Support Us Button Widget
Sports

Meet the players: Texas Ranchers release debut pro-pickleball roster

Austin’s Major League Pickleball Team — one of the eight founding teams in the world — is ready to announce first-pick players Christian Alshon and Etta Wright.

April 4, 2024 • 
Laura Figi
Christian Alshon looking over his shoulder with a paddle in his hand on the left and Etta Wright poised to hit the ball wearing all black on the right.

First round picks Christian Alshon and Etta Wright will represent the Texas Ranchers in their inaugural season.

Photos courtesy of the Texas Ranchers

The debut team roster for the Texas Ranchers, Austin’s Major League Pickleball team, is here, and it’s a big dill.

Ahead of the team’s inaugural season, coached by semi-pro player Ryan Dawidjan, let’s meet some of the players.

  • Christian Alshon | Alshon is the first player in MLP history to take home the championship at both Challenger and Premier levels. A tennis player from Boca Raton, he was named MVP of MLP Dallas and began playing pickleball in 2021.
  • Etta Wright | Hailing from New Zealand, Wright is the first Tongan-American MLP player and began playing the sport in 2018.
  • Tina Pisnik | A former tennis pro (ranking No. 29 in the world in 2004), Yugoslavia-born Pisnik went pro-level after less than a year of playing pickleball.
  • Pablo Tellez | The Bogota native has been playing pickleball since 2019 and ranks in the top 10 in men’s singles and doubles on the PPA tour.
More from ATXtoday
Kirk Watson in front of a star wearing a blue suit and lighter blue shirt.
City
How Kirk Watson was voted mayor again in 2024
Kirk Watson has a storied history of being Mayor of Austin, and with his re-election confirmed, he’ll serve another four-year term.
November 15, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A woman looking through an array of art pieces and post cards framed at the Armadillos Christmas Bazaar.
Culture
Shop local at these holiday markets in Austin
‘Tis the season to start shopping for the holidays and anything you can buy, you can buy local at one of these holiday markets.
November 15, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
Swimmers enjoying the pool at Barton Springs Park in Austin, Texas.
Culture
Which locations around Austin deserve a historical marker?
Historical markers are physical signs, plaques, and statues that commemorate a significant place or event. Where would you like to see a historical marker around Austin?
November 15, 2024
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
The basement speakeasy of Tiger Lilly has wallpaper on the wall and ceilings, hanging plants, and a mirrored bar.
Development
A new event venue hits Downtown Austin
There’s a new place to host your weddings and special events at the corner of 4th Street and Colorado Street.
November 14, 2024
 · 
Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto
Colorful outdoor seating area with a vibrant mural covering the building's wall. The mural features whimsical, colorful shapes, including rainbows, clouds, and abstract designs. Wooden tables with metal chairs are arranged under dark blue umbrellas with scalloped edges.
Food
Stargazer bar and cafe opening in east Austin
The new spot will take over the former Austin Eastciders Taproom and serve goodies from a handful of local businesses.
November 13, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
A unique culinary creation with an artistic presentation. A small, round base, possibly a bread or pastry, is topped with a creamy, lightly toasted layer of sauce or cheese. Skewered on top are succulent, charred pieces of meat or mushroom, stacked and crowned with a tiny figurine of a skull in a top hat. The background is softly blurred, with hints of other elegantly plated dishes.
Food
7 restaurants in Austin earn MICHELIN Stars
Let’s dig into the first-ever picks, including 14 local Bib Gourmand Awards and a handful of MICHELIN-recommended spots, for the MICHELIN Guide Texas.
November 12, 2024
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
Two people sit on a curb reading books together outdoors. One person, wearing a denim jacket and a beanie, holds a book titled The Secret of the Moon Conch, while the other, dressed in a gray sweater, is reading a different book. A tote bag labeled "Texas Reader Book Club" rests on the ground beside them.
Events
Your guide to the Texas Book Festival 2024
Authors from Texas — including Matthew McConaughey, Malcolm Gladwell, and Ernest Cline — will share their books, participate in panels, and more
November 11, 2024
 · 
Laura Figi
Large, petal-shaped sculptures over the plaza with chairs in the foreground.
Play
23 museums in Austin
Whether you’re a history buff, art aficionado, or music fan, these 23 museums in Austin have it all.
November 11, 2024
 · 
STAFF
The top of the Texas State Capitol building with the Goddess of Liberty in view, as well as the American flag and the Texas flag.
Events
Veterans Day events and specials around Austin
Celebrate Veterans Day with a parade, ceremonies, and food specials.
November 8, 2024
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
A spread of colorful dishes arranged on a striped, pastel-colored tabletop. There’s a dish of roasted Brussels sprouts garnished with red chili slices, a creamy macaroni and cheese topped with breadcrumbs, a bowl of roasted corn with herbs, mashed sweet potatoes with sage and seeds, and a fresh kale and butternut squash salad sprinkled with almond slices. A small dessert square on a blue-and-white plate adds a sweet note to the scene.
Food
Thanksgiving feasts in Austin: Best spots for dine-in and to-go
Gobble up 12 of the best Thanksgiving meals available in the Capital City.
November 8, 2024
 · 
Morgan O’Neal