OVERLAND PARK, KS - Sunday at MLP Kansas City was a big day for teams maneuvering for playoff spots. Every team point matters for playoff positions and for the two byes, which are so critical. Who helped themselves and who took a step back?

 

1. Orlando lives! Orlando is as talented as any MLP team. However, they have battled inconsistent play and injuries. In KC, they are at full strength, but is it too late? Orlando needed two wins, and got them both. Orlando defeated top-ranked Dallas 3-1, and then LA 3-1, to net six team points. It is very late to make a playoff push, but Orlando has a chance. They are a balanced team and played like it, with all four players contributing. Can they keep it up?

 

 

2. LA takes a step back. Sitting in 7th place, one spot out of the playoffs, LA was in action twice on Sunday. Unfortunately, LA lost 3-1 to St. Louis, then 3-1 to Orlando. LA’s failure to score a single point is devastating to their playoff hopes. Substituting for Thomas Wilson, Blaine Hovernier had been steady, but Sunday he went 0-4. LA desperately needs Wilson back.

 

3. St. Louis looks for a bye. STL had two Sunday matches, and notched a big five team points. STL defeated LA 3-1, and then Utah 3-2 (21-15 in the Dreambreaker). St. Louis is charging hard for a playoff bye.

 

4. Dallas’ inconsistency continues. The only consistent thing about Dallas is how inconsistent they are. They lost 3-1 to Orlando on Sunday and the failure to score a team point really hurts. Dallas does not have many matches left. They are in a dogfight with Texas and St. Louis for the two playoff byes. The lack of any point out of this match could later prove to be crucial.

 

5. Texas takes care of business. Texas played lowly Columbus and won 3-1. The Texas women continue to power that team, with Tina Pisnik and Etta Wright both going 2-0. Texas netting three points while Dallas got zero is big.

 

 

Monday is the third and last day of MLP KC. Monday will be a big day for DC. They are the only team with two matches, and securing six points would push them a long way toward a playoff spot. Dallas plays Columbus and needs to get three points to get back on track. Texas faces DC, in what will be a great match and a possible playoff preview. You won’t want to miss that match!

 

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