A Strong Showing at the 2026 VNEA Worlds
- Miele Group
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
Every league night has the potential to lead somewhere bigger. For several players in Miele Group's pool leagues, that journey led to the 2026 VNEA World Pool Championships, where thousands of competitors from across the United States and around the world gathered in Las Vegas, Nevada, from May 21 to 30, 2026.
Over ten days, players tested their skills while sharing the camaraderie and sportsmanship that make league pool unlike any other sport. This year's championship schedule was packed from start to finish, featuring singles championships, Scotch Doubles, team competition, coaching academies, referee schools, mini tournaments, the Parade of Flags, player celebrations, and championship finals.
Whether competing for a title or simply enjoying the experience of playing against top talent from around the world, every participant earned their place through dedication and countless hours at the table.
Miele Group was proudly represented by players from nine league teams: Bellatrix, Last Shot, No Chance, O' Well, Reckless Misfits, AMP – American Petroleum, Huey's, Pelican's Landing III, and Sutch's Mixed Mayhem. Together, they showcased the strength of our leagues while competing across National, Entertainment, Amateur, Open, and Women's divisions.
Bellatrix Leads the Way
One of the biggest highlights of the week came from Bellatrix, the all-women's team proudly sponsored by Miele Group through the Kinzua Memorial Classic.
Bellatrix battled through a talented field to finish 7th–8th out of 31 teams in the Women's 8-Ball Team event before proving that determination can change everything. Refusing to let their tournament end there, the team fought through the National Women's Team Redemption bracket and captured 1st Place out of 13 teams.
Their championship run was a perfect example of what makes league competition so exciting— staying composed, trusting your teammates, and never backing down from the next challenge.
Team Success Across Every Division
Bellatrix wasn't the only Miele Group team making noise in Las Vegas.
Sutch's Mixed Mayhem turned in one of the strongest performances of the week, advancing to a 9th–12th place finish out of 101 teams in the Amateur Open 8-Ball Team Finals.
Pelican's Landing III competed in multiple National divisions, earning a 9th–16th place finish out of 46 teams in the National Open Team Redemption event while also finishing 25th–32nd out of 61 teams in National Open Team 8-Ball Sports and 97th–128th in National 8-Ball Open Teams Division 3.
In the Entertainment divisions, Huey's earned a 17th–24th place finish out of 91 teams in Entertainment Open Team 8-Ball Sports while also finishing 97th–128th in Entertainment Open Team Division 8.
AMP – American Petroleum placed 25th–32nd out of 91 teams in Entertainment Open Team 8-Ball Sports and 97th–128th out of 158 teams in Entertainment Open Team Division 3.
O' Well also reached the 25th–32nd round in Entertainment Open Team 8-Ball Sports before finishing 129th–158th out of 158 teams in Entertainment Open Team Division 6.
No Chance and Last Shot each earned 33rd–64th place finishes in the Entertainment Open Team Redemption event while also finishing 33rd–48th in their respective Entertainment Team divisions.
Reckless Misfits proudly represented our leagues in the Amateur divisions, finishing 49th–64th in Amateur Open Team 8-Ball Sports and 65th–96th out of 101 teams in Amateur Open 8-Ball Team Division 4.
While every bracket was fiercely competitive, each of these teams demonstrated the talent and determination that continue to make Miele Group leagues some of the strongest around.
Individual Players Rise to the Occasion
The success didn't stop with team competition. Several Miele Group league members delivered exceptional individual performances against large, talented fields of players.
Among the tournament champions was Amanda Zajac, who captured 1st Place out of 87 players in the National Women's 8-Ball Singles Final. She also received one of the VNEA's highest individual honors, earning the prestigious All-Stars Award.
Gus Rehberg added two impressive finishes, taking 1st Place in the National Men's Classic & Senior 9-Ball Singles Sportsmen division while also earning 3rd Place in the National Men's Classic & Senior 8-Ball Singles Sportsmen event.
Our own Pool League Coordinator, Melena Thompson, represented Miele Group with an outstanding 3rd Place finish out of 35 players in the Amateur Women's 9-Ball Singles Final.
Other standout performances included:
Donn Keith — 1st Place, National Women's Classic 50+ 8-Ball Singles Finals
Quintin Miller — 2nd Place out of 123 players, Entertainment Men's 8-Ball Singles Sports Division
Kevin O'Malley — 3rd Place out of 61 players, Entertainment Men's 9-Ball Singles Sports Division
Julie Anne Jones — 4th Place, Entertainment Women's Classic 50+ 9-Ball Singles Finals
These results speak to the talent found throughout our leagues and prove that our players can compete with anyone when the stakes are highest.
Recognizing Leaders in Our League Family
The VNEA World Championships celebrate more than tournament victories. Each year, outstanding individuals are recognized for their contributions to the sport and the league community.
This year, three members of our league family received prestigious VNEA awards:
Amanda Zajac — All-Stars Award
Tom Comi — Referee of the Year
Brian Thompson — Juniors Appreciation Award
These honors recognize dedication, leadership, sportsmanship, and service—qualities that help make league pool stronger both on and off the table. We couldn't be prouder to see members of our own community recognized on an international stage!
Another Memorable Year for Miele Group
While everyone continues to await the VNEA's official final standings, one thing is already certain: Miele Group players left their mark in Las Vegas.
From championship performances and deep tournament runs to individual awards and unforgettable memories, this year's VNEA World Championships showcased the incredible talent within our leagues. More importantly, it highlighted the friendships, sportsmanship, and competitive spirit that keep players coming back season after season.
Congratulations to every player and supporter who represented Miele Group at the 2026 VNEA World Championships. Thank you for representing our leagues with pride and proving once again that small-town players can compete with the very best.
We'll see you back at the tables! The next great run starts with the first break.
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