
Hard Eights outlast Black Bears in DreamBreaker for tenth consecutive victory
OVERLAND PARK, KS - The SoCal Hard Eights—featuring Erik Lange, Irina Tereschenko, Max Manthou, and Yana Newell—are on a roll.
With their DreamBreaker victory over the California Black Bears Monday afternoon, the Hard Eights secured their tenth consecutive victory.
It’s a streak that began in July at the mid-season tournament, where they won their final three matches to earn third place. Couple that with three wins in Salt Lake City and now another four in Kansas City, and you’ve got quite the run.
In Monday’s match, Lange was the X-factor. He won both of his games to help SoCal force a DreamBreaker.
Once the deciding contest began, it was Manthou who shined. He set the tone early with a 4-0 rotation against Rafa Hewett to give SoCal a lead it wouldn’t lose.
Lange, who won a title in 2023 with the Chicago Slice, says that the Hard Eights’ chemistry has been the biggest contributor to their success.
“Really, it’s about the team picking each other up at different moments,” he shared. “I feel like our chemistry is unmatched. We’re here for each other. We’re staying at the same house and know each other’s daily routines. It just feels like a family, and I think that’s helping us on court.”
Now in sole position of first place in the challenger level standings, SoCal has a bit of a break before taking the court again. The Hard Eights won’t be back in action until MLP Virginia Beach, set to run Sept. 26-29.
Related articles
_MBHanoiCup2026_Day5_WSFinal_049.jpg?width=592&height=237&optimizer=image)
PPA Vietnam Day 4 Recap: Christian captures women’s singles title with massive comeback as Ly triumphs on home soil
Kaitlyn Christian pulled off a stunning comeback victory to secure her third international singles title on the PPA Tour.
12 hours ago
-Will Daughton
KaitlynChristian(USA)_MBHanoiCup2026_Day4_XD_031.jpg?width=592&height=237&optimizer=image)
PPA Vietnam Day 3 Recap: Truong, Ly set all-Vietnamese final in men’s singles as Christian, Alshon surge into mixed doubles fina
Kaitlyn Christian and Christian Alshon will face Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns on Championship Sunday for the mixed doubles title in the Vietnam capital.
1 day ago
-Will Daughton

Everything you missed in pickleball pop culture in March 2026
From new tattoos to a new World No. 1, it was a busy month.
2 days ago
-Victoria Radnothy
_MBHanoiCup2026_Day3_MS_001.jpg?width=592&height=237&optimizer=image)
PPA Vietnam Day 2 Recap: Staksrud outduels Wong in three-game epic as Waters, Bright pushed in women’s doubles
Federico Staksrud advanced to the men's singles semifinals with a three-game victory over Hong kit "Jack" Wong on a day that was filled with tight matches.
2 days ago
-Will Daughton