On September 21st, UW-Platteville and UW-Stout met at UW-Eau Claire for our first official NCDA tournament of the season. Three full skirmish games took place with each team playing two games. Each team had some new faces which was great to see.
UW-Stout vs UW-Platteville
The first match had UWP against UW-Stout. UWP brought a team of eleven while UW-Stout had 7 players.
The first point of the day was awarded to UWP after just 4 minutes. But Stout wasn’t giving up! The next point dragged out for over six minutes with intense back and forth from the vets on both side. UWP eventually took that point as well, but UW-Stout put up a great fight. Over the next ten minutes, UWP secured two more points for a total of four to UW-Stout’s zero. During half time, Coach Erik and alumni players Caleb Laux and Eli Huntley took time to explain the rules to UWEC again.
The second half started with Eau Claire hopping in on the UW-Stout side which evened out the teams. Although the official game had ended, Stout (featuring Eau Claire) took two points to UWP’s one in the second which had UWP frazzled.
UW-Eau Claire vs UW-Platteville
The Eau Claire/Platteville game was more evenly rostered with UWEC bringing nine players and UWP with their eleven.
In the first half, UWP took the first two points, each lasting over seven minutes each. The third point was played through and was awarded to UWP.
The second half started with another excruciatingly long point and a balls-over called on UWP seven minutes into the point. One UWP player stood against two UWEC players. After another long back and forth, another balls-over was called on UWEC for a one-on-one battle where UWEC eventually secured the point. The point lasted a whopping ten minutes. The last point played (albeit unofficial) in the second half had a guest player: UWP alumni Eli Huntley joined to change up the dynamic. The ending score was 3 UWP to 1 UWEC.
Eau Claire’s style of play is vastly different from other teams we’ve played which makes it challenging to adapt and anticipate an attack. They provide us with a good challenge.
Afterthoughts
It’s great being able to play teams that are a day’s trip from Platteville. It’s also beneficial being able to play such an athletic team like Eau Claire as it forces us to step out of our comfort zone of shorter points and less running on the court. Additionally, as UWP is trying to build a women’s team, it was great to see each team with one or more women participating in the tournament. The rookies–three from UWP played at this tournament–performed well under pressure while not knowing how to pinch or using the shot clock consistently. Although there were moments where we could have played better or where we made silly mistakes, it felt good to be back on the court again.
