Top 3 overall storylines in Austin:

• Will any of the competing Premier teams run the table of a difficult gauntlet of top teams and lasso the most points in the standings?

• Will the home cooking (BBQ!) and crowd inspire the hometown Texas Ranchers to multiple victories?

• With expected high temperatures around 98 degrees, will the heat make teams wilt or will some teams thrive in the sun?

Special Holiday Note:

This event will be played Friday-Monday, with great action all afternoon long on Memorial Day.

Storylines per Premier team participating in Austin:

Dallas Flash (4 wins, 0 losses, 12 standings points): Unscathed in Orlando, can the Flash play flawless pickleball again in Austin and keep their winning streak going?

Miami Pickleball Club (6-5, 16 points): What is this team’s ceiling? Playing 3 semifinalists from last year will be a perfect indicator of where they stand. 

New Jersey 5s (5-1, 13 points): With 2 losses in Orlando as a duo, how much will Anna Leigh Waters and Meghan Dizon improve so New Jersey and its fans are counting to 5 often in Austin?

Orlando Squeeze (9-2, 25 points): With a step up in class of opponent in Austin, can they maintain their impressive start to 2025, or will they get squeezed?

Texas Ranchers (3-1, 9 points): Fresh from making the mixed final at the PPA Slam in Atlanta, can Christian Alshon and Etta Tuionetoa be the difference makers for the Ranchers?

Premier teams not playing in Columbus:

Atlanta Bouncers, Brooklyn Pickleball Team, Carolina Hogs, Chicago Slice, Columbus Sliders, Los Angeles Mad Drops, New York Hustlers, Phoenix Flames, SoCal Hard Eights, St. Louis Shock, Utah Black Diamonds

Challenger teams debut in Austin:

All 6 Challenger teams will start their seasons in Austin – who will leave with the top spot in those standings?

Marquee matchups:

• Saturday, May 24^th at 4:30pm Central: Who wins the Texas duel in the 20 by 44 corral as the Dallas Flash battle the Texas Ranchers? 

• Sunday, May 25^th at 4:30pm Central: A rematch of the 2024 MLP Finals as the New Jersey 5s seek revenge against the Dallas Flash. 

• Monday May 26^th at 1:00pm Central: Can the hosts shove the clowns back into their circus car and send them to New Jersey with a loss as the Texas Ranchers battle the New Jersey 5s? 

Location/times:

• Austin Pickle Ranch – 11000 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, TX 78753 

• Play starts at 2:00pm Central on Friday 5/23, 10:00am Central on Friday 5/24, Saturday 5/25, and Memorial Day Monday 5/26