in the Premier Level for 2025. Chicago holds the edge in women’s doubles, while men’s and mixed doubles are expected to be closely contested. A potential Dreambreaker could determine the final outcome of the match.
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