MLP Dallas Playoffs Day 3 Complete Highlights

Humberg and Irvin did win 11-8 when these teams faced off on Friday. Irvin and Humberg 13-5, just 5-11 on the side of Christian and Jansen. That's shocking. It is. That is really shocking. I would have thought they had similar records. Wow, that's crazy. Humberg and Irvin, winners of their last three contests. Not sure why Mari decided to change direction off of that drop. Go with the inside-out angle off of that. And just long from Humberg. Huge forehand from Humberg. And that will bring us to the end switch. Jesse Irvin and Mari Humberg, a slight advantage. Wow, that's crazy. The Humbergler is in your home and she's stealing your balls. Ranchers need a run here. What a fight there from Texas. And Kaitlin Christian lets them hear it. And it is game point 10-5. Another chance to close it out for Atlanta. And that stays in Mari Humberg masterclass there at women's doubles. Bouncers take it 11-5. Greg, final thoughts. I mean, the Humbergler came up clutch. They can also lose to some average teams. We'll see how it goes today. No way, dude. Wow. 11-7, their win on Friday over this Texas duo. KTP defenses. Defense-to-offense clinic. Courtesy of the team from Austin. Two practice games. Actually four, so I have a little insight. What did you learn yesterday, Greg? I'll tell you what. The one thing that was on display right there is you just cannot speed up against these guys. Especially Nico, actually. His hands are so fast and strong. And Eric. Cannot speed up on borderline balls. That one I thought a decent speed up. But you have to be smart against them. Don't give them anything. They love the ball like that. The ball like that. Will, that's exactly what I'm talking about. Wow. No one is home. And you heard Martinez-Vic say, oh my God. That's an appropriate reaction, I think. What a spot for Jaume. I'm a little surprised we haven't seen more returns to Nico. To be honest. Oh, the cover from Martinez-Vic. But it's not enough. 4-5-1. DeVilliers was midway through the celebration. But it will not stand. Call for the footfall. Oh, great move by him. 7-4-1. And Acevedo. Really excelled in that role. As the season's gone on. And the 1-2 combo from Acevedo. 5-9-2. No. Oh, Acevedo. Loving that line off the bounce. 10-5-2. I can't believe it nearly jumped into. 10-5-2. Wow. And finds the charm for the Texas Rancers. Eric Gonsins and Nico Acevedo avenge their previous two losses against Jay DeVilliers and Jaume Martinez-Vic. As Mari Humberg will serve to kick off game three. Oh, Jansen firing the backhand up early. Great hands by Lea. As we look at the records for these teams, perfect 8-8-500 for Atlanta. 11-4 for Jansen and Gonsins. 0-0-1. Eric Gonsins began the season playing with Lane Sleeth. Who's out with an injury. Oh. Second serve. Not quite able to get. Is there. You love the hustle and the grind from Jansen to get back into that rally and get to neutral. Oh. A little tweener. The entertainment value sky high. Hate to see it end with a missed dink, but the tweener into the ATP defense. And you mentioned not even looking to go behind Gonsins. Some frustration mounting for Martinez-Vic. Too much Atlanta. That final angle from Humberg, the difference maker there. To keep any comeback hopes alive. And that stays in from Humberg. Lea Jansen. Exquisite Ernie. Gets the serve back to Texas. Lea does it perfectly. And Gonsins is everywhere. 11-4 for Lea Jansen and Eric Gonsins here in mixed doubles game number one. Heavily targeted here. Has been up to the task thus far. Bit of a stare down from Christian as well. 2-2-1. Acevedo is there with the Ernie cover and look at the celebration. Great hands by Nikko. Yeah, he's fired up over there with great lead. And that's two missed drives by Nikko. One in the net and one long. That's it. That's it right there. That really is the recipe. 70% of points in the kitchen. It's not getting in well enough. Case in point right there. But nothing doing for Texas. And that's really the first big sign of emotion we've seen from DeVilliers. Jesse Ervin starting to fire there. Nikko attacking her in the midcourt. Very nice play. Bouncers finding their best in crunch time as we get a timeout on the side of the Texas Rancers. It's harder on the court but you just don't need that. Maybe got away with one a little bit there but still a ball that's popped up by Christian. Wow. Jesse Ervin takes control and lets out a roar. It's game point. A couple midcourt attacks from Jesse have been a big difference maker in this one. That's 2-1 Acevedo. Thirds getting in, staying solid. What a game. Dream breaker, baby. Come on, Will. So Jay and Jaume are going to have to come up with a couple 3-1's here. You feel like... Jay DeVilliers will serve to kick off this dream breaker. And it's interesting, the lineups for these teams, the exact same. The same matchups. The order is a little bit different for the women. We're going to have Lea Jansen and Mari Humberg out first. They were second when we get to that part of the lineup. Acevedo on the run but it's not enough. And already a better start for Atlanta than what we saw on Friday. Acevedo went 4-0 against DeVilliers in the opening rotation. When these teams faced off two days ago. Oh, he missed it. Oh, and Texas wants a challenge. Eric Onsen went onto the court from the bench to demand a challenge. Everyone's saying it's in from the rancher's bench. And so this is fascinating just because of how early it is in the dream breaker, Greg. Because if you're not familiar with the rules, players from each team, they play four-point rotations of singles. It's rally scoring, so every single point, miss-serve, miss-return, it all ends up on the scoreboard. We go to 21. So at 2-1, using your challenge, I get you're confident if you're Texas, but still a risk. Definitely a risk. You'd think, you know, fortunately they're on that baseline. From what I saw, everyone was saying that was in, and pretty adamantly so. I don't know, we'll see. Interested to see this one, and of course, we mentioned the dream breaker on Friday. Three matches, three dream breakers between these teams. How about that graph? Here's the call. I was way in. Ah. Atlanta, you lose your timeout, you have none remaining. Texas, one timeout remaining. Out-call overturned by Al-Ai. Serve back to Acevedo, 2-1 advantage for Texas. I'm at 2-1. DeVilliers salvages a 2-2 opening rotation as Xaume Martinez-Vick and Eric Onsens enter the fold. Xaume Martinez-Vick, a decorated singles player on the Carvana PPA Tour. Oh, oh. That's so nasty. The pace, virtually non-existent, but the placement, top notch. Think about how well that has to be placed to get it by Onsens going that slow. And this is Xaume Martinez-Vick at his best, cat and mouse clutch from the Spaniard. 4-2. Looking at a potential 4-0 rotation for Atlanta. 5-2. And Onsens showing the lateral movement, the coverage at the kitchen line. But still goes 1-3 as Lea Jansen and Mari Humberg enter the fold. It is so funny. Lea entered the wrong side of the court. Glad we got that figured out. Lea Jansen, one of the most decorated women's singles players of all time on the Carvana PPA Tour. For the Atlanta women, just trying to keep this 2-2 would be a huge win, honestly. Two missed returns, that is not going to help. And we may get a challenge of that one. I don't know why they're challenging this. Well, we will take another look regardless. Honestly, I have to agree with you here. Because it looked like it was in a very similar spot to the missed return at the point prior. And Atlanta Vets is telling Mari, do not challenge this. Because it was definitely out. I think it was DeVille who issued the challenge. He was speaking with our referee beforehand. Right after that rally. I don't know, we don't have the best angle here. To me, that was an inch out. Like a full inch out, but we'll see. Maybe I'm wrong. After this rotation, it will go out to the fourth rotation. That will be Kylie O'Leary and Kaitlyn Christian. And then we will return to the top of the order. Already in this postseason, we have had some of the most memorable dream breakers of this entire 2026 campaign. Yesterday, Brooklyn and SoCal. Insanity throughout that whole one. Here's the call on the court. That one confirmed to be out by Owl A.I. As we heard our referee mention, Atlanta issued a blue card. If they have another missed call or they misuse a challenge, there will be a point penalty in favor of Texas. Big shot by Mari there. Able to take all the pace off of that approach and get it down. And she salvages a 2-2. You said that was so crucial. And even if the Atlanta bench didn't think that ball was actually in on that challenge, and kind of using it as a timeout, taking a risk, it worked regardless. Because that was a big two points for Humber. On the court now, Kylie O'Leary and Kaitlyn Christian. Someone who's had some nice titles on the PPA Challenger Series in singles. Also made the quarterfinals of the Sacramento Open earlier this season. Certainly a tough task taking on the number three ranked women's singles player on the Carvana PPA Tour in Kaitlyn Christian. Kaitlyn is tough for any lady out there. Two shot pass from Christian, and it's tied at seven. But not a bad approach shot by Kelly there. It's too good for Kaitlyn. Can she get one here? Kaitlyn Christian finding her best form against her former team. And missed return 4-0 for Kaitlyn Christian. Brings us back to the top of the order. Jay DeVilliers and Nico Acevedo split their opening contest 2-2. Three straight forehands ends with a winner. It feels like the first volley from DeVilliers just kind of set him up for failure. A little bit of a missed hit. Nico had a lot of options in that forehand. Surprised he missed it. Teams will switch sides once one gets to 11. Oh, it's in. Somehow stays inside the baseline. Janies at least gets 2-2. That's a devastating 3-1 there for Nico if you're a bouncer fan. 12-8 as Martinez-Vick and Onsens return. 3-1 in favor of Martinez-Vick in their first one. Was that in? I think just inside. Oh no. Eric Onsens is everywhere. Everything going the way of Texas. In the middle stages of this dream breaker. 13-8. And that's just way too good. Martinez-Vick unable to get into the kitchen line. Such a big serve from Onsens makes it tough to attack. Huge serve and masterful volley there. 14-8. How this response. There's just not much Xiaomei can do with these shots. And Eric Onsens, not necessarily known for his singles, but he's beaten guys like Chris Hayworth on the Carvana PPA Tour. We know what he can do when he's hot. And he's hot right now. Case in point with a 4-0 rotation. Texas gets the double up as Lea Jansen and Mari Humberg come back out. The light dimming for the bouncers on their season. 16-8. Third missed return we've seen from Humberg in this dream breaker. 17-8. The Humbergler doing all she can right now to stay alive. It's not enough. It's been 7, excuse me, 8 points in a row for Texas since it was 10-8. Of course the moment I say that, come on Greg. Classic. 9-18. Two points away now for Texas as Kaitlyn Christian and Kylie O'Leary come out. You need something special here from O'Leary, season on the line. Or else Kaitlyn Christian's going to close this out against her former squad. Oh, something special. The opposite of the commentator's curse there. 10-19. Huge backhand from O'Leary. Never say never. 11-19. Oh no. Overcooks the backhand. And it is game, match, and series point on the paddle of Kaitlyn Christian for Texas. 11-11. Will seal. Kaitlyn Christian, it had to be her against her former team. 11-11. The Texas Ranchers take it 2-0 against the Atlanta Bouncers. Two matches this weekend. Two Dream Breaker wins. And they are moving on to the quarterfinals. It took the entire team. It takes a village. And that is on full display here from this Rancher squad. Greg. Yeah Will, what a way to start our day. Great match. Incredibly entertaining games all the way through. Two very even teams. But the ladies singles players, the Ranchers, are the difference. I was talking with your coach, Caleb Gerrard, earlier this morning. And he talked about the energy that you bring to this team. Just how important is that energy in a match like this where the margins are so slim? And how important is it in MLP, this atmosphere? I mean, first of all, I want to say thank you to the crowd. They were amazing here with us. So, big round of applause for you guys. But yeah, I mean, once you're competing as a team, one game to 11, I think every point matters. So, if you're energy up the entire time, you've got to keep it up the entire time. And if you don't, like one or two points really matters. So, we're here as a team. So, if I'm a little bit low, I have my teammates to bring me up. And if I see them a little bit low, I bring them up. So, we work as a team. Kaitlin, great playing out there. You were a former member of the Atlanta Bouncers this season. Was there any extra motivation coming into this one to beat your former team? Yes, I think there was definitely a little motivation. I think that you saw me roar a little bit yesterday. I really, really wanted to get that victory. I know that Atlanta is a very dangerous team. But we really rallied together. Our men really picked us up today. And I think that energy is the key word for this team. So, as long as we have high energy and we're all working together, I think that we're a tough team to beat. The energy fully on display there from you two. And Eric, saw your dad on the bench on Friday and today as well. How much does it mean to you to have him on your bench in these big moments in the playoffs? I mean, it's amazing. My dad knows me the most, and I think he has a lot of experience, especially with Dave's Cup. He has many, many years of experience playing Dave's Cup. And I, as his coach, I think 10 years being the Dave's Cup captain for Brazil. So, he really understands how a team works, how the energy, and how to coach us. So, I think it's a great addition. Of course, I love having my dad next to me. Yeah, super pumped. Hopefully, he comes to California with us. Well, even if he doesn't, we will see you guys in California next week. Eric Onsens, Kaitlyn Christian, the Texas Ranchers moving on to the quarterfinals. Congratulations, guys. Yeah, and I think right away what we're going to see is a lot of balls funneled through Hannah from the SoCal HeartAids. And just test her nerves and see what level she brings today. Great start for Hannah. Wow, nice get, Kaitlyn. That's in there. Nice, smart angle from the youngster. Beautiful counter. So, three early and then the door's been slammed shut since then. And that ball shouldn't go that direction anyway. Next time, Brooklyn, they're going to have to think about where she's going to pull. It's an athletic play from Hannah Blatt. And Kaitlyn Campbell says, I really don't care. What a smart read of the play by the youngster right there. The GM, he's watching as well. L.A. gets the third pick, so they'll only have a chance to pick between two teams. And now the avalanche on to Brooklyn is significant. Nine of the last ten points here. Brooklyn just fending for their lives here. Just deep. And also, interesting court positioning from Megan Dizon. Kind of from the right side, coming over the middle and taking it with a forehand, too. I kind of like it, though. From the right side, more people are being aggressive with that forehand off the bounce. And it's a confident player. Game point. And what a way to finish it right there. Eleven of the last twelve. Go to the hard eight, ladies. No Rohrabacher. No problem for SoCal. Rafa Leonard gets us started. Let's play pickleball. Ryguy with the early lob. And right away, I think Rafa Leonard thought Will was going to go take that with an overhead. Got a little dicey on Will's try to let that bounce. I was like, I don't think this is going to bounce as high as you think it is. And I had fear of a bad drop shot dancing in my head, too. You and me both. Rafa tried to pull it through the middle. Had a good look at the next one, but that is a white wall. Yeah. 4-1-1. Nice revenge rally for McKinnon right there. Both yesterday and today, and there's no reason when you've seen his drive from singles. I also see it tied at four here. That ball's deep. And SoCal has the lead. There's a lot of things he could have done with that ball. That was not the option he wanted. Riley in a hurry. Rafa said there's no way that can stay in, but he didn't hit it well. In fact, he had a backspin. That's the outcome of a match. No, not when they're 19-3 on the season. Can't reach it. Did not completely cross that imaginary line. So play on. Oh. Isn't this fun? Tweener. Can't get it, Riley. If you're going to hit a tweener, you have to make it. Oh, yeah. Vantage. You don't want that. One of the longest dink rallies of the day. Carvin from Riley. Oh, dear. What a recovery. In there, but that's another one. Alshon just sort of played back into the court. However... It worked. It worked, and we're at game point to tie this at one. No, I think Christian is seeing, when he goes for that off-pace one, SoCal's getting a little jumpy, so I think he's trying to just keep them on their toes. And that'll do it. 11-2 yesterday. 11-5 today. Alshon wants you on your feet. Blast Mob not playing today. Maybe they're taking encouragement, and who knows what else. Throw some gear in the crowd, Brooklyn. With a chance to advance, if they can win a couple mixed matches. Megan Design gets us started. Let's play pickleball. And it's Rachel that sends the first one. Hopefully he starts that pattern sooner today. He had the perfect read, just couldn't finish the deal. There's a good look at Rafa. Going for an aggressive roll across. Just keeps the opponent on their toes. I'm not sure that serve was in. But we're playing it in. And beautiful put away there. That first send goes in the net, and then Rachel and Christian look fantastic here. And you can get stunned and memorized on the bench. Stone's coming over, he's going to get that time out. Thanks for the drop shots yesterday, Tal. Oh, that is nasty from Rohrabacher. Their partners certainly did. That's pretty. That's what you were asking for yesterday, is take even more court. What a great sponsor, great club. Up on Long Island in the city. And the boys stare each other down. Alshon gets the last winner. And after losing the first point, that's 11 in a row. And that is one dangerous mixed doubles team. So here we go. Let's play pickleball, must win for SoCal. Wow. Keeps finding angle, and Riley keeps tracking it down. Oh, fakes the drop shot. That was nasty from McKinnon. To be able to believe that you can win this match again. Riley stares at the line, plays on. Another Jackie Kawamoto dime, but what a get from Kaylin. She doubles down with two dimes here, one over each player. It's right there. Are you kidding me? I mean, that's just crazy impressive. Two really hard lob retrievals from SoCal, that were pretty much unattackable. Firing down Riley's line. Beautiful job from Riley jumping in. And this is the way yesterday started. And McKinnon. Oh, oh. Lefty save. Oh, hello Newman. What a move, and sneaks in and shuts down the middle and curls it back. If it really was wide. Oh, perfect move and goes for too much. Three points from the quarterfinals at Brooklyn. So good from Jackie. I mean, just great deception out of there from Jackie. Put the ball away. That's spectacular. I mean, that lob, when she hit it, I was almost like, what is she doing? But that was perfect center corner pocket. I'm like, that's, wow. 10-6 yesterday, and then comeback started. From Riley to jump in there. A little bit too up and down. Oh, no. Jackie pops it up, and here we go. Match point. Go to the quarterfinals if Brooklyn gets this one. 10-6, one. Wow. Clean, incredible shot. Count two days in a row, it's match point nine that we've seen these two play against each other. Here we go. 10-7, one. And then Ernie was probably thinking bad thoughts in their head, but when it's pickleball heaven on your jersey, you are not going to have a problem, and the highest seed here gets through. It wasn't easy. The experience gained for the youngsters from SoCal will serve them well next year, Blaine. Oh, absolutely. I mean, SoCal gets to keep everyone on their roster, and I think that's something super impressive, and that they can continue to build on for next season. Rachel, I know you're not at 100%, but it didn't look like that in Mix. How good did you feel playing with Christian out there today? Honestly, I'm still in a lot of pain. I feel like I've been injured before, and this one just feels a little unfair because it's just something that was out of my control, but this journey has been incredibly frustrating, but I'm super, super fortunate to have the team I do. They've been supporting me through this. I mean, Women's Doubles was my favorite event, and I've been playing with Christian for a while, maybe Mixed is now, but Christian's been playing great. He's been a great teammate supporting me, and I want to thank everyone for their support during this time. You guys win in an insane Dreambreaker last night. How much was that match from last night lingering in your head during this one? Well, I mean, I knew we could win a Dreambreaker, so that was good, but honestly, I think going to a Dreambreaker yesterday, winning it was really good for our team and our confidence for further Dreambreakers, so I think it was a good thing. I don't want to do it again, but it was a good thing. You guys clinch a spot in Newport next week. How do you feel? We feel pretty incredible. I'm really excited to get out there, and again, we have a great ownership group, and they make it easy to want to fight for them and play for them, so we're super grateful for Adam and Al and everyone who's owners at our Brooklyn Pickleball team and our Brooklyn Pickleball team's cheer squad. They're everywhere, so we're really excited to go to Newport, and thank you, everyone, for coming out. This was a great event.