The primary spherical of the Main League Pickleball (MLP) playoffs noticed the highest seeds advance to the Quarterfinals in Newport Seaside, California. The motion begins on Friday with two matches, after which Saturday and Sunday are jam filled with motion.
Seeds #1 via #8 are enjoying within the Quarterfinals and these are the matchups:
- #1 New Jersey Fives v #7 Palm Seaside Royals
- #2 St. Louis Shock v #8 Texas Ranchers
- #3 LA Mad Drops v #6 Dallas Flash
- #4 Columbus Sliders v #5 Brooklyn Pickleball Group v
Reminder concerning the Playoffs
Wanting on the above matchups, chances are you’ll surprise why New Jersey is not enjoying the bottom seed, the #8 Texas Ranchers. MLP has a really distinctive format for the playoffs – One of the best seed will get to decide on it is opponent from the underside 4 seeds. From their, the following finest seed chooses, and so forth.
Not like the common season, if a match is gained 3-0, a fourth recreation won’t be performed.
Every playoff matchup is finest two out of three matches. So if a crew wins their first two matches, they transfer on. If it goes to a 3rd match, the winner strikes on and the loser goes dwelling. In every matchup all through the playoffs, the higher seed is taken into account the house crew within the first two matches. If a 3rd match occurs, there’s a coin toss to find out the house crew.
House courtroom issues as a result of as the house crew, you get to react to the opposite crew’s lineups, together with their Dreambreaker lineup.
What’s on the road
The groups that win this weekend in Newport Seaside will transfer on to the Semifinals in two weeks within the Large Apple. That is proper, the Semifinals and Finals will happen for the third yr in a row at Metropolis Pickle at Wollman Rink in Central Park.
Broadcast Schedule of the MLP Dallas Playoffs
*All instances listed are in native Pacific Daylight Time
All matches can be found on Pickleballtv and the Pickleballtv App, along with:
Friday, August 14
Saturday, August 15
- FS1 (Unique) 4-6 pm PT (LIVE)
Sunday, August 16
- FS1 (Unique) 4-6 pm PT (LIVE)
- MSG 12-4pm PT (LIVE)
Climate Outlook
I do not know if the forecast could possibly be any higher for pickleball than this. Highs within the higher 70s and lows within the higher 60s will make for picturesque pickleball climate. Winds might play a small issue if they’re between 10-15mph, however nothing noticeable.
Preview of every matchup
Observe: Associate data listed are throughout the complete 2026 season, together with the Mid-Season Match and first spherical of playoffs
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#1 New Jersey Fives v #7 Palm Seaside Royals
Schedule:
- Match #1 – Saturday, Aug 15 ~1pm EDT
- Match #2 – Sunday, Aug 16 – 4pm EDT
- Match #3 (If mandatory) – Sunday, Aug 16 ~7pm EDT
Rosters:
- New Jersey: Anna Leigh Waters, Federico Staksrud, Jorja Johnson, Will Howells, Noe Khlif, and Milan Ran
- Palm Seaside: Sofia Stitching, Tyson McGuffin, Dekel Bar, Tina Pisnik, Tammy Emmrich, and Casey Diamond
Matchup Historical past:
The one that matchup between these two groups occured on August 1, at MLP Orlando in Pool B play. The Fives took a 3-1 victory, having gained the match 3-0, and Stitching and Diamond beat Johnson and Staksrud within the fourth recreation.
Harm Considerations: None
Days since Final Match:
- New Jersey Fives: 13 Days
- Palm Seaside Royals: 7 Days
Sport By Sport Preview:
Ladies’s Doubles
- Anticipated lineups – Jorja/Anna Leigh (31-1) v Sofia/Tina (26-7)
- What to look at – That is the very best girls’s doubles crew this yr in opposition to the fourth finest girls’s crew (minimal of 10 video games). Sofia and Tina are one of many few groups that may hold with Jorja and ALW. Kate and Anna Shiny from the Shock applied an ISO of Jorja, that means Anna Leigh did not see a ball within the Mid-Season Match. Will we see Sofia and Tina implement an analogous technique? That is way more tough to execute than many would suppose.
Males’s Doubles
- Anticipated lineups – Federico/Will (3-2) v Casey/Dekel (3-3)
- What to look at – By far the 2 least practiced males’s doubles groups remaining within the playoffs as a result of Palm Seaside simply switched Casey in for Dekel and New Jersey solely had one occasion with Federico. Casey and Dekel performed straight up in Dallas and I feel they do that once more. I count on to see a whole lot of pushed thirds and dropped fifths from the Fives since it’s so tough to get to the kitchen line enjoying Diamond and Bar. I feel Howells will get focused within the dink sample with whomever is enjoying the left on the time – they may take a look at his consistency.
Combined Doubles #1
- Anticipated lineups – Anna Leigh/Noe (29-3) v Tina/Dekel (16-10)
- What to look at – Tina and Dekel stored this earlier assembly shut, shedding 11-13 in Orlando simply a few weeks in the past. I may see a whole ISO of Anna Leigh on this one, the place each ball is performed to Noe and see if he can maintain up underneath the stress.
Combined Doubles #2
- Anticipated lineups – Jorja/Fed (5-1) v Sofia/Casey (11-6)
- What to look at – Sofia and Casey beat Jorja and Fed 11-7 of their solely assembly, in a recreation that did not matter. New Jersey had already locked up the match win, having gained 3-0. I feel Casey and Sofia take a look at Jorja’s consistency early after which transfer Federico round. Sofia must be cautious dinking line on Fed as a result of he such an Erne risk – similar with Jorja and Casey.
Tice’s Prediction
The Royals are underdogs in each single lineup on this one, so one or two gamers are actually going to should step up and play above their regular degree for them to have an opportunity. So long as the Fives males can determine a strategy to win one or two video games, the Fives should assume they will win the 2 video games Anna Leigh performs in. Worst case situation for the Fives is a Dreambreaker, the place they’re closely favored. Fives win 2-0, and 6-1 in video games.
#2 St. Louis Shock v #8 Texas Ranchers
Schedule:
- Match #1 – Friday, Aug 14 – 2pm EDT
- Match #2 – Saturday, Aug 15 – 10am EDT
- Match #3 (If mandatory) – Saturday, Aug 15 ~5:30pm EDT
Rosters:
- St. Louis: Anna Shiny, Hayden Patriquin, Kate Fahey, Gabe Tardio, Hunter Johnson, and Angie Walker
- Texas: Eric Oncins, Lea Jansen, Nico Acevedo, Kaitlyn Christian, Rafa Hewett, and Layne Sleeth
Matchup Historical past:
The Shock have gained all three matchups between these groups this yr:
- Might 23 – MLP Dallas – Shock gained 4-0
- June 17 – MLP St. Pete – Shock gained 3-1 (Nico & Eric gained 12-10)
- July 11 – Mid-Season Match – Shock gained 3-0
Harm Considerations: None
Days since Final Match:
- St. Louis Shock: 12 Days
- Texas Ranchers: 5 Days
Sport By Sport Preview:
Ladies’s Doubles
- Anticipated lineups – Kate/Anna (28-4) v Kaitlyn/Lea (5-12)
- What to look at – Kate and Anna have not too long ago been on a tear and I feel they will take a look at Kaitlyn’s consistency in dink patterns. Each Lea and Kaitlyn are good out of the air, so I count on to see some pushed thirds and dropped fifths from St. Louis to assist them get in. Each Lea and KK are going to should play on the prime of their powers to have an opportunity to beat the second finest girls’s crew this yr.
Males’s Doubles
- Anticipated lineups – Gabe/Hayden (28-4) v Nico/Eric (20-8)
- What to look at – Nico and Eric have the one win for the Ranchers over the Shock this yr, 12-10 in St. Pete. Nico’s palms are going to should be on hearth and Oncins goes to have present extra stress than Hayden for the Ranchers to win. I count on the Shock to check the consistency of Nico within the dink patterns.
Combined Doubles #1
- Anticipated lineups – Anna/Hayden (23-7) v Lea/Eric (12-4)
- What to look at – Anna and Hayden have confirmed they’re one of many prime combined doubles pairings, but additionally that they don’t seem to be invincible. They’ve misplaced just a few to Noe and Anna Leigh, to Ben, and to Christian. Lea might want to play persistently and have the ability to go behind Hayden sufficient to maintain him sincere. Anna might want to do the identical factor with Eric, as each guys are very able to taking over 80% of the courtroom.
Combined Doubles #2
- Anticipated lineups – Kate/Gabe (21-4) v Kaitlyn/Nico (9-6)
- What to look at – Kate and Gabe have the third finest combined doubles document on the yr. Nico is a sneaky good athlete that’s able to taking on a lot of the courtroom. This one comes all the way down to consistency in dink patterns between KK and Kate for me. Can KK keep regular underneath the barrage of balls that Kate makes?
Tice’s Prediction
The Ranchers are 0-3 in matches in opposition to the Shock and are 1-10 in video games. Granted, one of many 0-4 losses to the Shock got here in Might when the Ranchers had been a wholly totally different crew, so take that with a grain of salt. The Shock are heavy favorites, however the Ranchers’ guys have the power to play at one other degree. If both Eric or Nico can get scorching, they might look to power a Dreambreaker, the place something can occur and the Ranchers have had much more expertise they usually simply gained two Dreambreakers in Dallas. St. Louis wins 2-0, 3-1 in each matches.
#3 LA Mad Drops v #6 Dallas Flash
Schedule:
- Match #1 – Friday, Aug 14 – 4pm EDT
- Match #2 – Saturday, Aug 15 – 4pm EDT
- Match #3 (If mandatory) – Sunday, Aug 16 – Midday EDT
Rosters:
- Los Angeles: Ben Johns, Catherine Parenteau, Jade Kawamoto, Max Freeman, Connor Garnett, and Samantha Parker
- Dallas: JW Johnson, Danni-Elle Townsend, Augie Ge, Alix Truong, Brooke Buckner, and Ivan Jakovljevic
Matchup Historical past:
The collection this yr is tied up 1-1. The Mad Drops dominated Dallas within the Mid-Season Match (loser’s bracket) and the Flash beat the Mad Drops 3-2 in a Dreambreaker in San Diego.
- June 12 – MLP Mid-Season Match – Mad Drops gained 3-0 within the semis of the comfort bracket
- July 18 – MLP San Diego – Flash gained 3-2
Harm Considerations: None
Days since Final Match:
- LA Mad Drops: 12 Days
- Dallas Flash: 6 Days
Sport By Sport Preview:
Ladies’s Doubles
- Anticipated lineups – Jade/Catherine (19-13) v Alix/Danni (17-12)
- What to look at – This can be a toss up matchup. I feel Jade and Catherine actually take a look at Alix’ left foot a ton – will Danni come over an excessive amount of and get overextended or will she play like 60% of the courtroom? Jade and Catherine haven’t been almost nearly as good this yr as they had been final yr, however they’re nonetheless a formidable duo. I feel Alix exams Jade’s backhand in a cross courtroom dink sample and retains Catherine sincere so she can’t be as massive of an offensive risk.
Males’s Doubles
- Anticipated lineups – Max/Ben (26-6) v Augie/JW (24-10)
- What to look at – One other toss up recreation. The query for me on this one is who makes extra unforced errors – Max or Augie? JW and Ben have been enjoying at such a excessive degree that I feel they may preserve it. Max likes to run round his backhand (like Pablo and Augie), whereas CJ is comfy hitting his twoey backhand dink all day.
Combined Doubles #1
- Anticipated lineups – Jade/Ben (24-7) v Brooke/JW (21-10)
- What to look at – JW Johnson has been getting a ton of credit score for taking part in unbelievably the previous month or so – and it is vitally value mentioning. The Flash are on a 13 match unbeaten streak, thanks in most half to JW Johnson’s play. Nevertheless, Brooke has actually been enjoying at a prime prime degree all through the streak as nicely. Brooke’s steadiness and sneaky offense out of the air permits JW to play a much bigger center than he’s used to on the PPA Tour and their video games have complimented one another, going 11-2 in these 13 matches. Ben and Jade misplaced 1-11 to JW and Brooke in San Diego – not a traditional occurance for Ben Johns.
Combined Doubles #2
- Anticipated lineups – Catherine/Connor (3-2) v Danni/Augie v (17-3)
- What to look at – The second finest combined crew in all of MLP (minimal of 10 video games), in response to successful proportion? Danni Townsend and Augie Ge. Garnett has been introduced in as a combined and singles specialist alongside Catherine Parenteau. That they had 5 matches in Orlando to work out their points as a tune up for the playoffs. Can they pull off an upset in considered one of these video games? I count on each groups to essentially take a look at the center.
Tice’s Prediction
This one is a bit nearer than the earlier two matchups. The Flash simply proved they might beat the Mad Drops in San Diego in a Dreambreaker. The query is, can they do it once more? LA wins 2-1 over the Flash, successful the primary, shedding the second in a Dreambreaker, and successful the third in regulation.
#4 Columbus Sliders v #5 Brooklyn Pickleball Group
Schedule:
- Match #1 – Saturday, Aug 15 ~11:30am EDT
- Match #2 – Sunday, Aug 16 ~1:30pm EDT
- Match #3 (If mandatory) – Sunday, Aug 16 ~5:30pm EDT
Rosters:
- Columbus: Andrei Daescu, Parris Todd, Tyra Black, CJ Klinger, Alex Crum, and Judit Castillo
- Brooklyn: Christian Alshon, Rachel Rohrabacher, Jackie Kawamoto, Riley Newman, Chris Haworth, and Hannah Blatt
Matchup Historical past:
These groups by no means performed one another this yr.
Harm Considerations:
Riley Newman appears to be shut sufficient to 100% together with his knee damage that he’s going to play males’s doubles and combined doubles. Rachel Rohrabacher, however, stated in a publish match interview that she remains to be coping with ache in her foot/ankle from when the videoboard fell on her in MLP New York. She performed girls’s doubles and combined doubles within the first match of the playoffs in opposition to SoCal, however solely performed in combined doubles within the second match.
Days since Final Match:
- Columbus Sliders: 27 Days
- Brooklyn Pickleball Group: 6 Days
Sport By Sport Preview:
Ladies’s Doubles
- Anticipated lineups – Parris/Tyra (14-3) v Hannah/Jackie (6-12)
- What to look at – There is no such thing as a nuance to this one – Parris and Tyra are the heavy favorites and can attempt to bully Hannah. Jackie has been enjoying larger from the left facet with Hannah they usually do have some outcomes. If Hannah can keep constant and produce a little bit of offense, the duty isn’t unattainable for Brooklyn, however impossible.
Males’s Doubles
- Anticipated lineups – CJ/Andrei (22-11) v Riley/Christian (20-3)
- What to look at – A battle of the titans in males’s doubles. CJ and Andrei have not performed collectively in a month and are 7-3 of their final 10. Riley and Christian 9-1 of their final 10. I feel Brooklyn goes to combine up spots and hold each guys guessing the place the dinks are going. Andrei and CJ are going to attempt to grind down Riley and Christian. Brooklyn desires a little bit of a sooner recreation, so count on them to hurry up faster than Columbus.
Combined Doubles #1
- Anticipated lineups – Parris/Andrei (15-6) v Rachel/Christian (18-4)
- What to look at – Rachel’s well being and motion. I do not count on Rachel to play girls’s doubles anymore after her try within the first spherical of the playoffs. Christian is likely one of the few guys within the recreation that may realistically take 80+% of the courtroom and win, so he’ll do this. The query on this one for me is how typically can Parris discover offense behind Christian to possibly make him solely take 60% of the courtroom and power Rachel to play extra?
Combined Doubles #2
- Anticipated lineups – Tyra/CJ (10-4) v Jackie/Riley (12-6)
- What to look at – Two good second combined lineups which might be considerably comparable. Jackie and Riley are 0-2 in opposition to lefty guys (Augie and Danni) this yr. I would not be stunned to see Riley on the best and Jackie on the left to make it extra of a typical combined lineup. Jackie will roll cross courtroom to Tyra, who does not have a twoey roll dink. I feel the reverse stack for Brooklyn helps them on this matchup.
Tice’s Prediction
That is the closest matchup of the weekend on paper, which is sensible based mostly on the seedings. I feel Columbus is closely favored in girls’s, males’s is a toss up, and combined are additionally toss ups. If this one comes all the way down to a Dreambreaker, the Sliders are favored. Crum and Castillo on the bench are key on this matchup. In Dreambreakers, the Sliders are 2-1 this yr and Brooklyn is 3-5. I feel Columbus takes this one in three, successful the third in a Dreambreaker.
