MLP DALLAS: DAY 4 RECAP – PREMIER LEVEL SEMIFINALS AND FINAL

Day 4 Recap 

Pickleball prowess and elite teamwork were on full display during Championship Sunday! After #1 Orlando and #2 D.C. made it out of their Semifinal matches in 3 games each, their last battle against each other was a thrilling re-match of MLP Atlanta.

Ultimately, the D.C. Pickleball Team were crowned MLP Dallas Premier Level Champions, and rising star Christian Alshon was named Premier Level MVP!

To rewatch all of today’s matches, head to MLP’s YouTube channel.

PREMIER LEVEL SEMIFINALS

Brooklyn vs. DC

Game 1 – Women’s Doubles: 16-21 (D.C.)
Game 2 – Men’s Doubl[es: 13-21 (D.C.)
Game 3 – Mixed Doubles: 13-21 (D.C.)

Game 1: Andrea Koop and Catherine Parenteau vs. Jade and Jackie Kawamoto

Following a close Dreambreaker against the Columbus Sliders last night, the Brooklyn Aces were eager to harness their amplified energy as they took the court in Sunday morning’s Premier Level Semi-Final against D.C. Pickleball Team. The Kawamoto sisters have proven to be one of the toughest Women’s Doubles teams to beat this season, and Catherine Parenteau and Andrea Koop have been progressively finding their groove and gaining momentum throughout this tournament. D.C. Pickleball team led 11-9 into the end-change. With a 10-15 deficit, the Brooklyn Aces called a timeout to regroup and hoped to disrupt the Kawamotos’ continued momentum. At time in, Catherine Parenteau switched to the left side with Andrea Koop playing the supportive right side role. A standout point of the game occurred at 17-12, where all four players showcased their best offensive and defensive skills, with D.C. coming out on top, extending their lead to 18-12. Brooklyn questioned a push-off fault at 20-15, prompting a video challenge. After review, the referees ruled that there was no push-off fault by D.C., and Brooklyn lost a video challenge. The final score was 21-16 in favor of D.C. Pickleball Team, giving them a 1-0 game advantage in this match. 

Game 2: Hayden Patriquin and Tyler Loong vs. Christian Alshon and Riley Newman

In Game 2, Brooklyn’s Hayden Patriquin and Tyler Loong faced D.C.’s Christian Alshon and Riley Newman faced. Patriquin, often referred to as “Big H”, brought big energy and personality to this game. At 10-10,  D.C. hit a ball that soared long, followed by an audible “way out” from Hayden as he strolled off the court for the end-change. D.C.’s consistency and aggression prevailed in hands battles and resets. As the game reached its critical point at 20-13, a dispute arose when Brooklyn questioned whether one of Hayden’s attacks had made contact with Alshon’s body during a counterattack. The referees ruled that the ball did not touch Alshon, bringing the game to a close at 21-13, giving D.C. a 2-0 match advantage. 

Game 3: Catherine Parenteau and Tyler Loong vs. Jackie Kawamoto and Christian Alshon 

Game 3 was critical, as D.C. Pickleball Team hoped to clinch their spot in the Premier Final, while the Brooklyn Aces fought to bring the match to a fourth game. D.C. Pickleball Team led 11-4 at the end change and the Brooklyn Aces needed to respond in the second half of this game. At 5-12, Tyler Loong received a standing ovation from the crowd as he hit one of the most phenomenal shots of the tournament thus far, hitting a forehand block mid-jump. 

The Brooklyn Aces tried to carry this energy into the second half of the game, but D.C. proved to be the strongest team with heightened offense, remarkable defense, and resets from Kawamoto. D.C. Pickleball Team closed the game at 21-13 and secured their spot in the Final.

Chicago vs. Orlando

In the second Premier Level Semi-Final this morning, the Chicago Slice played the Orlando Squeeze for the second time this tournament. Their first match-up on Friday ended in a tough Dreambreaker loss for the Slice.

Game 1 – Women’s Doubles: 15-21 (Orlando)
Game 2 – Men’s Doubles: 19-21 (Orlando)
Game 3 – Mixed Doubles: 20-22 (Orlando)

Game 2: Ben Johns and Erik Lange vs. Zane Navratil and Andrei Daescu

After a tough loss for the women, Chicago needed to respond in game 2. As team captain and the world’s #1 player, Ben Johns was eager to get his team into the Final. At an 12-17 deficit, Chicago called a timeout. At time in, we saw a reanimated Ben Johns make his presence known on the court. Right out of the gate, he brought the score to 16-17. A cross-court erne followed by “a bert” from Johns at 17-18 got a thunderous applause from the crowd, but the Squeeze countered with a video challenge, questioning if Johns committed a foot fault. After review, it was determined that Ben did not commit a foot fault, which brought the score to 18-18. Shortly after, an out call by Orlando was overturned by referees, which brought the game to 19-19. A crucial dink was missed at 20-19 that granted Orlando Squeeze game point. In the final point, Lange became a focal point for the Squeeze and his errant reset sealed the game victory for Orlando Squeeze with a 21-19 finish. The Orlando Squeeze lead the match 2-0.

Game 3: Ben Johns and Jessie Irvine vs. Zane Navratil and Rachel Rohrabacher

To keep their tournament bid alive, Johns had to bring his firepower and Jessie had to maintain her role as the steady resetter on the right side. It was clear that Irvine was a target for the Squeeze, as she was getting overpowered by the aggressive playing style of Navratil and Rohrabacher from the start of game 3. The Chicago Slice fell behind quickly with a score of 7-11 at the end change. Navratil was dialed in during this game and Rachel Rohrabacher’s hyped energy kept him going. Johns appeared visibly frustrated throughout the game, and a lob winner from Rohrabacher at 19-14 gave the Squeeze match point. The Slice did not give up, and narrowed the deficit to 17-20, prompting a timeout call by the Squeeze. Orlando returned and targeted Irvine once again. Johns displayed great mental resilience as he and Irvine evened the score 20-20. Irvine attacked Rohrabacher with a cross-court shot, while Rohrabacher countered with a shot that snuck behind Johns’ to make the score 21-20. A reset from baseline that fell short by Irvine sealed the deal for Orlando’s place in the Final match against D.C. Pickleball Team.

PREMIER LEVEL FINAL

Orlando vs. D.C.

Once again, the Orlando Squeeze and D.C. Pickleball Team faced off in the Premier Level Final for the second event of Season 2.

Game 1 – Women’s Doubles: 15-21 (D.C.)
Game 2 – Men’s Doubles: 10-21 (D.C.)
Game 3 – Mixed Doubles: 22-24 (D.C.)

Game 1: Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher vs. Jade Kawamoto and Jackie Kawamoto

Jackie and Jade came out strong with a 4-1 lead for D.C. Orlando quickly created winning offensive moments, bringing them to a 6-5 lead. Rachel Rohrabacher’s consistent attacks were the perfect complement to Anna Bright’s proactive playing style as she played her game without hesitation. A foot fault from Jade Kawamoto gave Orlando a 11-10 advantage at the end change. D.C. remained competitive throughout the second half of the match and their determination brought them to a 17-15 lead, which prompted the Orlando Squeeze to regroup with a timeout. Bright was seen giving Rohrabacher strategic advice before exchanging nods about the plan for the rest of the game. A lob from Rohrabacher sailed long and broadened the deficit to 19-15. On game point, a backhand counter from Bright landed in the net, which banked the first win for the D.C. Pickleball Team, 21-15.

Game 2: Riley Newman and Christian Alshon vs. Zane Navratil and Andrei Daescu 

D.C.’s Riley Newman and Christian Alshon were dialed in for this game. Riley Newman, who recently moved to Dallas, was determined to win in his new hometown. He proceeded to show why he’s one of the world’s best players, bringing D.C. to an 11-5 advantage at the end-change. Just a few months ago, D.C.’s Christian Alshon was battling in the Challenger Level Final, and he’s since emerged as the ideal doubles partner for Riley Newman during the Premier Level Final. At a 10-18 deficit, the Orlando Squeeze called a timeout, but that wasn’t enough to stop D.C.’s momentum. They finished the game with a decisive 21-10 game and a 2-0 match advantage. 

Game 3: Riley Newman and Jade Kawamoto vs. Andrei Daescu and Anna Bright 

D.C. Pickleball Team came into game 3 with a hunger to avoid a repeat of Atlanta. Orlando’s Bright and D.C.’s Newman had a visible rivalry in this game. An incredible hands battle broke out between Newman and Daescu at 4-3, with Orlando Squeeze coming out on top and earning a standing ovation from the crowd. Riley Newman continued to put the heat on the Squeeze, but the consistent defense from Bright and Daescu kept them competitive, only trailing behind by one point or tied in the first half of the game. A forehand volley from Daescu at 10-10 clipped the back of the baseline and gave the Squeeze an 11-10 lead at the end change. The crowd remained rowdy throughout the entire time-out, with loud cheers for the Orlando Squeeze who hoped to bring on another game. Riley Newman remained aggressive, but his accuracy fell short, bringing the D.C. Pickleball Team to a 10-14 deficit. D.C. fought back to get within one point at 15-16, prompting a defensive timeout response from Orlando. At 18-17, Andrei hit an attack that got behind Riley Newman who was committed to the middle, bringing the score to 19-17, igniting a “Let’s Go Squeeze” chant from the crowd. At 20-19, the Squeeze had game point, but a Newman bodybag on Bright, brought the match to 20-20. D.C. had match point soon after at 21-20, but Newman’s attack soared long from Newman once again evened the score to 21-21. An Erne from Jade Kawamoto at 22-22 once again gave D.C. match point and an attack from Newman sealed the match and MLP Premier Level Championship title for the D.C. Pickleball Team!