Week 4 of Major League Table Tennis is set to deliver a packed weekend of storylines. The East welcomes the Princeton Revolution’s long-awaited season debut, the West-leading Portland Paddlers look to extend their dominance, the New York Slice hope to build off their Week 2 momentum, and the Chicago Wind get a chance to roar at home. All four squads arrive in Bensenville, Ill. with something to prove.

New York Slice – Reloaded and Reinforced

The Slice return with fresh energy and a key new face. Choi Haeeun of South Korea joins the lineup, bringing calm intensity and fearless execution to her rookie campaign. She helped lead her teams to first-place finishes at the 2023 Korean National Championships (Doubles) and 2024 Team Championships, plus a bronze medal at the 2018 World Junior Championships. Her composed presence and sharp instincts make her an ideal complement to Koki Niwa, Jishan Liang, and Tao Wenzhang.

New York enters Week 4 at 2–1, a strong position in the East. Expect their doubles chemistry, especially with Niwa’s sleight-of-hand creativity, to play a decisive role against both Princeton and Portland.

Chicago Wind – Time to Turn It Up

The Chicago Wind sit at 1–2, but their record hides how close they have been in every match. Hosting Week 4 gives them a critical chance to climb the standings. Eric Owens continues to anchor the squad with leadership and poise, while Emmanuel Lebesson remains a walking highlight reel with his lethal serve and third-ball grenades.

The Wind’s secret weapon might be Mo Zhang, the short-pips destroyer who brings chaos and control in equal measure. Her ability to change spin and pace mid-rally keeps opponents guessing. Add Alex Cazacu’s flexing forehand and Robert Gardos’ precision, and this Chicago lineup has all the tools to light up their home arena.

Princeton Revolution – The Debut We’ve Been Waiting For

Finally, the Princeton Revolution take the stage. After weeks of anticipation, the East’s newest team led by Mathias Habesohn makes its debut with one of the league’s most balanced rosters. Benedek Olah’s backhand rip is a proven weapon, while Koyo Kanamitsu and Jiangshan Guo bring a mix of speed and stability. Kewei Li joins as the team’s free agent to complete the lineup.

The challenge for Princeton is chemistry and roster depth. Not having their two newly drafted players, Cho Seungmin and Cheng Hsien-Tzu, puts them against the wall right from the drop. It will be a major challenge for Princeton to keep pace in their first weekend of play. Facing the Slice, Wind, and Paddlers in quick succession will test how fast this group can adapt to the league’s speed and pressure.

Portland Paddlers – Confidence, Depth, and a New Rotation

The Paddlers remain the standard of consistency. Sitting atop the West at 5–1, they have been nearly unstoppable behind Hampus Nordberg, Nikhil Kumar, and Rachel Sung. But Week 4 brings lineup changes. Portland will be without Men’s MVP Kang Dong Soo, who dominated in Week 3 with his mix of defense and attack.

In his absence, Sid Naresh steps in, bringing electric pace and flair to every point. He joins a rotation that now features Kotomi Omoda, fresh off being named Week 3 Female MVP. Omoda will share duties with Rachel Sung, giving Portland a balanced blend of control and aggression in the women’s slot. With Coach Christian Lillieroos steering strategy, Portland remains the team to beat.

Weekend Storylines

• Debut Time: Princeton finally joins the MLTT stage. Can they overcome the absence of their two top draft picks?
  
• Host Pressure: Chicago looks to defend home turf and climb above .500.
  
• Paddler Power: Can Portland stay perfect without their MVP?
  
• Slice Strategy: New York’s new addition, Choi Haeeun, could be the X-factor in doubles and Golden Games.
  

Week 4 Match Schedule (Central Time)

Friday 4:00 PM – New York Slice vs. Princeton Revolution
Friday 7:30 PM – Portland Paddlers vs. Chicago Wind
Saturday 4:00 PM – New York Slice vs. Portland Paddlers
Saturday 7:30 PM – Princeton Revolution vs. Chicago Wind
Sunday 11:00 AM – Portland Paddlers vs. Princeton Revolution
Sunday 2:30 PM – New York Slice vs. Chicago Wind

Book your tickets now at https://tickets.mltt.com/

What’s at Stake

• Portland can extend their West Division lead and prove their depth without Kang.
  
• Chicago needs two wins to stay in playoff range.
  
• New York can retake control of the East with a strong doubles showing.
  
• Princeton finally gets to show what their chemistry looks like under fire.
  

Final Serve

Four teams. Three days. One defining weekend. The Revolution debut, the Slice reload, the Wind host, and the Paddlers try to keep their wave rolling.

It’s Week 4 of Major League Table Tennis where every shot, every flex, and every rally shapes the playoff picture.

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