TPL Season 5 Premier League Preview

It feels like yesterday that we were all gathered at The Portz Pickle Palace, congratulating Big Dink Energy on their undefeated championship run. And yet, in other ways it feels like we've been apart for a lifetime. There has been a void in our lives, something missing as we wander throughout our days. 

Fear not folks, for I am here to fill that void with some TPL cheer. The TPL returns in just 24 days! 24 days to get yourself in the best shape of your life to compete your heart out. 24 days to perfect that special shot you've been working on all summer. 24 days to meet your teammates for the first time (for some of you slackers). Just 24 days before one of the most magical days of the year, The TPL. 

For season 5 we made a change that hasn't been seen since the inaugural event. For the first time since June of 2023, we had an all male group of captains. The gang met up in St. Cloud way back on July 7th for some play before heading to official TPL sponsor House of Pizza, to decide the fates of the 32 participants. The men took their newfound roles seriously, and came highly prepared. We saw pre-draft pick swapping, captains phoning their off site GM's, and in depth internet research being done. What ensued over the next hour produced what could be the most even teams The TPL has ever seen. Everywhere you look there's no easy game, no preferred matchup. Who will win season 5 is anyone’s guess, but we're sure as hell ready to find out!

Let's meet the season 5 squads.

Abraham Dinkin, Captained by Tom Spaniol

Kitri Boser, Missy Rosenthal, Corbin Bentz, Tom Spaniol

After a heartbreaking loss in the quarterfinals of season 4, Abraham Dinkin' captain Tom Spaniol is back with a vengeance. Rather than going with familiarity in this season's draft, he turned some heads when he chose not one, but two TPL first timers. Kitri Boser and Corbin Bentz will be making their TPL debuts alongside Spaniol and veteran Missy Rosenthal. While this group was mostly strangers on draft day, they've become a close knit unit after multiple team practices and an encouraging team text thread.  Abraham Dinkin' has a little bit of everything on their squad; speed (obviously talking about Missy here), height, power, grit, and experience. But will that be enough to grace The TPL Cup? Can Kitri and Corbin show up to The TPL and snag a title in their first event? Will the eagle shirts fly this team to new heights?

Kitri is ready to make a statement in her TPL debut!

The Chefs, Captained by Chris Mavetz

Ali Brown, Alissa Spaniol, Darrin Prince, Chris Mavetz

The Chefs, captained by three time TPL Champion Chris Mavetz, come in as the favorite to grace the TPL Cup. After winning three out of four titles, of course you're going to be the favorite, and of course you're going to have a large target on your back. But Chris assembled a dynamic squad to rise above the pressure and play for another TPL title, picking up Alissa Spaniol, Ali Brown, and Darrin Prince in the draft. Mavetz went on to say this was his dream team heading into the draft, and somehow things just seem to work out perfectly for him in TPL land, as he ended up with the squad he envisioned. But will Mavetz be able to get his first title from the captains chair? Will the added pressure of being the leader shrink him, or will he embrace his new role and rise to the occasion? While this team may not sneak a full team practice in before the big day, we've learned by now that it would be stupid to underestimate them. Watch out TPL world, The Chefs are ready to cook.

Ali putting in that work at some off-season tournaments!

Almost Dead Dinkers, Captained by Kyle Jordre

Nicki Pomeroy, Jen Markling, Mark Elliot, Kyle Jordre

Making his captainship debut, season 3 champion Kyle Jordre leaned into his championship experience from December of 23'. The season 3 champs, 23&Mo, had the oldest combined age of any roster in the TPL that season, and no player under the age of 50. The Almost Dead Dinkers also boast the oldest combined age of any roster in the TPL this season, and have no player under the age of 50. Kyle snagged Jen Markling, Nicki Pomeroy, and Mark Elliot in the season 5 draft. He came in with a strategy in mind and executed it flawlessly, as this team will have no problem clicking on and off the court. The righty/lefty combo Kyle and Mark have played numerous tournaments together, while the righty/lefty combo of Jen and Nicki will be a tough match for any women in the TPL. A few questions do remain; Will the strategy of wisdom over youth pay off for Kyle once again? More importantly, will we get to see another lefty/lefty mixed doubles team like we did in season 3 with John M and Emily S? We do know this, captain Kyle will have thoroughly pondered all strategies, and will have his team ready to execute on September 14th.

Captain Kyle is ready to rip his way to another TPL title

Pickle Sharks, Captained by Manny Obregon

Emily Schadow, Genna Porter, Jay Portz, Manny Obregon

Another TPL veteran stepping up to make his captain debut in season 5 is Manny Obregon. Manny may seem like a humble teddy bear off the court with his welcoming personality and soft smile, but on the court he's anything but nice (hence the Shark theme). He picked up Jay Portz, Genna Porter (Glenny!), and Emily Schadow in the draft. Manny has studied his TPL history, and knows that Emily Schadow has made an appearance in the championship match in all three of the TPL's she has participated in (season 2/3/4). Is this the season she makes it over the hump and finally gets to drink from The TPL Cup? Manny sure thinks so. Jay and Manny have teamed up in The TPL before and look to build upon that familiarity, while Genna and Emily have been spotted getting practice games in together building the on court chemistry. This is the only team in this year's field that doesn't have a past champion on the squad. Could the Pickle Sharks swim out of the cage and into TPL history, or will they remain in tonic immobility? (Watch some damn Shark Week if you don't know that that means!)

Don't let that smile fool you!

Crashed Aces, Captained by Justin Dering

Amanda Trunzo, Kris Portz, John Michaud, Justin Dering

Many TPL participants are already conceding and handing The TPL cup right to the Crashed Aces. Not because they're afraid to line up against them on the court (although they will be a scary team to face), but rather, because of the lifelong dedication to The TPL that this team displays. Well, one guy on their team is displaying a piece of The TPL for life, as John Michaud is forever marked as a TPL Season 4 Champion, proudly displaying that title on his arm. If you've seen the tattoo, you may have noticed he's left plenty of space for future titles to accompany season 4's marking. Could he go back to back? Justin certainly thinks so, and has assembled a squad to do just that. While he didn't play against her in the last TPL, Justin experienced the magic of season 1 champion Kris Portz through her homemade cheesy potatoes at the season 4 afterparty, and knew if she could bring that much fire to her cheese potatoes, there's no limits to what she can bring on the court. The Crashed Aces are another team that may not sniff a team practice before the big day, but they won't be skating underneath anyones radar, we all know they'll be ready to ball.

Plenty of room to fill up that arm with more championships!

Dink 182, Captained by Jason Krueger

Emily Gerads, Jen Sheedy, Mitch Bates, Jason Krueger

After multiple seasons of having the championship match held at The Portz Pickle Palace, the season 5 title match is currently on pace to be held at the soon to be brand new Gerads Pickle Grounds. At first, the news was unwelcome to team captain Krueger, as he thought the hosting duties would distract Emily from the on court task at hand. But this is season 2 champion Emily Gerads we're talking about. She thrives off the hosting responsibilities, and now has extra motivation to help bring Dink 182 to the first championship held on her home court. Mr. Krueger drafted a heck of a squad to help that vision become a reality, pairing Gerads up with the hard hitting, animal noise producing, phenomenon Jen Sheedy. And after thinking he was taking this TPL off to be a fan, due to a post draft drop out, everyone's favorite barber Mitchel Bates is back to contend for his first title. When it's all said and done, will Dink 182 be blaring The Party Song or I Miss You at the afterparty? 

Sheedy and Emily are all business heading into season 5

Adam's Team, Captained by Adam Couzens

Nicole Idalski, Volly Johnson, Julius Mejia, Adam Couzens

There's Blink 182's Adams Song, and then there's Adam's Team. Adam Couzens makes his return to captainship for the first time since season 1, when he laced them up with the green and grey Rebel Bat Fuzz. This season's squad looks a bit different than his season one team of veterans, as Adam scooped up the youngest player in the draft, 15 year old Volly Johnson. He paired her with TPL veteran and season 3 champion Nicole Idalski, while also grabbing newcomer Julius Mejia. While not his first TPL appearance, as he played in the TPL Open in May, Julius will be making the step up to the TPL Premier League for the first time on September 14th. This has been a team that TPL beat writers have had high on their lists since draft day, as this squad has been playing some great pickleball all summer long. While collectively they've come away with numerous tournament titles this summer, none compare to the prestige of The TPL Premier League. Will those minor league events prepare them for the big leagues? Will Couzens finally secure his first TPL title?

Wonder-kid Volly isn't looking for a bronze at this season's TPL!

Free Young Thug, Captained by Dan Forsythe

Lake (Pond) Johnson, Lexi Portz, Matt Otto, Dan Forsythe

After a tough debut in the spring, heading into his sophomore season, Dan Forsythe has vowed things will be different now that he has some TPL experience under his belt. He proved that coming out of the gates hot in the draft and assembling a team very capable of a championship run. Free Young Thug has previous champions Lake Johnson and Matt Otto, TPL veteran Lexi Portz, and the mustache man himself Dan Forsythe. Storylines are abundant for this squad. After missing season 4, Lake is back to wreak havoc upon the league, trying to win both the TPL Cup and the afterparty MVP in the same season. Matt Otto is a mere months removed from heart surgery (!!!) and feeling stronger than ever. Will Lexi get her first appearance in the title game now that it's not at her home court? Can Dan and his luscious locks channel the strength of Samson to claim his first championship?

Just like at The TPL championship, the party is in the back!

As Phase 1 (the pre event preparation phase) of season 5 comes to a close, let us enjoy these last 24 days. With last minute team practice sessions, strategy run throughs, or time away from the court with loved ones. Live these last 24 days as high, mighty, and righteously as you can, and bring that energy with you on September 14th. A day where friends become foes for a few short hours of competition, before returning to enjoying the evening as one TPL family. 

I love you all. See you on the courts.

-Tom Spaniol