University of Virginia
2018-19 Projections:
National: 10 /// East Coast Region: 3
Location: Charlottesville, VA
2017-18 Record: 8-15
2017-18 Finish: Round of 16
Captains:
Zane Durbin (C)
Jeremy Shaw (A)
Marty Knauf (A)
Ryan Kelly (A)
Other Top Players: Continue reading “Team Preview: Virginia”
Ball State University
2018-19 Projections:
National: 26 /// Midway Conference: 4
Location: Muncie, IN
2017-18 Record: 0-7
2017-18 Finish: Did not attend Nationals
Captains:
Kevin Frye (C)
Brooke Kobza (A)
Keegan Short (A)
Cordell Pressler (A)
Other Top Players: Continue reading “Team Preview: Ball State”
Saginaw Valley State University
2018-19 Projections:
National: 4 /// Michigan Region: 3
Location: Saginaw, MI
2017-18 Record: 14-13
2017-18 Finish: Final Four
Captains:
Kenny Mize (C)
Ryan Anguilm (A)
Kyle Bruce (A)
Other Top Players: Continue reading “Team Preview: Saginaw Valley State”
Ohio State University
2018-19 Projections:
National: 16 /// Ohio Region: 5
Location: Columbus, OH
2017-18 Record: 7-14
2017-18 Finish: Round of 24
Captains:
Dylan Greer (C)
Ben Johnson (A)
Frank Cerny (A)
Alex Jacobs (A)
Other Top Players: Continue reading “Team Preview: Ohio State”
Grand Valley State University
2018-19 Projections:
National: 1 /// Michigan Region: 1
Location: Allendale, MI
2017-18 Record: 22-4
2017-18 Finish: National Champs
Captains:
Brandon Meisel (C)
Aaron Krafft (A)
Josh Hill (A)
Other Top Players: Continue reading “Team Preview: Grand Valley State”
The National Collegiate Dodgeball Association’s 2018-19 season kicks off this weekend with events happening in several different regions. As we prepare for the new season, it’s only right to take a look at the college dodgeball landscape right now.
Below is the official 2018 Preseason Power Rankings list produced by NCDA Executive Board members Jacob Leski (Director of Recruitment and Retention), and Kevin Bailey (Chief of Content). Please keep in mind: these power rankings have no impact on the actual NCDA Standings. Continue reading “Power Rankings: Preseason 2018”
It’s almost that time of year again. As schools get back in session all across the country, the anticipation continues to build for another season of collegiate dodgeball! As we approach the new season, a few members of the content team have provided their predictions for how this year will play out in the NCDA. Take a look at their predictions below:
I approached Kevin a while ago (he probably stopped believing I’d actually write this) about telling my Dodgeball Story. I read some of the others that have been submitted this summer and it made me want to tell mine. I know there is a story inside of me but I have been struggling with how to tell it. How do I tell my story which is personal but also make it meaningful, insightful, and at least somewhat entertaining to the people reading it that do not know me? I decided to simply go for it and not worry about it. Selfishly, I’m telling this story in hopes that I can move on. I’m hoping that once I am finished I will feel a sense of closure. Closure that I have been missing since I left SVSU in 2014. Continue reading “My Dodgeball Story: Nathan Council (SVSU)”
It seems all too common for dodgeball stories to begin with an obscure story about how an individual discovered the sport on their college campus. This story will be no different.
Before moving in to campus as a freshman in Fall 2011, I knew I wanted to play a club sport, but I wasn’t sure which one or how to even get involved. The smart kids went on Towson’s website and researched this type of thing, meanwhile my lazy behind decided to just show up and hope I could figure it out. Little did I know my laziness would actually turn out to be the best thing of my first year at Towson.
We still have several months before the 2018-19 College Dodgeball season kicks off, but it’s always nice to start speculating for the coming year. Listed below is my way-too-early top 25 for next season:
1) Grand Valley StateSix straight national titles and counting. GVSU returns all but two starters in 2018-19, making them a very easy choice as the preseason #1 team in College Dodgeball. The Lakers’ roster is absolutely loaded with talented veterans heading into this season. I have a hard time envisioning this team losing too many games this year, as the gap between them and the second best school seems wider than in recent years. In fact, the last time a team was this big of a favorite heading into the season was probably GVSU back in 2009?
2) James MadisonI’m buying into the hype for JMU this year. They have a deep roster filled with athletic players. The missing piece last year was just that they lacked coordination and strategy in some big games. Now that this team has more experience under their belt, I expect them to be a much improved group in 2018-19. Don’t be surprised when James Madison goes undefeated against East Coast opponents all of next year, and challenges for a national title in the spring.
Listed below are your 2nd Team All-Americans. The 1st Team can be found here.
GVSU won their 6th-straight National Title a few weeks ago. Junior Aaron Krafft has his best performance of the year at Nationals, and it was enough to earn him Baller of the Month! I chatted with Aaron about everything from his mindset, to his favorite dodgeball memories, to which Disney movies he thinks are the best. Read our interview below:
Kevin Bailey: First off, congratulations on wining Baller of the Month. How does it feel to cap off the season with a National Title and a well-deserved BOTM distinction?
Aaron Krafft: Thanks, Kevin. Winning the National Title this year was unlike any other year because of what we went through this season to get there. Outside of MDC, we never played to our potential but at Nationals we played better than I thought was possible. As far as BOTM goes, I’m honored to be chosen because I know there are lots of others worthy of the distinction.
The National Collegiate Dodgeball Association continues to expand at a rapid pace. As the number of teams and players in the league increases, so does the competition to make the All-American Team. As we have reached the end of the 14th season of College Dodgeball, it is time to announce the players who have earned a spot on this year’s list. Congrats to all the fantastic players on this list.
The South is a new and rapidly expanding region in the NCDA. Outside of the Kentucky schools, the league has not had much growth in the south until recently. Now, there are active teams in Louisiana, Georgia and Florida! Despite half the southern schools being in their first or second year in the league, there was plenty of talent throughout the region.
Here is your 2018 All-South Team:
Kyle Dattelbaum caps his final season with North Georgia as the Most Valuable Player in the South Region. That is quite the honor, and one Kyle is more than deserving of. First off, Kyle was a heck of a player on the court. He has a fantastic arm, and is very accurate with where he places his throws. On top of that, Kyle has a knack for avoiding team throws and making clutch catches, and can often be found leading a comeback point for his squad. Kyle will leave a great legacy behind as he graduates. He has been a catalyst for the growth of the South Region over the past few years, not just by founding the club at UNG, but also assisting in the recruitment of Central Florida to the NCDA. Kyle’s leadership will be missed next season for UNG. As will his stellar skillset.
P.S. His jersey has been officially retired from use at UNG.
-Written by Kevin Bailey
Thomas Clements had quite the breakout performance at Nationals 2018, proving to the rest of the league that he is a top player in the South Region. Thomas has a very solid arm, and can be counted on to make a big catch, but on thing that sets him apart from other players is his anticipation and instinct. If you ever watch Thomas play dodgeball, he looks like a natural out there, as he moves up and down the court making plays in transition with incredible efficiency. As Kyle Dattelbaum Graduates, Thomas will likely be the new face of the UNG program, and the key to the team’s offensive strategy. I expect big things from the man with the mullet next season.
-Written by Kevin Bailey
Frangi was Mr. Irrelevant in the Nationals 2017 All-Star Draft, but this year he has been anything but irrelevant for GSU. The current assistant captain of the team played a big role in helping Southern get their first wins in program history this season. With a combination of deceptive athleticism and elusiveness he can get balls for the team when they need it, and has a strong while accurate throw to compliment. He is graduating this year, so GSU will surely miss his on-court leadership, but he has definitely helped light a fire for the future of the program.
-Written by Hunter Ford Continue reading “2018 All-South Team”
College Dodgeball is a brutal sport to play. And yet, the NCDA has plenty of tough, talented female ballers across the country who excel in this difficult form of dodgeball. This year, we saw many female players in leadership roles with their clubs, and many more earning spots on their team’s starting lineup. The women of the NCDA continue to prove they can compete with the best players out there, and it has never been more clear than this season. This year’s All-American list is loaded with talented, smart, and passionate players. Listed below is your 2018 Women’s All-American Team:
