Waters and Black Diamonds Survive Scare, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive in Thrilling Atlanta Showdown
Utah Rallies From Brink of Elimination, Tops Chicago in Dramatic Dream Breaker
ATLANTA - The Utah Black Diamonds dug deep and showed their championship mettle on Friday, surviving a huge scare against the Chicago Slice to keep their Major League Pickleball Atlanta Open title hopes alive. Led by sixteen year old veteran star Anna Leigh Waters and boosted by a gutsy dream breaker performance, the Diamonds rallied from the brink of playoff elimination to notch a crucial 3-2 victory.
After dropping a tight first mixed doubles matchup that put Utah in a 2-1 hole, Waters and her Black Diamonds teammates never lost belief. "We have a lot of heart," said Thomas Wilson, Waters' mixed partner. "We're very happy to get away with the win."
That win ensures Utah remains in contention heading into Saturday's action. But it was far from easy, as the Diamonds needed a vintage performance from Waters and a thrilling comeback just to force the decisive fifth game against a determined Chicago squad.
The Slice drew first blood, taking a hard-fought men's doubles match as Ben Johns outdueled Thomas Wilson. But Waters responded for Utah, teaming with Tereshchenko to gut out a tense 22-20 women's victory that the veteran called "a severe disadvantage" due to lack of familiarity with her new partner.
After dropping the next mixed match in straight sets, Utah's season hung in the balance going into the dramatic dream breaker. "It's going to be a tough one for the Slice tomorrow when they go up against D.C.," said announcer Chad Edwards, with Chicago slated to face the group's undefeated leaders next.
Waters ensured that challenge would come with Chicago's title hopes in peril, spearheading a smothering effort from Utah in the deciding game. After falling behind 2-10, Waters won seven of her eight points to lead the rally. When AJ Kohler closed out Jesse Irvin for a 21-16 triumph, Utah had survived.
"I just had to be fearless," said Wilson, who shocked Johns by winning seven of eight points in their dream breaker showdown. "Against the world's best player, I have nothing to lose." That fearlessness proved contagious, embodied by Waters as she refused to let her team go down without a fight.
The gritty victory means Waters and company remain right in the mix in Group B. With co-leaders D.C. and Chicago set to face off Saturday in a winner-take-all battle, Utah controls its own destiny when they take on cellar-dwellers Dallas.
After staring elimination in the face, the Black Diamonds will enter that match rejuvenated. Waters again proved her championship poise under pressure, willing Utah to a season-saving triumph. And with experienced pros like Tereshchenko and Kohler backing the veteran leader, this team revealed the heart of a true contender in the face of long odds.
"We were trying to respond (after the morning loss)," Waters said. "I'm hoping I'm flying back Sunday." If Waters keeps playing like she did in Friday's thriller, there's a strong chance she'll still be in Atlanta come Sunday, and her Black Diamonds will remain right in the hunt for the crown.
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