CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The fourth Cavalier Clash lived up to its billing, delivering a weekend of statement victories, breakout performances, and reshuffled regional power dynamics. With the East Coast Dodgeball scene heating up, all three squads left Charlottesville with plenty to build on, though some left with more answers than others.
JMU
Rank: #8
Record: 5-2 (3-1 East Coast)
Cav Clash Results: 3-2 loss vs. UVA, 4-2 win vs. UMD
The Dukes came into Charlottesville riding high after dominant finishes in previous East Coast Competition, but found themselves on the wrong end of a thriller against host Virginia. JMU dropped a 3-2 heartbreaker in what was arguably the match of the tournament, snapping their early-season momentum. The Dukes rebounded strong, however, dispatching Maryland 4-2 behind standout play from captain Ryan Pendleton and power thrower Jackson Hannie. Both were instrumental in keeping JMU organized and composed after the UVA loss. While the weekend won’t faze the Dukes’ national outlook, it revealed that even the best teams on the East Coast can falter under pressure. JMU’s systems looked sharp, but moments of hesitation and a handful of missed counters against UVA cost them dearly. Expect this to serve more as fuel than setback; a reminder that the path to dominance still runs through execution, not just talent. JMU leaves Charlottesville still firmly ranked inside the top 10, and their strong performances still leave them atop the East Coast rankings as we head towards winter break.
UVA
Rank: #9
Record: 3-1 (3-1 East Coast)
Cav Clash Results: 3-2 win vs. JMU, 4-1 win vs. UMD
With their full roster finally back in action, Virginia delivered their most complete performance of the season. The Hoos stunned JMU 3-2 in a back-and-forth contest that swung on a string of catches from Landon Jones and key late-game kills from Ben Wu, who made a seamless return to the lineup. Wu was on fire this tournament, cementing himself as an early favorite for All-East Coast. That win marked one of the program’s biggest in recent memory (UVA is 3-2 against JMU since defeating the Dukes for the first time in program history in November 2024) and set the tone for a convincing 4-1 victory over Maryland later in the day. UVA looked poised and disciplined from start to finish, controlling tempo and forcing opponents into the kind of high-risk throws that play directly into their catching style. The addition of Wu as well as strong leadership from Jones and Holmes in his first tournament back brought balance and confidence to a roster that looked rejuvenated and dangerous. With new momentum and a top-10 national ranking to match, Virginia reminded the league that they’re not just a tough out—they’re a legitimate contender.
UMD
Rank: #24
Record: 0-7 (0-4 East Coast)
Cav Clash Results: 4-2 loss vs. JMU, 4-1 loss vs. UVA
On paper, Maryland leaves Charlottesville winless—but the record doesn’t fully capture their performance. The Terps once again played competitive dodgeball, but struggled to produce the standout showings they needed to steal points. Captain Nate Walls provided stability and leadership throughout the day, and Andrew Myers continued to be Maryland’s most reliable catcher. Adam Butz remained a threat, but opposing teams—especially UVA—successfully pressured him with coordinated counters and crosses, limiting his ability to take over games. Maryland hung tight in a 4–2 loss to JMU, pushing the Dukes deeper into points than expected. But against UVA, depth issues resurfaced. Without breakout performances from their usual stars, Maryland couldn’t match UVA’s wave of catches and suffered a 4–1 defeat. UMD retains the #24 ranking, and while they haven’t broken through yet, the formula for success is clear: they need more production from the supporting cast and more consistent protection of their top throwers. If Dan Rodriguez, Myers, and Julian Kim can take larger roles and take over points, Maryland will remain a dangerous spoiler as the season progresses.