On October 26th, UW-Platteville played in a double-header against UNL on a pleasantly not-so-cold morning (if you know, you know). The day didn’t start off completely hitch-free, but the tournament started off with a bang!
UWP hit the road with twelve players, four of which were rookies. UNL won in the rookie department with almost an additional team of rookies. This allowed them to constantly cycle fresh players each point while UWP didn’t have any subs to spare.
Game One
The first game opened with an almost immediate balls over on UW-Platteville. The intense back and forth lasted for 8 minutes until only three were left on both teams and UNL received a shot clock violation. After two successful team throws from UWP, another shot clock violation was called on the Pioneers. UNL achieved no outs from this balls over, but UWP’s Dylan Fabry missed a catch soon after. Fortunately, rookie Keaton Bahr and vet Andrew Jones were able to clutch up the point with an extremely lucky long distance throw. In total, the first point lasted nearly ten minutes.
UWP was able to hold out for another ten minutes before the second point in the first half went to UNL. In point three, UNL called for a timeout. After which, they caught in a player on head captain Nicholas Stocks’ throw. The point ended as time ran out; at the half, the score was UWP 1-1 UNL.
The second half started with a powerful and successful UNL team throw, but a sharp counter by UWP also connected. Shortly after, a sneaky catch was made by vet Kate Douglas from a close range throw. After several catches were thrown by UWP and a balls over, vet Griffin Johnson was unable to secure a catch on UNL’s team throw resulting in the end of the point.
For point two of the second half, both sides had strong counters and the occasional whiffed throw (speaking from experience). The latter half of the point had vet Jalen Sims up against the majority of UNL’s team. He got one out before a shot clock violation was called. UNL set up a team throw of at least five players, yet all balls missed! Jalen managed to survive another two team throws as well as two solo, close range throws before missing a catch from UNL’s number 26. Shout out to Jalen for lasting an excruciating three minutes alone against eight UNL players!
UNL ended up taking another timeout in the next point, and unfortunately UWP began to crumble. Yet again, Jalen Sims was the last man standing for Platteville, and he stood against six UNL players. Another balls over on Platteville followed shortly after. Luckily, or unluckily, a connection was made with the first team throw, ending the point.
The last point in game one looked the most confident out of all the points played. Platteville was moving as a unit, counters were made before half-court, and we were able to keep UNL off their base line. Although we were unable to gain another point in game one, we were able to identify aspects of our play to change for game two.
Final score for game one: UNL 5-1 UWP
Game Two
Game two started with a few throws off the start from UNL, none of which connected. Again, UWP was quick to counter, keeping UNL up at their attack line. The first point was a close call; both teams lost players at the same rate, but in the end UWP dwindled faster leaving one player and a balls over on Platteville. Incredibly, vet Hollie Wheeler secured a catch from a four person team throw, catching in rookie Ian Westrick while dodging the rest. She readied for another catch, but was unable to secure it. Ian got out soon after, ending the point.
Point two opened with a catch made by UNL followed by a powerful counter from UWP. UNL was kept up to their attack line yet again while UWP camped out on their baseline after each quick counter. Sadly, several detrimental mistakes were made by Platteville that resulted in many players getting picked off in quick succession. Four players soon turned into three, but vet Griffin Johnson made a solid connection against UNL followed by rookie David Laux hitting big name Noah Willey. Two dirty blocks later and Hollie Wheeler was in on her own again. Much like game one, she made a catch from a three person team throw, catching Ian Westrick back in. The intense back and forth between UNL’s seven players and UWP’s two resulted in a shot clock violation on UWP. Ian was targeted for two team throws and was hit out on the second. Hollie, in on her own once again, goes for a catch but misses, ending the point.
Well into the third point, vet Jalen Sims threw a huge cross which was caught, but vet Andrew Jones quickly counters and makes a connection. Captain Nicholas Stocks then throws a cross to an unsuspecting UNL player, removing another player from the game. UNL then has balls over called on them. With total ball control, Nicholas Stocks, Andrew Jones, and Ian Westrick set up a team throw with Andrew as the blocker. The first throw was successful, but the second team throw failed to make a connection. Several single throws follow before vet Kate Douglas throws a catch from the inside. Shortly after another balls over is called on Platteville. UNL sets up a few team throws, one of which was successful and Andrew stepped out. It was Nick’s turn to stand on his own in which he got a few throws off before getting hit out to end the half.
The second half of game two started with a clean opening rush. Several throws were traded before co-captain Dylan Fabry went for the catch but missed. UNL then quickly lobs a cross which is quickly countered with a clean hit from Jalen Sims. Shortly after, a missed block results in him getting out followed by another UWP player getting out due to a dirty block. About three minutes later, UNL throws a long cross which Hollie Wheeler easily catches!
Five UWP players quickly dwindled to two and a balls over. The first team throw was unsuccessful, but the second made contact with UWP captain, Nicholas Stocks. Hollie Wheeler, in on her own YET again, goes for the catch but couldn’t hold on.
Point three showcases UWP’s ability to counter quickly with two quick outs. A fight for a ball occurs shortly after with UWP claiming the ball for themselves. A few missed or dirty blocks knock UWP’s numbers down, and then Jalen Sims throws a close-call catch. UNL then calls for ANOTHER time out, which works out for them because they quickly pick off most of the remaining players leaving vet Kate Douglas in on her own. She gets out as two balls make contact.
The fourth point opened with a chaotic rush, and UNL momentarily had a break-dancer on their team. A fierce exchange of balls followed with great blocks from both sides. This time around, UWP was the one doing the picking, and UNL’s numbers quickly dwindled to just three. UWP set up their signature team throws, with one being successful. Vet Zach Brand then had an opening to secure a catch and quickly counter for two consecutive outs to end the point.
The second to last point of the day resulted in another UNL player spending too much time on the floor from an unsportsmanlike slide. Eventually, the pace picks up, and balls are exchanged with few to no outs. The first to go out on UWP’s side was head captain, Nicholas Stocks, but he was quickly caught back in by another great catch by Zach Brand; almost like he never left in the first place. Nick then secures his own catch before gleefully skipping to hold the center position which allows rookie David Laux to secure an out then vet Jalen Sims to follow swiftly after. Several more outs follow from Zach Brand, Ian Westrick, and from a team throw from Hollie and Nick. Moments later, not only does Nick miss a catch, but Kate Douglas throws a catch.
A balls over is called on UNL, which allows UWP to set up their beloved team throws. Two successful team throws and a close-range solo throw left one on the court for UNL. Another balls over is then called on UNL. It took three team throws, but the last UNL player finally got hit out.
The court was set up for one more attempt at a point. It starts off with a stalemate after the rush, but Nicholas Stocks makes the first attack followed by Jalen Sims. A follow-up attack resulted in a ball bouncing off Zach Brand’s chest but rookie Keaton Bahr secured the team catch. He then passed the same ball back to Zach as he readied for an attack. Several minutes later, a rouge throw took out Kate Douglas with a gnarly headshot. It was an accident; I was fine. The point was never completed as time ran out, but both sides played hard until the last second.
Final score for game two: UNL 5-2 UWP.
After Thoughts
We are very proud to have played as hard as we did. In the past, we would have expected a greater difference between scores especially with three of our vets being unable to attend. We are also grateful to UNL for hosting this double header that gave our rookies–and theirs–many good reps and two good games to look back on and learn from. We look forward to seeing them at our next tournament, the Pioneer Classic V!
