The Shock Dominate and the Johns Brothers Stir Controversy: MLP Columbus Recap

The second event of the 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season unfolded this past weekend in Columbus, Ohio, hosted by Pickle & Chill. The tournament was marked by exceptional performances, unexpected withdrawals, and emerging storylines that are set to shape the remainder of the season. Let’s dive into the action and analyze the key takeaways from this eventful weekend.

Team Standings: A Clear Hierarchy Emerges

The Columbus event saw some teams solidify their positions at the top of the leaderboard, while others struggled to find their footing. Here’s a breakdown of the standings after the Columbus event:

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Looking at the overall standings for the 2025 season thus far, which includes both the Orlando and Columbus events, we see a clear separation at the top:

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St. Louis and Dallas have established themselves as the teams to beat, with impressive performances in both events. Their consistency and depth have set them apart from the competition, creating a significant gap between them and the rest of the field.

Player Standings: Individual Brilliance Shines Through

The individual player standings after MLP Columbus reflect the intense competition and highlight those who have excelled across multiple matches. Here are the top 20 players based on their performances:

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For a comprehensive breakdown of player statistics, including mixed doubles vs. gender doubles performance and Dreambreaker stats, you can visit the publicly available 2025 MLP stats page. This resource offers valuable insights into player performance across various aspects of the game.

Top Storylines from MLP Columbus

The Johns Brothers Controversy: A Team Left in Turmoil

Perhaps the most significant and controversial development of the Columbus event was the unexpected withdrawal of Ben and Collin Johns from competition. Playing for the Carolina Hogs, the brothers participated in and lost two matches before citing “lighting concerns” and “safety issues” as reasons for their withdrawal.

This decision left their teammates in a precarious position, forced to play with alternates for the remaining four matches, all of which resulted in losses. The controversy has sparked intense debate within the pickleball community, raising questions about player responsibilities, tournament conditions, and the impact of individual decisions on team performance.

Ben Johns referenced a childhood eye injury as the basis for his concerns about playing indoors. However, the reasoning behind Collin’s withdrawal remains less clear, especially considering his regular use of protective eyewear during play.

The fallout from this decision was significant:

• The Carolina Hogs went 0-6 in Columbus, including a Dreambreaker loss without the Johns brothers.
• The team now sits at 0-8 for the season, with only 2 points from their 8 matches (0.25 points per match).
• The Hogs are in last place and face a monumental challenge to make the playoffs.

This incident has become a focal point for discussions about player commitment, team dynamics, and the challenges of adapting to various playing conditions in professional pickleball. For a more detailed analysis of the situation and player reactions, you can read The Dink’s comprehensive article on the Johns brothers’ withdrawal.

The St. Louis Shock: A Dominant Force Emerges

While controversy swirled around some teams, the St. Louis Shock emerged as the undisputed powerhouse of the Columbus event. Their performance was nothing short of spectacular:

• A perfect 6-0 record in matches
• Lost only one game out of 24 played
• Dominated their last two matches with a combined score of 88-11

The Shock’s dominance is particularly impressive given the absence of some top contenders like the Flash, 5s, Brooklyn, and Ranchers from this event. Nevertheless, they faced and decisively beat strong teams like Orlando and Columbus, both by 4-0 margins.

Key factors contributing to the Shock’s success include:

• Anna Leigh Waters’ continued excellence across all formats
• Significant improvement in Lea Jansen’s doubles play compared to 2024
• Strong performances from Hayden Patriquin and Gabe Tardio in men’s doubles

The team’s dominant showing in Columbus has established them as early favorites for the 2025 MLP title. Their ability to win consistently across all match types and their depth of talent make them a formidable opponent for any team in the league.

The Orlando Squeeze: The Surprise Package of 2025

One of the most positive storylines to emerge from the early part of the 2025 MLP season has been the remarkable turnaround of the Orlando Squeeze. After finishing 9th and missing the playoffs in 2024 with 28 points, the Squeeze has already accumulated 25 points in just 11 matches this season, placing them third in points per match (ppm).

Several factors have contributed to Orlando’s success:

1. Federico Staksrud’s Leadership: Staksrud has been playing at an exceptionally high level, currently ranking 9th in overall player standings with a 77% game win percentage. More importantly, his energy and engagement as team captain have been transformative. He’s been observed actively coaching teammates between points and maintaining a high level of enthusiasm throughout matches.
2. Samantha Parker’s Breakout Performance: Parker, who was considered a question mark in the 2025 draft, has silenced critics with her outstanding play. Currently 32nd in player standings, she’s winning 50% of her games, an impressive feat for the least experienced player on the team.
3. The Steady Contributions of Lacy Schneemann and Dylan Frazier: While perhaps less flashy, the consistent performances of Schneemann and Frazier have provided a solid foundation for the team. Their ability to adapt to different positions and partnerships in various match formats has been crucial to the Squeeze’s success.

The Orlando Squeeze’s rapid improvement and strong start to the season have positioned them as serious contenders in the 2025 MLP landscape. Their blend of emerging talent and experienced leadership makes them a team to watch as the season progresses.

Early Playoff Picture: A Divide Forming?

Despite being only two events into the season, some clear trends are emerging in the race for playoff spots. With 54 matches played (27% of the total 200 Premier Level matches), a significant gap has opened up between the top teams and those struggling at the bottom of the standings.

Six teams are currently below the crucial 1 point per match (ppm) threshold:

• Atlanta Bouncers (0.89 ppm)
• Phoenix Flames (0.88 ppm)
• NY Hustlers (0.71 ppm)
• SoCal Hard Eights (0.5 ppm)
• Utah Black Diamonds (0.33 ppm)
• Carolina Hogs (0.25 ppm)

The Chicago Slice currently occupies the 10th and final playoff spot with 1 ppm, creating a significant gap between them and the teams below. While there’s still plenty of pickleball to be played, these early standings suggest that making the playoffs will be an uphill battle for the bottom six teams.

Of the teams currently outside the playoff spots, the Atlanta Bouncers and Phoenix Flames appear to have the best chance of turning their seasons around. However, they’ll need to make significant improvements or potentially consider roster changes to bridge the gap to the top 10.

Upsets and Emerging Talents: A Sign of Growing Parity?

Unlike the Orlando event, which saw relatively few upsets, the Columbus tournament featured several surprising results. This increase in unexpected outcomes could be indicative of growing parity in the league or of certain players making rapid improvements. Some of the most notable upsets included:

• Tyson McGuffin and Jessie Irvine (Flames) defeating Ben Johns and Tammy Emmrich (Hogs) 11-8
• Todd Fought and Jaume Martinez Vich (Bouncers) beating Ben and Collin Johns (Hogs) 11-7
• Noe Khlif and Jay Devilliers (Miami) overcoming Hayden Patriquin and Gabe Tardio (Shock) 11-6
• The Hogs earning a Dreambreaker with three substitute players against the Sliders

These results, particularly the multiple upsets involving Ben Johns before his withdrawal, suggest that the competitive landscape of MLP is evolving. Players and teams that may have been considered underdogs are proving capable of challenging even the most established stars in the sport.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for MLP?

As the dust settles on the Columbus event, attention now turns to the upcoming tournaments on the pickleball calendar:

• The next UPA event is the Veolia PPA Atlanta Pickleball Championships (Slam), starting May 12th at Life Time Peach Tree Corners.
• MLP action resumes with MLP Austin, kicking off on May 23rd at the Austin Pickle Ranch.

These upcoming events will provide further opportunities for teams to solidify their positions or make comebacks in the race for playoff spots. The controversies and stellar performances from Columbus are sure to add extra intrigue to these tournaments as players and teams look to build on their successes or bounce back from disappointments.

Conclusion: A Tournament of Contrasts

The MLP Columbus event was a study in contrasts. On one hand, we saw the emergence of dominant forces like the St. Louis Shock and the continued rise of surprise packages like the Orlando Squeeze. On the other, controversies such as the Johns brothers’ withdrawal highlighted the challenges and growing pains of a rapidly evolving professional sport.

As the 2025 MLP season progresses, these storylines will undoubtedly continue to develop. The increasing competitiveness and unpredictability of matches suggest that pickleball fans are in for an exciting and closely contested season. Whether you’re a die-hard pickleball enthusiast or a casual observer, the drama and high-level play on display in Columbus prove that MLP is a league worth watching closely in the months to come.