With the conclusion of MLP Daytona Beach, teams have played about half of their matches on the year. Teams are starting to solidify their position, either in the playoff hunt or on the outside looking in. The LA Mad Drops were the big story of Daytona Beach, as they made a nice jump up the standings. Top playoff contenders St. Louis and Texas were also in action, as well as other teams looking to make a move.

 

 

LA entered Daytona Beach in 8th place in the standings. They have been handicapped all year by not having their top lineup available. Daytona Beach was the first MLP event of the year where LA was at full strength, and they were looking to show they are a championship contender. LA made a statement early on day one of the event, handing St. Louis their first loss of the season, 21-12 in a DreamBreaker.

 

LA followed with four more wins, including another DreamBreaker win over playoff contender Texas. LA took down 13 of a possible 15 team points in Daytona, moving them up to fifth place in points per game. LA is not the strongest team in doubles, but is probably the best DreamBreaker team. Having the confidence that you can win any match as long as you can get to 2-2 in doubles is a big mental advantage.

 

 

St. Louis and New Jersey, along with Dallas, remain the top three teams in MLP. With Dallas setting such a torrid pace, it was up to St. Louis and New Jersey to try to keep up. St. Louis started with the disappointing DreamBreaker loss to LA, but then regained their footing, winning their next five matches, all 3-1 or 4-0 to maximize their team points. St. Louis took 16 of a possible 18 points. That would normally be a terrific result, but it lost them ground to Dallas, which went a perfect 18 of 18 at MLP Phoenix. St. Louis does remain in second place, an all important spot for playof positioning.

 

 

Meanwhile, New Jersey started with a DreamBreaker loss to upstart Utah. After that surprising loss, New Jersey reeled off four easy wins. New Jersey netted 13 of a possible 15 points. Again, that is a good result, but it firmly leaves New Jersey in third place. At this point, it is an uphill battle for New Jersey to be able to catch ether Dallas or St. Louis for one of the coveted top two spots in the playoff bracket.

 

 

 

The Texas Ranchers did not look like themselves all weekend. They struggled in every match, even the ones they won. Texas lost tough matches to St. Louis and LA, but added a loss to Carolina, which was Carolina’s first win of the whole season. Texas walked away with 11 points in their six matches. That is good enough to be a solid playoff team, but Texas did not look like a team that will go anywhere in the playoffs.

 

 

Utah played the way they have all year, with four tough players giving 110% every point. Utah is middling in talent, but this team never gives up and is always a threat to pull an upset. They showed it in the very first match, taking down New Jersey in a DreamBreaker. Utah grabbed eight points in their six matches, which was good enough to keep them in ninth place, good enough to earn a playoff spot. Utah is a team that no one will look forward to playing in the playoffs.

 

 

 

Also in Daytona were Chicago, Carolina, New York, and SoCal. Chicago got six points in the event, Carolina five, New York three, and SoCal two. None of them made a move up the standings. At this point, Carolina, New York, and SoCal are pretty much eliminated from the playoff race. Chicago sits in 11th place, one spot out of the playoffs. They still have a chance to move up the standings, so do not count them out.

 

 

San Clemente is next up on the MLP schedule starting June 26. None of the top three teams will be there, so it will be a chance for other playoff contenders to get all important team points. LA, Brooklyn, and Columbus headline the action. Those three teams will play each other and those will be the three matches to watch. These three teams are jockeying for playoff position, and winning a match 3-1 instead of 3-2 can make a big difference in the standings. Other teams in action will be Utah, SoCal, and Phoenix.

 

The action will take place at the beautiful San Clemente Life Time Fitness. If you have not been there before, it is worth going as it is arguably the best venue all year. If you cannot make it in person, every match will be broadcast on Pickleballtv.

 

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