The weekend saw four fierce teams battle it out for glory, but it was the Mavericks who delivered an absolute clinic in the 1 v 2 match-up, dominating the Crocs in straight sets to claim the NZ Challenger title. The team of Chris Baum, Bee Horsley, Izzy Papazyan, and Nicholas Maleganeas were unstoppable, outplaying the Crocs in every matchup with confidence and flair.
Meanwhile, in the 3 v 4 playoff, Gold Coast Glory secured the bronze in a gritty contest over the Brisbane Breakers. Jess Hughes and Michelle Paterson led the charge for Glory, holding their nerve in tight mixed games and delivering when it counted.
Final Scores – Challenger Division:
In the Masters division, Gold Coast Glory reigned supreme again—this time in a dominant 3-0 sweep of the Mavericks. The duo of Terrie Robson and Annalise Bolton paired beautifully with veterans Martin Clark and Daret Gooch to stamp their authority on the championship stage.
The 3 v 4 clash featured a back-and-forth battle, with the Vipers ultimately defeating the Rush 3-1. Angela Bertuleit, Karen Denman, and Tony Field combined experience and consistency to secure the win and valuable leaderboard points.
Final Scores – Masters Division:
As the MLPA 2025 season heats up, here’s how the leaderboard stands across both divisions:
Bee Horsley of the Mavericks topped the overall Challenger leaderboard after the New Zealand event, with an impressive 8 wins from 10 games, a +6 game differential, and 4 match wins, plus a DreamBreaker victory. Her consistency and clutch performances were key to the Mavericks’ championship run.
Right behind her was Ellen McDonogh from the Crocs, matching Horsley in match wins (4) and DreamBreaker wins (1), with 8 game wins from 11 total played—making her one of the most heavily relied-on players in the division.
Nicholas Maleganeas (Mavericks) and Brandon Contratto (Breakers) were close contenders, both with 4 match wins and strong game differentials, showing their all-around impact across both singles and doubles play.
Other strong performers included David Richardson (Breakers), Jess Hughes and Daniel Fogl-Kulich (Glory), and Hamish Bartos (Crocs)—each playing 7+ games, winning more than half, and contributing significantly to their teams’ final standings.
Notably, James Wilson of the Vipers made the top 10 despite fewer total games, thanks to an efficient performance that included a DreamBreaker win.
Mike Newell of Rush claimed the top spot on the Masters leaderboard with 9 game wins, only 2 losses, and a strong +7 game differential. His steady performance across all matches was key to Rush's run to the bronze match.
Right on his heels was Tony Field from the Vipers, who tied Newell in total game wins (9), but stood out with 4 DreamBreaker wins—the highest in the division. His all-around play and clutch DreamBreaker performances helped secure the Vipers a podium finish.
Tina Bianchi of the Mavericks finished third with a +6 game differential and only two losses from 10 games, contributing strongly to her team's push to the gold medal match.
Angela Bertuleit (Vipers) was one of the most impactful players overall, leading the division in match wins (5) and matching Field with 4 DreamBreaker victories, showing her value in pressure moments.
Other standout names included Daret Gooch (Glory) and Hustle duo Damon Curtis and Shane Wilson, all with solid 7–3 records and crucial contributions in key matches.
Tek Tea and Simone Kessell also posted strong records despite higher match counts, showing endurance and reliability. Naomi Amakawa from Crocs rounded out the top 10 with an efficient +2 game differential and a DreamBreaker win.
New Zealand delivered not just elite pickleball but also incredible hospitality, stunning venues, and roaring fans. With the league’s intensity building and every point mattering more than ever, all eyes now turn to the next MLPA showdown.
Stay tuned, because MLPA 2025 is only just getting started—and every serve, rally, and smash is bringing us closer to crowning champions.
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