The Major League Pickleball season will commence at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, FL. Beginning Thursday, April 24, new Premier team lineups will make their debuts, and updated formats will be introduced.
At the start of the year, it was announced that MLP would transition to traditional side-out scoring and adopt a six-player roster format. This replaces the previous four-player team structure and allows each team to utilize their two alternates if any of the starting four players are unavailable.
While most teams chose to retain a majority of their previous season’s rosters, each was required to drop at least one player. This led to some major shakeups and a few expected re-selections in the 2025 draft. Let’s take a look at where Team Selkirk landed ahead of the season opener:
LA Mad Drops: Catherine Parenteau, Quang Duong
The LA Mad Drops kept most of their previous season's team intact and added Quang Duong as their fourth starter. The dynamic 18-year-old has found most of his success in singles but began developing his doubles game in mid-2024. Duong teamed up with then–Texas Ranchers partner Christian Alshon to defeat the Johns brothers and claim his first-ever doubles title at the 2024 Bristol Open. This season, Duong will anchor the men’s doubles partnership with Hunter Johnson for the Mad Drops.
On the women’s side, Catherine Parenteau and Jade Kawamoto are returnees to the team. Parenteau has been a mainstay for the LA team, leading them to victory in season one of MLP back in 2023. The duo have posted strong wins together against teams such as Schneeman/Irvine, David/Dizon, and Jackie Kawamoto/Lea Jansen. Parenteau and Kawamoto will aim to carry last season’s momentum into Orlando.
LA Mad Drops roster: Catherine Parenteau, Quang Duong, Hunter Johnson, Jade Kawamoto; Alternates: Wes Burrows, Angie Walker
Team DUPR: 25.71
Chicago Slice: James Ignatowich
With the fifth pick, the Chicago Slice drafted former D.C. Pickleball Team player James Ignatowich. Over the past few years, Ignatowich has been a consistent contender in men’s and mixed doubles. On the rare occasions he competes in PPA singles, he has produced some remarkable results—recently defeating Jaume Martinez-Vich 11-1, 11-0, and the rising talent Zane Ford in three games at the Red Rock Open.
With up-and-coming lefty Max Freeman—one of James’ childhood friends—also drafted to the Slice, the team will have a strong starting four, joined by top women’s talents Vivienne David and Callie-Jo Smith.
Chicago Slice roster: James Ignatowich, Max Freeman, Vivenne David, Callie-Jo Smith; Alternates: Pierina Imparato, Carlos Di Laura
Team DUPR: 24.56
Brooklyn Pickleball Team (formerly “D.C. Pickleball Team”): Rachel Rohrabacher
In recent news, the D.C. Pickleball Team traded naming rights with the Brooklyn Aces to become the premier-level Brooklyn Pickleball Team. The former Brooklyn Aces—now the D.C. Pickleball Team—will remain a challenger-level team.
Rachel Rohrabacher has been one of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team’s standout players since last season, alongside Dekel Bar and Jackie Kawamoto. The team started last season 3-0 and went on to win the midseason tournament. Riley Newman will fill the final starter position for Brooklyn this season—a potentially strong fit, given his past tournament successes alongside Jackie Kawamoto. Rohrabacher and Bar have proven to be a formidable duo since last season, further strengthening their chemistry at recent PPA events. With a deep and talented roster, the Brooklyn Pickleball Team is poised to be a tough contender.
Brooklyn Pickleball Team roster: Rachel Rohrabacher, Riley Newman, Dekel Bar, Jackie Kawamoto; Alternates: Hannah Blatt, Patrick Smith
Team DUPR: 24.51
Phoenix Flames: Jack Sock
Jack Sock has been on a pickleball rampage this year, especially in singles. The former New York Hustlers member joins the Phoenix Flames after a phenomenal start to 2025. In recent months, Sock has defeated top singles players Quang Duong and Connor Garnett, as well as world No. 1 Federico Staksrud.
The Flames also picked up Tyson McGuffin for the 2025 season. With their showmanship and creative style of play, the Sock/McGuffin duo is set to be one of the most electrifying teams in MLP.
Phoenix Flames roster: Jack Sock, Tyson McGuffin, Genie Bouchard, Jessie Irvine; Alternates: Alex Walker, Pesa Teoni
Team DUPR: 24.49
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