One of the best parts of MLP is getting to witness new or previously lesser-known players shine on one of pro pickleball’s biggest stages. 

The excitement that new faces bring has been on full display so far this season, as competitors from the APP Tour, PPA Tour Australia, and the Junior PPA have delivered some of the most memorable moments and established themselves as the present—or future—of the sport. 

Let’s take a closer look at six of MLP’s newest faces that should be staples of the league for years to come.

• Danni-Elle Townsend - Dallas Flash, Columbus Sliders: There was a lot of pressure on Townsend to perform after being selected third overall by Columbus in the draft, and she rose to the occasion to help the defending champions secure second place, third place, and second place in their first three events. She was forced to play women’s doubles with three different partners at those three events but finished with a respectable 19-12 record. Townsend was a top-tier pro on PPA Australia before making the switch over to the PPA Tour in 2026. With boundless energy and a carefree attitude, Townsend has shown that she can thrive in MLP and will now look to help her new team, the Dallas Flash, turn their season around.
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• Casey Diamond - Palm Beach Royals: A week ago, Diamond wasn’t even on an MLP roster. But after an electrifying debut serving as an on-site alternate at MLP St. Pete—where he made it onto SportsCenter’s Top Ten twice in three days—he finds himself with a full-time roster spot on the Royals. Diamond is also a former APP Tour pro and the set partner of Sofia Sewing in mixed doubles. He has followed in her footsteps, signing recently with both the PPA Tour and MLP. Keep an eye on this guy, entertainment value is high anytime Diamond is on the court.
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• Sahra Dennehy - California Black Bears: One of the top singles players out of Australia, Dennehy has quietly established herself as one of the leaders of a very inexperienced California Black Bears squad. She figures to be the X-factor for this team as they fight to make the postseason.
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• Elsie Hendershot - Chicago Slice, St. Louis Shock: Drafted 29th overall by St. Louis to learn under the likes of Anna Bright and Kate Fahey, this 13-year-old has certainly made the most of her on-court opportunities. In St. Pete, she became the youngest player in league history to record a game win with her 11-0 pickle performance against Miami alongside Hayden Patriquin in what should go down as one of the feel-good moments of the year. Since leaving the PPA Junior Tour behind, Hendershot has proven that she's got the goods. She is set to get additional opportunities to shine since being traded to the Chicago Slice.
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• Nico Acevedo – Texas Ranchers, Miami Pickleball Club: While not a product of any of the aforementioned tours or programs, the Chilean-native Acevedo deserves a mention here. A former high-level college tennis player (particularly in doubles) at FAU, Acevedo went pro in pickleball in 2025. He wasn’t necessarily well-known when Miami drafted him 25th overall, but that changed the moment he stepped onto court to compete in MLP. After some standout wins at his first-ever MLP event in Columbus, Acevedo was acquired by the Ranchers in a blockbuster trade that might go down as one of the most daring “upside” moves in league history. This hyperathletic dynamo’s journey is just getting started.
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With MLP pulling from a larger funnel of players in 2026, there’s no shortage of memorable moments to be had as players from all over the world flock towards the sport’s premier team-based competition.

The campaign continues this week at MLP New York presented by Cleary Gottlieb, with action beginning June 25 at Sportime Randall’s Island.