Hello all,
If you’re reading this article then you must have shown interest in the UWP Women’s Dodgeball team at some point.
We need a minimum of 4 team members in order to compete at women’s nationals, but we are allowed 6 players on the court. Ideally, we would have enough to fill the court and have subs. We can even compete with more than one team. Last year, there were roughly 4 women’s teams in attendance. This means that, even with a team full of new players, we have a good shot at competing at Women’s Nationals.
Women’s dodgeball uses smaller balls that are called “no-stings” and I can assure you they do not hurt and are easy to work with.
The way UWP plays dodgeball is all about brains over brawn. We use strategies and techniques so that every player can be successful and important on the court. You don’t need to have any background in any sports to do well on our team. We will teach you everything you need to know. We help give feedback to perfect your throwing, catching, and blocking. This isn’t like middle school or high school gym class dodgeball. We make sure everyone gets to play and has fun doing it.
The Co-Ed team currently meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 pm to 12:00 am at the wood basketball courts in the Pioneer Athletic Center (PAC). We can meet at this time on a separate court for just us girls, or we can choose a day and time that works better for us. Also, it is totally understandable if you can only make it once a week or need to skip practices. We would love for you to join us when you can, even if you don’t think you can commit enough time to the team. Having more people to practice with is beneficial to all players.
Here is a link to a TikTok of some of our highlights from games and tournaments: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTF2vYGym/
Learn a little more about our current female members who play for the Co-Ed team until we can get a women’s team:
Kate Douglas
6th Year
Started in September 2023
Club Content Writer
I decided to join because I finally had the time to dedicate to a club. I saw Dodgeball at Bridgefest 2023 as it was held inside the Markee due to extreme heat. I believe I met Nick (the president at the time), and he convinced me to show up to practice that evening. I wasn’t the only woman at first, but I was the only one to stay. I am extremely happy that I stuck around because I have built such great friendships within my team, and I have created many unique memories from team events and tournaments. I am extremely proud of my teammates, and I want to prove to other teams that we aren’t to be messed with!
For the woman’s team, I hope that more women join because having an all women’s dodgeball team at a male-dominated university would be really cool. My experience on the team has taught me many things about myself and how to work as a team. I hope other women can learn just how fun dodgeball is while striving to become a better player.
Hollie Wheeler
Sophomore
Started in February 2024
Club Secretary
I joined after I saw the club at the spring involvement fair. I went to my first practice the same night as the involvement fair and I had a lot of fun. I decided to keep coming back to practice and started attending tournaments. Kate helped introduce me to other players, our strategies, and the techniques we use. I knew that Kate was there for me and I became more confident. I soon felt comfortable being at practice even if Kate couldn’t make it. The guys are all super nice and several of them would often walk me home to my dorm at night.
When I first started, I threw around 20 mph (coach has a speed clock). By the time nationals came around in April, I hit 40 mph. Kate helped encourage me to go to nationals with the team at Ohio State University and it was so much fun. I love being in the club because it helps keep me active without having to find time to go to the gym, and 2-3 nights a week of practice is the perfect amount of commitment for me, and it’s no big deal if I have to miss a practice. I was the Rookie of the Month for April 2024, and I was nominated as most improved of the season. I am the RA for the WiSTEM LLC in Bridgeway Commons, so I am also a great resource for anything you might need. Our club is a great way to make new friends. We host study sessions and team meals. We want to do women’s only team bonding too! We all really want to have a women’s team, we just need more girls to join us!
Alison Draxler
Freshman
Started in September 2024
I joined because I loved the idea of being on a team again and especially because there was a chance there could be a women’s team. I stayed because I felt welcome and I didn’t feel like I was being judged for being new and not knowing what I was doing. I like that I’m learning all the techniques and strategies to the game and that I wasn’t expected to know everything right away. I also like that it isn’t a huge commitment and that you don’t get penalized for not being able to make it to something. New people should join because everyone is super nice and wants to help you learn. Also because if they join, we can have separate women’s practices and do other fun activities together.
Reagan Bucholtz
Freshman
Started in September 2024
I joined this club after seeing it at Bridgefest, and I was only slightly interested, but still pretty hesitant. Then my RA, Hollie, recommended some people in the wing to go with her to a practice, so I decided to go. I had so much fun at the first practice that I decided to keep coming back. Also, after going to a practice, I realized that it is not anything like the middle school dodgeball I had always hated. There are different techniques, strategies, and positions, which make the game more interesting and fun. One thing I love about the club is how welcoming they are to new members, and how they try to get you involved in games as soon as you feel ready. After just three practices, they had taught me how to throw and block with the correct technique. I also like being able to get away from schoolwork for a little while and play dodgeball with friends! Whoever is reading this should join because it is fun, it is good exercise, you get to learn a new sport, and you get to make new friends. You should also join because it would be so much fun to have an all-girls team! And if you are scared to go alone (even though I promise we are not scary), bring a friend with!
Please join us from 10:00 pm to 12:00 am on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays at the PAC.
If this time does not work for you, reply or send a separate email telling us what might work for you and we will try to accommodate!
We get to choose how we practice, when we practice, and how we hang out outside of practice.
Hope to see you at practice!