Carolina Hogs Secure First Victory of the 2025 MLP Season with Dramatic Win Over Texas Ranchers
Carolina Hogs Clinch First Victory of the Season Against Texas Ranchers
Daytona Beach, FL – In a thrilling showdown at the 2025 Major League Pickleball (MLP) Daytona Beach tournament, the Carolina Hogs secured their first victory of the season with a dramatic 3-2 win over the Texas Ranchers on Friday, June 6. The match, held at Pictona in Holly Hill, showcased the resilience and skill of the Hogs, who rallied after a challenging start.
Carolina Hogs Rally to Win in DreamBreaker
The Ranchers appeared poised for a straightforward victory after dominating the gender doubles matches. Etta Tuionetoa and Tina Pisnik delivered a strong performance, followed by Christian Alshon and Eric Oncins, who also secured a win. However, the Hogs ignited their comeback in the mixed doubles, forcing a DreamBreaker that would ultimately lead to their upset victory.
“Honestly, we know we can win singles against any team—it’s just a matter of getting there. This is definitely a confidence booster in terms of mixed and singles, and I’m sure we can pull together the gender doubles, too,” said Ben Johns, a key player for the Hogs.
Tournament Background
The Daytona Beach tournament marks the fifth stop of the 2025 MLP season, featuring nine elite teams competing over four days for vital points toward the MLP Playoffs in August. Fans filled the venue to witness some of the top pickleball talent in the country. The Hogs entered the day with an 0-8 record but delivered a determined performance against the Ranchers, who held a 5-4 record.
Match Results
Here’s a breakdown of the match between the Carolina Hogs and Texas Ranchers:
- Women’s Doubles: Tina Pisnik / Etta Tuionetoa (Texas) 11 – Tamaryn Emmrich / Kaitlyn Christian (Carolina) 5
- Men’s Doubles: Christian Alshon / Eric Oncins (Texas) 11 – Ben Johns / Collin Johns (Carolina) 2
- Mixed Doubles 1: Tina Pisnik / Eric Oncins (Texas) 7 – Ben Johns / Tamaryn Emmrich (Carolina) 11
- Mixed Doubles 2: Christian Alshon / Etta Tuionetoa (Texas) 6 – Collin Johns / Kaitlyn Christian (Carolina) 11
- DreamBreaker: Christian Alshon / Eric Oncins / Etta Tuionetoa / Tina Pisnik (Texas) 12 – Ben Johns / Collin Johns / Kaitlyn Christian / Tamaryn Emmrich (Carolina) 21
Final Match Result: Carolina Hogs win 3 – 2 over Texas Ranchers.
Mixed Doubles Turn the Match
The Hogs’ comeback began in mixed doubles, where Tammy Emmrich and Ben Johns defeated Pisnik and Oncins 11-7. Following this, Kaitlyn Christian and Collin Johns shocked Tuionetoa and Alshon with an 11-6 victory, sending the contest to a DreamBreaker.
“Collin helped me a lot with strategy, and when I have a plan, it makes things a lot easier. There’s no one better to get a plan from than Collin, so kudos to him,” Kaitlyn Christian remarked.
DreamBreaker Clinches the Win
In the decisive DreamBreaker, Ben Johns dominated Alshon 8-3, while Christian outscored Tuionetoa 6-2 through two rotations. Their stellar performances propelled Carolina to a 21-12 victory, marking a significant milestone as they secured their first win of the season.
Both teams are set to return to the court on Friday, with Carolina facing the St. Louis Shock and Texas taking on the Utah Black Diamonds.
News in Brief
The Carolina Hogs earned their first 2025 MLP win with a 3-2 DreamBreaker victory over the Texas Ranchers at the 2025 MLP Daytona Beach tournament. Strong mixed doubles play and standout performances by Ben Johns and Kaitlyn Christian helped Carolina complete the upset.
For more pickleball news, check out the latest updates on the Utah Black Diamonds, who dominated the tournament with a stunning sweep over the New York Hustlers.
