Powered by Performance: How the Nashville Chefs Took on MLP Wearing DA

Momentum Meets Footwork

The 2025 MLP season gave pickleball fans everything they could hope for: high-stakes matches, dream-breaker drama, and a showcase of the sport’s brightest rising stars. Among the teams making waves this season, the Nashville Chefs stood out — not just for their grit and teamwork, but also for the gear that helped them perform at their peak.

This season, the Chefs laced up in DAPS pickleball shoes, bringing science-backed stability, comfort, and explosive movement to every rally. From lightning-fast direction changes to grueling baseline exchanges, the Chefs’ choice in footwear was no accident. It was performance by design.

In this post, we’ll take you inside the Chefs’ season, explore why they chose DAPS, and show how the right shoes can elevate more than just a match — they can power a movement.

Who Are the Nashville Chefs?

If you’re new to MLP (Major League Pickleball), the Nashville Chefs are one of the league’s most dynamic teams. With a roster that blends athleticism, strategy, and resilience, the Chefs brought a fresh level of intensity to the 2025 season.

Marshall Brown (@marshallbrownpickleball): Known for his fast hands and relentless energy on court.
Ewa Magdalena Radzikowska (@ewa_magdalena_radzikowska): A versatile competitor with precision volleys and baseline grit.
Genie Erokhina (@genie_erokhina): Quick on her feet, fearless at the net.
Michelle (@pickleballwithmichelle): A player-coach vibe — bringing stability and smart strategy to every match.
Anderson Scarpa (@andersonscarpa): Explosive footwork and dynamic shot-making.

Together, they pushed through a season of competitive fire, getting so close to a dream breaker in the final match.

And through it all? They were wearing DAPS DESI pickleball shoes — tested, trusted, and designed for the exact demands of this game.

Why Footwork Matters in MLP

MLP isn’t your casual backyard game of pickleball. It’s fast, furious, and unforgiving. Every point demands:

Explosive starts — off the line and into position.
Quick lateral cuts — to track those dink battles.
Sudden stops — to reset balance in transition.
All-day endurance — as tournaments push players through marathon sessions.

The wrong shoes? They slip, they wear down, they fail to support.

The right shoes? They give you confidence, knowing that every plant, pivot, and push-off keeps you stable and in control.

That’s why the Chefs — like many pros — moved away from tennis shoes or running shoes. Pickleball isn’t tennis. It’s not running. It’s its own sport. It needs its own shoe.

Why the Nashville Chefs Chose DAPS

The Chefs didn’t just wear DAPS this season. They trusted DAPS as part of their competitive edge. Here’s why:

Stability for Net Battles

When matches came down to those lightning-fast kitchen exchanges, stability mattered. DAPS shoes feature a carbon fiber shank and low-profile herringbone sole that keep players grounded while still allowing for explosive pushes.
Energy Return for Long Matches

The Chefs battled through back-to-back matches and tiebreakers. The ETPU midsole in DAPS delivered energy return that reduced fatigue and kept legs fresher longer.
Traction Designed for Pickleball Courts

Outdoor pickleball courts demand traction that tennis shoes don’t provide. The DAPS rubber matrix sole grips both gritty outdoor courts and smoother indoor surfaces.
Durability That Outlasts the Season

MLP seasons are brutal on shoes. But the Chefs’ DAPS pairs held up through constant wear, giving them consistent performance without breakdown.
Comfort They Could Trust

Endurance is a weapon, and comfort keeps it sharp. The Chefs praised DAPS’ Bluemaka insoles for shock absorption and fit.

The Chefs experienced the same transformation.

The Season: How DAPS Backed Their Run

Match After Match, Point After Point

Throughout the season, fans noticed how the Chefs seemed to find another gear when matches tightened. That edge came partly from the confidence in their shoes.

Against top seeds: quick lateral bursts gave them the speed to stay competitive.
In doubles play: stability in the kitchen allowed them to win dink wars.
In the final match: their aggressive pushes nearly carried them into dream breaker territory.

Getting So Close to a Dream Breaker

The Chefs’ season ended just shy of the dream breaker — the dramatic final format that makes MLP unique. But their run proved one thing: they’re building something big.

And with DAPS underfoot, the foundation is solid.

Science That Backs the Shoes

It’s not just hype — DAPS shoes are validated by independent testing at Heeluxe, a leading biomechanics lab.

Ground Force Reaction: DAPS outperformed competitors, allowing players to push off harder and move faster.
Dynamic Movement: Measured agility drills showed DAPS supporting quicker direction changes.
Energy Return: Higher efficiency with less wasted effort meant players could sustain intensity longer.

For the Chefs, this wasn’t theory. It was lived reality, every single match.

DAPS vs. The Others

Pickleball players often ask: Why not just wear tennis shoes or cross-trainers? Here’s the simple breakdown:

Feature	DAPS DESI	Tennis Shoes	Running Shoes	Generic Court Shoes
Designed for Pickleball	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No	⚠️ Sometimes
Stability for Kitchen Exchanges	✅	⚠️ Moderate	❌ Poor	⚠️ Inconsistent
Energy Return	✅ High	⚠️ Medium	✅ High (but wrong traction)	⚠️ Medium
Traction on Pickleball Courts	✅ Optimized	⚠️ Designed for clay/hard tennis	❌ Road/track only	⚠️ Variable
Durability Under Pickleball Demands	✅ Season-Proven	⚠️ Decent	❌ Low	⚠️ Mixed

For the Chefs — and for any competitive player — the choice was clear.

What This Means for Everyday Players

You don’t have to play MLP to feel the difference. The same shoes that powered the Nashville Chefs can power your game.

Whether you’re battling for league points at your local rec center or grinding through open play on outdoor courts, DAPS gives you the same:

Confidence in every cut.
Support through every long rally.
Comfort that lets you play longer.

If the Chefs trust them on the biggest stage, you can trust them for your own pickleball journey.

What’s Next for the Chefs

The Nashville Chefs may have come up just shy of a dream breaker this season, but their momentum is undeniable. With their roster locked in, fan base growing, and DAPS at their feet, the next season is already brimming with possibility.

We’re proud to stand with them — not just as sponsors, but as partners in the mission to raise the level of pickleball performance everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pickleball Shoes

Q: Can I really feel the difference between DAPS and tennis shoes?

Yes. Tennis shoes weren’t designed for the smaller, faster, more explosive court demands of pickleball. DAPS are built specifically for those demands.

Q: Do pros actually wear DAPS?

Yes — the Nashville Chefs wore them throughout the MLP season, and other competitive players have made the switch after realizing tennis shoes don’t cut it.

Q: Are DAPS good for recreational players too?

Absolutely. If you value stability, comfort, and durability, DAPS will improve your game at any level.

Q: How long do DAPS shoes last?

Season after season, our shoes prove durable under the most intense play. Average players can expect far more life compared to running or generic court shoes.

Q: Where can I get DAPS pickleball shoes?

Direct from our site: DAPS DESI Low and DAPS DESI Mid.

Closing: All Rise With DAPS

The Nashville Chefs’ 2025 season showed us what’s possible when skill meets the right support. They battled, they pushed, and they nearly reached dream breaker glory. Through it all, they trusted their foundation — DAPS pickleball shoes.

Because at the end of the day, great teams don’t just play harder. They play smarter. And smarter starts from the ground up.

ALL:RISE.

Powered by Performance: How the Nashville Chefs Took on MLP Wearing DAPS Pickleball Shoes