Author: Alison Draxler

To end 2025, UW-Platteville traveled to the University of Iowa to play in the Hawkeye State Showdown. UW-Platteville played against the University of Iowa (Hawkeyes) and University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL).

UWP vs Hawkeyes (6-0)

This would be the Hawkeyes’ first game of the season. The match started out with UWP getting ball control and keeping ball control throughout the first point and UWP would win the first point. UWP would continue to work together as a team and have great communication. The Hawkeyes wouldn’t back down that easily and would keep the pressure on. UWP would secure four points by half time. During the start of second half, UWP would put in some of the rookies and would continue working together as a team. UWP would end the match by securing two more points and #21 Co-Captain Ben Breidenbach would end the first game with 17 thrown outs.

UWP vs UNL (3-4 OT)

Once again, UWP faced UNL and were amped to get the win over them. The match started with even ball control for each team. #21 Ben Breidenbach would get the first out to get things started. UWP would continue to keep control of the game and would move as a unit and would win first point. The second point started and this time it would be UNL who would dominate and win the point. UWP would continue to keep UNL on the backline during the third and after a shot clock violation and with only 53 seconds left on the clock #21 Ben Breidenbach would get a catch leaving it to be a 3v1 in favor of UWP. With a three-person team throw set up,#21 Ben Breidenbach would get the out giving UWP the lead. The pressure was on during the second half. UWP would get the next point, giving them a two-point lead. However, UNL was not backing down and would take the next two thus forcing overtime. During Overtime, both teams would continue to keep the pressure on, but UNL would take the win.

UWP B vs Hawkeyes (3-1)

Women’s Mixed team vs UWP No-Sting (7-1)

The Women’s Mixed team would be combined with UWP #20 Captain Hollie Wheeler and rookie #17 Anna Behnke and UNL #40 Abigail Nelson and #45 Rachel Tysdal and the UWP team would be combined of #14 Co-Captain Reagan Bucholtz, #15 Co-Captain Tori Sanborn, and rookies #34 Chloe Kaderabek, #4 Jamie Damm, and #13 Maisie Montemurno.

Players Thoughts:

Here are some thoughts from the players that played in the Hawkeye State Tournament.

Veterans:

Tori Sanborn (Women’s Co-Captain): I think Iowa went well. Our team communicated the best we have yet this year and almost got our win against UNL, but I’m still happy with how we did. Our Rookies once again had more experience, and our Vets got more experience on how our team was in compared to prior years. When it came to Iowa, we had fun and worked on being a close team and worked together. For our Women’s Match, everyone got experience and some Vets really stepping up to help the rookies. Everyone learned greatly and we are one step closer to succeeding as a team.

Hollie Wheeler (Co-Captain): All the teams involved brought a strong competitive spirit while still having fun. I think our team gained more experience and it was a great tournament to end the semester. I’m looking forward to seeing what our team can accomplish next semester, and I hope we can have Iowa host another tournament soon.

Dylan Fabry (Captain): As a whole, I feel our team played great once we started pushing each other and playing our strategy. We learned a lot from the previous tournament and used that to take the lead against UNL. We just need to keep improving and not making mistakes that cost us the game.

Ben Breidenbach (Co-Captain): We played well, and I’m proud of the work my team has put in this semester.

David Laux: I think we have improved a lot since our last tournament. Especially keeping pressure on our opponents. However, we still have a lot of work to do, especially when it comes to aiming and having our throws connect.

Rookies:

Jamie Damm: The Iowa tournament was a great opportunity for UWP to teach Iowa a few of the things we do as a team when we play and a great opportunity for our women to get to play a match! As a team, we did a good job pump faking and applying pressure across the whole court which really helped us throughout the whole match.

Logan VanCamp: I think it was cool to see how well we played as both individuals and as a team. The A team and the Mixed B team had a great showing against Iowa, and we stuck right with Nebraska till the very end. Overall, I think it was a good end to the first semester and I’m sad to see Griffin go.

Stephen Brittner: We did well with communication, advancing, and retreating together in a line. We set up throws and teams throw really well. Some things we struggled with were throwing low; I remember that there were a lot of catches. I think we also might have struggled with throwing behind our blockers sometimes as well.

Chloe Kaderabek: For the Iowa tournament, I felt that the entire team did a good job with challenging themselves on the court and cheering on their teammates. The amount of support compared to the past tournament seemed to be a lot better, and I am excited to see how the team continues to grow with each other for future tournaments.

Written by Maisie Montemurno

UW-Platteville traveled to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan to compete in the Dr. Peter Broe Classic IV on November 23^rd. Seven teams competed in Dr. Peter Broe Classic; University of Akron (Akron), Cleveland State University (CSU), Central Michigan University (CMU), Western Michigan State University (WMU), Grand Valley State University (GVSU), Michigan State University (MSU), and University of Wisconsin Platteville (UWP). The Pioneers would compete in three matches in this tournament.  

MSU Vs UWP (11-0) 

The first match of the day, the Pioneers faced Michigan State University. Ranked #4, MSU faced #23 UWP, The Pioneers knew this match was going to be very challenging. The first point started off with MSU getting ball control and leading them to win first point. MSU would continue to dominate and would end the first half with seven points. During the second half, the Pioneers only conceded four points. This was a great opportunity for the rookies to play and get a sense of how top teams like MSU played. Rookie #4 Jamie Damm ended this match with 14 throws and had 3 outs.  

GVSU vs UWP (6-1) 

For the second match, UWP would face Grand Valley State University. GVSU ranks #5 overall. The first point would start with GVSU getting ball control and first out. GVSU would take the first point. The second point would last longer and would end with a 1v1 with GVSU #11 against UWP #47 Dalton Foreyt, this point would go back and forth and end in a balls over to GVSU. Dalton Foreyt would get the catch, winning the point for UWP. GVSU would then win the next five points. 

Akron vs UWP (6-2) 

The Pioneers would play Akron in their last match of the tournament; Akron would be ranked #10. The match would start with Akron getting ball control, however both teams would take turns pressuring each other. In the end, Akron would secure the first point. Akron would continue working as a team and would end the first half up by four points. Off the start of second half, Akron would take their 5^th point. However, UWP wouldn’t go down without a fight and would take the next two points. Akron would finish this match by taking the last point. #62 Dylan Fabry would end this match and have a total of 43 thrown outs on the day.  

The following was written by Maisie Montemurno. UW-Platteville hosted the sixth Pioneer Classic tournament on November 8^th. The Pioneers competed against the following teams; University of Wisconsin-Stout, University of Wisconsin Eau Claire (UWEC), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL), and some alumni.  The Pioneers would go into this tournament with an A Team consisting of all veterans, and a B team consisting of nine rookies and being led by veteran #7 Alison Draxler and #47 Dalton Foreyt. 

UWP A vs UNL (3-1) 

The Pioneers had just competed against UNL one month ago and were ready to play once more. The first point started off with no one getting ball control, then #69 Ethan Schmeling got things started with the first out of the day! Both teams would continue battling back and forth. UWP would take second point, and UNL would then take the last two.  

UWEC/Alumni vs UWP B (5-1) 

This year, UW-Platteville recruited enough rookies to create a B-team going into the tournament. Being led by veteran #7 Alison Draxler and #47 Dalton Foreyt, this would be the B-team’s first tournament competing. The pioneers would face UW-Eau Claire and Alumni in their first match of the tournament. The point started slow, but UWP would get ball control soon after. However, UW-Eau Claire/alumni would find their footing and win the point. UW-Eau Claire/alumni would later go on to win four more points. UWP would win one point this match; the Pioneers would gain much valuable experience.

UIUC vs UWP A (3-2) 

For the 2^nd match of the day, the Pioneers faced the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The match would start with UIUC getting ball control. The Pioneers would continue to hold their ground but would fall to UIUC. The second point would start off strong for the Pioneers, who got game control early on. UWP would continue to shine and would lead them to winning the point. Going into the second half, both teams were hungry to win the next point. UIUC would prevail and win the next two points. #10 Jalen Sims and #18 Eric Sullivan ended this match with double digits outs. 

Mixed/Alumni vs UWP A (3-2) 

The Pioneers would play their final match of the day against the Alumni and UW-Eau Claire. The Alumni were a mixed team of well-experienced veterans. Six out of the 13 players were formerly on the UW-Platteville team. The A team came into this game with one goal in mind: winning this game. The first point would go back and forth, but it would be UWP who would take the first point. The Mixed/Alumni would come back and claim the second point. As halftime was approaching and both teams were tied, UWP would take the third point and taking the lead. As the second half started both teams kept the pressure on each other. However, the Mixed/Alumni team would take the next two points and to win the match.  

UW-Stout vs UWP B (3-1) 

UWP B-team in their second game faced UW-Stout. Being led by #47 Dalton Foreyt and #7 Alison Draxler, the team went in very confident as they just faced the Mixed/Alumni Team. They had excellent communication and teamwork and were able to win the first three points. However, UW-Stout was able to secure one point. This match consisted of very long points, and each side played more aggressively and pressured one another. Rookie #51 Shaun De Vries and Co-Captain #47 Dalton Foreyt ended this match leading the team with seven out apiece.  

UWP A Women’s vs UIUC Women’s (4-1) 

The UWP Women’s A Team consisted of four veterans; #20 Captain Hollie Wheeler, #14 Reagan Bucholtz, #15 Tori Sanborn, #7 Alison Draxler. UIUC Women’s team included #31 Tera Pabico, #28 Christina Nasios, #13 Jia Kim, and #95 Naila Kudla. UWP would play strong throughout the whole match, winning four points in a row. UIUC would be able to score one point towards the end. #20 Captain Hollie Wheeler would finish the match with a total of 10 outs and 47 throws.  

UWP B Women’s vs Women’s Mixed (0-8) 

UWP Women’s B teams consist of all rookies; #34 Chloe Kaderabek, #4 Jamie Damm #17 Anna Behnke, #13 Maisie Montemurno, and #77 Auria Mills. The Mixed teams would consist of UNL’s #45 Rachel Tysdal and #40 Abigail Nelson, #41 Aleah Lazure, and UWEC’s #7 Cleo Moen. The game was to get the rookies more experience playing in no-sting matches but also to learn how to work with one another. Each rookie took turns play-calling. This was a great opportunity for our rookies to grow.  

Once again we traveled to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to compete at the Cornhusker Clash. We had a great time and already can’t wait for next year! This tournament taught us a lot about ourselves and our capabilities.

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Rookies:

All of our rookies that came along to this tournament got more great experience with all aspects of the game. Throughout the tournament, they had great communication and quickly picked up the throwing rotation to keep everyone from getting worn out too fast. There were a lot of successful throws being made and good resets to help out the rest of the team. Many attempts for catches were made and although did not always go as planned, we are happy to see the rookies know that they are capable of great things.

Veterans:

Our vets played well throughout the day. For most of the points we worked together, communicated and got off lots of successful team throws getting us out after out. A few issues we had though, were throwing without blockers and throwing without reason or without being called to throw. We plan to learn from our mistakes and focus on them during practice!

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Now let’s here from some of our players.

Co-Captain Ben Breidenbach: “Everyone played as individuals and not as a team, that’s why we lost. Last year we had time to get to know one another’s tendencies and play style, so we played much more synchronized. We have time to correct this as it is still early in the season.”

Rookie Chloe Kaderabek: “I think UNL was a great first experience. I liked that the rookies got a ton of play time, so I felt like I learned a lot. I also enjoyed the help I received from my teammates and other players as well.”

Rookie Logan VanCamp: “It was fun! It was very helpful to get the rookies a lot of minutes and really helped with our confidence going into the next tournament.”

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We had a great time at the Cornhusker Clash and can’t wait for next year!

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If you missed the action, check it out here!