USA Ultimate

Women's Division Atlantic Coast Regionals Preview

The time when the majority of teams have nothing to lose and a handful of teams have everything to lose has come.  The teams with nothing to lose can be the greatest post-season stories to vicariously live through, read about, and witness.  Historically, Atlantic Coast Regionals has been a tournament where all teams come ready to battle and no game can be taken for granted.  The AC Region expects no different this weekend.  It is going to be one wild ride and it is highly suggested, if you are within driving distance of Wilmington, NC, that you jump in the car and come out to watch some of the best women’s ultimate players in this corner of the country.

At the top of the heap are North Carolina Pleiades and North Carolina-Wilmington Seaweed.  After going approximately 0-10 versus Seaweed the last three years, Pleiades has managed to pull out two wins this season against their formidable opponent.  The UNC and UNCW programs have grown together and each program has challenged the other program to reach new heights on and off the field in a healthy and positive way.  Notably, the Pleiades have played the second most number of games in the USAU Top 25.  At 27 official games during the regular season only Wisconsin has logged more points.  This challenging and heavy schedule may work out well for Pleiades, but it may also work to their disadvantage.  Pleiades can only hope that they are refreshed enough to make that final surge during the post season and achieve the goals they set with great enthusiasm in December.

Leading the charge will be the lethal combination of 2010 Callahan Runner-Up Leila Tunnell (#18), fifth year captain Kaitlin Baden (#4), and Junior Worlds 2011 Bronze Medalist Lindsay Lang (#51).  Baden has battled back from four knee surgeries between May 2009 and December 2010 in order to be back in the lineup for Pleiades. She says, “In the past I’ve always felt that it was important to go into Regionals with that perfect combination of nerves and excitement. This year, however, I will admit that when I’ve been thinking of Regionals, I have allowed the scales to tip just a bit in favor excitement— both for my team but also for the AC region. Being allotted three bids this year has definitely raised the bar for our region and I think all AC teams are ready to prove that we are worthy of this honor.”

Naturally, UNCW is a huge favorite to win the region and will be playing before a home crowd.  With two regional championships in 2009 and 2010, and a 5th place finish at the Big Dance last year, it is clear this program knows how to win.  Led by the versatile Claire Chastain (#7) and Jessica “Patti” Patrick (#14), these two girls have exceptional wills to win.  At their Conference Championship, Patti re-injured a chronic hamstring strain and her return to the lineup for regionals would be huge for UNCW. Will Seaweed take the risk and choose to save her for Nationals?  Danny Wren and Nicki Zeldin are experienced, intelligent coaches who have what it takes to figure out a way for UNCW without Patti on the field.  In addition, Kelly Tidwell (#11) and Sara Casey (#8) have a “refuse to lose” mentality that is very admirable and undoubtedly valuable.

After UNC and UNCW, there is Virginia Hydra – a true program to be admired. The ladies in Charlottesville are clearly refocusing on developing a program that will be competitive not only in the region, but also nationally.  This makes them not only a worthy opponent this year, but also in the years to come.  Led by the steady and skilled throws of Devon Eriksen (#12), UVA has rightfully earned the AC Region a third bid to Boulder and, in an ideal world, their hard work pays off this weekend. 

Although UNC, UNCW, and UVA have proven themselves at elite tournaments like Centex and President’s Day, it does not mean teams like North Carolina State, Wake Forest, Charleston, Duke, and Maryland cannot play at that level and won’t be stepping their games up this weekend.

North Carolina State Jäga has been known to learn a lot about themselves and their opponents during the regular season, and then to use this knowledge to upset unsuspecting teams at Regionals.  Led by the well-rounded junior captain Jessi Jones (#5), NCSU will be a favorite to have some exciting games. 

Wake Forest Ruckus has been plagued by their school’s finals being on the same weekend as regionals for two years in a row now and this scheduling issue may affect the attendance of one of their best players, Kennedy Wolfe (#00).  Wolfe and Claire O’Brien (#8) lead the very dynamic Wake offense and will be a dangerous team if they can maintain consistency with fundamentals throughout their whole roster.  Tammy Moose returns for her seventh year as the Wake Forest head coach and that type of experience cannot be underestimated during this time of year. 

College of Charleston Hobos has developed into the type of team that is not just “happy to be here.”  Possibly, the hiring of Mike Nash as their coach is a huge reason for this change in mentality.  Charleston is a real threat to a happy Sunday for many teams in Wilmington this weekend. 

Maryland Helpful Corn won their Conference Championship, but Maryland this year has a different look than the Maryland of 2010.  Rebuilding is their look, but the team has play-makers and a coach who know how to win when it really matters. 

Finally, rounding out our top eight is Duke. Chakra is a skilled program, losing to North Carolina on double game point at Conference Championships. When asked about goals for the weekend, Coach Alan Hoyle said, “We'd love to avenge at least one of our close losses from Conferences.  We had 2 losses on double-game point and another close one at the cap.” Teams will see senior captain Laura Manson and grad student Laura Wehlitz on both sides of the disc. Junior receiver Meredith Chase will be a play maker as well.

The Conference Championships were the beginning of the USAU College Championship series for James Madison, Towson, Virginia Tech, William & Mary, American, South Carolina, Clemson and Richmond.  Although these teams are quieter on the National stage, they are worthy of respect and should be feared because any team can win on any given day.  The AC Region should be proud of how strong and deep it has become without sacrificing healthy, supportive, positive relationships between competing teams.  It clearly demonstrates that the players all recognize they truly are all on the same team at the end of day.

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