2023 MLP Atlanta I Day Two

 

1. Atlanta Bouncers VS. Bay Area Breakers I Premier
2. Orlando Squeeze VS. Texas Ranchers I Premier
3. AZ Drive VS. Columbus Sliders I Premier (DB)
4. Miami Pickleball Club VS. Brooklyn Aces I Premier (DB)
5. New York Hustlers VS. Seattle Pioneers I Challenger Quarterfinals
6. California BLQK Bears VS. New Jersey 5s I Challenger Quarterfinals
7. Chicago Slice VS. Dallas Pickleball Club I Premier
8. D.C. Pickleball Team VS. Utah Black Diamonds I Premier
9. Columbus Sliders VS. Brooklyn Aces I Premier
10. AZ Drive VS. Miami Pickleball Club I Premier
11. Texas Ranchers VS. Bay Area Breakers I Premier (DB)
12. Atlanta Bouncers VS. Orlando Squeeze I Premier
13. Las Vegas Night Owls VS. New Jersey 5s I Challenger Semifinals
14. SoCal Hard Eights VS. Seattle Pioneers I Challenger Semifinals
15. D.C. Pickleball Team VS. Dallas Pickleball Club I Premier
16. Chicago Slice VS. Utah Black Diamonds I Premier (DB)

SCORINGS AND STANDINGS

PREMIER LEVEL

Chicago Slice

• Ben Johns
• Jessie Irvine
• Lacy Schneemann
• Erik Lange

Utah Black Diamonds

• Anna Leigh Waters
• Irina Tereschenko
• Thomas Wilson
• AJ Koller

Brooklyn Aces

• Catherine Parenteau
• Andrea Koop
• Hayden Patriquin
• Tyler Loong

D.C. Pickleball Team

• Riley Newman
• Jackie Kawamoto
• Jade Kawamoto
• Christian Alshon

Columbus P.C.

• JW Johnson
• Meghan Dizon
• Maggie Brascia
• Collin Johns

AZ Drive

• Julian Arnold
• Vivienne David
• Dekel Bar
• Vivian Glozman

Texas Ranchers

• Dylan Frazier
• Jorja Johnson
• Lauren Stratman
• Travis Rettenmaier

Dallas Pickleball Club

• James Ignatowich
• Callie Smith
• Allyce Jones
• Jay Devilliers

Atlanta Bouncers

• Parris Todd
• Simone Jardim
• Pablo Tellez
• Hunter Johnson

Bay Area Breakers

• Lea Jansen
• Etta Wright
• Rafa Hewett
• Connor Garnett

Miami Pickleball Club

• Federico Staksrud
• Tyson McGuffin
• Hurricane Tyra Black
• Allison Harris 

Leagues Collide in Atlanta as Pickleball's Best Duel at MLP Open

Premier and Challenger Players Showcase Skills, Surprises Emerge from New Pairings on Day 2

ATLANTA - The country's top professional pickleball players brought electrifying action to the Peach State on Friday, with the MLP Atlanta Open's Premier and Challenger leagues colliding in competitive play on Day 2 that showcased the sport's rising stars and demonstrated the excitement generated by new on-court pairings.

Amid surprising upsets, dominant performances, and thrilling overtime battles, one thing was clear - the caliber of pickleball has reached new heights, as the world's best pushed each other to ever-loftier levels.

"Today had it all - skilled offense, impressive defense, flying Ernes, and between-the-leg resets," raved one commentator. "These players are reminding us why pickleball is one of America's fastest growing sports."

The day began with the Challenger league playoffs, where lower drafted players battled for a chance to advance and prove they belong among the elite. California's Tina Pisnik showed she was criminally underrated in the draft, carrying her team despite being taken late in the 1st round. Meanwhile, unheralded 4th rounders like Ewa Radzikowska and Jaume Martinez Vich played like All-Stars, proving that smart drafting and coaching are crucial.

When the Premier stars took the court, fans were treated to new mixed-up pairings, as players were matched with teammates they'd never partnered with before. Seeing world #1 Ben Johns cover 80% of the court alongside Erik Lange was a crowd-pleaser, as Johns played more aggressively than ever to compensate for his less-heralded partner.

While adapting to new partnerships added intrigue early on, by day's end the Premier standings saw powerful teams like D.C., Utah and Bay Area perched atop the standings, as star siblings the Kawamotos fueled D.C.'s dominance.

Yet despite leaders emerging, shocking upsets like underdog New Jersey toppling California in the Challenger semis prove that anything can happen on pickleball's biggest stage when the leagues collide.

"With the stakes high, these competitors pulled out all the stops today," said one excited spectator. "I can't wait to see what Saturday and Sunday bring!"

The action resumes on Saturday as challengers look to pull major upsets and re-shape the hierarchy, while Premier powers battle to cement their status atop the sport. One thing is for certain - with new mixed-up matchups showcasing pickleball's incredible growth, fans worldwide will be on the edge of their seats.

Summary:

The MLP Atlanta Open's Day 2 saw the Premier and Challenger leagues collide in dramatic fashion. Surprise stars emerged from the lower Challenger ranks, while the Premier level showcased new mixed-up pairings. D.C., Utah and Bay Area lead the standings, but upsets prove anything can happen when pickleball's best battle. With new matchups displaying the sport's evolution, fans await more electric action this weekend.