MLP Columbus Preview: Teams, Matchups, and Key Storylines
Major League Pickleball (MLP) is gearing up for its second event of the 2025 season with MLP Columbus, taking place from Thursday through Sunday. This event follows closely on the heels of MLP Orlando, creating an exciting back-to-back weekend start to the season. Unlike the Orlando event, which featured all teams, Columbus will host only nine Premier Level teams, setting the stage for intense competition and potential shake-ups in the standings.
Event Details and Participating Teams
The MLP Columbus event, presented by The James at Ohio State, will take place at Pickle and Chill, an impressive indoor/outdoor facility boasting over twenty dedicated pickleball courts. This venue promises to provide an excellent backdrop for the high-stakes matches ahead.
The nine teams participating in the event are:
- St. Louis Shock (6 matches)
- Orlando Squeeze (6 matches)
- Columbus Sliders (5 matches)
- Atlanta Bouncers (6 matches)
- Miami Pickleball Club (6 matches)
- Phoenix Flames (6 matches)
- Chicago Slice (6 matches)
- Carolina Hogs (6 matches)
- New York Hustlers (5 matches)
Notably absent from this event are the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, Dallas Flash, LA Mad Drops, New Jersey 5s, SoCal Hard 8s, Texas Ranchers, and Utah Black Diamonds. This selective participation adds an interesting dynamic to the competition, as teams will face a different set of challenges compared to the full-roster event in Orlando.
How to Watch
Pickleball enthusiasts can catch all 26 matches of MLP Columbus on Pickleballtv and the Pickleballtv app. Additionally, several regional affiliates will be broadcasting specific matches, providing wider access to fans across different locations. Here’s a breakdown of some key broadcasts:
- Thursday, May 1: ATL vs. STL (4 p.m.) on Matrix Midwest in STL and Peachtree Sports Network in ATL
- Friday, May 2: ORL vs. CAR (2 p.m.) on Palmetto Entertainment and Sports Network in CAR and FanDuel Sports Florida in FL
- Saturday, May 3: PHX vs. MIA (12 p.m.) on FanDuel Sports Florida in FL
- Sunday, May 4: COL vs. ATL (2:30 p.m.) on Peachtree Sports Network in ATL and Rock Entertainment Sports Network in COL
This diverse broadcasting schedule ensures that fans from various regions can tune in to support their local teams.
Rule Changes for MLP Columbus
In response to feedback from the Orlando event, MLP has implemented several rule changes for the Columbus tournament. These adjustments aim to enhance gameplay and address concerns raised during the previous event. The key changes include:
- Bench Selection: Teams will no longer switch benches during a match. The team winning the End selection during the coin toss will also choose their bench.
- Serve Regulations: The ball release must not be higher than the top of the hip bone, with strict guidelines on the ball’s upward travel and the paddle’s swing direction.
- Line Calling: Teams making an OUT call during a live rally may face Blue or Orange Card penalties.
- Injury Substitutions: Teams using on-site alternates instead of their bench players will incur a one-point penalty in doubles games where the alternate participates.
These rule changes are expected to impact team strategies and potentially influence match outcomes throughout the tournament.
Top Storylines to Watch
1. Columbus Sliders’ Home Court Advantage
The Columbus Sliders, hosting the event, are scheduled to play five matches. After a slow start in Orlando, they gained momentum and are looking to capitalize on their home court advantage. Their performance will be crucial in determining their standing in the league.
2. Teams Seeking Their First Points
Carolina, Chicago, and New York are all currently sitting at the bottom of the standings with zero points. Each team faced tough opponents in Orlando, and Columbus presents an opportunity for them to break their losing streaks and climb up the rankings.
3. Miami and Phoenix’s Push for Points
Currently in 10th and 11th place respectively, Miami and Phoenix are eager to improve their standings. With more matches to play in Columbus, both teams have the chance to significantly boost their point totals and overall league position.
4. St. Louis Shock’s Potential Dominance
With several top teams absent from the Columbus event, the St. Louis Shock have a prime opportunity to continue their strong performance. Their matches will be closely watched to see if they can maintain their high level of play and possibly go undefeated in this tournament.
Team-by-Team Breakdown
St. Louis Shock
Current Standing: 2nd in Points Per Match (PPM) with 5 points from 2 matches (2.5 PPM)
Columbus Matches: 6
Key Players: Anna Bright, Kate Fahey, Hayden Patriquin, Gabe Tardio
Outlook: The Shock are heavily favored in most of their matchups. They face three bottom-tier teams and have a good chance of maintaining their high PPM.
Prediction: 17 points out of a possible 18, potentially dropping only one point in Columbus.
Orlando Squeeze
Current Standing: 4th in PPM with 11 points from 5 matches (2.2 PPM)
Columbus Matches: 6
Key Players: Lacy Schneemann, Samantha Parker, Federico Staksrud, Dylan Frazier
Outlook: The Squeeze face a challenging schedule in Columbus, which could impact their current standing.
Prediction: 9 points from their 6 matches, potentially dropping them just below 2 PPM.
Columbus Sliders
Current Standing: 6th in PPM with 12 points from 6 matches (2 PPM)
Columbus Matches: 5
Key Players: Parris Todd, Lea Jansen, CJ Klinger, Andrei Daescu
Outlook: The Sliders have momentum from Orlando and will look to capitalize on their home court advantage.
Prediction: 11 points from their 5 matches, keeping them just above the 2 PPM mark.
Atlanta Bouncers
Current Standing: 9th in PPM with 3 points from 3 matches (1 PPM)
Columbus Matches: 6
Key Players: Vivian Glozman, Victoria DiMuzio, Jaume Martinez Vich, Todd Fought
Outlook: Atlanta faces the toughest schedule in Columbus, which could make it difficult to improve their standing.
Prediction: 5 points from their 6 matches, potentially dropping them just below 1 PPM.
Miami Pickleball Club
Current Standing: 10th in PPM with 4 points from 5 matches (0.8 PPM)
Columbus Matches: 6
Key Players: Milan Rane, Mya Bui, Noe Khlif, Jay Devilliers
Outlook: Miami starts with an easier matchup against New York but faces tough competition afterward.
Prediction: 5 points from their 6 matches, keeping their PPM just below 1.
Phoenix Flames
Current Standing: 11th in PPM with 1 point from 2 matches (0.5 PPM)
Columbus Matches: 6
Key Players: Jessie Irvine, Genie Bouchard, Tyson McGuffin, Jack Sock
Outlook: Phoenix showed good team chemistry in Orlando and could surprise some opponents in Columbus.
Prediction: 8 points from their 6 matches, bringing them up to 1 PPM.
Chicago Slice
Current Standing: Tied for 14th with 0 points from 2 matches (0 PPM)
Columbus Matches: 6
Key Players: Callie Smith, Vivienne David, James Ignatowich, Max Freeman
Outlook: Chicago aims to bounce back from a tough Orlando event but faces a challenging schedule.
Prediction: 9 points from their 6 matches, bringing them above 1 PPM.
Carolina Hogs
Current Standing: Tied for 14th with 0 points from 2 matches (0 PPM)
Columbus Matches: 6
Key Players: Kaitlyn Christian, Tammy Emmrich, Ben Johns, Collin Johns
Outlook: The Hogs need a strong showing in Columbus to stay engaged for the rest of the season.
Prediction: 11 points from their 6 matches, putting them firmly in playoff contention.
New York Hustlers
Current Standing: Tied for 14th with 0 points from 2 matches (0 PPM)
Columbus Matches: 5
Key Players: Lingwei Kong, Helena Spiridis, Zane Ford, Donald Young
Outlook: New York faces another tough round of matchups and will need to start strong to avoid leaving without points again.
Prediction: Unfortunately, 0 points from their 5 matches.
Conclusion
The MLP Columbus event promises to be an exciting chapter in the 2025 season, with teams jockeying for position in the standings and looking to build momentum. The absence of some top teams opens the door for others to make significant moves, while the rule changes add an extra layer of intrigue to the matches. As the tournament unfolds, fans can expect intense competition, potential upsets, and possibly some reshuffling of the league standings.
Whether you’re a die-hard pickleball fan or new to the sport, MLP Columbus offers something for everyone. From the strategic implications of the new rules to the individual storylines of teams and players, this event is set to be a pivotal moment in the MLP season. Be sure to tune in and witness the action as it unfolds on the courts of Pickle and Chill in Columbus.
