The Road That Led The Fives to the Championship
From a record-setting draft to lifting the franchise's first title in Central Park — this is the complete journey of New Jersey 5s to the top of the MLP.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK — After two straight years falling one step short of glory, New Jersey 5s finally broke the curse. On Sunday, in the heart of Central Park, the franchise was crowned champion of the 2026 Major League Pickleball season — the team's first-ever full-season title.
"After two straight years falling one step short of glory, New Jersey 5s finally broke the curse."
Ownership and Front Office
The Fives were founded in 2022 by Gary Vaynerchuk and Ryan Harwood, who remain co-owners of the franchise, with Harwood also serving as the team's General Manager. Raquel Joseph is also part of the team's ownership group, adding her own business background to The Fives' leadership structure. Internally, the organization goes by the nickname "Competitive Clowns."
Behind the roster, Leigh Waters — Anna Leigh Waters' mother and an active professional player in her own right, having actually won the doubles title with her daughter at the 2026 US Open — served as the team's coach throughout the season. Her strategy proved decisive in the year's tightest matches, including the defining moments of the final in Central Park.
The Fives didn't come into this season like just any team — they came in with the best player in the world, Anna Leigh Waters, already on the roster, and clear expectations:
"Win it all, or the season would be considered a failure."
With that mentality and the right leadership, the focus was clear from day one.
The Draft: Building the Championship Roster
Before the February draft, every team had to decide which players to "keep" from their previous roster. The Fives held on to three key pieces: Anna Leigh Waters, Will Howells, and Noé Khlif.
With those three pieces locked in, the February 27th draft turned into a bidding war between New Jersey and St. Louis Shock for the No. 2 pick (the No. 1 pick had already gone to St. Louis for a record-setting $1.23 million to bring back Anna Bright).
New Jersey won the bidding for Jorja Johnson, last year's league MVP, paying $800,000 — outbidding Dallas Flash, who backed off once the price climbed past $700,000.
That pick gave New Jersey a dream women's doubles duo (Anna Leigh Waters and Jorja Johnson) and two strong mixed doubles pairings, with Will Howells and Noé Khlif as the likely starters. With that roster in place, The Fives entered the season as the clear preseason favorites according to league analysts.
To round out the six-player roster, New Jersey used later picks to select Martin Emmrich and Lina Padegimaite — the latter, a past DINK Authority cover feature.
The Roster Taking Shape:
Preserved Core: Anna Leigh Waters, Will Howells, Noé Khlif
Key Draft Pick: Jorja Johnson
Later Additions: Martin Emmrich, Lina Padegimaite
Built to Win
A record investment. A calculated trade. And the depth that carried The Fives all the way.
A Slow Start No One Expected
The regular season didn't start the way anyone expected. The Fives finished fourth at the season-opening MLP Dallas event — far from the dominance projected on paper.
It was a reminder that talent alone doesn't guarantee results, and that chemistry, adaptation, and depth would be tested.
The Mid-Season Reinforcement
The team responded decisively in the trade window: right before the close of the season's second and final trade window, New Jersey completed a trade with Orlando Squeeze, sending Martin Emmrich, Lina Padegimaite, and cash considerations in exchange for Federico Staksrud and Milly Rane.
That reinforcement would ultimately prove decisive.
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From Fourth Place to Total Dominance
After the early stumble in Dallas, everything changed. New Jersey finished its next five events as follows: 1st • 1st • 1st • 2nd • 1st
That run locked in the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs, the most important position in all of MLP given the competitive edge it provides in the elimination format.
Even that dominance wasn't without bumps. At the MLP Mid-Season Tournament in Grand Rapids, St. Louis Shock swept New Jersey 3-0 in the final — a loss that, as it turned out, would become pure motivation.
"After the early stumble in Dallas, everything changed."
The Revenge Tour: From No. 1 Seed to One Last Shot at History
After the early stumble in Dallas and the loss to St. Louis in Grand Rapids, The Fives found another gear. What followed was a run of dominance, revenge, and playoff perfection that sent New Jersey back to the final for the third straight year.
"That loss became pure motivation."
Revenge Served in Orlando
At the MLP Orlando event, New Jersey took care of business against St. Louis Shock, winning 3-1 to secure the No. 1 playoff seed. It was a statement win — and a piece of payback — for the 3-0 loss they suffered just weeks earlier in Grand Rapids.
Finishing the regular season with the top seed meant more than just bragging rights: it gave The Fives the advantage of choosing their quarterfinal opponent from among the opening-round winners, a critical edge in MLP's single-elimination format.
Playoff Perfection
In the semifinals, New Jersey faced the Brooklyn Pickleball Team with one goal — leave no doubt.
Friday Semifinal: New Jersey 3, Brooklyn 0
Saturday Semifinal: New Jersey 3, Brooklyn 0
Two days. Two sweeps. No room for surprises. The Fives punched their ticket to the final for the third consecutive season.
"For the third straight year, The Fives were back in the Final. This time, they believed the ending could be different."
Noé Khlif & Anna Leigh Waters — A dynamic duo that sets the tone in every match. Will Howells — Consistent. Clutch. Every point matters.
The Road Back to the Final
It wasn't a straight line. It took adjustments, belief, and trust in the process. But once the pieces clicked, New Jersey looked like the team everyone expected back in February.
Their depth, balance, and chemistry carried them through tight battles and high-pressure moments.
One Last Challenge Awaits
For two years, The Fives came up short in the final. Now, standing between them and history is the one team that has pushed them further than anyone else: St. Louis Shock.
The stage is set. Central Park is ready. It all comes down to one weekend.
This Time, They Finished It
2024 — Finalists | 2025 — Finalists | 2026 — Champions
New Jersey 5s faced the one team that had already proven it could break their heart: St. Louis Shock. The same opponent that swept them 3-0 in the Mid-Season Tournament final in Grand Rapids.
The 2026 Championship Final would not be easy. But this time, The Fives were ready.
On Saturday, in a thriller to open the series, New Jersey stormed back to force a Dreambreaker — and edged St. Louis 22-20 to take a 1-0 lead.
On Sunday, in front of a packed Central Park crowd, The Fives closed it out in convincing fashion, winning the Dreambreaker 21-9 and completing a 2-0 series victory.
After two years of coming up just short, New Jersey 5s finally broke through.
"Two years of heartbreak had led them back to this moment."
The Dreambreaker Edge
The Dreambreaker has been both the source of their greatest pain and the stage of their greatest triumph. In 2026, it finally delivered the ending they had been chasing since the beginning.
It was the culmination of a season defined by resilience, adjustments, and belief — and the reward for a group that never stopped pushing forward.
The Architects of a Championship
Player Role
Anna Leigh Waters The best in the world. The leader.
Jorja Johnson League MVP. A cornerstone all season.
Noé Khlif Steady all year. Clutch when it mattered most.
Will Howells Consistent, composed, and critical in every moment.
Federico Staksrud The mid-season difference-maker. Finals MVP.
Milly Rane Energy, grit, and a winning presence.
Built by Everyone
Championships are never won by six players alone. They are built by everyone who contributes to the journey.
Martin Emmrich and Lina Padegimaite were part of the path that led here. Their time with the team helped shape the season, and their impact should not be forgotten.
From the front office to the coaching staff, from every practice to every road trip — this title belongs to the entire New Jersey 5s organization.
"They had been close before. This time, they left no doubt."
New Jersey 5s — 2026 Mlp Champions
From a record-setting draft to lifting the franchise's first title in Central Park — this is the complete journey of New Jersey 5s to the top of the MLP.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK — After two straight years falling one step short of glory, New Jersey 5s finally broke the curse. On Sunday, in the heart of Central Park, the franchise was crowned champion of the 2026 Major League Pickleball season — the team's first-ever full-season title.
"After two straight years falling one step short of glory, New Jersey 5s finally broke the curse."
Ownership and Front Office
The Fives were founded in 2022 by Gary Vaynerchuk and Ryan Harwood, who remain co-owners of the franchise, with Harwood also serving as the team's General Manager. Raquel Joseph is also part of the team's ownership group, adding her own business background to The Fives' leadership structure. Internally, the organization goes by the nickname "Competitive Clowns."
Behind the roster, Leigh Waters — Anna Leigh Waters' mother and an active professional player in her own right, having actually won the doubles title with her daughter at the 2026 US Open — served as the team's coach throughout the season. Her strategy proved decisive in the year's tightest matches, including the defining moments of the final in Central Park.
The Fives didn't come into this season like just any team — they came in with the best player in the world, Anna Leigh Waters, already on the roster, and clear expectations:
"Win it all, or the season would be considered a failure."
With that mentality and the right leadership, the focus was clear from day one.
The Draft: Building the Championship Roster
Before the February draft, every team had to decide which players to "keep" from their previous roster. The Fives held on to three key pieces: Anna Leigh Waters, Will Howells, and Noé Khlif.
With those three pieces locked in, the February 27th draft turned into a bidding war between New Jersey and St. Louis Shock for the No. 2 pick (the No. 1 pick had already gone to St. Louis for a record-setting $1.23 million to bring back Anna Bright).
New Jersey won the bidding for Jorja Johnson, last year's league MVP, paying $800,000 — outbidding Dallas Flash, who backed off once the price climbed past $700,000.
That pick gave New Jersey a dream women's doubles duo (Anna Leigh Waters and Jorja Johnson) and two strong mixed doubles pairings, with Will Howells and Noé Khlif as the likely starters. With that roster in place, The Fives entered the season as the clear preseason favorites according to league analysts.
To round out the six-player roster, New Jersey used later picks to select Martin Emmrich and Lina Padegimaite — the latter, a past DINK Authority cover feature.
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The Roster Taking Shape:
Preserved Core: Anna Leigh Waters, Will Howells, Noé Khlif
Key Draft Pick: Jorja Johnson
Later Additions: Martin Emmrich, Lina Padegimaite
Built to Win
A record investment. A calculated trade. And the depth that carried The Fives all the way.
A Slow Start No One Expected
The regular season didn't start the way anyone expected. The Fives finished fourth at the season-opening MLP Dallas event — far from the dominance projected on paper.
It was a reminder that talent alone doesn't guarantee results, and that chemistry, adaptation, and depth would be tested.
The Mid-Season Reinforcement
The team responded decisively in the trade window: right before the close of the season's second and final trade window, New Jersey completed a trade with Orlando Squeeze, sending Martin Emmrich, Lina Padegimaite, and cash considerations in exchange for Federico Staksrud and Milly Rane.
That reinforcement would ultimately prove decisive.
LOVE PICKLEBALL?
Get Dink Authority Magazine updates, new editions, pro stories and event alerts.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
From Fourth Place to Total Dominance
After the early stumble in Dallas, everything changed. New Jersey finished its next five events as follows: 1st • 1st • 1st • 2nd • 1st
That run locked in the No. 1 seed heading into the playoffs, the most important position in all of MLP given the competitive edge it provides in the elimination format.
Even that dominance wasn't without bumps. At the MLP Mid-Season Tournament in Grand Rapids, St. Louis Shock swept New Jersey 3-0 in the final — a loss that, as it turned out, would become pure motivation.
"After the early stumble in Dallas, everything changed."
The Revenge Tour: From No. 1 Seed to One Last Shot at History
After the early stumble in Dallas and the loss to St. Louis in Grand Rapids, The Fives found another gear. What followed was a run of dominance, revenge, and playoff perfection that sent New Jersey back to the final for the third straight year.
"That loss became pure motivation."
Revenge Served in Orlando
At the MLP Orlando event, New Jersey took care of business against St. Louis Shock, winning 3-1 to secure the No. 1 playoff seed. It was a statement win — and a piece of payback — for the 3-0 loss they suffered just weeks earlier in Grand Rapids.
Finishing the regular season with the top seed meant more than just bragging rights: it gave The Fives the advantage of choosing their quarterfinal opponent from among the opening-round winners, a critical edge in MLP's single-elimination format.
Playoff Perfection
In the semifinals, New Jersey faced the Brooklyn Pickleball Team with one goal — leave no doubt.
Friday Semifinal: New Jersey 3, Brooklyn 0
Saturday Semifinal: New Jersey 3, Brooklyn 0
Two days. Two sweeps. No room for surprises. The Fives punched their ticket to the final for the third consecutive season.
"For the third straight year, The Fives were back in the Final. This time, they believed the ending could be different."
Noé Khlif & Anna Leigh Waters — A dynamic duo that sets the tone in every match. Will Howells — Consistent. Clutch. Every point matters.
The Road Back to the Final
It wasn't a straight line. It took adjustments, belief, and trust in the process. But once the pieces clicked, New Jersey looked like the team everyone expected back in February.
Their depth, balance, and chemistry carried them through tight battles and high-pressure moments.
One Last Challenge Awaits
For two years, The Fives came up short in the final. Now, standing between them and history is the one team that has pushed them further than anyone else: St. Louis Shock.
The stage is set. Central Park is ready. It all comes down to one weekend.
This Time, They Finished It
2024 — Finalists | 2025 — Finalists | 2026 — Champions
New Jersey 5s faced the one team that had already proven it could break their heart: St. Louis Shock. The same opponent that swept them 3-0 in the Mid-Season Tournament final in Grand Rapids.
The 2026 Championship Final would not be easy. But this time, The Fives were ready.
On Saturday, in a thriller to open the series, New Jersey stormed back to force a Dreambreaker — and edged St. Louis 22-20 to take a 1-0 lead.
On Sunday, in front of a packed Central Park crowd, The Fives closed it out in convincing fashion, winning the Dreambreaker 21-9 and completing a 2-0 series victory.
After two years of coming up just short, New Jersey 5s finally broke through.
"Two years of heartbreak had led them back to this moment."
The Dreambreaker Edge
The Dreambreaker has been both the source of their greatest pain and the stage of their greatest triumph. In 2026, it finally delivered the ending they had been chasing since the beginning.
It was the culmination of a season defined by resilience, adjustments, and belief — and the reward for a group that never stopped pushing forward.
The Architects of a Championship
Player Role
Anna Leigh Waters The best in the world. The leader.
Jorja Johnson League MVP. A cornerstone all season.
Noé Khlif Steady all year. Clutch when it mattered most.
Will Howells Consistent, composed, and critical in every moment.
Federico Staksrud The mid-season difference-maker. Finals MVP.
Milly Rane Energy, grit, and a winning presence.
Built by Everyone
Championships are never won by six players alone. They are built by everyone who contributes to the journey.
Martin Emmrich and Lina Padegimaite were part of the path that led here. Their time with the team helped shape the season, and their impact should not be forgotten.
From the front office to the coaching staff, from every practice to every road trip — this title belongs to the entire New Jersey 5s organization.
"They had been close before. This time, they left no doubt."
New Jersey 5s — 2026 Mlp Champions
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