The New Jersey 5s have secured a spot in the Premier finals of the MLP Mid-Season Tournament after a convincing 3-1 victory over the Dallas Flash on Saturday afternoon.
The team, consisting of Anna Leigh Waters, Zane Navratil, Mari Humberg, and Will Howells, had previously won all their matches this season via a DreamBreaker. However, they didn’t need one in the semifinals.
The Dallas Flash started strong, with JW Johnson and Augie Ge winning the men’s doubles 25-15 against Navratil and Howells.
The pressure then shifted to Waters and Humberg, who needed to win the women’s doubles to prevent falling behind 0-2. They rose to the challenge, defeating Jorja Johnson and Tyra Black 25-18 to even the match.
Humberg Shines as New Jersey 5s Take Down Dallas Flash
Mari Humberg stole the show with her impressive backhand slice dink, setting up attacks for Anna Leigh Waters and helping the New Jersey 5s secure a thrilling 3-1 win over the Dallas Flash.
Humberg’s momentum carried over into the mixed doubles, where she and Zane Navratil edged out the Johnson siblings 30-28 in a nail-biting contest. The Johnsons staged a remarkable comeback from 16-24 down, but the New Jersey duo held on for the win.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Humberg and Navratil, who had previously struggled in their MLP mixed doubles partnership with four consecutive losses. This win will undoubtedly boost their confidence and their partnership as a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
“We went in with the mentality of having nothing to lose, and we just tried to stay loose and play our game,” Humberg explained. “We all really trust each other. We’ve grown to be friends all around, and it’s definitely easier to play with someone you trust.”
New Jersey general manager Ryan Harwood credits his team’s positivity for its success so far this season. “What’s special about this group is that everyone is so positive,” he shared. “They cheer each other on, and they never get down on each other.” The 5s will face the D.C. Pickleball Team in the final, while Dallas moves to the consolation bracket.
