MLP St. Louis Preview: The Shock Hosts Exciting Matchups at Chaifetz Arena

The eighth regular season Major League Pickleball (MLP) event is set to kick off at the impressive Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri. This 10,000+ seat venue on the University of St. Louis campus will play host to some of the most thrilling pickleball action of the season. The St. Louis Shock, who share ownership with the arena, are pulling out all the stops to make this the best MLP event in history, with extensive marketing efforts drumming up excitement throughout the city.

As we look ahead to the competition, it’s clear that the stakes are high. Five of the six teams participating would currently qualify for the playoffs if they started today, setting the stage for intense battles on the court. Let’s dive into the key storylines, team analysis, and what fans can expect from this pivotal MLP event.

Top Storylines to Watch

1. Can the Dallas Flash Maintain Their Perfect Record?

The Dallas Flash enter the St. Louis event with an unblemished record, looking to cement their position as the top seed. A strong performance here could lock up that coveted spot and send a message to the rest of the league about their dominance.

2. Revenge on the Mind for the St. Louis Shock

After falling to the Flash in the Mid-Season Tournament, the Shock are eager for redemption on their home turf. The energy of the hometown crowd could provide the extra boost they need to upset the league leaders.

3. Brooklyn and Columbus Fight for Playoff Positioning

Both the Brooklyn Pickleball Team and Columbus Sliders will conclude their regular season in St. Louis. With top-four finishes in their sights, every point will be crucial as they jockey for playoff seeding.

4. Indoor Arena Debut: A Glimpse into MLP’s Future?

The St. Louis Shock aim to demonstrate that hosting MLP events in indoor arenas is the way forward for the league. Success here could pave the way for more climate-controlled venues in future seasons.

5. Chicago Slice Cling to Final Playoff Spot

Currently holding onto the 10th and final playoff position, the Chicago Slice face pressure to perform. Can they maintain their grip on a postseason berth?

Match Schedule and Viewing Information

Due to a previous scheduling quirk, fans will be treated to an extra match between Brooklyn and Chicago, who will face off twice during the event. The competition is divided into Premier and Challenger levels, with the following standout matchups:

Friday, July 18

• 3:00 PM – Dallas Flash vs. Brooklyn Pickleball Team (Premier)
• 4:15 PM – Las Vegas Night Owls vs. Nashville Chefs (Challenger)
• 5:00 PM – St. Louis Shock vs. Columbus Sliders (Premier)

Saturday, July 19

• 12:00 PM – Dallas Flash vs. Columbus Sliders (Premier)
• 5:15 PM – St. Louis Shock vs. Dallas Flash (Premier)

Sunday, July 20

• 12:45 PM – Brooklyn Pickleball Team vs. Columbus Sliders (Premier)
• 4:15 PM – St. Louis Shock vs. Brooklyn Pickleball Team (Premier)

Fans can catch all the action through MLP’s official streaming partners. Check local listings for specific channel information in your area.

Team-by-Team Analysis

Dallas Flash

Current Standing: 1st (46 points, 3.29 PPM)

Projected Starters: Jorja Johnson, Hurricane Tyra Black, JW Johnson, Augie Ge

Outlook: The Flash have been nothing short of dominant this season, maintaining an undefeated record even through the Mid-Season Tournament. Their impressive 3.29 points per match average speaks volumes about their consistency and skill. However, they face a challenging schedule in St. Louis, with tough matches against Brooklyn, Columbus, and the host Shock right out of the gate.

While the Flash have previously defeated these teams 3-1, there’s always potential for an upset, especially if they have an off day. The Sliders and Shock pose the biggest threats, with the Sliders’ women having previously beaten the Flash women, and Anna Bright of the Shock looking to bounce back from an uncharacteristic performance in their last meeting.

Prediction: The Flash may face their first loss in over 230 days, but should still earn 12 out of a possible 15 points, maintaining their trajectory for a first-place finish.

St. Louis Shock

Current Standing: 2nd (43 points, 3.07 PPM)

Projected Starters: Anna Bright, Kate Fahey, Hayden Patriquin, Gabe Tardio

Outlook: Coming off a strong showing in the Mid-Season Tournament where they narrowly missed the title against the Flash, the Shock are poised for a big performance on their home court. Anna Bright, known for her competitive fire, is likely to use the recent loss as motivation to lead her team to a dominant weekend.

The Shock’s schedule is slightly more favorable than the Flash’s, starting with Atlanta before facing tougher opponents. They’ll need to capitalize on this advantage, especially with crucial matches against Dallas and Brooklyn to close out the event. While a shot at the #1 seed is still possible, it would require a slip-up from the Flash.

Prediction: Fueled by home-court advantage and a desire for redemption, the Shock should earn 11 out of 15 possible points.

Brooklyn Pickleball Team

Current Standing: 4th (44 points, 2.32 PPM)

Projected Starters: Rachel Rohrabacher, Jackie Kawamoto, Riley Newman, and AJ Koller (or TBD)

Outlook: Brooklyn has shown remarkable resilience, performing admirably despite not having their full squad since MLP Phoenix. Injuries and illnesses have forced lineup adjustments, but Rachel Rohrabacher and Jackie Kawamoto have stepped up impressively. The team’s second male starter remains a question mark, with possibilities including a returning Dekel Bar or the ever-present AJ Koller.

With six matches on their schedule, including two against Chicago, Brooklyn faces a grueling weekend. The level of competition in St. Louis could prove challenging for this adapting squad.

Prediction: Brooklyn may struggle against the tough field, potentially earning 11 points but dropping one standings point behind the Sliders.

Columbus Sliders

Current Standing: 5th (45 points, 2.25 PPM)

Projected Starters: Parris Todd, Lea Jansen, Andrei Daescu, CJ Klinger

Outlook: Riding high after a strong Mid-Season Tournament performance, the Sliders continue to improve with each event. The duo of Lea Jansen and Parris Todd has been particularly impressive. Their final match against Brooklyn could be pivotal in determining the 4th and 5th seeds, which carries significant implications for playoff home-court advantage.

The Sliders’ narrow 1-3 loss to the Flash in the MST, with two games ending 8-11, suggests they could push the league leaders to a Dreambreaker with slight improvements.

Prediction: The Sliders should earn 11 points in St. Louis, potentially edging out Brooklyn by 1 point in the overall standings.

Chicago Slice

Current Standing: 10th (14 points, 1 PPM)

Projected Starters: James Ignatowich, Max Freeman, Callie Smith, and Viv Glozman

Outlook: The Slice find themselves in a precarious position, clinging to the final playoff spot. James Ignatowich’s health remains a concern after he was sidelined early in the Mid-Season Tournament. The women’s pairing of Viv Glozman and Callie Smith is still finding its rhythm, while Max Freeman hasn’t quite made the leap forward many expected this season.

To build momentum heading into their final event of the year, Chicago needs a regulation win against Atlanta and must steal points from at least two other teams—a tall order given the competition.

Prediction: The Slice may struggle, picking up just 3 points in St. Louis.

Atlanta Bouncers

Current Standing: 13th (12 points, 0.8 PPM)

Projected Starters: Jaume Martinez Vich, Todd Fought, Vivienne David, and Victoria DiMuzio

Outlook: Atlanta faces an uphill battle in St. Louis. With uncertainty surrounding Jaume Martinez Vich’s readiness to play and a tough remaining schedule, the Bouncers may struggle to make an impact. Their performance in the Mid-Season Tournament, which saw lineup changes including the addition of Collin Johns, highlights the team’s ongoing challenges.

Prediction: Given their recent struggles and the quality of opposition, the Bouncers may leave St. Louis without adding to their point total.

Conclusion: A Pivotal Weekend for MLP

The MLP St. Louis event at Chaifetz Arena promises to be a thrilling showcase of top-tier pickleball talent. With playoff positioning on the line and the added intrigue of an indoor venue, fans can expect intense competition and potentially season-defining moments. The undefeated streak of the Dallas Flash, the home-court advantage of the St. Louis Shock, and the tight races for playoff seeding all contribute to what should be a memorable weekend of pickleball action.

As the regular season nears its conclusion, every point becomes increasingly valuable. Teams will be pushing their limits, strategies will be tested, and the passionate St. Louis crowd will undoubtedly create an electric atmosphere. Whether you’re a die-hard pickleball fan or new to the sport, the MLP St. Louis event is not to be missed, potentially setting the stage for the future of professional pickleball competitions.

For those unable to attend in person, be sure to tune in to the official MLP broadcasts to catch all the excitement. With so much at stake, the Chaifetz Arena is set to host some of the most compelling pickleball matches of the year, further cementing MLP’s place in the world of professional sports.