MLP Orlando Unleashed: Can the Champs Defend? Will Breakups Break Teams?
What's the Score?
The 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) season is set to kick off in Orlando, Florida, with several compelling storylines. The Dallas Flash will begin their championship defence, while the recent "breakups" of prominent pairings like Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau are creating intriguing new team dynamics. Additionally, a scoring change from rally to side out (while the Dreambreaker remains) is anticipated to impact match results. All eyes will be on Orlando to see which teams start strong and how these key narratives unfold.
Hit it deeper!
The MLP Orlando event, running from April 24-27 at the USTA National Campus, marks the beginning of an exciting season. As the defending champions, the Dallas Flash face the pressure of maintaining their dominance. A key question for the Flash is the consistency of Augie “Gladiator” Ge, whose performance has been volatile since the 2024 playoffs. The team relies heavily on the strong performances of JW and Jorja Johnson, who had a combined 65-27 record in 2024, and Hurricane Tyra Black, all of whom have shown golden results on the PPA Tour in 2025.
One of the most anticipated storylines revolves around the teams featuring former partners Anna Leigh Waters and Catherine Parenteau. Waters now plays for the New Jersey 5s, the top-ranked team from the 2024 regular season, who may have even improved in the offseason. Their first matchup against Parenteau's new team, the LA Mad Drops, will be a significant test. The Mad Drops' performance also hinges on Parenteau's mindset following the split and how the Quang Duong/Hunter Johnson partnership fares. Similarly, the dynamic between Anna Bright, Waters' former partner, now on the St. Louis Shock, and Rachel Rohrabacher, Parenteau's former partner, now on the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, adds another layer of intrigue when their teams face each other.
Several teams moving up from the Challenger Level – Atlanta Bouncers, Chicago Slice, Miami, and SoCal – face the challenge of competing in the Premier Level. The Atlanta Bouncers' success may depend on whether Victoria DiMuzio can live up to the hype as a potential top-tier female player. The Chicago Slice underwent a significant roster overhaul due to new UPA signing rules, acquiring four new players, including James Ignatowich, Max Freeman, Vivienne David, and Callie Smith; their ability to gel as a team will be crucial. The Miami Pickleball Club made a notable trade, acquiring Noe Khlif for Eric Oncins, and will rely on the health and performance of Jay Devilliers and the potential of rookie Mya Bui. The SoCal Hard 8s will need to see which of their three gentlemen – Ryan Fu, Blaine Hovenier, or Ivan Jakovljevic – can step up, and if Irina Tereschenko can recapture past heroics.
Returning Premier Level teams also have their own narratives. The rebranded Brooklyn Pickleball Team (formerly D.C. Pickleball Team) will see how Rachel Rohrabacher leads the team, especially in their Sunday showdown against the Shock. The Carolina Hogs (formerly Carolina Pickleball Club) hope to see Ben and Collin Johns reach top form and whether Tammy Emmrich proves a good addition. The Columbus Sliders are banking on their talented roster, including PPA Tour standouts Andrei Daescu and Parris Todd, to translate individual success into MLP victories. The St. Louis Shock, considered by some to be the most talented team on paper, will be under pressure to live up to expectations right from the Orlando event. The Texas Ranchers' chemistry between Christian Alshon and newcomer Eric Oncins will be tested, especially given some tense moments on the PPA Tour. The Utah Black Diamonds need their female pairings of Allyce Jones with either Mehvish Safdar or Genie Erokhina to provide sufficient support to their strong male duo.
A special "Court Crossover" event on Thursday will feature Orlando Magic NBA legends playing pickleball with members of the Orlando Squeeze, adding to the excitement. The scoring change to side out will place a greater emphasis on serving and the first few shots of the rally, potentially leading to different strategic approaches.
The World Pickleball Verdict
MLP Orlando promises to be a captivating start to the 2025 season. The reigning champions face a tough challenge to defend their title, with other teams having strengthened their rosters. The breakup of prominent partnerships injects a significant element of unpredictability and heightened rivalry into key matchups. The success of teams transitioning from the Challenger Level will be closely watched, and the impact of the new scoring rules will become evident as the event unfolds. Orlando will set the tone for the season, revealing which teams have the chemistry, strategy, and performance to contend for the MLP title.