As another season comes to an end we look back at the moments that put us where we are now. The victories, the defeats, the breakthroughs and the setbacks. All of which have led us to this moment in time. April 13th and 14th, we traveled to THE Ohio State university to compete in the 2023-2024 NCDA Nationals Tournament. Of the 15 players we brought, three were graduating seniors, four were returning players and eight were rookies that have been some of the best rookies we have had in recent years. We were very proud of our young team. The season wasn’t easy but we kept pushing. The culture within the team had shifted significantly and instead of a team of “me” players we had a team of “we.” Going into Saturday we didn’t have the most ideal situation to be in. We ranked 15th in the standings and had a win and get in opportunity all day. However, we got off to a very slow start and played a game riddled with mistakes against Bowling Green and suffered our first loss. In our next game, we played Saginaw Valley and had our best chance at making it into the championship bracket. We traded blows with SVSU and despite a few breakout performances, ultimately fell short in overtime. Our final game of the first day we went on to play James Madison. This was our toughest game of the day but we didn’t let that change the amount of drive we had to play them. Despite a few rounds where we got them spread thin and a handful of catches, we ultimately came up short in the bout. At the end of day one we were ranked at number 18 and had the number two seed in the consolation bracket and a first round bye.
At the start of Sunday, we came in on what we had left in the tank from the previous day. Our first match we started strong but showed moments where we could have let things get away from us against Northern Kentucky. We pushed through and won the chance to go on and play Cleveland State to win the consolation bracket. There we played a hard-fought battle and went back and forth but ultimately came up short and lost. Although it wasn’t the outcome we had hoped for going into the event, we were proud with how our team played and not once, against any opponent, gave up. Hopefully next year we can go in and flip the script.
Here’s what some of our players had to say about the tournament:
Daniel Breitenstein (Rookie)
How do you feel about the tournament?
It was a lot of fun, and while we didn’t do as well as we hoped I think it was a great learning experience that will definitely help us do better as a team in the future.
What is something you feel could have been done better on the court?
I feel like court awareness and communication on and off the court were some of our bigger issues that we need to work on in the future, because we had a lot of issues with our players not relaying calls across the court, people on the side line not counting, and players getting out because they weren’t paying attention to the entire court.
Where do you feel we did good as a team?
In the points where we excelled as a team, the one big thing that we did well was the basics. We moved quickly as a unit, we communicated with each other, and we gave everyone a chance to throw. When we had the basics down, we controlled the court.
Thoughts on how the year came to an end?
While we didn’t meet all of our team goals for the year, I’m still proud of how far we have come in the past year, not only in how much work we’ve put in but how closer we’ve gotten as a team. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to play with, especially for my first year on the team.
Kate Douglas (Rookie)
How do you feel about the tournament?
I had a lot of fun at nationals! It was so much fun to see the improvements all those who attended displayed, and it was very cool to see other teams’ play styles.
What is something you feel could have been done better on the court?
We have a habit of playing poorly during the first game at large tournaments like this one (Kalamazoo, too). We need to play the first game as if it’s make-or-break for us.
Where do you feel we did good as a team?
Coach drills us on our team throws, and we had some great team throws on both days. We let the blocker get set, communicated, and we got several outs because of them.
Thoughts on how the year came to an end?
I never played team sports as a kid, and this past season has truly opened my eyes to the types of friendships and bonds being on a team can forge. I am incredibly grateful to my teammates for accommodating my limits and for pushing me past them. I am proud to play on this team. Playing dodgeball now makes me wish I started sooner!
Tomas Zander (Captain)
How do you feel about the tournament?
UWP did not get the result we were hoping for. Regardless, I think UWP played every game tough. Our younger players got a lot of experience and the more we played the better UWP got because our younger players started to step up and take pressure off our veteran players.
What is something you feel could have been done better on the court?
What killed us the most was throwing catches. It is hard to win points when the catch ratio is 2:1. We also were struggling early on to put pressure on the other team while we team threw. Our advantage was lost because we could not get successful team throws off due to getting crossed by the other team.
Where do you feel we did good as a team?
When we ran teams down in transition, we were unstoppable. We only survived as long as we did in points because of how effective we were in transition.
Thoughts on how the year came to an end?
This year was tough because of how many players we lost throughout the year and how little experience we were able to get our younger players before nationals. We spent a lot of time at Nationals making adjustments. I wish we could have gotten more wins, but I am sure the next season looks bright.
Caleb Laux (Co-Captain)
How do you feel about the tournament?
Overall, I will admit that I am disappointed with our games at nationals this year. But we played our hearts out and I can’t say I’m completely unsatisfied.
What is something you feel could have been done better on the court?
Aim better. I threw 18 throws that were called catches on the weekend. Honestly this is pathetic for the expectation I had for myself.
Where do you feel we did good as a team?
When we were able to dictate the pace of the game, and play it the way we have been drilled to, I think we did well. This required a lot of on-the-court communication and patience from every member of the team.
Thoughts on how the year came to an end?
Overall, this team has pushed through several hardships throughout the season, and I am so proud of everyone on the team for sticking it through to the end and playing their best. Each person on our team deserves respect and I am happy to have ended my collegiate career with this group.
Final Thoughts
I would like to add a bit here before I wrap things up and take time to thank and recognize our graduating seniors. Caleb Laux, Tomas Zander, and Cody Baxter all played in their last tournament as University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers. Caleb and Cody have both been on the team the last three seasons and have helped the younger players on different levels. Caleb’s future around dodgeball will include a potential run in the NDA as well as getting boots on the ground to get a NCDA team at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Cody will be stepping away from the sport and may make appearances at Platteville home tournaments as an Alumni player. Tomas was our longest tenured player and he will have a run in the NDA as well as work towards getting a NCDA team at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We wish the three of them the best of luck and thank them for everything they have done to help the team during the time they had here.
Looking forward we hope to continue to build the culture we have started here at UWP and will be looking ahead to next season. As always, Go ‘Neers!