New Jersey 5s have now soared to the top of the Major League Pickleball (MLP) standings after their victory in MLP Austin.
Following a tough opening stretch that saw them settle in fourth place, New Jersey 5s have quickly transformed their campaign and become the dominant side, with the team hitting peak form at MLP Austin.
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The 5s are currently on a 12-match unbeaten streak across the last two events. That perfect streak has helped them climb back to the summit of the league table with 62 points. Their latest triumph came at MLP Austin, where they secured their second event title of the season with a convincing 3-1 win on Sunday over Columbus. The result also carried a layer of redemption, as it came against the same Sliders side that had defeated them in Week 1.
Waters-Johnson’s fiery form
What makes the New Jersey 5s’ rise more compelling is that it has not been driven by complete dominance across every pairing. In fact, their men’s doubles combination has been relatively inconsistent. Will Howells and Noe Khlif have gone 9-8 together this season, leaving that segment as the team’s most vulnerable aspect.
Yet the broader structure of the squad has more than compensated. The 5s have been exceptional across other combinations, producing near-flawless results in key matches that have swung overall ties decisively in their favour.
Anna Leigh Waters and Jorja Johnson have been unbeatable, boasting a perfect 17-0 record. The pairing of Khlif and Waters has also been highly effective at 15-2, while Howells and Johnson have contributed a strong 11-5 record.
If there has been one area of marked improvement, it is mixed doubles. Since MLP Dallas in Week 1, the 5s have sharpened their execution significantly in this format. Both the Khlif-Waters and Howells-Johnson combinations have been in excellent touch, each going 9-1 in the team’s last 10 matches – an uptick that has played a crucial role in their recent dominance.
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Despite individual inconsistencies in certain pairings, the collective strength has defined their resurgence. The team’s depth and adaptability have allowed them to recover from early setbacks and reassert themselves as title contenders.
“We have an extremely supportive team,” Howells said after Sunday’s win. “It really comes down to just leaning on each and every one of us – that’s how we got it done.”
