KAYSVILLE, UT - Saturday’s first match at the Vulcan MLP Salt Lake City by Margaritaville featured two teams close to the top of the Premier level standings: the St. Louis Shock and New Jersey 5s.

The Shock—with Anna Bright, Hayden Patriquin, Gabriel Tardio, and Kate Fahey—came into the matchup averaging the second-most standings points per match, trailing only the Dallas Flash.

The 5s—featuring Anna Leigh Waters, Zane Navratil, Mari Humberg, and Will Howells—were fourth in that regard and were just a few weeks removed from their title at the MLP mid-season tournament.

There were no extra points on the line in this contest, but both teams were treating the encounter like it was more than just another regular season match.

That extra intensity was certainly present in the opening women’s doubles match, where Bright and Fahey won a thrilling battle over Waters and Humberg, 30-28.

The Shock’s teenage men’s doubles duo of Patriquin and Tardio kept the momentum on their side, dominating Navratil and Howells 25-14.

Waters and Howells did get New Jersey on the board with an impressive win over Bright and Patriquin in the first mixed doubles game, but Fahey and Tardio closed out the match with a 25-22 victory over Humberg and Navratil.

Both St. Louis and New Jersey will be back in action on Championship Court on Saturday. The Shock will face the Dallas Flash at 5pm MDT, and the 5s will take on the Carolina Pickleball Club at 7pm MDT.