After finding success on the Junior PPA Tour, Elsie Hendershot signed with the PPA Tour last year. Then, in the 2026 MLP Draft, she was selected by one of the league’s top teams, the St. Louis Shock.

With the MLP season approaching, Hendershot is thrilled to take the next step in her pickleball career.

“I was so excited to get drafted by the Shock. I didn’t expect it. I didn’t think I was going to get drafted because I felt like I’m so young. I was ready to just take the next three years to grow and get better,” she explained. “But then I was in the car on my way to go drill and my uncle pulled over and said, ‘You got drafted!’ Then, I just started screaming.”

The St. Louis Shock are widely considered one of the top teams in MLP, boasting a talented roster that includes Anna Bright, Hayden Patriquin, Gabe Tardio, Kate Fahey, and John Lucian Goins. Joining such a stacked lineup gives Hendershot the chance to learn from some of the sport’s top athletes.

IHendershot is especially eager to work alongside Bright, the Shock’s captain and the No. 2 player in women’s doubles and mixed doubles respectively.

“I love Anna Bright so much. She’s always been so nice to me,” mentioned Hendershot. “She actually commentated my match when I won gold in junior singles and she was so sweet.”

Bright, meanwhile, is delighted to help shape Hendershot's game. 

“I’m so excited to have Elsie on the Shock. As soon as I found out she was still available, I was shocked because I really wanted my team to grab her. I think she has a lot of potential and she has such a fiery attitude. She’s so young, but she has no fear at all,” praised Bright. “I’ve watched her play and I’m always super impressed. She and I actually played against each other in the first round at the Masters and I loved how fearless she was out there. She’s been on my radar for a while.” 

Bright can't say enough good things about the way Hendershot goes about her business on the court.

“Of course she has the skill set, but I think her mentality is what will make her very good. She’s also super athletic,” noted Bright. “Not a lot of lefties play a bigger right side, but she does. She’s learning to do that, and I’m really interested to see how her game is going to develop.”

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to play and not just be on the bench, but it’s going to be great to mature and grow my game more,” concluded Hendershot. “I’m so excited for the season.”

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