
Flash on fire: Johnson, Black overcome slow start to stun Waters, Parenteau
After the top seeds fell in the men’s doubles final in North Carolina, so too did the top seeds in the women’s doubles final.
Jorja Johnson/Tyra Black put together a dazzling performance to earn a 1-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 victory over top seeds Anna Leigh Waters/Catherine Parenteau in the second match of the day at Cary Tennis Park.
The Dallas Flash teammates looked to be in major trouble when they got down 1-4 in Game 2 after dropping the first game 1-11, but that was where the trouble ended.
ADVERTISEMENT
They ended that second game on a 10-2 run and went on to comfortably take Games 3 and 4 to secure their first PPA title as a partnership.
Johnson/Black were especially impressive in hands battles at the kitchen line, winning a high percentage of fast-paced exchanges against their opponents.
“AL came out super aggressive, and I knew that’s what we needed to do ourselves: just be aggressive and attack everything we could,” Black said of the performance. “Having Jorja next to me definitely gives me confidence. She has amazing hands, so I know I can just kind of do whatever I want out there.”
This result gives Johnson her first career women’s doubles title on the PPA Tour; for Black, it’s her second women’s doubles gold in three weeks after also winning in Texas with Parris Todd.
Johnson will look to go two for two in the Tar Heel State when she and JW Johnson take on Anna Leigh Waters/Ben Johns for the mixed doubles title later on Sunday.
In the bronze medal match, No. 6 seeds Jackie Kawamoto/Jade Kawamoto defeated No. 4 seeds Lacy Schneemann/Parris Todd by an 11-7, 11-3 score line to secure their first podium finish of 2025.
Related articles

Raleigh Challenger Recap: Stratman, Arnold fall in mixed doubles as Kunimoto nearly Triple Crowns
17-year-old Kiora Kunimoto had quite the performance in the North Carolina capital.
1 hour ago
-Pickleball.com Staff

Bobby Edwards 'super grateful' to support fiancé on pickleball journey
Rachel Rohrabacher’s future husband loves being her biggest cheerleader.
2 hours ago
-Victoria Radnothy

Dave Fleming's storylines for the Florida Dairy Farmers Daytona Beach Open
Anna Leigh Waters is partnering with Jorja Johnson in the Sunshine State this week.
1 day ago
-Dave Fleming

A day in the life: What is it really like to be a PPA pro?
Conversations with Jalina Ingram and Tom Protzek provided valuable insights.
2 days ago
-Jim Kloss