Alix Truong and Callie Smith celebrate a point.
Alix Truong and Callie Smith competing for the Utah Black Diamonds at the MLP mid-season tournament. Major League Pickleball

Utah beats Arizona for first win of season

KAYSVILLE, UT - The Utah Black Diamonds took down the AZ Drive 3-1 on Friday afternoon to earn their first win of the season.

Andrei Daescu and Dylan Frazier took the opening men’s doubles point for the Drive, but it was all Utah from there.

Callie Smith and Alix Truong—both Utah residents—overcame an early deficit to win the women’s doubles game for their first victory as a partnership.

Smith and Tyler Loong then eased past Lacy Schneemann and Daescu to put the Black Diamonds one game away from their first victory.

Connor Garnett—who Utah acquired earlier this week in a trade with the Columbus Sliders—and Truong sealed the deal in front of the Utah crowd to secure the regulation win and earn three standings points.

 

“The feeling of winning is always amazing, and to do it at home makes it even better,” Truong said of the victory. “I’m really excited to be out here playing, and I’m looking forward to a good rest of the weekend.”

Garnett is happy to be making an impact in his first match as a Black Diamond.

“Anytime you get traded, you go in with something to prove,” he shared. “I’m stoked to be out here with a great team with great energy and to be able to do my part in a team win.”

Utah will next face the Los Angeles Mad Drops Friday evening, while Arizona’s next match will be on Saturday against Columbus.