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BCO Day 2: It's Premier Day!

BCO Day 2: It's Premier Day!

AND YES, we talk about today's drama

Team KOTC
July 10, 2024

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Yes. We’re Talking About THAT call

An exhilarating and contentious day was not what we expected for a Wednesday event day, but Day 1 of BCO left nothing to be desired.

The biggest story, of course, is Jimmy’s Cali Black Bears with the “hook of the week” (though certainly not the only hook of the day). With the Florida Smash leading 2 games to 1, Michelle Esquivel called a ball “out” that appeared definitively “in” to most everyone else in the building. Yes. It was a bad call, but in the absence of video replay, the call relied on the line judges’ observation, the head ref’s corroboration, and the player’s integrity. With the line judges unable to see to confirm (they were placed on the opposite end of the court from the call in question), head ref for the match, Onisha Smith, validated the call as “out.” This ended the debate, at least for the game. The call gave the Black Bears an 18-17 lead and momentum that carried them to a 21-17 Dreambreaker victory.

Since that time, it’s been hotly debated with videos shared and points and counterpoints made. But the facts are the facts - it was a bad call, which was confirmed by the ref (for which she allegedly apologized to the Smash after the game). Unfortunately, these types of missed calls can happen, even in other professional sports (and even when major stakes on the line).

That wasn’t the only bad call of the day. At 8-4 in the 4th game of the Aces vs. Miami match, with the Aces leading 2-1, Eric Oncins (Miami) dropped a beautiful ball into the kitchen. It was countered with an even more fabulous effort by Layne Sleeth (Aces) to push to the kitchen and get the ball right before the second bounce. Oncins, however, thought the ball bounced twice and casually caught the ball to end the rally. The game ended up going to Miami, taking them to Dreambreaker, which the Aces ultimately won 23-21.

MLP being able to stream a replay immediately, but not have video challenges is truly baffling. If hooking and bad line calls are to be curtailed, calls should be made by refs and line judges only, and video challenges are a must. Perhaps today’s events are enough to light a fire and get the UPA leadership to act.

Storylines to watch on Day 2:

Who’s Driving the Drive? With Andrei Daescu missing this event, we’re keen to see how the AZ Drive perform with AJ Koller taking his spot. Will they get “Good AJ” or “Bad AJ”?
Wheelin’ and Dealin’ in Texas. We’re all very curious to see if the Texas Ranchers’ savvy moves during last month’s waiver period will be a success, with newest permanent teammate Quang Duong saddling up. This isn’t Quang’s first time playing with the team, as he subbed for injured Christian Alshon at MLP DC.
The Glozman Show. After going on a hot streak, Vivan Glozman was elevated from Challenger when she was traded to the DC Pickleball team from the Breakers, replacing Allyce Jones. Will DC’s bold pick pay off?
Bye, Bye Breakers? The Bay Area Breakers play their first game of the tournament with only 1 of their regular players appearing. Collin Shick will be joined by substitutes Rachel Rettger, Samantha Parker, and Grayson Goldin in for Allyce Jones, Jill Braverman, and DJ Young, respectively. Ironically, Rettger was dropped by the Breakers during the waiver period, and she removed her tags from all their social posts. Will there be trouble in paradise?