The Rookie of the Month award is an award given monthly to a player voted on by their teammates to recognize all the hard work they have put into the team throughout the month. This month’s winner was Reagan Bucholtz! She is a currently pursing a mechanical engineering degree and expects to graduate in 2028. Here are her responses to some brief interview questions.
How has your opinion of dodgeball changed since you started playing?
Before joining the team, the last time I had played dodgeball was in middle school, and honestly, I hated middle school dodgeball. So, after being convinced to just go to a practice just to see what the dodgeball team was, I was very surprised by how much fun I had. It felt very different than middle school dodgeball, where, at least at my school, the boys were just chucking the balls at each other the second they got one, while the girls just stood at the back of the court doing nothing. This team is nothing like the middle school dodgeball I knew; it is better in every way. There is strategy, teamwork, and communication. The guys are always making sure all the girls are getting involved with the game, and work with us as a team. So, overall, my opinion of dodgeball has change from the day I hated most in gym class, to what I look forward to doing each week.
What role on the court do you hope to play in the future? What skills do you want to continue to work on?
On the court, the role I usually enjoy being the most is the blocker. Since I know I don’t have one of the strongest throws on the team, I feel like being able to block and cover for my teammates is how I can benefit the team the most. One role that I would like to maybe try doing, probably not for a year or two still, is play calling. The first time I did it was at a practice, and I got really overwhelmed and did not like it whatsoever. However, if I continue to work at it and understand what to do in different situations, feels like if I might eventually warm up to it. Being able to play call would be a good asset for me to have, especially since I have a tendency to get hurt or for previous injuries to act up, and I have a louder voice so my teammates can hear me. So, then I could still benefit the team, even if I am a little injured.
What has been your favorite moment of the season so far?
My favorite moment as a team is probably after we beat UNL for the first time in years. Although I didn’t play in the game, the huddle afterwards, when everyone, especially people who had been on the team for a few years, was so happy. Just the excitement that everyone shared made me realize just how amazing the community of the team is.
How does it feel to be a member of the first ever UWP Women’s Dodgeball Team?
I am so excited that there is a women’s team this year! I know that this is something that the team has been working on for a while now, so I am very honored to be a part of it. Even though most of the women’s team is rookies, we are constantly improving and growing, not only as individual players, but also as a team. It is also amazing how much support our coach and all the guys show us. They are always offering to work with us with the no-sting balls to help the women’s team to get more experience, which I really appreciate. I can’t wait to go compete at nationals next semester as a the first ever UWP Women’s Dodgeball Team!
We are extremely proud and excited to have a player such as Reagan on our co-ed team and the growing women’s team. We can’t way to see the strides she makes as a player!
