
Flash down Shock to cap day of lopsided action
Friday at the Vulcan MLP Orlando Playoffs began with the Chicago Slice, New Jersey 5s, and Miami Pickleball Club all sweeping their respective opponents.
It ended with the Dallas Flash doing the same against the St. Louis Shock on Championship Court at the USTA National Campus.
Tyra Black/Jorja Johnson got the ball rolling for Dallas with a 25-21 triumph over the Shock’s Anna Bright/Kate Fahey. That win helped them snap a two-game losing streak against the tandem.
From there, JW Johnson/Augie Ge used a late run to steal a 25-23 victory over Hayden Patriquin/Gabe Tardio in men's doubles.
And finally, Johnson/Johnson outdueled Bright/Patriquin by a 27-25 score line after almost squandering a 17-11 advantage earlier in the game.
Sending out the Johnson siblings—Dallas’ undisputed top mixed doubles pairing—first with the Flash leading 2-0 was a gutsy decision; a loss would have put the pressure on Black/Ge, a wholly capable duo in their own right, to close out the match and avoid a DreamBreaker.
But Jorja welcomed the opportunity to seal the deal for her team.
“I think we’re kind of the anchor for our team in mixed doubles, and so we were just happy to go out and execute the way that we know we can,” she said.
Dallas—along with New Jersey—will look to advance to the Premier level finals with another dominant performance on Saturday, while the Shock and Texas Ranchers will fight to keep their championship hopes alive.
Related articles

Beyond the court: The moments that shaped Anna Leigh Waters' journey to 200 titles
From welcoming Archer into her life to walking the red carpet at the ESPYs, she has accomplished so much at such a young age.
1 day ago
-Victoria Radnothy

Bellamy powers past Haworth for first 2026 title as Waters earns Triple Crown
Roscoe Bellamy earned his second career PPA Tour title in the Windy City. He'll look to replicate this week's success at next week's event in Virginia Beach.
2 days ago
-Pickleball.com Staff

Anna Leigh Waters reflects on 200 PPA Tour titles: ‘It’s been a crazy ride’
66 of Waters' titles, including Sunday morning's, have come next to Ben Johns in mixed doubles.
2 days ago
-Pickleball.com Staff

Order of play for Carvana Championship Sunday at the Veolia Chicago Cup
Hurricane Tyra Black and Catherine Parenteau will take on Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright for women's doubles gold for the second time in two weeks.
2 days ago
-Pickleball.com Staff