STORYLINES FOR THE STRATUSPHERE GIN VIRGINIA BEACH CUP

Author: Dave Fleming | September 27, 2024

RACING STRIPES: Just 4 tourneys left in the race to the Finals – who will move up the rankings?
‘SUP BRO?: Johns Brothers reclaimed the #1 seed with their win in Atlanta, can they go back-to back?
AND…2: ALW and CP lost for just the second time in Atlanta – revenge will be on their mind.
VIRGINIA IS FOR…PICKLERS: First PPA Tour visit to “Old Dominion” – one of the state’s many nicknames.
PROGRESS REPORT: Each discipline will be battled out every day, one round per day, leading to Championship Sunday.

Event #19 of the year and first ever trip to Virginia Beach.
No defending medalists.
Broadcast start times are 11am Eastern Wednesday through Sunday.
Full coverage on Pickleball TV (Prime Video, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, LG, and many more).

Atlanta Slam finalists Waters (1) and Todd (7) could meet in the quarters.
Potential round of 16 matchups include: (3) Jansen vs. (14) Johnson, Castillo (8) vs. Fahey (11)
Parenteau (2) is back after skipping singles in ATL, seeking her first win of the year.
WATCH OUT FOR: Kate Fahey (11) – has moved into 10^th place in the Race Rankings – but will she run out of tourneys to qualify for the Finals (top 8 make it)?

Hunter Johnson arrives in Virginia with his highest seed (10) thanks to his win at the Atlanta Slam.
Ben Johns (2) is in singles after withdrawing mid-match in Atlanta due to an ankle injury.
Goldin (16) who was playing Johns when he withdrew could meet him again in the Round of 16.
Will Alshon (5) play or be forced to scratch just singles due to injury?
WATCH OUT FOR: JW Johnson (9) – had a strong run to the semis in Atlanta.

Waters and Johns (1) sit just two individual match wins shy of 200.
Bright/Daescu (3) play together for just the 2^nd time – won in Austin beating ALW/Ben in 3 straight games in the final.
Parenteau and Alshon (4) back together for tourney #4 – only previous losses are to ALW/Ben.
Tardio and Irvine (9) look to keep their strong run of mixed alive – Irvine is above the Finals cut line but Tardio is below and needs a strong showing in Va Beach.
WATCH OUT FOR: David and Frazier (6) – tough section of the draw with ALW/Johns in their quarter, but can they make a run?

Girlies (Bright and Rohrabacher) roar into Virginia Beach as the 2 seed and with the Atlanta Slam title victory over Waters and Parenteau (1).
OGs Irvine/Tereschenko (10) looking to do damage, could face Todd/Jade Kawamoto (8) in the round of 16.
Round of 32 can’t miss matchup: Wang/Buckner (12) vs. Christian/Fahey (18)
WATCH OUT FOR: Black and Jones (5): looking to repeat their quarterfinal run in ATL or better, showcasing their defensive prowess and great team chemistry.

Tardio and Daescu (5) won back-to-back titles then lost to the Johns in the Atlanta quarters.
After making 6 finals in a row, Johnson/Frazier (2) have not made the last 4 finals.
Fun pairings alert: Ignatowich/Alshon (6), Newman/Hewett (9), and Bar/H. Johnson (7)
WATCH OUT FOR: McGuffin/Martinez Vich (4) – tremendous march to the finals in Atlanta, can they repeat those showstopping moments?

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