TPL Season 6 Preview

 Ahhh, my sweet sweet people of The TPL, it's that time of year again!  The time of year when each night we ask ourselves "Is it 11pm!?" at approximately 4:30 in the evening. The time of year when your nostrils almost freeze shut upon stepping outside. But it's also the time of year when the year-end, indoor TPL is upon us.

Season 6 will look a bit different than its predecessors. Due to the tough timing for the tournament sandwiching in between Christmas and New Years, we've had to drop down from 8 teams to 6, and will be without many TPL veterans and staples. While we return a lighter roster this winter, all 24 participants for season 6 have played in a TPL event before, making this our first ever event with zero newcomers. 

As this tournament has grown, so has its vision, and for season 6 we decided we needed a new venue to crown our champion. One where we can come early and stay late, one where we can bring in non clear liquids, and one where we can call home. While we searched high and low, this venue could not be found in our area, and so we built it. 

I'll save the long drawn out sappy version of the Shouse story, and all the blood, sweat, and tears (I've literally seen all of those items on The Shouse floor) that went into making this great structure for the longer post event reflection. For now, just know that it is one of the greatest collective accomplishments in the history of pickleball, and is likely to be included in the 7 Wonder's of the Modern World, taking the place of The Great Wall of China (because we know that was built by the aliens.) Here's a few teaser pictures for those of you who won't get to see the place before the big day.

The courts are now fully functional, but if you haven't seen the picture or been there in person, you'll just have to wait to see it on the 28th, no more spoilers!

Enough about the best pickle venue humans have ever built, let's meet the squads:

Live Mas, Captained by Chris Mavetz

Nicki Pomeroy, Nicole Idalski, Jason Krueger, Chris Mavetz

Three time TPL Champion Christopher Mavetz is hungry to prove himself after going winless in his captain debut during season 5. He's assembled a very strong team of veterans to get him back on The TPL Cup and further cement his name in the record books. Joining him this season is two time champion Nicole Idalski, a familiar partner of hers in non TPL events Nicki Pomeroy, and St. Cloud pickleball legend Jason Krueger. Chris constructed this team on experience and familiarity. He and Jason were season 4 teammates and went a perfect 4-0 in their men's games on the day. Nicole and Nicki are coming off a strong second place finish from the CT tournament in the 4.5 division. How will they play the mixed? We know Chris isn't getting any practice time in with his female partners, but Jason/Nicole have been spotted on local courts a time or two working on their game as a team. If we've learned one thing over the past few seasons, it's to expect the unexpected from any team with Mavetz on its roster. 

Chris working on that TPL tournament prep diet

Dink Dynasty, Captained by Dan Forsythe

Emily Schadow, Lake Johnson, Jay Portz, Dan Forsythe

Dan Forsythe returns to The TPL with his second consecutive captainship, and does so again with the league's leading female (statistically speaking, not really her crappy personality), Lake Johnson. Dan/Lake only dropped one mixed game during their last TPL appearance, and narrowly missed a spot in the title match losing a literal dream breaker in the semifinals. Joining them this season are TPL veterans Jay Portz and Emily Schadow. After finishing second in every TPL she played in (season 2-4), Emily is hungry to get back to the title game after an early playoff exit during season 5. Jay is in the same boat as he and Emily were on the same squad last season, although they didn't share the court together in mixed. Will that change this season as Lake/Dan look to continue their dominance? Will we see a return of the squawkers, back to season 3 mixed teammates Lake/Jay? Will they submit a team name before the tournament? Update: They have indeed submitted a team name, just in the nick of time right before this publication's deadline.

Lake is ready to balance the multi-day TPL schedule

Resting Grinch Face, Captained by Adam Couzens

Missy Rosenthal, Jenny Johnson, Yang Lo, Adam Couzens

Adam Couzens returns as the defending champion captain assembling a squad of familiar faces in Missy Rosenthal, Yang Lo, and Jenny Johnson. Adam has spent countless hours on the courts with each of his teammates, as have Yang/Missy. How will the first time partnerships of JJ/Missy & JJ/Yang mesh together? Lots of arguing and complaining about each other could be overheard recently at Sta Fit, as it appears there's still plenty to work out for Resting Grinch Face before season 6 kicks off. One thing they don't need to work on is their team name, as RGF might take the cake as the season's top name. Another side note on this squad, Jenny missed last season due to injury after winning the season 4 title. Can both she and Adam go back to back? Missy and Yang also both made it to the championship match in their last TPL appearances (Missy in S5, Yang in S4). Can they get over the hump and carve their name upon The TPL Cup for the first time!?

JJ (and her new superfan Eddie) are ready for season 6

Fire Ballerz, Captained by Tom Spaniol

Jen Sheedy, Genna Porter, John Michaud, Tom Spaniol

Fire Up! This team is ready to pickle and party, and party and pickle! Captain Tom Spaniol has assembled what many are calling the loudest team in TPL history (mainly just the female half of the squad), selecting Genna Porter, Jen Sheedy, and John Michaud in the draft. The Fire Ballerz are also so far the most dedicated team in the field, getting in two full team practices by the date of this publication.  Rumors are circling that they also have four, yes four, uniform combinations! The national press continues to inquire as to how they'll lineup for mixed, but in the end it doesn't matter. There will be shit talking, sexual jokes, lefty deception, and chaos all over the court. No need for a thermostat, get ready for this team to heat up The PickleShouse all weekend long!

Fire. The. Heck. Up.

Orlando Squeeze, Captained by Manny Obregon

Emily Gerads, Kitri Boser, Julius Mejia, Manny Obregon

The pride of Wilmar High, Manny Obregon, is back at the helm of a TPL squad for the second straight season. After losing a devastating playoff loss in a dreambreaker, Manny assembled a team of winners, selecting Emily Gerads, Kitri Boser, and Julius Mejia in the draft. While there's plenty to talk about with these four players, much of the preseason talk for this team has revolved around their team name and potential uniform combinations. Will they come out loud with the all orange outfits? Which Major League Pickleball Orlando Squeeze player will the gals model their uniforms after; the fashionista Paris Todd, or "I let my play do the talking" Vivian David? Will Manny show up to The TPL full of tattoos like Tyson McGuffin? Did they realize they named themselves after an MLP team who didn't make the playoffs? So many questions abound for this team as the event draws near. The only thing we know for certain; don't let the smiles fool you with these "cuties," or they'll squeeze you dry.

Julius looking to repeat in his 2nd TPL

Dinkle Bells, Captained by Justin Dering

Volly Johnson, Kris Portz, Corbin Bentz, Justin Dering

Justin Dering is an analytics guy, and when he saw the two day grueling season 6 schedule, he knew he had to draft for youth and exuberance. He did just that picking up Volly Johnson, Corbin Bentz, and Kris Portz. With all three of his teammates being under the age of 40, this squad is fit and ready for the long haul. (The research team couldn't quite confirm the age of Kris Portz, but with the way she looks and plays on the court, we assume she's in her mid 30's.) This squad also has championship experience. The female pairing of Volly/Kris each have their names on The TPL Cup, while JD/Corbin each have a TPL Open championship on their resumés. Dinkle Bells is guaranteed to bring sharp angles on their dinks all tournament long, which could be to their advantage with the court's proximity to the wall at The PickleShouse. Again, JD is an analytics guy, and this all came in to his draft strategy on November 5th. He also noted the fantastic high ceilings at the Shouse, unlike that inferior Padel facility in Mendota Heights. Be on the lookout for Dinkle Bells to be chucking up lobs and slicing angles this season!

Volly is pumped for her return to St. Joe

Along with the new venue, season 6 will showcase a new format. The first ever multi-day TPL will take place on December 28th/29th. With two full days to crown a champion, participants will get to play in the most matches we've ever had, with each team getting 5 pool play matches throughout Saturday and Sunday morning, before moving on to a single elimination 6 team bracket to determine the champion. It's going to be an all day affair on both days, with teams getting to have plenty of time on the court battling it out, as well as off the court hangin' loose. 

The official TPL Season 6 schedule 

Season 6 is guaranteed to be one for the record books. See you all in just 13 days when our TPL family is finally back together 🩷.

-Tom Spaniol