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As we all know, partnering with a significant other isn’t easy. “We went through a semi-divorce, a pickleball-divorce,” said pro player Lauren Stratman about her partner Julian Arnold.

The off-court partners just rekindled their on-court partnership to take down one of the best teams in the game in Virginia Beach. More on that below.

In This Issue:

👊 Faster, more powerful volleys
🤝 USA Pickleball inks deal with QVC
💰 Making MLP money moves

Cheers to the weekend.

Our Picks ☝️

💸 Funding: University of Michigan Club Pickleball Team Has Earned a Shot at the National Title, But…

The team is unable to fund their trek to Dallas to compete. The team is asking pickleballers to support their journey to compete for a National Championship via donations to their GoFundMe.

🏆 Women Only: APP to host Women’s Only Event in Columbus

The APP’s first-ever Women’s Open kicks off today in Columbus. The event will raise funds for breast cancer research with a donation to the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research (SSF). The concept helped attract the attention of an appropriate sponsor, Victoria’s Secret.

💬 Quote: “My life right now is a dream come true”

Hannah Blatt's transition from Canadian junior squash prodigy to professional pickleball player has been a dream come true.

🚀 Launch: MUEV Drives Confidence On and Off the Court

Fashion meets performance with MUEV pickleball apparel. The new brand created by pickleball players for pickleball players offers a fresh take on pickleball gear.

How to Get Faster, More Powerful Volleys

In high-level pickleball, every shot counts. A key differentiator between top-tier players and the rest is mastery over their volley technique. This Selkirk TV video shows us how to make better, faster, and stronger volleys a massive part of our game.

Want faster hands? Be more compact

A common mistake players make is using a volley stroke that’s too big. The desire to add power often results in an overextended swing. The problem? You’re likely too far from the ball.

The closer your shoulders and body are to the contact point, the better your kinetic chain and the easier it becomes to generate speed, power, and more effective volleys.

Want more power? Drop your body lower

When a ball is hit below the net, standing too tall forces you to overextend just to make contact, limiting power and control. Dropping your body down engages more of the kinetic chain, allowing your elbow, shoulder, and triceps to work together fluidly.

This compact positioning creates a stronger, more controlled volley.

Assess your volley, make adjustments

The best way to check your volley technique is to capture footage of yourself in action. Many players are surprised to discover the gap between what they think they're doing and what they’re actually doing.

Use video analysis to fine-tune your body positioning and stroke mechanics. Subtle adjustments can lead to profound improvements.

Use what you see to make small changes to your body height, and you’ll improve your volleys in no time. For more tips, visit Selkirk TV on YouTube.

Play It Safe on the Court

Pickleball is a great way to keep active, though as the sport's popularity increases, so does the occurrence of injuries, particularly among those over 50. An overwhelming 90% of injuries in pickleball happen to this age group, with common issues being strains, sprains, and fractures. It's vital to prioritize health protection as much as fitness.

Adopting preventive measures like proper footwear, pre-game warm-ups, and adequate hydration can reduce injury risks. Taking breaks when needed is crucial—don't ignore pain. Despite precautions, accidents might still occur.

Ensure you're insured for unforeseen incidents on the court. Being prepared lets you focus more on enjoying the game and maintaining your health.

Emerge supports your peace of mind off the court, allowing you to focus fully on your on-court performance.

USA Pickleball Inks a Deal with QVC

You read that right. QVC, the home shopping network, just purchased the exclusive broadcast rights of USA Pickleball.

But why? Did USA Pickleball appear on an unaired episode of Shark Tank and shake hands with Lori Greiner?

• QVC is building out its streaming catalog and wanted to add a live sports offering, so why not America’s fastest-growing sport

• They also launched a new brand platform called “Age of Possibility,” which reinforces QVC's mission to champion women over 50 to live their best lives and have the confidence to try new things

• As part of the agreement, QVC will also become the Exclusive Retail Industry Partner of USA Pickleball

Your first chance to watch pickleball on QVC is just around the corner. The first event streamed will be the 2024 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championships in November.

Utah Sets Sights on the Future

The Utah Black Diamonds have not been afraid to go against the grain in the 2024 MLP season.

• Starting on draft day, they were the only team that spent less than 500,000 draft points on their entire draft (497,000). The next closest team spent 863,000 draft points.

• They traded down thrice at the trade deadline, adding cash to their balance sheet for each successful deal.

• On Wednesday, the last stage of their plan came to fruition as they added tennis superstar Genie Bouchard to their roster during waiver period 3.

Utah has little left to play for this year. They’re on pace to finish last in the Premier Level and be eliminated from the playoffs, but Utah clearly has bigger plans ahead.

According to this tweet from team owner Connor Pardoe, Utah is investing in a long-term strategy. Utah plans to open a $28 million team facility in 2025.

So, although 2024 might be a wash, they can take the money saved this year and invest it in the team's future.

• In line with that strategy, adding Genie Bouchard—who may not qualify for the Premier Level today but brings an unmatched following to the team—is a strategic move.

That is part of the beauty of the league. Twenty-two teams employ their own strategy to win. It won’t lead to a championship this year but potentially to a dynasty in the future.

Additional moves on the MLP Waiver wire included:

• Columbus Sliders added Roscoe Bellamy and placed Jay Devilliers on IR

• Frisco Pandas added Michael Loyd and waived John Cincola

Make MUEV’s on the Court

One of the frustrating parts of wearing pickleball clothes is that it looks like you're wearing pickleball clothes. MUEV is changing that. With sleek, versatile designs, MUEV apparel performs on the court but transitions to fit your lifestyle throughout the rest of the day. Whether grabbing lunch or hanging with friends after pickleball, MUEV’s fabric keeps sweat at bay and your look on point.

Backed by pro Kamryn Blackwood, MUEV is trusted by players who demand performance without sacrificing style.

Experience the confidence of MUEV and elevate your game—on and off the court.

Fireworks from the Virginia Beach Cup

We’re off and rolling in Virginia Beach. There is plenty of upsets and intrigue to get to so let’s dive in.

Daescu and Bright Come Up Short
The formidable duo of Andrei Daescu and Anna Bright were upset yesterday by Julian Arnold and Lauren Stratman. The Bright/Daescu pair might not have the same magic without getting consistent reps as MLP teammates.

Hunter Johnson is a Threat
Hunter Johnson has a chance to win back-to-back men’s singles titles, but the former tennis pro is also in the quarterfinals of men’s doubles. He and Dekel Bar will take on the Johns Bros today.

More From Men’s Doubles
Tyson McGuffin and Jaume Martinez Vich were upset by No. 32 seed Max Freeman and Casey Diamond on Wednesday. Freeman/Diamond will get a shot at the unlikely duo of Riley Newman and Rafa Hewett, who are putting on a show.

Keep an Eye Out
Chao Yi Wang took down Catherine Parenteau in women’s singles. Newcomer Max Green defeated veterans JW Johnson and Zane Navratil in consecutive days. Can he keep his streak alive against Ben Johns today?

Today’s matches to watch:

Women’s singles: Kate Fahey vs Lea Jansen
Men’s singles: Federico Staksrud vs Quang Duong
Men’s doubles: Max Freeman/Casey Diamond vs Rafa Hewett/Riley Newman
Women’s doubles: Rachel Rohrabacher/Anna Bright vs Tyra Black/Allyce Jones
Mixed doubles: Jorja Johnson/JW Johnson vs Meghan Dizon/James Ignatowich

Find a full preview for this event including where to watch and podium predictions from our guy Erik Tice here.

Headlines & Quick Hits

• The cushioning and breathability you need for pickleball

• Pickleball Tournament in Santa Monica Set to Award $5,000 in Bitcoin to Players

• Three Ways Pickleball Has Changed Over the Last Year

• PicklePod: Why Are Your Serves so Illegal? w/ Will Howells

• ICYMI: Why Embracing Failure Can Be Your Secret Weapon on the Court

Highlights

• Keep this on your highlight reel 🎞️

• Cruel ending to a first-time tweener 🙈

Miss a recent issue? We've got you covered

• Can physics improve your pickleball?

• Can these 5 strategies make you a 5.0?

• Fix your backhand flick

A review from the Dink Fam...

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