Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters have both earned profiles in The Washington Post in recent years.

Now, 13-year-old Elsie Hendershot joined that exclusive group—a rare milestone in professional pickleball, where full-length features in major national newspapers don't come around often.

Hendershot quickly established herself as a notable figure in PPA Tour and Major League Pickleball circles, with the media attention fittingly following her rapid progress.

"She is part of pickleball’s next wave and has become a household name to the small but growing number of fans who follow the pro game," wrote Mark Selig, The Post's sports assignment editor, in a story published on Sept. 20. "Chasing the pro circuit and potential stardom, however grueling it may be, is what she feels she was called to do."

Based on her performance to date, it appears she made the right call.

Hendershot is carving her own path with a confident demeanor that reflects a maturity well beyond her years.

"It’s natural, if unfair, to wonder whether Elsie could be the next "Anna Leigh." Elsie watches film of Waters but isn’t starstruck playing her. Asked if she idolizes Waters, Elsie goes, "Ummmmm … no," wrote Selig. "I mean, yeah, maybe I look up to her — like, she’s the No. 1 and obviously worked super hard to get there. So I think that’s really cool. But when I was in juniors and stuff, I never wanted any pro signatures or anything. Because I want to get to this level as soon as I can."

Waters, of course, will be tough to catch in the PPA Tour title race with 198 to her name and counting, but Hendershot is turning heads among her veteran peers, who believe she has the potential to make serious noise in her pursuit of becoming one of the best in the game.

Selig spoke with Waters’ women’s doubles partner, Anna Bright, about the young standout.

"There are not many women who I think could get better than me," praised Bright. "Getting better than Anna Leigh is kind of a different question. But I think Elsie will be better than me. She should be better than me."

Talk about a bold statement.

It’s a clear signal that Hendershot’s competitors recognize she has unique skills and an exceptionally bright future ahead... with a little guidance from Chicago Slice (MLP) teammate Zane Navratil along the way paying immediate dividends.

"Watching his pointers quickly become winning moves on the court, Navratil has witnessed up close what people across the sport see in Elsie," explained Selig. "An obsessive hunger for coaching, and an unnatural ability to absorb instructions."

"If she’s got a weakness yesterday," said Navratil, "it’s gone today."

On top of that, her resilience is particularly impressive.

Selig highlights Hendershot's memorable DreamBreaker performance against the California Black Bears in August that helped keep the Slice in the postseason hunt at MLP Orlando.

"Elsie struggled through two rotations," he wrote. "On the sideline, after being swept for four straight points, she cried."

"The criers are a little more dangerous," said Bright, "because they want it so bad."

"Minutes later, having suppressed her tears," penned Selig, "Elsie turned to Navratil and asked how long until it was her turn."

Navratil confirmed it was Hendershot’s opportunity to shine, and she re-entered the DreamBreaker with the score tied at 22.

And the rest is history.

"She lost the first point. One more mistake and the Slice was done. Then Elsie scored to tie it. She scored again to take the lead," explained Selig. "A serve and two vicious backhands later, Elsie lifted the Slice to victory in front of 2,500 screaming fans. More tears. The best kind."

Delivering in the clutch like that didn’t come as a surprise to Hendershot’s father, Kade.

He travels with her everywhere, giving him a firsthand view of exactly what she’s capable of on the court.

“Her mental capacity is just different,” he emphasized. “She has some psycho.”

Click here to read Mark Selig's full story online.