The Shock actually CAN win something?! MLP Cup Champions🏆

The inaugural MLP Cup was a fun throwback to the old MLP format with standalone tournaments, pool play, and an eventual winner. The timing of it did leave some things to be desired, but regardless it was a super fun event, and a super fun event TO WIN!

So it’s no secret that the St. Louis Shock, and me, in particular, want it bad at MLP. This is something I’m proud of, but… after some reflection I was wondering if perhaps myself, the team, and the ownership wanted it too badly, and that is what was preventing us from playing at our peak level in crunch time.

Being detached came more naturally at this event than it did in Central Park simply because we aren’t delusional- we know that this event doesn’t have even close to the weight the playoffs did, but it was still an intentional choice taken by those of us on court. I think of it a lot like trying to keep sand in your hands by squeezing it. If you squeeze it, it will slip through- better to cup it, be gentle, and trust that it will all work out.

I won’t pretend to know the perfect pickleball mentality - sometimes I think being full of rage and carnal energy is optimal for me, and other times I prefer to go into matches with a more detached mentality. I will continue to experiment and will keep you guys posted on my findings😂

I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again. The kid is TALENTED beyond belief. It’s legitimately insane that you could argue he’s the best right-side player (I would pick Gabe right now, but you could argue Hayden), while he is also inarguably a top 5 left-sided player. I honestly would say that at his peak, he is the best on the left in both men’s and mixed. There is no higher ceiling.

Hayden is the embodiment of “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee” and some of the shots he pulled off in mixed this weekend were a JOKE. His footwork is unmatched, his hands are insane, his variety inspiring, and the things he gets to at his size are mind-blowing. Like this net cord, which he probably only got to because of my interpretative dance move.

I kid, obviously they need Anna Leigh, but what they did this week with both AL and Meghan out was so fun (and funny) to watch. You got the sense that other teams felt so much pressure that they just couldn’t show up in a way they normally would. I also felt this sense watching the Bay Area Breakers take on the Junior MLP team.

Major kudos to Mari Humberg and Zoey Weil for showing up and showing out for the 5s. Also, of course, Noe and Will stepped up to the plate big time, playing amazingly in men’s doubles and also both getting crucial wins in mixed and doing super well in their lone dreambreaker against the Drops. After Zoey and Mari beat the Flash women, Will and Zoey even almost beat the Johnsons! We were not too far from potentially facing the 5s in the final. I think this result goes to show just how critical it is to have an ownership group and teammates at your back who are invested and believe in you and put you in the best possible situation to succeed. New Jersey 5s, well done👏🏽🤡

I wrote in my last piece that Ben was going to be a player to watch for me this event. And to his credit, he absolutely showed up! This isn’t something we should be celebrating- a player being a good teammate, unquestionably trying 100%, etc, as it should be the standard, but it was still good to see. He seemed to really enjoy playing with Jade, and I think she has the perfect temperament to play with him and also close to the perfect game (does anyone move the ball around better?)- I bet if Ben had to rank all the women he’d want to play mixed with, Jade would be top 5.

However, despite getting an engaged Ben Johns, the Mad Drops did not make it out of pool play, a rather shocking result considering how the 5s were without both of their top women, AND neither Mari or Zoey is known for being particularly good at singles (shoutout Zoey for her performance against Catherine in the db!). So, what happened?

While this tweet is brutal, it’s true. Unfortunately, Hunter had far from his best showing this weekend- he looked uncomfortable, in his head, and just not himself. I hope he bounces back for Worlds, forgets this event happened, and finds some of that magic he most certainly can.

A highlight of the weekend was undoubtedly watching the PPA Juniors compete in MLP Challenger. They won a lot of matches, and even pushed the Bay Area Breakers to a dreambreaker after losing both gender doubles matches. The Junior team consisted of: Camden Chaffin (14), Tama Shimabukuro (14), Elsie Hendershot (12), and Ella Yeh (15).

The kiddos played with poise, belief, and a super impressive confidence that they belonged there. Their match against Bay Area was electric all the way through, and tons of pros and fans alike ignored the other pro matches going on to watch and cheer on the juniors. They fell short, but their play was inspiring, and I’m looking forward to my first match against one of them- I know they will show up big time!

I have been so flattered by the reception of all of my silly little day-in-the-life videos on Instagram, that I decided I may as well give proper vlogging a try! Check out my first video which follows me throughout PPA Vegas. Please like, comment, subscribe, and share the video if you enjoy it!!! I am definitely still learning how to do this well, so if you have any suggestions or anything in particular you guys want to see more of, please just leave a comment, and I will try to implement it in the future. Love you guys, y’all are the best, and see everyone on Thursday when Worlds gets going!

xoxo, your mlp cup champion & internet bestie, anna ❤