Each year nationals gives teams the chance to fight harder than any other game to come out on top. It also gives teams who haven’t experienced many games or every team the opportunity to show off their skills and hard work. This year, in the third annual Women’s National Dodgeball tournament in Akron, Ohio, 58 players formed eight teams across 9 school to battle for the trophy.
All photos included were taken by Kate Douglas (me).
Continue reading “2026 Women’s Nationals Recap”Every Nationals, unsung heroes define the tournament. Think back to even last year, when Ty Keller made an incredible catch in the latest moments of the championship game to push the Redhawks to their first title. This year’s field is wide-open, meaning new faces are sure to emerge.
Continue reading “Who to Watch for Each Top-Ten Team”ATHENS, OH. — From undefeated runs and statistical dominance to rebuilding years and late-season surges, every team in this 20-squad field brings a unique storyline into Saturday play. With seeding, pride, and survival on the line, the opening slate promises high-stakes matchups that will shape the bracket—and possibly redefine the balance of power across the NCDA. At the top, blue bloods and reigning powers collide with hungry challengers and breakthrough programs, all converging in Athens with vastly different paths—but the same ultimate goal. Ohio State and Michigan State headline the field as dominant forces on a collision course, while upstarts like Kent State, Nebraska, and Virginia look to prove their regular season success translates when it matters most. Meanwhile, perennial contenders such as Grand Valley State and Miami aim to reassert their place at the summit and fend off one of the deepest and most dangerous fields in years.
Continue reading “Nationals 2026 Preview”When the average person hears the word “dodgeball,” they often think back to elementary school or maybe even middle and high school when they were forced to play during gym class. While the gist is the same, the WNCDA takes it to a whole new level; it’s no longer just “throw the ball!” or “hit your classmate!” This sport requires teams as little as four and as large as nine to jive well while on the court, encourage each others strengths, and support each others weaknesses–which can be challenging amidst the intensity of the game. The teams may seem small, but the desire to win is huge. And regardless of the experience of the players or age of the team, this game is for anyone who loves competition and working hard as a team.
The Central region wrapped up their 2026 season with the BluGold Invitational II on Saturday, March 28th where they were joined by rivals UW-Platteville (and alumni), UW-Stout and some newer faces Winona State University (WSU), UW-La Crosse (UWL), River Falls (UWRF), and Steven’s Point (UWSP). These events have opened the door for new teams to check out what college dodgeball is like, and it gives the rather secluded central region the opportunity to play people outside the already established teams. Let’s check out how each team did!
UW-Eau Claire will be hosting their second tournament of the season on Saturday, March 28th, which will be the last central region event of the season. Those expected to attend are close rivals, UW-Platteville, with less than a week of rest from the last tournament they played in, and a large mixed team consisting of players from several schools–UW-Stout, UW-La Crosse, UW-Steven’s Point, UW-River Falls, and Winona State University. These teams are potential candidates for future growth in the central region, and these nearby tournaments allow them to get a feel for the league and hopefully feel encouraged to form their own teams. This tournament will bring the central region season to a close, so let’s see what these teams and players have left in them before nationals.
Continue reading “Blugold Invitational II Preview”It was an exciting weekend for the Central Region as March 7th was the first official Central Region Cup! UNL, UIUC,UWP, and Iowa met up in Iowa City at the University of Iowa to compete for the Central Region Championship. Each game was intense, and each team fought hard for every point scored. In the end, UNL came out on top with an incredible 3-0 record, making their overall win-loss 13-0! Let’s see how each team did.
The 2026 South Dodgeball Cup saw a rematch of the 2025 Cup in the title game between the Northern Kentucky Norse and the North Georgia Nighthawks. In an overtime thriller, Northern Kentucky prevailed 4-3 to repeat as South champions. Here’s how each team performed.
Continue reading “South Dodgeball Cup Recap”The incredible growth of the central region reaches its peak as we head into the Central Dodgeball Cup tournament this Saturday, March 7th, 2026 at the University of Iowa. These teams last saw each other two weeks prior at the Zanderthon Throw-Down X where Nebraska (UNL) came out on top. This time, the stakes are higher as each team fights for their place as champions.
The annual Zanderthon Throw-Down took place on February 21st at the University of Wisconsin Platteville. This event had the following teams represented: Platteville, Illinois, Stout, Eau Claire, Nebraska, Winona State, River Falls, La Crosse, Stevens Point, Iowa, and UWP alumni. This was one the biggest events ever held in the central region. In previous years, the Zanderthon Throw-Down was just between UWP and UNL and just last year it was UWP vs UIUC. It show cased a total of ten teams. Six current member teams and four upcoming teams with the potential of joining the league this semester.
We also had two women’s matches on the day and added another team to the women’s standings with UNL having their first official match as a club! There were a lot of exciting matches with a few overtimes. Let’s take a look at the results and hear some thoughts from players on the day. Pictures below were taken by Emily Diekmann.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.–The 2026 East Coast Dodgeball Cup delivered exactly what the region needed as Nationals approaches. With momentum, seeding, and regional pride on the line, Virginia and James Madison squared off in a championship clash that felt like a preview of April intensity, while Maryland searched for answers in a rebuilding stretch. From Virginia’s composed, statement-making title run to JMU’s flashes of dominance and Maryland’s continued growing pains, ECDC offered a revealing snapshot of where each program stands—and what it will take to make noise when the postseason lights turn on.
Continue reading “East Coast Dodgeball Cup Recap”Platteville will be hosting the 10th annual Zanderthon Throw-Down on February 21st. The teams in attendance will be the University of Wisconsin Platteville (UWP), the University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL), the University of Iowa, Winona State University (WSU), University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC), the University of Wisconsin Stout (UWS), University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (UWEC), upcoming Wisconsin schools, and alumni. This weekend will mark one of the biggest events to date for this region and for a lot of players in attendance, this is going to be their first experience playing college dodgeball. Let’s take a look at the teams and the schedule below.
Continue reading “Zanderthon Throw-Down X Preview”CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. – The East Coast Dodgeball Cup returns with more parity—and more pressure—than ever before. With Nationals 2026 looming, ECDC is more than just a regional title; it’s a measuring stick. For Maryland, it’s a chance to salvage a winless campaign and spark late-season momentum. For James Madison, it’s an opportunity to defend their crown and reaffirm their place among the NCDA’s elite. For Virginia, it’s a shot to close one of the tightest ranking gaps in the country and seize control of a rivalry that has defined the region over the past two seasons. These three programs enter the weekend with vastly different stakes but the same goal: hoist the East Coast Cup. In a region where overtime thrillers and one-point swings are the norm, every catch, cross, and team throw could decide who carries momentum into the postseason.
Continue reading “East Coast Dodgeball Cup Preview”The South Dodgeball Cup is approaching with 4 teams in attendance (Bama, UNG, GSU, NKU). This year, Northern Kentucky seek to defend the title, North Georgia look for a rematch of last year’s title game, and Alabama and Georgia Southern look to shake up expectations.
Continue reading “South Dodgeball Cup Preview”The fourth edition of the Redhawk Classic saw some big things for every team in attendance, which were Alabama (Bama), Miami, Akron, Ohio State (OSU), and Bowling Green (BGSU). Here’s a look at how each team navigated last Saturday at the defending champion’s home court.
Continue reading “Redhawk Classic IV Recap”
