Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau Dominate PPA: Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau have breezed through to Championship Sunday in the women’s doubles at the PPA Kansas City Open, continuing their formidable run without even facing a game point. Their dominance on the court was on full display as they dismantled the No. 10 seeds, Jorja Johnson and Mari Humberg, with an impressive 11-2, 11-6 victory in the semifinals.
A Tactical Challenge
The match held a unique twist as it featured Waters going up against her Major League Pickleball (MLP) teammate, Mari Humberg. Both players represent the New Jersey 5s in the Premier level of MLP. This added strategy for Waters, who found herself balancing the need to provide essential insights to her partner while keeping some of Humberg’s tactics close to her chest.
“It’s tough because [Mari’s] on my team, so I didn’t want to tell Catherine [who plays for the Los Angeles Mad Drops] all of her secrets, but I had to tell her enough so that we could get through this match.” – (Waters)
Despite this strategic tightrope, Waters and Parenteau executed their game plan flawlessly, halting Humberg and Johnson’s impressive run, which had seen them overcome notable opponents including the No. 6 seeds Lea Jansen and Tina Pisnik and the No. 3 seeds Callie Smith and Allyce Jones.
Unstoppable Force
With the victory, Waters and Parenteau have now improved their astonishing record to 97-1 in PPA events, with their only defeat this year coming against Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher at the Austin Open in March. Their consistency and skills on the court have been remarkable, showing their status as the top seeds in the tournament.
The final challenge awaits as they prepare to face the winner of the second semifinal match between the No. 2 seeds, Meghan Dizon and Etta Wright, and the No. 5 seeds, Lacy Schneemann and Jade Kawamoto. As Championship Sunday approaches, all eyes will be on Waters and Parenteau as they aim to add another title to their impressive haul.
News in Brief: Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau Dominate PPA
Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau have advanced to Championship Sunday in the women’s doubles at the PPA Kansas City Open, defeating the No. 10 seeds Jorja Johnson and Mari Humberg 11-2, 11-6 in the semifinals. The match featured an intriguing dynamic with Waters facing her Major League Pickleball teammate Humberg, adding a strategic twist.
Despite this, Waters and Parenteau’s flawless execution halted Johnson and Humberg’s impressive run. With a 97-1 record in PPA events, Waters and Parenteau are dominant contenders. They will face either Meghan Dizon and Etta Wright or Lacy Schneemann and Jade Kawamoto in the final, aiming to add another title to their remarkable achievements.
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