You didn't think just because we have an Emmy nominated docuseries, that I'd overlook the preview article, did you?
Puh-lease, this is The TPL. We're absolute content monsters around here. Hype machines. Ever present. Omnipotent.
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| Gabe Tardio, Huge TPL Fan |
With said docuseries being loved by the public, and the TPL 4.0 event earlier this month seeing great participation, there's been lots of hype in the TPL world. And that hype train isn't slowing down any time soon as Season 9 draws nearer. We are now just 9 sleeps away from 32 of the finest pickle humans descending upon Central Minnesota for what will be the most competitive TPL to date.
Let's meet the squads battling it out in their Quest for the Cup!
Volly & The Picklecats. Captained by Manny Obregon
Manny Obregon, Jay Portz, Emily Schadow, Volly Johnson
The defending champion Picklecats are back! After an improbable worst to first run during season 8, the Picklecats are ready to be the first team to go back to back in TPL history. A team built on grit and resiliency, they will once again have their 9 lives and will prove tough to kill. Volly just keeps getting better, Manny and Emily just keep getting nicer, and Jay just keeps getting older- a winning combo if you ask me! It is assumed that the Picklecats will keep the same mixed lineups as they did last season, but what about their uniforms? Will they actually have a matching team uniform, or will they once again be seen in random shades of blue? Either way, these cats are ready to pounce.
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| Will the Picklecats pop bottles once again? |
Fleetwood Smack. Captained by Jason Krueger
Jason Krueger, Genna Porter, Jennifer Johnson, John Michaud
Although the origins of the musical team names are now in question, captain Jason Krueger Can't Go Back now, as they've chosen the namesake of the late 60s band. Back in his captain role for the first time since season 4, Kruger had himself a great draft. He picked up Family Man John Michaud, Sentimental Lady Jennifer Johnson, and Black Magic Woman Genna Porter. The local boys have been spotted practicing at The Shed quite a bit over the past few months. Working on not only their pickleball game, but their 12oz curls as well. Jenny/Genna bring a ton of spunk and energy to go along with their combined 3 TPL Cup titles. However, does this team have musical forces working against them? Each of the past 3 musically named teams (Dink 182, Red Hot Chili Dinkers, Dink Floyd) all lost in the first round of the playoffs. Can Fleetwood Smack change that fortune on tournament day to have the run of their Dreams, or will they be swept away in a Landslide?
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Skies the Limit for this crew
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The Final Four. Captained by Justin Dering
Justin Dering, Julius Mejia, Kitri Boser, Nicki Pomeroy
After missing his chance to run it back with 4 Talls No Smalls, Justin is back in The TPL and is ready to return to the trophy with a new squad. This is a team comprised of new partnerships, as neither Justin/Julius nor Kitri/Nicki have played together. It is also rumored that they have not found the time to practice as a team due to this squad being spread across Minnesota and Wisconsin. That being said, they're all veterans of The TPL, and all are still playing plenty of pickleball. The rumor from the desk of Van Paddle is we'll see the mixed pairings of Justin/Kitri, and Julius/Nicki, but that could all be hearsay as they try and throw the scouts off. This squad feels aptly named, as this is a group who looks destined for a deep playoff run. But we all know The TPL is akin to March Madness, where anything can happen out on the court. Will this team follow in the footsteps of 2023 Purdue, or the 2025 Gators?
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| Basketpickle? |
Jamie & The Expats. Captained by Adam Couzens
Adam Couzens, Yang Lo, Jamie Voelker, Nicole Idalski
One man from Laos, another from Australia, and a lady in Canada, this team is all over the place. And on January 31st, they'll bring the wisdom of the world together to the TPL stage. This is a team with deep championship pedigree. Outside of the defending champion Picklecats, this is the only team in the field where all 4 members have graced The TPL Cup, having a combined 6 titles amongst them, which is the most of any team in the field. While Jamie got her championship without these teammates, the expats share some titles together, with Adam/Nicole winning season 5 together, and Adam/Yang winning season 6 together. Getting together for a team practice before the big day has been proving difficult, though it likely won't matter for this battle tested bunch, as many TPL beat writers have this team as a top trophy contender.
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| Yang is now tall? |
LMFA Pros. Captained by Allen Ng
Allen Ng, Mark Elliott, Faith Lee, Lexi Portz
The LMFA Pros come in with a mirrored stat to the Expats, as they are the only team in the field where none of their team members have won The TPL Cup. But the LMFA Pros could care less. They're Sexy and They Know It, and first time captain Allen Ng has put together a very tough squad in his TPL debut. He also has been thriving as a captain with their innovative team poster and team gif. Three questions remain for this team:
1. How will they line up for mixed?
2. How far will they push the LMFAO themed uniforms?
3. What will be their LMFA Pro walk out song? Will it be Sexy and I Know It, Shots, or Put That Ass To Work?
My vote is on Put That Ass To Work.
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This team is ready to rock. And party. And Party Rock!
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Stranger Dinks. Captained by Dan Forsythe.
Dan Forsythe, Chris Mavetz, Emily Gerads, Kris Portz
I've never watched Stranger Things so I have no Stranger Dinks metaphors for you. But what I do have is another team poster, and a squad that's fired up for season 9. This team has also been heavily featured in the Quest for the Cup docuseries. First it was captain Dan Forsythe appearing in the first two episodes, with his big hair, big personality, and his genuine excitement for The TPL and for this squad. Then came the heartwarming family focused stories of Kris Portz and Emily Gerads in episode 3, with cameo photos of college Mavetz. How will this new celebrity status affect their play in season 9? It's been tough to book any of them for play since the docuseries aired, as they've been tied up in media obligations, with Dan over in Japan completing his international TPL Tour. While Mavetz and Dan haven't been seen on a court together this season, Emily and Kris have been getting plenty of reps in. Plus, Kriz Portz is Lizzy Gerads's favorite player, so we're all screwed having that Lizzy magic working against us.
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One season can change everything..
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Unnamed Team. Captained by Unknown Player
Brandon Schenck, Jaryd Marks, Jasmine Lindberg, Missy Rosenthal
This team has been flying under the radar since the season 9 draft took place on November 16th. They've been quiet in the GroupMe chat. We haven't seen them in the docuseries. We haven't seen them pull up at The Shed. No team name, no poster, no uniform announcements.
But I implore you folks, don't let their silence fool you. The balls coming off their paddles on January 31st will be anything but quiet. This team will bring a ton of firepower as the hardest hitting team in Season 9.
Is this silence by design, coming from TPL veteran Missy Rosenthal? Instructing her team to fly under the radar ahead of the tournament day, in order to catch everyone by surprise? Sorry, but we're onto your scheme Missy...
The POP Starz. Captained by Tom Spaniol
Tom Spaniol, Corbin Bentz, Jen Sheedy, Lake Johnson
What else is there to say about this team that the docuseries hasn't already covered? Spaniol and Lake have failed during their last 100 tries, Sheedy and Corbin haven't won anything yet. They're big documentary stars now. They're the loudest and most obnoxious team of this season, and have the most preposterous poster. The POP Starz have heard it all.
But while to the outside eye it seems like all fanfare and bright lights, this squad has been grinding in the shadows. Corbin has the whole team in on his 7 day a week workout regimen, Sheedy is out to make Van Paddle eat his words, and Lake hasn't even thought about the after party.
Go ahead, place your bets against this washed up team. They're out to prove the haters wrong.
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| Never Stop Never Stopping |
One never knows what each TPL season is going to bring. Out of nowhere, this became the season of team posters and documentary episodes. What will the Season 9 event bring? Your guess is as good as mine, but I sure as hell can't wait to find out.
Pools will be drawn on the 24th at a Stranger Dinks team practice.
Chipotle has been ordered for the after party.
Our double venues of Sta Fit and The Shed are warmed and ready.
Let's do this damn thing.
I'll see you all on January 31st.
