MLP Orlando Event Recap: Thrilling Action and Emerging Storylines

The 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season kicked off with a bang at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida. Over four action-packed days, 28 intense matches unfolded, showcasing the best pickleball talent in the world. As the host team, the Orlando Squeeze set the stage for an unforgettable event that left fans and players alike buzzing with excitement.

Let’s dive into the top storylines and highlights from this landmark event in the pickleball world.

Dallas Flash: A Force to be Reckoned With

The Dallas Flash emerged as the undisputed powerhouse of the tournament, picking up right where they left off last season. Led by the phenomenal Jorja Johnson, who went an perfect 8-0 in her matches, the Flash dominated the competition with a flawless 4-0 record.

Johnson’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. Her combined scores across eight wins totaled an impressive 88-15, averaging a scoreline of 11-1.9 per game. This level of dominance rightfully earned her the unofficial MVP title for the MLP Orlando event.

But it wasn’t just Jorja carrying the team. Her teammates also put on stellar performances:

Hurricane Tyra Black finished second in the overall player standings
JW Johnson (Jorja’s brother) secured the third spot
Augie Ge rounded out the team’s success with a solid 11th place finish

The Flash’s cohesive play and individual brilliance make them the team to beat this season. Their absence from the upcoming MLP Columbus event will surely have other teams breathing a sigh of relief, but it also builds anticipation for their next appearance.

Women’s Doubles Drama Takes Center Stage

One of the most intriguing aspects of this year’s MLP season is the reshuffling of women’s doubles partnerships. The league capitalized on this drama by scheduling high-profile matchups featuring former partners facing off against each other.

Sunday’s action was particularly riveting, with three marquee matchups:

1. Rachel Rohrabacher vs. Anna Bright

In a nail-biting contest between the St. Louis Shock and Brooklyn Pickleball Team, former partners Rachel and Anna faced off. The match went down to the wire, culminating in a thrilling Dreambreaker where the Shock emerged victorious.

2. Catherine Parenteau vs. Anna Leigh Waters

Another former partnership was put to the test as Catherine (LA Mad Drops) took on Anna Leigh (New Jersey 5s). This intense battle also required a Dreambreaker to decide the winner, with the 5s ultimately clinching the victory behind Anna Leigh’s match-winning point.

3. Anna Bright vs. Anna Leigh Waters

The evening’s main event saw current PPA Tour partners Anna Bright and Anna Leigh Waters on opposite sides of the net. In a fiery contest filled with drama and controversy, the Shock managed to secure a 3-1 regulation win, handing the 5s their first loss of the season.

These matchups not only provided exciting pickleball but also added a layer of personal drama that captivated fans and showcased the evolving dynamics within the sport.

Newcomers Make Their Mark

The MLP Orlando event served as a proving ground for several newcomers to the Premier Level, with some rising to the occasion while others struggled to find their footing.

Standout Performances

Eric Oncins (Texas Ranchers): Oncins was a revelation for the third-place Ranchers, finishing 7th in player standings. His 6-2 record across gender and mixed doubles demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level.

Samantha Parker (Orlando Squeeze): The hometown hero proved to be a crucial X-factor for the Squeeze, finishing 27th overall in player standings with a 5-5 record. Her mixed doubles partnership with Dylan Frazier was particularly effective, going 3-2 and clinching a key victory against the LA Mad Drops.

Room for Improvement

While some newcomers shone, others faced a steeper learning curve:

Helena Spiridis and Lingwei Kong (NY Hustlers) struggled in women’s doubles, getting pickled in both their matches.
Mya Bui (Miami) showed flashes of brilliance but went 1-9 overall, highlighting the need for more consistent decision-making.
Victoria DiMuzio (Atlanta Bouncers) had a challenging 1-5 record but displayed promising steadiness compared to other newcomers.

These results underscore the intense competition at the Premier Level and the adjustment period required for even talented players new to the MLP format.

Team Tiers Emerge

As the dust settled on the MLP Orlando event, clear tiers of team performance began to take shape. While it’s still early in the season, these groupings provide insight into the competitive landscape:

Title Contenders

Dallas Flash
St. Louis Shock

Very Good Teams

New Jersey 5s
Texas Ranchers
Columbus Red Rockers
Orlando Squeeze

Fighting for a Playoff Spot

Brooklyn Pickleball Team
LA Mad Drops
Atlanta Bouncers
Chicago Slice
Phoenix Flames
Carolina Selects

Better Luck Next Year

Utah Venom
Miami Pickleball Club
SoCal Hard Eights
NY Hustlers

While these tiers may shift as the season progresses, they provide a framework for understanding the current competitive landscape in MLP.

Home Team Hosting: Hits and Misses

The Orlando Squeeze deserves commendation for hosting the first-ever home team event in MLP history. Their efforts resulted in several notable successes:

A thrilling amateur exhibition featuring former Orlando Magic players and Squeeze members
Freshly resurfaced tennis courts at the USTA National Campus that played exceptionally well
Electric atmosphere with engaged crowds and energetic commentary from emcee Kaitlyn Kerr
Custom towels for fans attending Squeeze matches

However, the event wasn’t without its challenges. The most glaring issue was the court design:

The bright orange color surrounding the courts was visually overwhelming
Light blue court coloring made it difficult to track the ball on broadcasts
Oversized, white ‘TORAY’ sponsor logos in the kitchen area were potentially distracting for players

While the attempt to incorporate team colors was admirable, the execution fell short, particularly from a broadcast perspective. It’s likely that MLP will address these issues in future events to enhance the viewing experience for fans at home.

Rule Controversies and Areas for Improvement

The MLP Orlando event highlighted several rule-related issues that require attention from league officials:

1. Substitution Rule Confusion

The introduction of six-player rosters in the Premier Level has led to some unintended consequences:

Teams are not required to travel with all six players, as evidenced by the LA Mad Drops situation when Hunter Johnson was injured
Lineups must be submitted the night before matches, with only four players allowed to compete in each match
No team utilized their 5th or 6th roster spots to adjust lineups during the 28 matches played

These factors raise questions about the purpose and effectiveness of the expanded rosters.

2. New Service Rule Inconsistencies

The updated service rule for 2025 has introduced more subjectivity into officiating, leading to inconsistent calls between matches and referees. Additionally, players cannot challenge service fault rulings, potentially allowing incorrect calls to stand.

3. Inability to Challenge One’s Own “In” Call

Unlike in PPA Tour events, MLP rules do not allow players to challenge their own “in” calls. This discrepancy led to a 15-minute delay during a match between the Texas Ranchers and Chicago Slice, which could have been resolved much more quickly with a simple video review.

Addressing these rule issues will be crucial for MLP as they strive to improve the quality and consistency of play across all events.

Looking Ahead: MLP Columbus

As the pickleball world catches its breath from the excitement of MLP Orlando, attention now turns to the upcoming MLP Columbus event. With the Dallas Flash sitting out this tournament, opportunities abound for other teams to make their mark and climb the standings.

Fans can look forward to more thrilling matchups, potential upsets, and the continued evolution of team dynamics as the 2025 MLP season unfolds. Be sure to stay tuned for a comprehensive preview of the MLP Columbus event, which will be available in the official MLP newsletter later this week.

The MLP Orlando event set a high bar for excitement and competitive play, leaving pickleball enthusiasts eager to see what the rest of the season has in store. As teams continue to gel and individual players find their rhythm, the race for MLP supremacy is only just beginning.

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