Texas Ranchers Dominate Orlando Squeeze in Front of Home Crowd at MLP Austin
The Texas Ranchers brought the energy and execution to MLP Austin on Friday afternoon, delivering a powerful 4-0 sweep over the previously red-hot Orlando Squeeze. With hometown fans cheering at the Austin Pickle Ranch, the Ranchers (4-1, 12 points) showcased their depth and determination against a Squeeze squad that came in with an impressive 9-3 record and 25 points.
It was the lone Premier Level match of the day, but Texas made sure it left a lasting impression.
Strong Start in Women’s Doubles
The day began with a tightly contested women’s doubles matchup. Tina Pisnik and Etta Tuionetoa edged out Lacy Schneemann and Samantha Parker 11-9 to give the Ranchers an early lead. Pisnik acknowledged a shaky start but credited a few key defensive plays for shifting the momentum.
“I had a few good defensive shots at the end of the game,” Pisnik said. “Those few points where I was able to keep us in the point turned the match around and set the tone for the rest of the match.”
Oncins and Alshon Make a Statement
Men’s doubles was next, and Texas fans were treated to a dominant performance by Eric Oncins and Christian Alshon. The duo overwhelmed Federico Staksrud and Dylan Frazier with a commanding 11-2 win, extending the Ranchers’ lead to 2-0.
Oncins, acquired in March from the Miami Pickleball Club, is quickly proving to be a valuable asset.
“I couldn’t be happier to be here with my teammates,” said Oncins. “We executed the game plan, and I felt like I played my shots with confidence.”
Clinching Victory in Mixed Doubles
With momentum firmly on their side, Oncins and Pisnik returned for mixed doubles and made quick work of Staksrud and Schneemann, securing the overall match victory with an 11-4 win. Oncins heaped praise on his partner.
“I can’t even call her a player, it’s like a wall,” he said, smiling. “She’s making every ball.”
Pisnik, always focused on the bigger picture, emphasized the importance of staying present.
“We go one match at a time, one practice at a time, one lunch at a time,” she said. “We have to stay in the moment and execute.”
Final Touch: Mixed Doubles Sweep
The day was capped off with another impressive mixed doubles performance. Christian Alshon and Etta Tuionetoa defeated Dylan Frazier and Samantha Parker 11-6, completing the clean sweep for the Ranchers.
Match Summary – Texas Ranchers vs. Orlando Squeeze
- WD: Pisnik/Tuionetoa def. Schneemann/Parker 11-9
- MD: Oncins/Alshon def. Staksrud/Frazier 11-2
- MXD: Oncins/Pisnik def. Staksrud/Schneemann 11-4
- MXD: Alshon/Tuionetoa def. Frazier/Parker 11-6
With eyes now set on Saturday’s showdown against their in-state rivals, the Dallas Flash, the Ranchers will look to maintain their momentum. That high-stakes clash is set for 4:30 PM CT on Pickleballtv.
Stay tuned for more updates and behind-the-scenes action from MLP Austin!
