The Atlanta Bouncers of Major League Pickleball are gearing up for the start of their 2024 season, set to kick off on Friday, May 10th, in Buford, Georgia.
Led by seasoned players like Angie Walker, Jaume Martinez Vich, Todd Fought, and Genie Erokhina, the Bouncers are ready to make their mark in the league.
Walker, a professional pickleball player, expressed her excitement about playing for the Atlanta Bouncers, emphasizing the opportunity the sport provides for her to pursue her passion full-time.
Unlike many other athletes who juggle multiple jobs, pickleball allows Walker and her teammates to focus solely on their athletic careers.
The roster boasts players with diverse sporting backgrounds, with many coming from tennis.
Martinez Vich, for instance, was a standout tennis player at Hawaii Pacific University, while Walker and Fought also have collegiate tennis experience.
Drafted into the Atlanta Bouncers during the recent MLP Draft, the team is eager to prove themselves on the court.
Coach Chris Wolfe, who oversees pickleball operations for Competitive Sports Ventures, is confident in the team’s abilities and sets the goal of advancing to the Premier Level.
Similar to European soccer leagues, Major League Pickleball consists of two tiers: Premier and Challenger.
At the end of the season, the top Challenger teams earn promotion to the Premier League, adding an extra layer of competition and excitement.
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Team | Atlanta Bouncers |
| League | Major League Pickleball |
| Season Opener | May 10, 2024 |
| Location | Buford, Georgia |
| Players | Angie Walker, Jaume Martinez Vich, Todd Fought, Genie Erokhina |
| Background | Tennis backgrounds; Walker played at Idaho State, Martinez Vich at Hawaii Pacific, Fought at Weber State |
| Goal | Advance to Premier Level |
| Training Ground | Pickle & Social in Buford, Georgia |
| Ownership | Partially owned by Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young |
| Season | Nearly 30 matches |
| First Match Venue | Peachtree Corners Lifetime Fitness |
The team’s home base and training ground is Pickle & Social in Buford, a popular spot among pickleball enthusiasts.
The Bouncers, as the only team representing the Deep South, have garnered support from various quarters, including a partial ownership stake from Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young.
With nearly 30 matches ahead of them, starting at Peachtree Corners Lifetime Fitness, Walker and Martinez Vich are optimistic about their futures in the league.
They envision long and successful careers ahead, fueled by their passion for the game and their commitment to continuous improvement.
As Martinez Vich aptly puts it, the team is headed in the right direction, and they’re ready to take on whatever challenges come their way.
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