· By Olivia Friedley
Amway MLP Orlando Recap - Orlando Squeeze Close Regular Season at Home
Tournament Overview
The Orlando Squeeze returned home for Amway MLP Orlando, the final regular-season stop of the 2026 Major League Pickleball season, competing in front of a hometown crowd at ESPN Wide World of Sports. With new additions Lina Padegimaitė and Gregory Dow joining the lineup, Orlando entered the weekend looking to build chemistry, gain momentum, and strengthen its position heading into the season's final stretch.
Across five matches against the Las Vegas Night Owls, Phoenix Flames, Miami Pickleball Club, Brooklyn Pickleball Team, and St. Louis Shock, the Squeeze showed resilience against a competitive field. Orlando's highlight result came in a 3-1 victory over Phoenix, while a narrow 2-3 Sunshine State matchup against Miami further demonstrated the team's ability to compete in closely contested matches.
The Squeeze concluded the regular season with a 13-13 record and 26 points. While Orlando's late-season push kept the club within striking distance of postseason contention, the team ultimately finished No. 14 in the MLP standings, narrowly missing a playoff berth. With new additions contributing immediately and several strong performances to build upon, the Squeeze leave the 2026 season with valuable momentum and a clear foundation for the future.
Tournament Name: Amway MLP Orlando
Dates: July 30- August 2, 2026
Location / Venue: Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Total teams competing: 12
Tournament Results
The following reflects Orlando Squeeze's performance across all matches played:
|
Match |
Opponent |
Score |
Result |
|
Match 1 |
Las Vegas Night Owls |
0-4 |
L |
|
Match 2 |
Phoenix Flames |
3-1 |
W |
|
Match 3 |
Miami Pickleball Club |
2-3 |
L |
|
Match 4 |
Brooklyn Pickleball Team |
0-4 |
L |
|
Match 5 |
St. Louis Shock |
0-4 |
L |
Final standing / placement out of all teams competing in Orlando: 10th
Overall record (W-L): 1-4
Tournament Highlights
Player Performances
• Lacy Schneemann—Back and better than ever this weekend earning Player of the Match (presented by AdventHealth) recognition against the Phoenix Flames.
• Jack Sock—Showed off his shot precision and ‘ninja-like’ reflexes all weekend.
Key Moments
• Even with new additions in the lineup, the Squeeze continued to show the fight and team energy that has defined their season, especially during their 3-1 win over the Phoenix Flames and close 2-3 battle against Miami Pickleball Club.
Team Quote
“There’s nothing like playing in front of a hometown crowd. It’s always electric, and the energy is crazy.”
— Yates Johnson on playing at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Follow the Orlando Squeeze on social media for live updates, player content, and behind-the-scenes coverage.
Instagram handle: @orlandosqueeze
TikTok handle: @orlandosqueeze
X handle: @orlandosqueeze