Anna Leigh Waters. On the biggest stage. With the match on her paddle. And she delivers.
Day 2 of Major League Pickleball Finals weekend may have just proved why this league is the most energetic, chaotic, and entertaining product pro pickleball has to offer.
The day featured two matches:
- New Jersey 5s vs. the Brooklyn Pickleball Team
The Fives were up 1-0 in the series coming into the day, and took care of business relatively easily with a 3-0 sweep.
Alex E. Weaver
That set the stage for the first game of the finals: New Jersey 5s vs. St. Louis Shock.
And oh what a game it was.
St. Louis took the first two gender games before losing the next two mixed games.
The ensuing Dreambreaker was a nail-biter from start to finish.
Wild points. Crazy energy. The best players in the world playing the best, most consequential pickleball of their lives.
In the end, the New Jersey fives came all the way back and won it on the paddle of none other than Anna Leigh Waters.
Nico the Left was onsite all day. Here are his parting thoughts:
The Dink's pro writer Erik Tice wraps up the day:
Saturday @MajorLeaguePB Recap Video
— Erik Tice (@azetice) August 29, 2026
If you missed any of the action, here is a quick video breaking everything down!
I cover all the drama of the day including @the5spickleball taking down @brooklynpickleb and then they beat the @stlshockmlp in an epic 1st match of the finals! pic.twitter.com/Clqz6RiJ3x
More from Saturday's action:
Heads up: hundreds of thousands of pickleballers read our free newsletter. Subscribe here for cutting edge strategy, insider news, pro analysis, the latest product innovations and more.
Love Pickleball? Join 100k+ readers for free weekly tips, news & gear deals.
Subscribe to The Dink
