Category: Awards

Women’s Rookie of the Year – Alison Draxler

This is award given to a first year player on the women’s team that has put in a lot of effort and makes an impact on the court. They provide us with throws and catches when it is needed the most. After being voted on my teammates, I was chosen for our team’s first Women’s Rookie of the Year. Here are the questions given to me for winning this award!

Q: How do you feel about winning this award?

A: I feel so proud of myself for earning this award. Although I already knew this, it proved to me that I belong on the team and that my teammates also see that. This makes me even more excited to improve and play next season.

Q: What was your proudest moment from this season?

A: It is hard to pick just one moment from the whole season, but my favorite has to be competing at women’s nationals with a full team. Even though we didn’t win in the end, I am so proud of our accomplishments and the number of catches and thrown outs we were able to get.

Q: What do you hope to improve on?

A: Next season I really want to focus and improve on my skills in pinch. My main goal is to get more comfortable with letting throws hit me in order to secure more catches. I know it is possible if I continue going to skills practices.

Q: What are you looking forward to for the next season?

A: I am looking forward to recruiting more players and winning some more games. Our team is already very talented and getting some new rookies will only help us improve.

Q: What is your greatest takeaway from this season?

A: My greatest takeaway is that we are capable of really competing with good teams as long as we work as a team and have good communication. We had lots of close points and games that we could have won if we worked together just a little more.

Rookie of the Year – David Laux

This is award given to a first year player on the team that has put in a lot of effort and makes an impact on the court. They provide us with throws and catches when it is needed the most. The winner is voted on by their teammates and this year’s rookie of the year is David Laux. Let’s take a look at the interview below and what he thinks of winning this award!

Q: How do you feel about winning this award?

A: I feel great! It is awesome to see that all the hard work this year has paid off.

Q: What was your proudest moment from this season?

A: My proudest moment this year was at the tournament in NIU where I got 4 catches in one game and got “rookie of the month for the league”.

Q: What do you hope to improve on?

A: I hope to be more consistent in everything next year especially blocking and throw accuracy.

Q: What are you looking forward to for the next season?

A: I’m looking forward to playing more and being a big part of the team.

Q: What is your greatest takeaway from this season?

A: My greatest takeaway is that I need to watch what my teammates are doing just as much as watching what my enemies are doing.

Women’s Baller of the Year – Hollie Wheeler

This is a new award this year that is given to the best woman on the court. She throws outs, makes catches, provides pressure, and allows our women’s team to compete. The winner is voted on by their teammates and this year’s winner was Hollie Wheeler. Let’s take a look at the interview below on his thoughts of winning the award.

Q: How do you feel about winning this award?

A: I’m very appreciative that both my male and female teammates felt I deserved this recognition. It’s exciting that we even get to have this award this year. I hope I can keep it up and be a contender for it again next year.

Q: What was your favorite moment playing women’s no-sting this season?

A: Although I loved getting the opportunity to play at women’s nationals, I had the most fun playing no-sting on our home courts during practice. I’m glad we decided to record a few no-sting practices against the guys, and there were a lot of great moments. One of my favorites are when Ian acted as a human shield for our club President, Daniel, and my ball was still able to get Daniel in the foot. Another good play was when I caught a ball at my hip at close range while holding two balls in my hands.

Q: What is your proudest achievement this season?

A: My proudest achievement has got to be playing on an official women’s team. I really thought it wouldn’t happen until after I graduated, but I was hoping I could help lay the foundation before I left. Turns out, it was a pretty strong foundation and now we have a team.

Q: What goals do you have for recruiting new players next season?

A: I would really like to have a B team so that we can practice playing other girls, but also so we can dominate against other B teams in the league.

Q: What personal goals are you setting for yourself for the upcoming season?

A: There is always room for improvement in every aspect of the game. I want to be a strong player on both courts. Mostly, I want to throw far fewer catches. My goal is to become a player that others look up to and want to learn from.

Baller of the Year – Jalen Sims

This is an award that is given to the best player on the court. This individual throws outs, makes catches, provides pressure, and allows the team to compete. The winner is voted on by their teammates and this year’s winner is Jalen Sims. Let’s take a look at the interview below on his thoughts of winning the award.

Q: How do you feel about winning this award?

A: I appreciate the award. I feel a lot of people on the team could have gotten it, thank you for the votes.

Q: What was your favorite moment or moments from this past season?

A: My favorite moment from this past season has to be getting the last hit at nationals (felt pretty good).

Q: What does your future in Dodgeball look like?

A: Undecided 

Q: What do you hope to see the club achieve this coming season?

A: I hope to see the club be in the top 10 teams next year.

Q: What advice can you give to any young or rookie players for the next season?

A: My biggest advice would be to don’t be afraid to throw the ball and get hit.

Most Improved 2025 – Hollie Wheeler

This award is given to the individual that puts in the work and effort to improve and take their game to the next level. They are always looking for ways to get better and want to make an impact on the court. The award is voted on by their teammates and this year’s most improved player is Hollie Wheeler. Let’s take a look at her interview and what she has to say about winning this award!

Q: How do you feel about winning this award?

A: I feel very proud to have earned this award. I was nominated last year after just 2 months on the team, and when I lost, I told myself I would work hard to get it the next year. I know that every other candidate for this award has worked hard and their efforts shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Q: What moment or moments from this past season are you most proud of?

A: Overall, I’m most proud of how much I’ve changed since last season. Before, I had very little confidence doing anything. When I was left as the last player left multiple times, I didn’t know what to do. Now, I don’t even have to think about what to do in that situation. My coach just lets me do my thing and I don’t feel any pressure or stress from my team. I’ve been able to secure a good amount of catches as the last player left, and I’ve learned to survive and draw out the clock.

Q: What skills do you hope to continue focusing on? Any new skills you want to learn?

A: I want to keep up on my ability to catch. I love the satisfaction when it just sticks and the team just lights up with excitement. I want to improve my throwing and pump fakes that make people fall over like my captain, Dylan, can do. I’d like both me and my team to work on dropping to catch since there’s a lot of weak resets that can be an easy catch rather than a block. 

Q: What was your favorite moment from this past season?

A: I think one of my favorite moments this past season was my 6 catches and a team catch at UNL. I believe it was technically my 5th tournament ever and I completely surprised myself. It marked a turning point in my confidence that helped me progress so much the rest of the season. Feeling how excited my team was after each catch and watching back the footage to see my coach enthusiastically clapping really cemented how much I enjoy being a part of this team. 

Q: Do you have any plans to continue playing Dodgeball in the future?

A: Of course, I don’t think I could ever leave this team prematurely. I have plans to play in some NDA tournaments in the summer and I’m sure I’ll be back after I graduate. But until then, I’m not done improving. Thank you again to my team for voting me most improved this year!

Team Impact 2025 – Nicholas Stocks

The Team Impact Award is given to the player that always gives it his all on the court and brings the energy regardless of the score. They know how to rally the team and keep the mood light when it is needed. This individual was voted on by their teammates and the winner of this year’s team impact award is Nicholas Stocks. Let’s take a look at his interview on how he feels about winning!

Q: How do you feel about winning this award?

A: I am honored that the team selected me to receive this award. I wanted to see the best brought out in the team because my teammates helped me be the best dodgeball player I could be.

Q: What do you hope to see the club achieve this coming season?

A: Next season I plan to see Platteville in the championship bracket at Nationals. With the momentum from winning the consolation bracket this year, the club will be off to a great start next season.

Q: What advice would you give to younger and new players?

A: My advice to new players is to show up to practice. If you want to become better, attend regular practices and a few skills practices, you will see your skills grow significantly by consistently showing up.

Q: What was your favorite moment from this past season?

A: I always enjoyed coming to practice to play dodgeball and hang out with friends, but my favorite moment this season was the team throw with Jalen for the final out against WMU in overtime to win the consolation bracket.

Q: Do you have plans to continue playing Dodgeball in the future?

A: I plan to come back and play on the alumni team at home tournaments.

Team Impact 2024 – Eli Huntley

The Team Impact Award is given to the player that always gives it his all on the court and brings the energy regardless of the score. They know how to rally the team and keep the mood light when it is needed. This individual was voted on by their teammates and the winner of this year’s team impact award is Eli Huntley. Let’s take a look at his interview on how he feels about winning this award!


Q. How do you feel about winning this award again?

A. Glad that I could continue to have an impact on the team in my final season of dodgeball. It feels good to be recognized for the work that I put into the club.

Q. What do you hope to see the club achieve this coming season?

A. I hope to see an increase in the rookie class size over the next few years. More people will help with retaining players over the years.

Q. What advice would you give to younger and new players?

A. Keep playing. Dodgeball is a fun and competitive sport that allows you to compete and network with people all over the Midwest and more.

Q. What was your favorite moment from this past season?

A. Graduating.

Q. Do you have any plans to continue playing Dodgeball?

A. I will occasionally play in the NDA and help with league expansion when needed.

Most Improved 2024 – Zach Brand

This award is given to the individual that puts in the work and effort to improve and take their game to the next level. They are always looking for ways to get better and want to make an impact on the court. The award is voted on by their teammates and this year’s most improved player is Zach Brand. Let’s take a look at his interview and what he has to say about winning this award!

Q. What are your thoughts on winning this award?

I’m honestly surprised. I personally didn’t expect to be nominated for the award because I couldn’t see my improvements.

Q. What moment or moments from this past season are you most proud of?

I don’t have any personal moments that I can think of, but the team’s best moments were the way we all chipped in to help the rookies or anyone confused about an aspect of Dodgeball.

Q. What skills do you hope to continue focusing on? Any new skills you want to learn?

The skills I need to work on are my catching and blocking. The rest will come with time and experience.

Q. What are your goals for this coming season?

I don’t have any goals for myself, but my overall hope is to see my team succeed in their goals and that they can improve to a point where they are proud of what they’ve accomplished.

Q. What is something you are looking forward to for next season?

I want to prove to the rest of the NCDA wrong when it comes to Platteville. We are not a team to be taken lightly.

Baller of the Year – Tomas Zander

This is an award that is given to the best player on the court. This individual throws outs, makes catches, provides pressure, and allows the team to compete. The winner is voted on by their teammates and this year’s winner was Tomas Zander. Let’s take a look at the interview below on his thoughts of winning the award.

Q. How do you feel about winning this award?

A. This award means a lot to me because of how much work I put into getting my teammates and myself better this year. I am glad that my teammates were able to see that I was pushing not only myself but also them every game. Knowing that I made an impact on the team even when not at practice is important to me. I never want to be known as the person who didn’t give it their all for their team. I want to give a shout-out to the other nominations for this award: Jalen, Nick, and Caleb. Those three getting better every game made me want to push myself so I wouldn’t get left behind.

Q. What was your favorite moment or moments from this past season?

A. I was only able to come to a handful of practices this year because I moved to Madison. One of my favorites was the first practice I attended. The reason was that for a long time, Coach Erik and I have been trying to create a culture of people wanting to come to play dodgeball, compete, have fun, get better for themselves, and get better for their teammates. I showed up to that first practice, and everybody was early to practice, running team drills without complaining and having fun. That moment really stuck with me because it felt like we finally achieved that culture Coach Erik and I have been looking for at Platteville. I give a lot of credit to the veterans for having a good mindset and taking the time to teach the rookies. I am sure it will be even better next season.

Q. What does your future in Dodgeball look like?

A. I don’t know how yet, but my plan is to get UW- Madison to start a Dodgeball Club in the fall and I plan to be their Coach. I want to help the Central Region of the NCDA grow. As for playing dodgeball, you better believe I will be at every home tournament playing for the Alumni. I also plan to play in the NDA league for the Platteville Pickaxers.

Q. What will you miss the most from this club?

A. Tournament weekend was something that I always looked forward to. From having a six-plus hour jam session in the car heading to a tournament, to hanging out with the team at the hotel and staying up really late, to playing dodgeball all day the next day, to finally ending the day back in Platteville hanging out until we passed out from exhaustion. Most people would say that sounds awful, but I have had some awesome teammates over the years to share in all those memories and I would not trade them away for anything.

Q. What advice can you give to any young or rookie players for next season?

A. Find a way to make an impact! Don’t give excuses, give solutions. This sport is not all about you. You have 11 other teammates on the court that are relying on you to fulfill your role. If you can’t throw, find something else to do to help your team win! Also, on or off the court, show that you care to be there. Some of your teammates put a lot of work into the club. Be present, on time, and come with a good attitude. You do that and you will find success in this club.

Rookie of the Year – Eric Sullivan

This is award given to a first year player on the team that has put in a lot of effort and makes an impact on the court. They provide us with throws and catches when it is needed the most. The winner is voted on by their teammates and this year’s rookie of the year is Eric Sullivan. Let’s take a look a the interview below and what he thinks of winning this award!

Q. How do you feel about winning this award?

A. I’m deeply honored and grateful to receive this award. It came as a surprise to me, as there were other candidates who were equally, if not more, deserving of this recognition.

Q. What was your proudest moment from this season?

A. Seeing my performance at nationals exceed my expectations was one of my most rewarding moments of the season, and it was a result of the team’s support and teamwork.

Q. What do you hope to improve on?

A. I hope to improve on my throw and my communication skills on the court.

Q. What are you looking forward to for next season?

A. I hope to improve on my throw and my communication skills on the court.

Q. What is your greatest take-away from this season?

A. My greatest take away from this season is the importance of perseverance and the importance of teamwork.