# Chicago Slice teens Hendershot, Goins lead playoff push

2026-08-07T16:08:22+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Teenagers Elsie Hendershot and John Lucian Goins have carried the Chicago Slice into the MLP playoffs as the No. 12 seed after a late-season surge. The Slice beat the Las Vegas Night Owls and SoCal Hard Eights in the closing weeks, and pushed the Utah Diamonds and Dallas Flash to tight finishes, including a Dreambreaker decider. Chicago traded away starters in June and rebuilt around the pair, who were written off as too young. They now face the Palm Beach Royals in the Dallas opening round, after Brooklyn bypassed them. Times Now reports the matchup reflects league perceptions of Chicago's late form, but the team has embraced the underdog role.

## Coverage

- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/pickleball/chicago-slices-youth-led-playoff-push-defies-expectations-ahead-of-dallas-showdown-article-155369725>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/pickleball/teen-stars-elsie-hendershot-john-lucian-goins-power-chicago-slice-into-mlp-playoffs-article-155386072>

Tags: Chicago Slice, Elsie Hendershot, John Goins, MLP playoffs, pickleball
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