The first part of the 2024-2025 season is over and its time to break down the Central Region and summarize each team’s performance to date and what they need to do next semester to have a successful rest of their season. Below is where each team currently sits in the league standings.
Standings
- University Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (#8)
- University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL) (#16)
- University of Wisconsin Platteville (UWP) (#20)
- University of Wisconsin Stout (Stout) (#23)
- University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (UWEC) (N/A)
University Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)-This comes as no surprise to see UIUC #1 in the Central Region. As a team, they made huge jumps at last year’s nationals, which only carried over into this season. They have several talented and athletic individuals who compete and don’t care who they are up against. Illinois leaders take over at different times, which makes it hard to game plan against them. It does not help that they are an effective catching team, which has helped them seal victories and turn points and games around in their favor. They have played in the following events this season: Red Cedar Rumble II, Pioneer Classic V, and the Huskie Invite. Currently, their overall record is 5-1 and they are 3-0 in their region, with their only loss coming at the hands of last year’s national champions Michigan State. This is a team that can put points on the board as they are averaging almost 4 a match. Although this is still a very young team, they are a a team to watch and if you play them you better come prepared for a battle.
University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL)-As was expected, this would be a down year for the Cornhuskers, as they lost several key players to graduation. However, it was less of a drop off than expected as they recruited a really talented rookie class and the returners all stepped up. It also helps that Noah Willey returned for another season as this allows for the focus to be on him and free up his teammates to succeed. They continue to be a team that catches well and effectively throws crosses. This season they have played in the Cornhusker Clash VII and the Pioneer Classic V. UNL’s current overall record and region record has them at 2-2. This is a team that is not far off from where they were last season and if they keep working and getting their younger players experience, there is no reason they shouldn’t be able to be back on top again.
University of Wisconsin Platteville (UWP)-The results so far for the Pioneers is what was expected as in a lot of ways they are just like UNL. They are a very young squad that lacks a lot of veteran players and experience. This semester they have been figuring out who can fill the gaps from last year, who will lead on the court, and learning how to implement strategy effectively. The season has been about getting the fundamentals down and working as a team. UWP has played in the following events this this season: Eau Claire Dodgeball Brawl, Cornhusker Clash VII, Pioneer Classic V, Dr. Peter Broe Classic, and the Huskie Invite. Currently, their overall record has them at 2-7 and 2-4 in region play. If you look at their record, the outcomes so far do not look great, but their focus is on progress which is more of an important indicator of how they are doing. For example, UWP beat UNL for the first time in over 3 years and they had a goal of beating UIUC and was just an overtime loss away from accomplishing it. Platteville also had the goal of making a women’s team and they are just one player away from doing this! Yes, the record doesn’t show it, but things are trending in the right direction for this club.
University of Wisconsin Stout (UWS)-This is still a very young team in only their second season and it is awesome to see the growth they have from tournament to tournament and even each game. Their understanding of the game continues to grow and they are figuring out what type of play style that they want to implement. Stout is finding what works for them and you can see it being applied in games. The Blue Devils need to get more games in this season and will be hosting their first ever home tournament to help with that. This season they have played in the Eau Claire Dodgeball Brawl and the Pioneer Classic V. Stout was only able to play one match with their overall and region record sitting them at 0-1. Once this team starts to get more games in, we will start to see them being competitive in this region.
University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (UWEC)-Eau Claire is new to the league and with any luck they will officially join us next semester. This is a new format that they are trying out and it is great to see how well they are picking up on it and how much fun they are having. This is a team that should they commit to the league, they have the potential to play teams and challenge them right off the bat. UWEC is a group that is very athletic and and very competitive so it wouldn’t take long before they were taking teams to close games or picking up wins. The Blugolds have not recorded a game yet and have played in several scrimmage matches to learn the game and grow as players. Eau Claire has played in the Eau Claire Dodgeball Brawl and the Pioneer Classic V. Hopefully, next semester they will finally play their induction match and we will be adding another Wisconsin school to the league!
The following is the area that each team needs to focus on to help make this season a success.
Illinois- Play a Higher Level of Competition
Analysis: UIUC has shown that they can beat the teams in their region and teams ranked below them. The only team that they played that was ranked above them was MSU and they lost 3-1. Illinois will need to play against some of the Ohio teams if they want to prove that they belong in the top 8 because as of right now they have not done enough. There is still a lot they need to prove and playing teams from that region will help us better understand where they fit into the picture come nationals. This is a team that needs to be tested and playing higher caliber teams is going to do wonders for them. If they can get more competitive games in before nationals, this is a unit that will test all of their opponents on Saturday and Sunday of nationals.
Nebraska- More Games!
Analysis: The Cornhuskers are a young squad with little experience and only 4 games this semester is not going to cut it. They need to get to as many tournaments as possible so that their team can get the reps they need to be competitive at nationals. UNL needs to see the different strategies and play styles so that they can adjust and learn how to counter such strategies. It looks like they plan to make it out to Illinois’s tournament in March so hopefully they will get to see some good opponents that prepare them.
Wisconsin Platteville- Consistency will be Key
Analysis: The Pioneers are starting to realize that their biggest issue is that they are not consistent in their play from point to point. It comes down to not doing the fundamentals properly and not sticking to the game plan and strategy taught to them. If they want to see success and wins next semester, they need to always play hard and not take a point off from what was working. A lot of it has to do with playing confidently on the court. The team needs to trust in themselves and their teammates abilities and just go for it. This is the single major issue that currently holds them back and if they can correct this, they might be able to be competitive with other teams outside their region.
Wisconsin Stout- Recruit, Recruit, & Recruit
Analysis: The only thing holding this team back right now is that they don’t have numbers and it is stopping them from bringing a full squad at tournaments. For Stout, not having a full squad is really preventing them from competing and growing. If they can recruit more, they will be able to practice more skills and work on strategies that will help them improve and hopefully get that first win they are looking for. I challenge each of the Stout players to go out next semester and promote the club in their classes or wherever they can. Hopefully, with any luck they will bring in some more recruits and they will be bring 12 players to every tournament going forward.
Wisconsin Eau Claire- Become an Official Club
Analysis: Eau Claire has learned a lot this season and hopefully next semester we will finally be able to get them their first induction match and they will officially be a part of the league and continue to grow the central region and expand dodgeball in Wisconsin! Stout is hosting their first event in earlier February and hopefully they will be able to put a team together and make it happen. We are excited for them to join the league!