2025 MLP Season Preview with Predictions
The Major League Pickleball (MLP) season is right around the corner, less than a week away. As pickleball enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the start of another thrilling year, it’s time to dive deep into what we can expect from the 2025 season. This comprehensive preview will analyze each team’s prospects, highlight key players to watch, and offer predictions for how the season may unfold.
Understanding MLP and the 2025 Season
For those new to Major League Pickleball or looking to refresh their knowledge, here’s a quick primer on the league and what’s new for 2025:
Major League Pickleball is a professional pickleball league featuring top players from around the world. Teams compete in a series of events throughout the year, culminating in playoffs and a championship. The league has seen rapid growth and increasing popularity since its inception.
Some key changes and updates for the 2025 season include:
For a full overview of the 2025 schedule and team rosters, check out these resources:
- 2025 Schedule
- 2025 Team by Team Schedule
- MLP Orlando Match Schedule – First event of the year
- 2025 Keepers and Drops
- 2025 Premier Level Draft Recap with Grades
- 2025 Trade Window #2 Tracker
Team-by-Team Preview and Predictions
Now, let’s dive into a detailed analysis of each team, listed in order of predicted finish from worst to first. We’ll examine their strengths, weaknesses, key players, and overall prospects for the 2025 season.
16. New York Hustlers
2024 Regular Season Standings: 6th (36 pts)
The New York Hustlers enter the 2025 season after a significant offseason shakeup. While they managed to accumulate substantial cash through trades (over $300,000), the team opted not to invest heavily in the draft. This decision may impact their competitiveness in the short term.
Key Players:
- Zane Ford
- Donald Young
Strengths:
- Potential upside in men’s doubles with Ford and Young
- Financial flexibility for future moves
Weaknesses:
- Inexperienced roster lacking proven Premier Level talent
- Weakest women’s team in the Premier Level
Outlook: The Hustlers face an uphill battle in 2025. Their success will largely depend on how quickly their young talent can adapt to the Premier Level. Zane Ford’s performance in both men’s doubles and mixed doubles will be crucial. The team’s best path to victory likely involves Ford winning both his events and then clinching in a Dreambreaker.
Projected 2025 Record: 3-22
Projected 2025 Standing: 16th
15. SoCal Hard Eights
2024 Regular Season Standings: 2nd (41 pts) – Challenger Level
The SoCal Hard Eights are another team that appears to be prioritizing future development over immediate success. Their minimal spending in the draft suggests a potential “tanking” strategy for 2025.
Key Players:
- Irina Tereschenko
- Vivienne David
Strengths:
- Experienced veterans in Tereschenko and David
- Potential for strategic development of younger talent
Weaknesses:
- Lack of Premier Level-ready talent across the roster
- Uncertainty in player positions and pairings
Outlook: The Hard Eights will likely struggle to find consistent success in 2025. Their best hope may be for quick adaptation from their younger players and strategic use of their experienced veterans. The team might experiment with different lineups, potentially moving Vivienne David to the left side in women’s doubles to maximize their strengths.
Projected 2025 Record: 4-21
Projected 2025 Standing: 15th
14. Miami Pickleball Club
2024 Regular Season Standings: T-3rd (39 pts) – Challenger Level
Miami enters 2025 with a mix of returning talent and new additions. The team retained Rane Tiolene and reacquired Adel Khlif through a trade, providing some continuity from their successful 2024 Challenger Level campaign.
Key Players:
- Jay Devilliers
- Adel Khlif
- Vy Bui
Strengths:
- Strong men’s doubles pairing with Devilliers and Khlif
- High potential in Vy Bui as a rising star
Weaknesses:
Outlook: Miami’s success in 2025 will largely depend on how quickly their younger players, particularly Vy Bui, can adapt to the Premier Level competition. The men’s doubles team of Devilliers and Khlif has the potential to upset some established pairs. If Bui can quickly elevate her game and form a strong partnership with Tiolene, Miami could surprise some opponents.
Projected 2025 Record: 6-19
Projected 2025 Standing: 14th
13. Atlanta Bouncers
2024 Regular Season Standings: T-3rd (39 pts) – Challenger Level
The Atlanta Bouncers had an intriguing offseason, retaining their successful men’s doubles pairing from 2024 while making strategic additions to round out their roster.
Key Players:
- Jaume Martinez Vich (2024 Challenger Level MVP)
- Todd Fought
- Lina Glozman
Strengths:
- Proven men’s doubles team with Martinez Vich and Fought
- Addition of Lina Glozman, a top-level right side player
Weaknesses:
Outlook: Atlanta’s success will hinge on how well their established men’s team can perform at the Premier Level and how quickly their women’s side can gel. The addition of Lina Glozman is a significant boost, but the team’s overall competitiveness may depend on the rapid development of their newer players, particularly in mixed doubles.
Projected 2025 Record: 7-18
Projected 2025 Standing: 13th
12. Utah Black Diamonds
2024 Regular Season Standings: 12th (14 pts)
The Utah Black Diamonds underwent significant changes in the offseason, retaining only two players from their 2024 roster. Their approach suggests a focus on rebuilding and developing new talent.
Key Players:
- Thomas Wilson
- Tyler Loong
- Allyce Jones
Strengths:
- Solid men’s doubles pairing with Wilson and Loong
- Improved play from Allyce Jones in recent months
Weaknesses:
Outlook: Utah’s season will largely depend on how quickly their newer players can adapt to Premier Level competition. The men’s doubles team of Wilson and Loong will need to win consistently to keep the Black Diamonds competitive. If Allyce Jones can continue her recent improvement and form strong partnerships in both women’s and mixed doubles, Utah could surprise some opponents.
Projected 2025 Record: 8-17
Projected 2025 Standing: 12th
11. Phoenix Flames
2024 Regular Season Standings: 8th (29 pts)
The Phoenix Flames have been one of the most active teams in trades and acquisitions over the past year. Their roster features a mix of established names and rising talent.
Key Players:
- Jack Sock
- Tyson McGuffin
- Genie Bouchard
- Jessie Irvine
Strengths:
- Star power with the addition of Jack Sock
- Strong mixed doubles potential with Jessie Irvine
Weaknesses:
Outlook: Phoenix’s success will largely depend on how well their star players can perform and gel as a team. Jack Sock and Tyson McGuffin have the potential to be a formidable men’s doubles pair if they can find consistency. The women’s side may struggle initially, but Jessie Irvine’s mixed doubles prowess could be a significant factor in close matches. The Flames’ best strategy may be to push matches to Dreambreakers, where they have a strong lineup.
Projected 2025 Record: 9-16
Projected 2025 Standing: 11th
10. Chicago Slice
2024 Regular Season Standings: 1st (44 pts) – Challenger Level
The Chicago Slice face a significant challenge in 2025 as they move up from the Challenger Level to the Premier Level. Despite not being able to retain any players from their championship-winning squad due to contract issues, they had a strong draft and look to be competitive.
Key Players:
- JW Johnson
- Vivienne David
- Callie Smith
Strengths:
- Strong draft picks with proven talent
- Potential for quick adaptation to Premier Level play
Weaknesses:
Outlook: Chicago’s success will depend on how quickly their newly assembled team can gel and adapt to Premier Level competition. JW Johnson’s performance will be crucial, as he looks to reclaim his status as one of the top mixed doubles players. If Vivienne David can regain her 2024 form and Callie Smith continues her upward trajectory, the Slice could surprise many and finish higher than predicted.
Projected 2025 Record: 11-14
Projected 2025 Standing: 10th
9. Carolina Hogs
2024 Regular Season Standings: 10th (26 pts)
The Carolina Hogs enter 2025 with a mix of established stars and promising talent. The big question mark surrounds the commitment level of their top players.
Key Players:
- Ben Johns
- Collin Johns
- Kaitlyn Christian
Strengths:
- Star power with Ben and Collin Johns
- Strong Dreambreaker potential with Ben Johns and Kaitlyn Christian
Weaknesses:
Outlook: The Hogs’ season hinges on the commitment and performance of Ben and Collin Johns. If they’re fully engaged, this team could easily outperform their projected standing. However, given past issues with effort level in MLP play, there’s a risk of underperformance. The women’s doubles pairing may struggle, putting extra pressure on the men’s and mixed doubles events.
Projected 2025 Record: 12-13
Projected 2025 Standing: 9th
8. Orlando Squeeze
2024 Regular Season Standings: 9th (28 pts)
The Orlando Squeeze look to bounce back from an underperforming 2024 season with a revamped roster and renewed focus.
Key Players:
- Federico Staksrud
- Dylan Frazier
- Lacy Schneemann
Strengths:
- Strong individual talent across the roster
- Potential for excellent Dreambreaker performance
Weaknesses:
Outlook: Orlando has assembled a team with high individual talent, but
