STORYLINES FOR THE STRATUSPHERE GIN VIRGINIA BEACH CUP

OVERALL TOP 5:

• 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.   

VENUE/TOURNEY/TV:

• 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).

WOMEN’S SINGLES:

• 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)?

MEN’S SINGLES:

• 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.

MIXED DOUBLES:

• 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?

WOMEN’S DOUBLES:

• 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. 

MEN’S DOUBLES:

• 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?