Ranchers Start Mlp Austin By Sweeping Squeeze

The Texas Ranchers (4-1, 12 points) made the hometown crowd at MLP Austin proud on Friday afternoon with a 4-0 regulation victory over the Orlando Squeeze (9-3, 25 points).

It was the lone Premier Level match of the day at the Austin Pickle Ranch.

Tina Pisnik and Etta Tuionetoa got things started for Texas by defeating Lacy Schneemann and Samantha Parker 11-9 in women's doubles, and the Ranchers never looked back.

"I had a few good defensive shots at the end of the game," said Pisnik. "I don't think I played clean to start the game, but those few points where I was able to keep us in the point turned the match around and set the tone for the rest of the match."

Eric Oncins, who was acquired in early March from Miami Pickleball Club, is certainly enjoying his tenure with the Ranchers as their hot start to the season continues.

The 23-year-old Brazilian and Christian Alshon made easy work of Federico Staksrud and Dylan Frazier with an 11-2 triumph in men's doubles to give Texas a commanding 2-0 advantage. 

"I couldn't be happier to be here with my teammates, always carrying me throughout the matches, on and off the court," said Oncins with a laugh. "We came in with a game plan, we executed, and we played really well. I felt like I executed my shots, and then we came away with the win."

The Ranchers officially clinched the victory when Oncins and Pisnik downed Staksrud and Schneemann 11-4 in mixed doubles.

Oncins praised his partner's effort from start to finish in that encounter.

"I can't even call her a player, it's like a wall," he said, referencing Pisnik's remarkable skill on the court. "She's making every ball. I feel like I can play as free as possible, and that matches well with my gamestyle."

Pisnik, meanwhile, is well aware that the Ranchers still have a busy weekend ahead.

Focus will be key.

"We go one match at a time, one practice at a time, one lunch at a time. It's literally one point at a time," she emphasized. "We have a game plan, but we have to stay present, we have to stay in the moment and execute what the plan is, and then hope that it goes our way like it did today."

Make no mistake about it, though, she's already primed to battle the rival Dallas Flash on Saturday.

That match is scheduled to begin at 4:30 pm CT on Pickleballtv.

"It's just exciting to play good pickle and play against top teams and top players," concluded Pisnik. "It's good to have the atmosphere of playing on the home court and having that crowd behind us all the way."

Here are the results of Friday's matchups between Texas and Orlando:

WD: Pisnik/Tuionetoa def. Schneemann/Parker 11-9

MD: Oncins/Alshon def. Staksrud/Frazier 11-2

MXD: Oncins/Pisnik def. Staksrud/Schneemann 11-4

MXD: Alshon/Tuionetoa def. Frazier/Parker 11-6