New Jersey Upsets St. Louis to Capture Major League Pickleball Regular-Season Crown in Orlando
New Jersey defeated St. Louis in the Orlando finale of Major League Pickleball, clinching the regular-season championship.
Major League Pickleball concluded its nine-week regular season with a marquee event in Orlando, culminating in a final between New Jersey and St. Louis that aired nationally on FS1. New Jersey secured the championship by winning the mixed-doubles match 15-13 and following with an 11-2 victory in mixed-2, overtaking St. Louis for the top playoff seed. The weekend also delivered highlights such as St. Louis sweeping Phoenix 4-0, Las Vegas upsetting Brooklyn, and a dramatic 25-23 win for Chicago over California featuring 13-year-old Elsie Hendershot.
MVP Anna Leigh Waters posted a perfect 12-0 record, while Ben Johns recorded a 9-1 weekend. Final league standings placed New Jersey first, Los Angeles third, and saw California fall out of playoff contention.
Why it matters
The result determines playoff seeding and highlights the growing popularity of professional pickleball.
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