This weekend’s MLP Dallas Quarterfinals will feature two Challenger level playoff matchups, with seeds 3-6 set to clash with spots in the semifinals on the line.

Also on the line—only for the Challenger teams—is the chance to get promoted to the Premier level next season.

This weekend’s matches will be played via a best-of-three series format. Without further ado, let’s go into all the details about each Challenger matchup.

Matchup 1: No. 3 Miami Pickleball Club v. No. 6 Frisco Pandas

Rosters:

• Miami: Noe Khlif, Eric Oncins, Milan Rane, Bobbi Oshiro
• Frisco: Michael Loyd, Stefan Auvergne, Ewa Radzikowska, Tammy Emmrich
•  

Setting the stage

Miami won two out of the three regular season matches against Frisco in regulation. Their final regular season clash last week in South Florida, however, went the way of the Pandas.

That was a huge win for Frisco because it helped them leapfrog the Brooklyn Aces and Bay Area Breakers to steal the sixth and final playoff spot by just a single point.

Frisco won both gender doubles games in their most recent matchup, which were their first gender doubles victories against Miami this year.

The Pandas’ pairings of Radzikowska/Emmrich (who are quietly on a five-match win streak) and Loyd/Auvergne will look carry that momentum back to North Texas this week.

Despite the recent loss in this particular matchup, Miami actually chose to face Frisco in the quarterfinals. They narrowly missed out on a first-round bye, in part because of their defeat last week, so they’ll have an opportunity to earn some revenge.

“Every point truly counts” -@DaughtonWill

Watch this episode of 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗟𝗣 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘀 where Daughton & @DFlemingSpeaks break down this upcoming 2024 MLP Dallas Playoffs 💪 https://t.co/FFCMJXKpR2

— Major League Pickleball (@MajorLeaguePB) October 31, 2024

What to watch for: Miami’s mixed doubles pairings

Miami will usually have Khlif/Oshiro and Oncins/Rane play mixed doubles together, but they have strayed from those pairings at times in the past.

One of those occasions came when they played Frisco in Virginia Beach. Khlif/Rane and Oncins/Oshiro both won their matches en route to a 4-0 victory for Miami.

If Miami drops the opening match against Frisco on Friday (which would mark their second loss in as many weeks to the Pandas), I wouldn’t be surprised to see them switch up their mixed doubles pairings in Game 2 and as they try to right the ship.

My prediction: Miami advances to the semifinals. The Pandas kept them out of earning a top-2 spot last week, and I expect the South Florida squad to come out extra motivated to show that they are deserving of a promotion to Premier.

Matchup 2: No. 4 Atlanta Bouncers v. No. 5 Las Vegas Night Owls

Rosters:

• Atlanta: Jaume Martinez Vich, Todd Fought, Susannah Barr, Emily Cederquist
• Las Vegas: Rafa Hewett, Blaine Hovenier, Zoey Wang, Judit Castillo
•  

Setting the stage:

Las Vegas was one of a few Challenger level teams that didn’t compete last week in Miami, so their postseason hopes were in the hands of their competitors. They finished in fifth place after earning 35 points through 23 matches.

Two of their victories this year have come against Atlanta by way of a DreamBreaker. It’s worth noting, however, that both of those victories came before each team made some roster modifications during the midseason.

Las Vegas replaced its men’s doubles pairing of Anderson Scarpa/Mohaned Alhouni with Hewett/Hovenier, while Atlanta replaced it’s women’s doubles pairing of Genie Erokhina/Angie Walker with Barr/Cederquist.

In the one meeting between the teams since those moves were made, Atlanta took the win by a 3-1 score line. Mixed doubles was the key there, as the pairings of Martinez Vich/Barr and Fought/Cederquist picked up wins to get the job done in regulation.

Martinez Vich and Barr have proven to one of the best mixed doubles pairings in Challenger, as they boast an impressive 11-0 record together this season.

Atlanta will again look to rely on mixed doubles against Las Vegas on Friday.

What to watch for: Las Vegas’ dominance in DreamBreakers

The Night Owls have the most DreamBreaker victories of any team in Major League Pickleball this year with nine, to go along with only two losses.

Atlanta, on the other hand, has been one of the weaker squads in the singles department, finishing with a 5-8 record.

They have been better in those contests recently since adding Barr and Cederquist, but the DreamBreaker advantage still belongs on the side of Las Vegas in this series.

The Night Owls should feel very confident if they can push it to that point.

My prediction: Atlanta advances to the semifinals in three games. I wouldn’t be surprised if Las Vegas takes one in a DreamBreaker, but I think Atlanta’s mixed doubles pairings will carry the Bouncers to the semifinals, and a promotion to Premier.

Play starts at noon CST on Pickleballtv.