Dallas Flash Seals MLP 2024 Premier Level Title: The Dallas Flash closed their 2024 Major League Pickleball season on a high note, securing the Premier level championship with a commanding 3-1 victory over the New Jersey 5s at the 2024 MLP Orlando Playoffs. The team, comprised of JW Johnson, Jorja Johnson, Tyra Black, and Augie Ge, outperformed expectations in a tense finale at the USTA National Campus. Despite splitting earlier DreamBreaker victories with the 5s earlier in the day, the Flash rallied when it mattered most.
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Early Struggles and Key Comebacks
The day began for Dallas, with Navratil and Howells defeating Johnson and Ge in men’s doubles—a surprising loss for the Flash, who had dominated this matchup previously.
However, the turning point came during the women’s doubles, where Tyra Black and Jorja Johnson stunned Waters and Humberg with a 25-17 victory. Having lost their previous four encounters against the New Jersey duo, Dallas’s defense and tenacity led to one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
The Johnson siblings built on that momentum, defeating Humberg and Navratil in mixed doubles for the third time that day. Although it took them eight match points to close out the game, their perseverance proved critical.
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A Surprising Final Act
The championship’s deciding game showed Black and Ge against Waters and Howells. Having been bested by the New Jersey duo in earlier matches, Black and Ge flipped the script, clinching a 25-21 victory and sealing the championship. Their dynamic play—highlighted by Ge’s aggressive mid-court positioning—silenced doubts and delivered a definitive win for Dallas.
Notably, Waters entered the day with an impressive 46-3 season record, but Black handed her two losses in the same match—a rare feat in the league.
“I was honestly so tired that I didn’t know if we could do it at that point. It was very difficult, but I knew I had to stay locked in. There was a lot of heckling and everything going on, but I’ve learned to tune it out.” – (tyra Black)
Post-season Glory and Sportsmanship
Augie Ge, affectionately called ‘Gladiator Ge’ by fans, reflected on his role in Dallas’s success.
“I’m just so grateful to be here and grateful to everyone who stayed and watched. I just love pickleball. It’s all fun for me.” – (Augie Ge)
Ge’s outstanding 11-3 postseason record solidified his reputation as one of the league’s fiercest competitors. Dallas Flash owner Mark Molthan expressed pride in his team’s journey.
“No one thought we could, and then we did it. These guys right here are incredible, incredible kids. I would do anything for them. I’m just so happy and so thankful.” – (Mark Molthan)
Meanwhile, the New Jersey 5s left with their heads high, showcasing sportsmanship despite the loss. Zane Navratil praised Dallas, stating,
“They definitely earned it. I’ve never seen Augie and Tyra play that well, and JW and Jorja are just phenomenal players. We don’t really feel like we lost. They really took it and played incredibly, and so all the credit goes to those guys.” – (Zane Navratil)
Earlier in the day, the St. Louis Shock edged past the Texas Ranchers in a DreamBreaker to secure third place. Fans can expect these four teams to remain strong contenders heading into the 2025 season.
News in Brief: Dallas Flash Seals MLP 2024 Premier Level Title
The Dallas Flash capped the 2024 Major League Pickleball season by winning the Premier level championship with a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey 5s at 2024 MLP Orlando Playoffs. Despite an initial loss in men’s doubles, key performances by Tyra Black, Jorja Johnson, and Augie Ge turned the tide.
Black and Ge secured the decisive win in mixed doubles, with Ge earning the nickname ‘Gladiator Ge’ for his standout post-season. The 5s, led by Zane Navratil, displayed commendable sportsmanship in defeat. Earlier, the St. Louis Shock secured third place by defeating the Texas Ranchers.
