Ever since Steve Kuhn launched Major League Pickleball (MLP) in 2021, the league has faced a constant challenge: finding the next generation of stars. This season, however, that appears to be changing.
Players arriving from the APP Tour, PPA Tour Australia and Junior PPA have injected fresh energy into the bustling league with the urge of proving themselves. Their rise has not only strengthened team rosters but also offered a glimpse into the future of professional pickleball.
Sofia Sewing
Among the breakout names is Sofia Sewing of the Palm Beach Royals. Before her first event, Sewing said she was ready to “test the waters” in MLP in 2026. The experiment has turned into a breakthrough campaign. She currently sits 15th in the individual player standings with a 22-9 overall record and has formed one of the league’s most effective women’s doubles partnerships with Tina Pisnik. The duo went unbeaten at 6-0 during MLP St. Pete.
Danny-Elle Townsend
Another player who has absorbed the hype is Danni-Elle Townsend. Selected third overall by the Columbus Sliders, the Australian arrived with considerable expectations and quickly proved she belonged. Despite partnering three different players in women’s doubles across the team’s first three events, she compiled a solid 19–12 record and helped the defending champions secure second place, third place and second place finishes. Now with the Dallas Flash, Townsend will be expected to play a central role in reviving their season.
Casey Diamond
Few stories have captured attention quite like Casey Diamond’s. A week before MLP St. Pete, Diamond was not even on a roster. His opportunity came as an on-site alternate, and he seized it spectacularly. After producing highlight-reel plays that landed him on SportsCenter’s Top Ten twice in three days, Diamond earned a full-time spot with the Palm Beach Royals. His flair and athleticism have already made him one of the league’s most entertaining players.
Sahra Dennehy
Australian Sahra Dennehy’s emergence has been equally significant. Dennehy, known primarily for her singles success back home, has quietly become one of the pillars of the California Black Bears. In a young and inexperienced squad, Dennehy has provided stability and leadership while positioning herself as the team’s potential X-factor in the race for the postseason.
Elsie Hendershot
At just 13 years old, Elsie Hendershot has delivered one of the season’s most heartwarming moments. Drafted 29th overall by the St. Louis Shock to learn alongside stars Anna Bright and Kate Fahey, Hendershot made history in St. Pete by becoming the youngest player ever to record a game win in MLP. Teaming up with Hayden Patriquin, she helped produce an 11-0 pickle against Miami, a result that instantly became one of the year’s feel-good stories. Following her trade to the Chicago Slice, more opportunities are likely to come her way.
Nico Acevedo
Then there is Nico Acevedo, whose path differs from the others. Not a product of the APP, Australian circuit or Junior PPA, Acevedo nevertheless forced his way into the conversation through sheer performance. Initially a relatively unknown selection by the Miami Pickleball Club with the 25th overall pick, he impressed immediately in Columbus before being acquired by the Texas Ranchers in a blockbuster trade. The move reflected the belief many within the league have in his immense athletic potential.
Together, these six players illustrate how MLP’s talent pipeline is broadening beyond traditional pathways. As the league continues to attract athletes from across the world, new personalities and stories are emerging alongside established stars.
With MLP New York getting underway on June 25 at Sportime Randall’s Island, the spotlight will once again fall on these rising talents.
