Orlando Squeeze Squeeze Past DC Pickleball in Thrilling MLP Atlanta Finals
Anna Bright Leads Orlando to First Title After Back-and-Forth Battle Against Riley Newman's DC Squad
The 2023 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season two kicked off in dramatic fashion this weekend at the Atlanta Open, culminating in a tense finals matchup on Sunday between two franchises seeking their first MLP championships.
In the end, it was the expansion Orlando Squeeze who prevailed over DC Pickleball Club 3-2 after a seesaw battle that went down to the wire. The Squeeze became the 4th different franchise to capture an MLP title, led by tournament MVP Anna Bright.
All Eyes on Orlando's Risky Draft Picks
Much of the intrigue surrounding Orlando centered around GM Ryan DeVos' unconventional draft strategy back in July. DeVos traded out of the 3rd pick to select Bright 5th overall in the first round, making her the foundational piece around which he built the roster.
The Squeeze then snagged Andrei Daescu in round two before stealing Zane Navratil - one of last season's top players - in the third round. But it was Orlando's final pick, selecting the relatively unknown Rachel Rohrbacher in round four, that generated headlines and skepticism.
Many questioned whether Rohrbacher, who had never competed on the MLP circuit before, could deliver under the pressure and hold her own against elite competition. All eyes were on the rookie this weekend as Orlando sought its first title.
Championship Court Delivers Suite of Instant Classics
A packed crowd filled Championship Court for both semi-final matches, and they were treated to dramatic back-and-forth affairs that built hype for Sunday's finals.
The Squeeze took down Arizona 3-2 in a thriller that came down to a dream breaker, with surprise standout play from veteran Andrei Daescu against AZ star Julian Arnold helping push Orlando into the finals.
DC Pickleball faced a tough test from Tyson McGuffin and the Miami Pickleball Club, but clutch play from Riley Newman and the Kawamoto sisters sealed a 3-0 sweep to setup the finals face-off with Orlando.
The atmosphere was electric as Championship Court filled once again for the biggest match of the young MLP season.
Kawamoto Twins Set Tone With Doubles Win
In the opening women's doubles matchup, the Kawamoto twins proved why they are arguably the best sister-sister duo in pickleball. Jade and Jackie Kawamoto fended off multiple rallies from Anna Bright and rookie Rachel Rohrbacher to gut out a 21-16 victory in game one.
Jackie's consistent topspin lobs and Jade's crafty spins on the forehand side disrupted Orlando's offensive aggression throughout the match. Though Bright lived up to her nickname with several lightning quick strikes, the Kawamotos' steadiness and chemistry won out in the end.
Newman and Alshon Overpower Orlando Men
Looking to even the match score, Orlando turned to Daescu and Navratil for men's doubles. But DC's star duo of Riley Newman and Christian Alshon simply overpowered them from start to finish for a commanding 21-12 win.
Showing off the athleticism that makes him one of the sport's top offensive threats, Alshon was a force at the net on both sides. He and Newman easily handled Orlando's attempts to speed the ball up the middle when Alshon briefly shifted sides, putting immense pressure on Navratil and Daescu.
A key moment came when Alshon snuck an around the post shot past Navratil to put DC ahead 17-9. His celebrations had the crowd on their feet as DC cruised to a 2-0 match lead.
Mixed Doubles Duel Goes Distance
Down two games but far from out, Orlando leaned on their top mixed doubles pairing of Bright and Daescu to claw back into the finals. They edged out Jackie Kawamoto and Christian Alshon in a hotly-contested game that went to overtime points before Orlando converted on match point for a 24-22 win, cutting DC's series lead to 2-1.
That set up a dramatic mixed doubles finale between DC's power duo of Riley Newman and Jade Kawamoto vs. Orlando's Navratil and Rohrbacher. In her biggest test yet, rookie Rachel Rohrbacher proved she belonged on the big stage.
With MVP Bright cheering enthusiastically from the sidelines, Rohrbacher turned in a heroic performance. She and Navratil battled back from multiple deficits, including saving two match points, to steal the game in overtime, 23-21. Rohrbacher's clutch play under pressure forced a decisive fifth game singles dream breaker round.
Orlando Rises Behind Bright in Dream Breaker
As she had done all tournament long, Anna Bright breathed life into the Orlando Squeeze when the stakes were highest. Her controlled aggression and fiery spirit willed the expansion franchise to a thrilling 21-10 dream breaker win, sealing the Atlantis Open title 3-2.
Bright overwhelmed Jackie Kawamoto and continually found DC's soft spots during her dream breaker rounds. When Orlando built a seven-point cushion at 15-8, the outcome felt inevitable with the tournament MVP shooting daggers.
Rookie Rachel Rohrbacher fittingly landed the final point to vault Orlando to their first championship in the club's young history. Her breakthrough performance underscores the potential upside of GM Ryan DeVos' outside-the-box roster construction.
While DC fell just short, Riley Newman proved his value as a franchise cornerstone. His leadership and clutch play, including a miraculous between-the-legs shot in the men's doubles thriller against Miami, kept DC neck-and-neck all match long.
New Champions Crowned in Atlanta
The thrilling MVP performance from Anna Bright and coming-out party for rookie Rachel Rohrbacher capped a weekend of sensational pickleball action at the Atlanta Open. With a new set of champions crowned, the win ushers in a feeling of wide-open excitement heading into the next stops on the 2023 MLP slate.
After Day 1's opening matches showcased the league's exciting expansion teams, the fireworks on Championship Court demonstrated that MLP has no shortage of sensational star power. While many teams impressed in Atlanta, GM Ryan DeVos' Orlando Squeeze ultimately squeezed past the competition when it mattered most.
MLP Team Franchise Champions
2021
- BLQK MVP Lee Whitwell
- BLQK MVP Lee Whitwell
- Ranchers
- BLQK
- Mad Drops
- Seattle Pioneers MVP Ben Johns
- Seattle Pioneers MVP Ben Johns
- Super Final - Mad Drops MVP Julian Arnold
- Orlando Squeeze MVP Anna Bright
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