Lighthearted Pickleball Podcasters Bring Laughs and Lessons to 2023 Nationals
Popular hosts recount event with good-natured humor despite hiccups
Hosted by the lively husband-and-wife duo of Matt and Abby Brandenberger, the 1 More Game podcast provides an amusing glimpse into the triumphs and tribulations of avid pickleball players navigating life with five kids. This irreverent spirit carried over to their recap of November's 2023 National Championships in Texas, where frequent self-deprecation and silly anecdotes lightened the sting of a flawed event.
- Abby Washed Her Hair - Three Week Hiatus (0:12) After a three week recording break, Abby jokes they finally podcasted again because she washed her perpetually messy hair. The quip kicks off characteristic banter about juggling parenting duties.
- Nationals - The Good, Bad and Ugly (1:56) They summarize Nationals with the good - seeing friends, nice venue; the bad - poor logistics; and the ugly - disgusting bathrooms from overuse.
- The Bad (3:25) Issues included matches lasting until 1 a.m., lack of medical staff at night, inability of spectators to view friends' matches, and refs leaving before final bracket play ended.
- The Ugly (4:51) The ugly centered on unsanitary bathroom conditions from minimal facilities for the crowds. The hosts stress event sites must provide adequate essentials like bathrooms/water.
- Would You Go Back? (5:36) While the problems temper Abby's enthusiasm, Matt remains open depending on potential improvements and fun with friends.
- What is Your Rating? 1-10 (6:43) Matt says their Sunday success brings his rating up to 7.
- Thursday (7:42) They arrived Thursday to cold rainy weather in Texas - a shocking contrast to the expected sunny, warm conditions at Indian Wells last year. The delay stifled any pre-tournament practice.
- Friday - Our Play (8:26) Abby and her partner Becca lost quickly, ending her day in frustrated disappointment. Meanwhile, Matt progressively felt more ill throughout the day.
- Saturday - Airborne (10:22) After cold medicine, Matt improved by Saturday. He and his usual partner Jeff won a dramatic comeback match but lost their next contest.
- Takeaways - Sustain Dink Rallies (11:26)
Several friends realized they need to practice sustaining dink rallies rather than relying solely on hard drives to succeed at higher Nationals levels. - Opportunity Bracket (12:17) Matt and Jeff made an impressive run to the Final Four of the Winner's Bracket
- The Rest of the Day (12:59) After play ended, the group went to dinner together. Matt later helped talk Abby out of a negative mindset to prepare for Sunday.
- Sunday (13:33) On Sunday, Matt and Abby played their best ever together after resolving recent on-court tensions.
- Tournament Matt is a Great Guy (13:43)
Abby compliments Matt's nice tournament persona but asks why he doesn't bring the same patient positivity to recreational play. Matt admits being overly competitive in rec play. - Our Strategy (14:54) They identified an effective tactic based on covering diagonal shots depending on who served to optimize middle defense.
- No Ref (Sunday) (16:25) During a disputed Sunday match without a ref, heated calls spiraled control despite no impartial mediator to settle disputes.
- We Were Up 5-1 - All Hell Broke Loose (17:41) Leading 5-1 in Game 2, they lost momentum after a player challenged Abby's undisputed line call since no ref existed to verify, leading to pent-up frustration.
- Opportunity (Losers) Bracket (20:15) They next faced a talented player with flawless drives. The hosts know they must work on returning serves deep and moving opponents side-to-side.
- How to Handle Bangers (20:48) Matt shares two banger takeaways: concentrate on driving returns deep, and move aggressive players side-to-side instead of retreating.
- Put a Bow on Nationals (23:54) Despite mixed results, they played well enough to nearly medal, losing to the eventual gold and silver medalists. They found positives to build on despite letdowns.
- Sunday Night: Funny Story (24:30)
In a silly story, Abby dug through 4 trash bins to rescue her forgotten salad after a Bed and Breakfast guest cleaned out their shared refrigerator. - Airport: Absence Makes the Heart Fonder (26:57) After Nationals, Matt endured extended airport stay
- Video Review (29:08) They laugh over a stranger's online commentary presuming Matt was annoying Abby during a mixed doubles match, insisting the criticism did not apply to their happy partnership.
- Peanut Butter Wash (32:13) In another humorous tale, Matt accidentally left peanut butter in his laundry after Nationals, resulting in multiple peanut butter-scented wash cycles at home.
- Pod Recap (35:42)
As the episode wraps, Abby objects to Matt indelicately blaming his mom for the peanut butter mishap like mothers get blamed for everything. - Something We Love (36:08) In their "something we love" closing segment, Abby cites her love of Thanksgiving food while Matt exposes his lack of Ohio State football knowledge.
Perpetual Optimism Triumphs Over Tournament Tribulations
In the end, the 1 More Game hosts demonstrate how to find the lighter side even amid an imperfect National Tournament. Matt and Abby's cheerful banter and unflappable bond shine through despite frustrating matches or silly misadventures.
With characteristic humor and heart, the podcasting parents epitomize staying grounded when competitive tensions escalate. And their graceful goodwill provides a model for balancing sports ambitions with family demands.
So while organizational glitches challenged athletes' patience, Matt and Abby chose laughter over bitterness. No matter the scoreboards, their uplifting sportsmanship made them unlikely Nationals fan favorites.
YouTube Time Code List
- 0:12 Abby washed her hair - Three week Hiatus
- 1:56 Nationals - The Good, Bad and Ugly
- 3:25 The Bad
- 4:51 The Ugly
- 5:36 Would you go back?
- 6:43 What is your rating? 1-10
- 7:42 Thursday
- 8:26 Friday - Our Play
- 10:22 Saturday - Airborne
- 11:26 Takeaways - sustain dink rallies
- 12:17 Opportunity Bracket
- 12:59 The rest of the day
- 13:33 Sunday
- 13:43 Tournament Matt is a great guy
- 14:54 Our strategy
- 16:25 No ref (Sunday)
- 17:41 We were up 5-1 - All hell broke loose
- 20:15 Opportunity (Losers) Bracket
- 20:48 How to handle bangers
- 23:54 Put a bow on Nationals
- 24:30 Sunday night: Funny story
- 26:57 Airport - absence makes the heart grow fonder
- 29:08 Video review
- 32:13 Peanut Butter Wash
- 35:42 Pod Recap
- 36:08 Something we love
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