99 Problems and (Lack of Enough) Refs/Snitches is One

Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Staff

We have a problem in quidditch. We don't have players on PEDs or a concussion epidemic. No players are receiving improper benefits and no lockout is looming.

The IQA needs more refs and snitches. Although we still have a solid base of both refs and snitches, it's not enough to fill out most major tournaments and run successful regional championships. Let's start with reffing. Numbers are way down from last year, and to have functioning tournaments, the RDT needed to do something. Why? Because the $12 and desire to make a difference wasn't enough anymore to get enough people to don the zebra stripes. At some tournaments, referees were overworked. If they weren't playing, they were head reffing, and if they weren't head reffing, they would be called upon to snitch or goal ref. Players who were refs lost valuable time with their teams. As Luke Changet put it on his blog, the Quidditch Elitist, "Maybe the bad started to outweigh the good."

Photo by Michael E. Mason/IQA Staff

Requiring each team to supply refs might have been the only solution, and thank you to the RDT for saving regionals, but it's not a sustainable solution for the long term. This is because a large majority of the people teams will be supplying are players on that team. The level of competition is going up in quidditch. Gameplay is getting more intense and more tiring. Teams are hitting more and harder than ever and the speeds at which quidditch is played sometimes is insane. Four or five games in a day is getting increasingly difficult. In between games, players need all the rest they can get. Heavy hitters need time for their bodies to recover. In hot weather, players need to cool down and drink water. They shouldn't be running around another field, snitching or officiating. If players do not get time to rest, they are being put in serious danger. 

Snitching is an issue as well. Like reffing, there's a handful of great, dedicated snitches that are preventing this from becoming a catastrophe. However, to fill out the snitching schedule of a tournament, players are often asked to snitch.

In early season tournaments, there have many complaints of snitches who are also players, that try to save energy for their own games. They don't give 100% snitching and are caught relatively quickly. This is entirely understandable, but not good. Game length is being sacrificed and it's not fair for the players in the game if the snitch is giving 50%.

Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Staff

Players who snitch with their all and try really hard not to get caught, pay for it in their teams' next games. They give 100%, last a normal length, but walk away very tired. When it's time for their own team to play, they are not at 100% due to bruises, cramps or fatigue, and their team pays for it. Game quality is being sacrificed. 

So, something has to be done. If quidditch ever hopes to be a spectator sport, refs and snitches can't be players also. It's dangerous. Game length and quality are being sacrificed. So what's the answer? Tournament Directors need to aggressively recruit people who are not playing to ref and snitch. Also, in my opinion, it is not too early to think about training refs and/or snitches that aren't already involved in quidditch. The IQA should think about reaching out to town recreation departments and planning snitch workshops and assistant referee workshops. These workshops could be in the weeks leading up to regionals and run by local players. Money would probably have to be offered for work done at the tournament, but it would be very little. Maybe an extra $2.50 per game to have a few special assistant referees. It would be an investment for the future. Snitches would need more training and larger paychecks, but maybe after a practicing with a local team for a few weeks, they would be ready for at least consolation games. 

Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Staff

Players can't go on with the burden of working games at tournaments if the level of gameplay is going to keep increasing at the rate it currently is. Recruiting outsiders to snitch and assistant ref is a sustainable option for the future of quidditch. Although this will be a very gradual process, maybe soon we will have head referees and championship game snitches that do not play on a team. Bringing new people to quidditch at the same time, we would be jumping out of our little cocoon. The cost of a referee and snitch crew would go up, but going outside of the "quidditch community" to recruit refs and snitches would attract attention. Attention to quidditch brings spectators to tournaments. Spectators become fans. Fans pay money. Teach new people how to ref and snitch and eventually (it'll be a bumpy road) our ref and snitch problem will be fixed for good.

Lumberjacks, Trials by Fire And Nittany Lions

Lumberjack Invitational

Otherwise a blip on analysts' radar, this year's Lumberjack Invitational was spiced up by the announcement that the Lost Boys will be traveling from Los Angeles to Northern Arizona. Coming off an Elite Eight performance, the Lost Boys added five UCLA players over the summer, boosting them into the preseason top five. There has been lots of buzz about the improvements of Lost Boys' players Tony Rodriguez and Chris Seto, but a majority of the buzz has come from Lost Boys themselves. Now with quidditch mastermind Mitch Cavender, it will be interesting to see if the Lost Boys beating strategy has undergone a makeover. For the Lost Boys to win this tournament, chaser Jeff Lin can't let ASU's sole All-American Alex Makk dominate. In a grudge match between two of the best seekers in the IQA, both Steve DiCarlo and Porter Marsh (as well as each team's beaters) are sure to be on the top of their game.

Best Case: Lost Boys dominate, winning every game by at least 100 points. Steve DiCarlo out-seeks Porter Marsh, Tony Rodriguez looks like the best keeper in the IQA and the Lost Boys justify their #2 ranking in the coaches poll.

Worst Case: The Lost Boys win the Lumberjack Invitational, but lose to either NAU or ASU along the way. Their #2 rankings in the coaches poll seems absurd.

Arizona State, led by Alex Makk, have been mentioned as a possible dark horse at Western Cup V. There's no doubt, Makk is terrific. He's speedy, strong, can tackle and can shoot, however Makk is neither Arizona State's most important, nor most exciting player. Duston Mazzela, a beater who played with Tony Rodriguez's Firemercs champion team, is ready to enter the conversation of the best beaters in the best beating region. The Western Eighth Man analysts seemed to think that beating was an issue for the Sun Devils, but I think a beating corps led by Mazzela has to be a strength.

Best Case: Arizona State upsets the Lost Boys early in the tournament and places second at the tournament. Mazzela and Makk shine.

Worst Case: The loss of keeper Willie Jackson hurts Arizona State's defense a lot and Tony Rodriguez stomps all over ASU. In the rivalry game, NAU snatches victory.

The hosts, NAU, are going to head into a new season hoping that they do not have to rely on Porter Marsh as much. NAU has an athletic chasing corps but too often, they make beginner mistakes like passing it to a chaser who's standing right next to a beater. Forcing long passes and driving into brick walls, NAU's chasers make too many mental errors. The same goes for the beaters. They are flashy,  butjumping in the air and pump fakes do not increase accuracy.  That being said, NAU's beaters have proved that they can perform in the clutch, especially when the snitch is on the pitch.  If it's more of the same for NAU, expect Porter Marsh to be heavily relied upon.

Best Case: If things click for NAU and they live up to their potential, NAU could easily beat the Arizona State and/or grind out a victory against the Lost Boys. NAU places second.

Worst Case: NAU is clearly third best at the tournament and is almost toppled by Arizona or Quid Pro Quo. Porter Marsh only gets two snatches.

Rounding out the field are two more interesting teams: Arizona and Quid Pro Quo. Arizona, who improved greatly in between Western Cup and Beachside Brawl, will look to break out this year. Similarly, Quid Pro Quo definitely has athleticism, but has yet to really perform well in a tournament. They did ok at Rocky Mountain last weekend, but a last place finish might be the fate of the Las Vegas community team at the Lumberjack Invitational.

Trial by Fire

The NYDC Capitalists are making an interesting trip up to Canada this weekend for Trial by Fire. The Capitalists crushed VCU in a series of scrimmages and if they get similar results against Canada's best, the Capitalists will wonder why they didn't just go to Penn State this weekend. Certain players on McGill, Gee-Gees Quidditch, Carleton and Queen's might pose a threat to the #15 team in the nation, but the depth of the Capitalists as a whole should overpower the Canadian teams. Some of the individual matchups will be interesting to watch though. Gee-Gees' Adam Robillard vs. NYDC's Billy Greco for the snitch could be an indicator to whether we'll see the Team USA Greco or the Greco of 2012-13. Keeper Jamie Lafrance, also of Gee-Gees Quidditch will pose a challenge to the NYDC point defenders.

Best Case: The NYDC Capitalists go undefeated and their younger players get lots of gametime and experience.

Worst Case: Still going undefeated, the Capitalists have close calls with several of Canada's top teams and many games are within snitch range.

Uniting as one region and one force to take down the visiting Capitalists are Canada's top teams. McGill, who for a second straight weekend will be facing terrific interregional competition, will hope for better results against the top team in the Mid Atlantic. Gee-Gee's Quidditch, formerly UOttawa, had several players who had prominent fantasy performances including Robillard and Lafrance. The only international team to make the Round of 32 at World Cup VI, Gee-Gees are playing NYDC in pool play for the biggest match of the morning. Following McGill and Gee-Gees are Carleton and Queen's. I expect each of those teams to be more concerned with climbing the ladder in Canada rather than pulling off a shocking upset against NYDC.

Best Case: Great competition is played between the top four Canadian teams and a few of the four teams put up a good display against the Capitalists. NYDC comes back from Trial by Fire as champions, but they come back telling everyone that teams in Canada can really play.

Worst Case: Canada's best teams don't stand a chance against the Capitalists.

Penn State Tournament

A tournament and regional favorite, Maryland lost many pieces to graduation this summer, but also has a strong cast of returning players that performed excellently at fantasy tournaments. A very strong first chaser line that includes Harry Greenhouse, Matt Angelico and Erin Mallory creates an offense that is high scoring and has terrific ball movement. With Ricky Nelson, possibly the best male beater in the Mid Atlantic, Maryland will look to try their "diamond shell" defense without keeper James Hicks in the back. 

Best Case: Maryland wins the Penn State Tournament narrowly with just enough defense to hold the other tournament favorites in snitch range.  Greenhouse gets the snatch in the finals. 

Worst Case: Maryland's defense falls apart without James Hicks and the lack physicality on offense. They are upset by Johns Hopkins in pool play and eliminated in the semifinals.

Ball State, traveling from the Midwest to play the best in the Mid Atlantic (minus NYDC), will bring an official team. Led by Devon McCoy, Ball State brings a lot of physicality and intensity to every game they play. Their transition game is out of control one minute and perfect the next minute. A very streaky team, it will be interesting to see how they will play so early in the season against good teams. Also, seeker Tyler Macy has graduated, so there are doubts about whether Ball State will be able to pull out the close games. 

Best Case: Ball State has found a new seeker as well as decent beaters and they get hot just in time for single elimination. Devon McCoy is voted tournament MVP as the Cardinals make a statement for the Midwest.

Worst Case: Seeking and beating are big issues and nothing works for Ball State. They are defeated by Penn State and QC Pittsburgh.

Jason Rosenberg, a physical, athletic chaser who has been in the shadow of Michael Parada for too long is ready for the next level at Penn State. Rosenberg can shoot, pass and drive and can take over the duties at the point for the Nittany Lions. (Yada who?) Beater Scott Axel and seeker Colin Leese-Thompson make me believe that Penn State could win a bunch of close games in crunch time.

Best Case: Penn State wins their own tournament with defeats of Ball State and Maryland. The Nittany Lions have a great player at each position and that trio carries the team.

Worst Case: Depth is huge problem for Penn State. Rosenberg plays well, but only well enough for a 2-2 overall record. Yada is missed.

Other teams to watch include QC Pittsburgh, who dropped off last season and was a pretty mediocre team. NYU and RIT are traveling from the Northeast. Both teams have reputations as clean, but physical teams. Finally, Johns Hopkins will try to reverse the notion that they are dirty team. 

Who's Gonna Come and Take It?

"Getting involved in any rivalry is fun," said Baylor captain David Gilbert, "but there's something special about when [Baylor, Texas, or Texas A&M] line up to play each other."

Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Staff

From the University of Texas winning World Cup VI, to THE Fantasy, to all the buzz around Lone Star QC, Texas has been the been place to be in the quidditch world this summer. Texas' top four teams are arguably the top four in the nation and certainly cannot be thrown from World Cup VII title contention. Between the four, there is no clear favorite either. The reigning champion Longhorns were essentially split in two, with many of UT's experienced stars joining Lone Star. The half staying with UT includes several of the game's rising stars plus keeper Augie Monroe. Baylor, who proved their victory at Southwest Regionals was not a fluke with a Final Four appearance at World Cup VI, will be charging into the season, but without Paul Williard. And then, there's Texas A&M. A&M has suffered greatly at the past two World Cups and I really don't believe any team wants it more. The winner of World Cup VII is going to be one of these four teams and unless the bracket doesn't allow it, the other finalist will also be one of these four teams. On the eve of the first Southwest tournament, here are some detailed previews for each team and my picks for the winner of World Cup VII.

Baylor University 

"We've got a lot of experience and chemistry," said Baylor president David Gilbert, "and in the end we play for each other and because we love the game. We're looking forward to playing against the highest caliber of competition quidditch has ever experienced, and as we say at Baylor, 'The hotter the heat, the harder the steel. No pressure, no diamonds...'"

Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Staff

We all know the story. Baylor comes out of nowhere and week in and week out, puts up competitive scores against strong Southwestern teams. Finally, when they get their shot against number one, Texas A&M, the Aggies are bounced from Southwest Regionals in the semifinals. Then, Baylor defeats UT to win the Southwest crown. After their shocking Southwest Regionals win, Baylor goes to the Final Four at World Cup VI.

Following an encouraging season and losing no players to graduation, Baylor was an easy choice as favorite for the upcoming season. They were my pick for World Cup VII winner all summer. However, star chaser Paul Williard, will likely not be playing at all this year due to chronic back problems. Williard, an outstanding athlete, was his team's leading scorer. Baylor's signature hoop defending defense and stretch-the-pitch-with-passing offense was perfect for him. Without Paul Williard, these signature strategies are going to be less effective and are in danger of falling apart. For me, it's very clear that someone needs to fill the shoes of Paul Williard. Someone needs to be on the end of all of those Jacob Bruner lobs from the point. Whether it's on the wing or directly behind the keepers, chasers Mark Williard (who will miss the beginning of the season with a broken wrist) and Trent Miller have the athleticism to jump up and retrieve passes. I could see either one of them becoming the Bears' leading scorer, but not a perfect replacement for Williard.

Photo by Monica Wheeler

If Baylor wins World Cup VII, it will be because of their beaters. Baylor has the best beater lineup in the Southwest. Led by Brittany Ripperger, Chris Rhodes and David Gilbert, the Baylor beaters are smart, strategic and accurate. In my opinion, Baylor's hoop defense strategy only works so well because of their beater strategy and especially the talents of Ripperger. Pouncing on loose quaffles with extraordinary quickness, Ripperger has a suffocating effect that destroys rhythm and is extremely frustrating for opposing chasers. Like a great rebounder in basketball, Ripperger is often the first to a missed shot and shuts down all opportunities for second chance points. Possibly creating a tough fall season for Baylor, Ripperger will be out for the next few months with a broken hand. Assuming Ripperger's hand heals well and she is 100% by April, the three have what it takes to lead their team on a deep run in World Cup. Ripperger, Rhodes and Gilbert always seem to be on the same page and because of this, Baylor should be able to edge their rivals in time with bludger control creating tough games, but not necessarily wins.

Texas A&M University

"I do believe Texas A&M will be hoisting that trophy come April," said Texas A&M captain Drew Wasikowski. "Returning players are hungrier than ever.  After our humiliation at WCVI, we are more fueled than ever.  We have determined all the flaws and faults we had at WC last season, and adjusted to fill those gaps.  We really only had 2 people graduate, but we've got far more new players that made the team. We've restructured the team to focus more on athletic ability and potential growth so that come April, we will have the strongest team possible.  This time, we'll have the depth, the skill, and the athletic ability and drive to actually go all the way."

Many do not remember Texas A&M's autumn dominance in the Southwest or their flawless seeking game or Drew Wasikowski's tournament leading 21 total goals at Southwest Regionals. Scarred into the quidditch community's mind is the 200*-40 drubbing the Aggies took to Texas in the quarterfinals in Kissimmee. Texas A&M ended a second straight World Cup with complete and utter disappointment. Losing only a couple players, Texas A&M is ready for yet another shot at the title under the veteran leadership of Drew Wasikowski. Said Wasikowski, "We aren't in the spotlight right now, and that's okay. That's actually how I prefer [to be] going into a season."

With Wasikowski running the offense, Texas A&M can put a variety of pieces around him to create one of the best half court offenses in the IQA. Using a lot of penetration, perimeter passing and playing to the strengths of each individual player, the Aggies have really figured the half court attack out. They are excellent at keeping possession and not forcing the quaffle, as they will often swing it around to the other side of the pitch to change the point of attack. Terrific ball handlers like Becca DuPont, Kifer Gregorie and Sean Fry make this offense happen.

Defensively, I don't think Texas A&M uses the skills of it's players as well as they could. Drew Wasikowski and Kifer Gregorie could create a killer point defense rotation, but one of the two often plays regular off ball defense. When the point defender gets beat, there isn't a second A&M player rushing to meet the ball carrier. There's no doubt that Wasikowski and Gregorie are amazing point defenders. I just don't think they are used to their full potential all the time. At the back, sometimes the keeper defense is a little weak. With many athletes and physical presences, it comes down to training and positioning. Sometimes, I don't see the same defensive fight or passion from Texas A&M as their counterparts. We all know the phrase "defense wins championships." If I were a Texas A&M captain, I'd be telling my team before each game to not allow a single goal.

Photo by Lauren Carter

The continued issues at beater, made worse by the loss of Savannah Allison, are going to start to interfere with the greatest strength of Texas A&M. The Aggies have three amazing seekers that will throw all kinds of different styles and moves at a snitch. It's only going to take one or two snatches in bracket play of a tournament for Dirk Hyrekewicz and Luke Wigley to start to be compared to Steve DiCarlo and Porter Marsh. However, if Texas A&M doesn't figure out their beater problems, teams are going to be able to shut down their seekers. Besides Matthieu Gregorie, Texas A&M's beating corps was incredibly inconsistent and often outplayed. They need to become more disciplined as a whole, as well as having a beater who can go give a hit and regain bludger control.

University of Texas

"We are not the team that dominated back in April," said Texas captain Augustine Monroe. "We are a new team with a long way to go. Only time will tell where we stand."

After losing many of their star players to Lone Star QC, Texas is beginning their title defense modestly. The Longhorns know that MVP-type players like Marshall, Arends, Holub, Bell, Morris, Adlis and Machala will not be lining up with them for brooms up this weekend. Monroe is very correct in saying that Texas is a "fresh new team." Some fresh air in Austin is pretty exciting though. The same dominance from the same guys and girls wouldn't have been nearly as fun to watch or write about!

Photo by Michael E. Mason/IQA Staff

UT's up and coming players excelled at fantasy tournaments this summer. Although they won't be able to duplicate the amazing chaser depth they had in their championship campaign, the group they will have this year is pretty fantastic too. Aryan Ghoddossy, Cody Tadlock and Kenny Chilton showed they can carry a team without any of their former teammates when they won THE Fantasy. Charging into the debate of best female chaser in quidditch is the duo of Audrey Wright and Kaci Erwin. Wright, who displays great positioning and will love the increase in pitch size, will surely be a top scorer for the Longhorns this season. With several goals in critical moments of the World Cup, she handles pressure well and plays with enthusiasm. Then, there's Kaci Erwin. Erwin, a defensive specialist, has been throwing bigger guys on the ground from Austin to New York. I see Erwin developing into a terrific offensive player who can do lots of different things. When you add in back up keeper Ryan Davis and any AQ call ups, Texas' chasing corps turns out pretty good. 

Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Staff

Suddenly, out of the big four, Texas is the youngest and has a lot of uncertainty at beater. Hope Machala is playing for Lone Star, Lauren Carter graduated, Jacob Adlis is in New York and Colin Capello is not playing. This leaves Evan Carr to train a new generation of Texas beaters. With same deadly, conservative, patience and quick attacks, I expect Carr to lead a pretty good beating squad. Many of the new beaters will have had experience playing with AQ, so on the A team, it's really a matter of training them to be more disciplined. Either way, at least the first half of the season, Augie Monroe is going to be looked upon to carry Texas more than ever before. He's the anchor of the team on both ends of the pitch as well as the general who's going to keep his troops in line. Monroe is the writer of the screenplay and the lead actor.

Lone Star QC

"Our team is experienced and skilled," said Lone Star's Beto Natera, "but above all we love playing with one another. It's a treat every time we get to step out on that pitch together and that team unity will hopefully aid us in mixing together all this talent into a victory stew."

After all of the summer hype and three big days of roster announcements, Lone Star QC made their debut last weekend in a scrimmage against Baylor. Despite a thunderstorm, the new community team defeated the Bears 70*-0. Hype plus a ten minute scrimmage win does not equal over-confidence for Lone Star, though. Said Natera, "We have work to do if we want to be able to compete at a championship level. Hopefully these upcoming tournaments will give us an opportunity to develop chemistry and gain a better feel for the tendencies of our teammates."

Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Staff

Assuming chemistry will develop among the LSQC players, let's look at some of the strengths and weaknesses of Lone Star. Tough, technical chaser defense is probably Lone Star's greatest strength. Chasers like Simon Arends and Kody Marshall were essential to stopping Texas A&M's half court offense and embarrassing them 200*-40. After it getting by the point, Lone Star's defense doesn't get any easier. With more great defenders like Chris Morris, Sarah Holub and Ronell Sharp, goals aren't going to come easily to opposing teams. At the back, Stephen Bell's insane hops and agility create a situation where long shots are certain to be blocked and turned into ten points for Lone Star. Connor Drake, Brian Stevens and Beto Natera are physical presences in the keeper zone who will not be afraid to come out and give a hit or stand their ground.

Photo by Monica Wheeler

To go with the chaser defense, Lone Star has Hope Machala, Mollie Lensing and Savannah Allison. I trust that those three alone will outplay and shutdown other teams. When you add in Reed Duncan, Lone Star should be able to beat most elite teams. Rounding out Lone Star's beating corps is Bo Roth and Jared Apilado. Neither has a ton of experience and if neither can mature into a solid option on the depth chart, Lone Star will not win World Cup VII. One of these guys has to be what Colin Capello was to UT last season for Lone Star to go all the way. Although the road to become a disciplined, strategic, elite beater is long, I have confidence that under the guidance of Lensing, one or both of these guys will be putting in quality minutes and taking important shifts by the end of the season.

World Cup VII Finals Prediction

Lone Star QC 140--Texas A&M 110*

Why Lone Star QC? Lone Star has a core group of players that are talented, motivated and love playing together. Their defense will be rock solid. They have the best defenders (at chaser and beater) in quidditch and I think they will mesh easily. By the end of the season, Simon Arends will be regarded as the best player in quidditch and a lock for All-American teams. His five goals against Texas A&M in the quarterfinals were only a preview. Factoring in Bell, Holub, Marshall and Morris creates an all star first chaser line. Beating will be shaky at first, but expect great maturation from Lone Star's lesser known beaters. In some ways, this is a rebuilding year for Texas and UCLA and the loss of Paul Williard is going to be felt enormously for Baylor. This leaves Texas A&M in perfect position to advance to finals. The Aggies have implemented a system that doesn't cut the team down to 21, so that they will have many options when April comes. With Drew Wasikowski and their underrated seekers (why isn't Dirk Hryekewicz in the conversation of the best seekers in the game?), A&M has the talent and they certainly have the desire to finally win. But, the former UT players seem to really have Texas A&M's normally terrific half court offense figured out. Texas A&M, who is always careful with the quaffle, was ripped apart by Arends, Marshall and Machala. It won't be a blowout, but I'll give the edge to Lone Star QC. With the potential to reload with experienced stars every summer, this could be the first championship in a dynasty for Lone Star QC.

*an incorrect earlier version of this article stated that Colin Capello and Lauren Carter will both be playing with UT this season. Capello is not playing and Carter graduated. Also, it was mentioned that Andrew Dinwoodie, Casey Ortiz and Colin Tseng will be playing for Texas A&M. This is inaccurate.

Quidditch Coaches Poll 9/30

World Coaches Poll

1. University of Texas-Austin (559)

2. Lost Boys QC (509)

3. Baylor University (508)

4. Lone Star QC (506)

5. Texas A&M University (487)

6. University of California-Los Angeles (352)

7. Boston University (344)

8. Bowling Green State University (241)

9. Emerson College (228)

10. University of Southern California (219)

11. Florida's Finest QC (140)

12. University of Maryland (137)

13. University of Kansas (129)

14. Louisiana State University (94)

15. NYDC Capitalists (89)

Top Five Others Receiving Votes: QC Boston: The Massacre (88), University of Miami (60), Ohio State University (40), University of Arkansas (40), Ball State University (37)

Regional Coaches Polls

Mid Atlantic

1. University of Maryland (27)

2. NYDC Capitalists (26)

3. Pennsylvania State University (11)

3. Villanova (11)

5. QC Pittsburgh (8)

Midwest

1. Bowling Green State University (37)

2. University of Kansas (29)

3. Ball State University (24)

4. Ohio State University (20)

5. Marquette University (7)

Northeast

1. Boston University (30)

2. Emerson College (24)

3. QC Boston: The Massacre (17)

4. Tufts Univeristy (7)

4. University of Rochester (7)

South

1. Florida's Finest QC (39)

2. University of Florida (25)

3. Tennessee Technological University (23)

4. University of South Florida (17)

5. University of Miami (14)

Southwest

1. Baylor University (32)

2. Lone Star QC (29)

3. Texas A&M University (27)

4. University of Texas-Austin (24)

5. LSU (3)

West

1. Lost Boys QC (25)

2. University of California-Los Angeles (16)

3. University of Southern California (15)

4. Arizona State University (8)

4. Northern Arizona University (8)

Voters: Brad Armentor (Lousiana State University), Jacob Barrett (Florida Gulf Coast University), Evan Bell (Santa Barbara Blacktips), Patrick Callanan (University of Rochester), Mitch Cavender (Lost Boys QC), Jeremy Day (University of Richmond), Clay Dockery (New York Badassilisks), Chisa Tko-Br Egbelu (Rutgers University), Hank Dugie (Cougar Quidditch), Matt Dwyer (Miami University), Blain Falone (University of South Florida), David Foxx (Emerson College), Craig Garrison (Roadrunner Quidditch), David Gilbert (Baylor University), Ian Hoopingarner (Michigan State University), David Hoops (Ohio State), Allick Jorgensen (University of Central Florida), Nicolas Kubicki (University of Southern Mississppi), Erin Mallory (University of Maryland), Max Miceli (University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill), Marina Montenegro (Horn Tailed Horcruxes Quidditch), Brain Nackasha (Eastern Florida State University), Ben Nadeau (QC Boston: The Massacre), Cody Narveson (University of Minnesota), Stephen Nettles (Rollins College), Sean Pagoada (Florida's Finest QC), Michael Parada (NYDC Capitalists), Jordan Parisher (Texas State University), David Prueter (Central Michigan University), Adam Robillard (Gee-Gees Quidditch), Tye Rush (Riverside Runners), Brandon Scapa (Universtiy of California-Los Angeles), Alex Scheer (University of Toledo), Landon Smith (Tennessee Technological University), Colby Soden (University of Kansas), Ethan Sturm (Tufts University), Shenuque Tissera (Macaulay Honors College at CUNY), Tyler Walker (Ball State University), Tad Walters (Loyola University), Drew Wasikowski (Texas A&M University), Alex Wilson (University of Arkansas); Regional Poll Voter Only: Cooper Davis (Northern Arizona University), Kyle Jeon (New York University), Dan Shapiro (University of Missouri

MQC/SNEQC Preview

The Massachusetts Quidditch Conference and the Southern New England Quidditch Conference will kick off their seasons this weekend with a 15 team invitational. Along with many of the conferences' regulars, McGill and the New York Badassilisks will be joining in. Here's a quick preview including best and worst case scenarios for each of the top teams.

Photo by Michael E. Mason/IQA Staff

All eyes will turn to QC Boston: The Massacre this weekend as the much hyped community team will make their debut. Led by Kedzie Teller, Zach D'Amico, Jayke Archibald and Ben Nadeau, the chasing core of the Massacre is sure to be quick, crisp and accurate. Expect lots of passing and movement: a nightmare for defenses. Archibald and Teller's speed will allow for lots of fast break goals and a great transition offense. Keeper Victor Viega will take on a bigger role as QCB's go to power player and will face off in pool play against former teammate David Foxx. In Kara Levis' first Northeast games, she will face off against the region's best offenses. I think QC Boston certainly has the pieces in place to win the MQC/SNEQC Invitational.

Best Case: QC Boston wins their first tournament setting the tone for a successful season. Their offense looks precise and unstoppable and the defense doesn't disappoint.

Worst Case: QC Boston loses to Emerson in pool play, but rallies to advance to the finals. In the finals, their passing game is picked apart by BU and doubt about QCB's chances this year spreads across the nation.

Photo by Monica Wheeler

Although some think Emerson was gutted by graduations and the Massacre this summer, I think Emerson will feel like a relatively similar team and have a good shot at upsetting QCB. While the losses of Jo Lam, Matt Lowe, Ben Nadeau, Victor Viega, and Griffin Conologue will be felt, I think David Foxx, the most physically dominating player in the Northeast, will be able to carry the team offensively from the point. Expect the breakout of chaser Pablo Calderon-Santiago, now a certain starter for Emerson and probably one of Foxx's most targeted receivers. With Aaron Wohl anchoring the beating corps, I think Emerson is in a very good position and I truly don't think they've fallen off much from last season.

Best Case: Emerson beats QC Boston in pool play and advanced to the finals, possibly knocking out defending Northeast champions BU in the semifinals.

Worst Case: Emerson is not ready for so many losses of key players. Foxx struggles as teams meet him at the point with multiple defending chasers and a beater every possession. Emerson is bounced in the quarterfinals.

Photo by Michael E. Mason/IQA Staff

The MQC/SNEQC Invitational will be the return of Brendan Stack to a BU team that went to the Sweet Sixteen without him. Stack, a vital part of the Terriers attack on transition, is well known among these teams although he seems to have been forgotten nationally. Stack and Michael Powell, one of a few BU chasers/keepers who thrived during Stack's absence, should be a fast, productive, duo. Also watch for BU beater Max Havlin, who's spectacular beating for Blue at Northeast Fantasy boosted them into the semifinals. Havlin's impenetrable defense frustrated his fantasy opponents. With BU's lack of physical defense and solid tackling, (the strength of BU's chaser defense is interceptions) Havlin and elite beater Katrina Bossoti will be the key to BU's success this weekend.

Best Case: BU dominates the competition making QC Boston look bad in the finals. BU rockets to the top of rankings

Worst Case: BU gets bounced in the semifinals. Stack's return is disappointing and powerhouse players like David Foxx are not stopped by Havlin and Bossoti 

McGill will travel down into the States, and for the first time since World Cup V, they will be put to the test against top US teams. As the only non-American team in the Eighth Man's top 20, McGill will look to prove that they belong there. Winners of the last Canadian Cup, McGill hasn't been seen on the big stage since, so all there is to look at is players' fantasy performances. 

Best Case: McGill surprises teams who haven't played them before, wins their pool and advances to the semifinals. 

Worst Case: McGill is easily beaten in the quarterfinals and drops out of T8M rankings.

*an incorrect earlier version of this article stated Hugh Podmore played for McGill. Podmore has graduated and now plays for York University, where he goes to graduate school.

With no elite teams, all of SNEQC teams will be looking for a chance to break out and assert themselves as contenders with a win over an MQC team. SNEQC Champions, the India Point Ashwinders have a tough road to bracket play, going against QC Boston  and Emerson in pool play. New Haven, however, will get three reasonable shots at good teams in Tufts, McGill and Harvard. I think New Haven can upset at least two of these three teams. If UNH could pull even one of those upsets off, it would be huge for the SNEQC.

Best Case: New Haven (who places second in their pool defeating McGill and Harvard) and India Point advance to bracket play. New Haven plays a tight snitch range game in the quarterfinals, but loses.

Worst Case: No SNEQC teams advance to bracket play and people remember this tournament as the MQC Invitational. 

My Prediction

Finals BU def. QC Boston

Semifinals QC Boston def. McGill, BU def. Emerson

Quarterfinals QC Boston def. New. Haven, McGill def. UMass, BU def. Badassilisks, Emerson def. Tufts

Lone Star Roster: Day Three

Day Three

Lone Star QC announced seven names for their roster today on their facebook page including top beaters, Hope Machala and Savannah Allison. With players coming from all positions and four different alma maters, the group announced today is diverse in talent and playing style. Adding their first out-of-region collegiate players in Kansas chasers Connor Drake and Ronell Sharp, Lone Star adds more solid defense and lots of experience. Rounding out today's list was Texas A&M chaser Nicole Galle, LSU beater Seth Segura and chaser/seeker Nash Mock.

Lone Star will have the best female beaters in the country. Already with Mollie Lensing, the additions of Hope Machala and Savannah Allison are really exciting for the future of female beating. As some top teams move towards playing two male beater sets, Lensing, Machala and Allison might be able to reverse the trend. Quick, strong, smart, experienced and well-rounded, these three have handled pressure in big games, debuting new strategies that lead their teams to victory.

Photo by Lauren Carter

A crucial part of Texas' championship run and season, Machala became a household name after her World Cup performance. Arguably the best female beater in the nation, Machala clings to bludger control while being extremely efficient. If total number of beats were tracked, Machala would probably be in the top five due to her mobility, accuracy and time of with a bludger. She is focused and always on top of her game.

Photo by Lauren Carter

I've been waiting for Savannah Allison to break out and become dominant for a while now. Allison has the athleticism and pitch awareness to be a great beater, but with Texas A&M tanking in the quarterfinals of World Cup VI, she wasn't given a chance to play in the final four. If Texas A&M had won the World Cup, Allison could easily have gotten as much attention as Machala. Lone Star is going to win a lot and playing at the level she has played, Allison should start to get recognized as an elite beater.

Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Staff

Connor Drake, former Jayhawk keeper, is the first big name quaffle player Lone Star has added that I think might have trouble fitting into the UT style offense at first. Drake's greatest skills are his ball handling, decision making and control of the offense. If LSQC keeper Stephen Bell is RG3, then Connor Drake is Andrew Luck. Drake is not bad in transition, but the transition attack Kansas ran this past season is nothing like the attack Texas ran. Andrew Luck can run, but not like Robert Griffin. Being able to play well in the half court is incredibly important for Lone Star, as I'm confident some team (Baylor, UT and the Lost Boys have the best shot I think) will find a way to stop the fast break offense championed by guys like Marshall, Arends and Bell. That's where Drake become essential. Lone Star's captains need to have confidence in Drake even though he doesn't have the transition speed of Stephen Bell. If you place the right weapons around him, and let him take the quaffle up the pitch, he will ease into a comfort zone and be very dangerous. In particular, I think a dual point guard system with Drake and Simon Arends would be dynamite. A sudden change in pace and style can be brought on with one substitution in Connor Drake and throw off the opposition's gameplan.

Photo by Kat Ignatova/IQA Staff

Next we have Drake's former Kansas teammate Ronell Sharp. Sharp is known for his tenacious point defending and with Lone Star, he will team up with two more of the world's best point defenders in Kody Marshall and Simon Arends. All three can learn from each other and make each other better point defenders. If Marshall and Arends become Lone Star's primary point defenders, Sharp is a terrific off ball defender, keeping up with his man and intercepting telegraphed passes.

Nicole Galle is a big addition behind Sarah Holub on the female chaser depth chart. Galle, a former Aggie, will have to get used to the fast paced offense I expect Lone Star to run, as Texas A&M played most in a half court style offense. Seth Segura provides much needed male beater depth, seeing that besides Reed Duncan, LSQC doesn't have a single male beater that has played a season before.

Questions

Will we see two female beater sets from Lone Star QC? How will UT's Machala work with A&M's Lensing, Duncan and Allison? Will the two schools' difference in strategy be a barrier at first?

Although she will probably end up third on the female beater depth chart, will 2013-14 be the year Savannah Allison becomes a household name? It will have to be if Lone Star's going to win World Cup VII.

Will Connor Drake fit into a fast paced offense? Will Drake stay primarily a point guard keeper or will he be playing off ball chaser more? Can the Lone Star captains figure out how to use Drake?

I asked yesterday who would point defend more between Marshall and Arends, but does Sharp have what it takes to beat out the former Longhorns and become the primary point defender?

Lone Star Roster: Day Two

Day Two

Today, Lone Star QC released their second of four lists of names on their facebook page. Picking up Simon Arends, Stephen Bell and Sarah Holub from last year's World Champion UT team plus Texas A&M beater Reed Duncan and LSU keeper Beto Natera, the moves bring Lone Star into the top five in my opinion Arends, Bell and Holub are truly elite quaffle players on both ends of the pitch. The three will continue to play alongside UT teammates Kody Marshall and Chris Morris, and I don't think anything will change in their production. Expect spectacular defensive plays from Arends, great transitions from Bell and jump dunks from Sarah Holub.

Photo by Jonah Wagoner

Keeper Stephen Bell and chaser Simon Arends have a lot in common. Before World Cp VII, almost no one knew who they were. Bell had an impressive performance at West by Southwest and Arends played well at Southwest Regionals, but outside of the Southwest, they received nowhere near the attention of teammates Kody Marshall and Augustine Monroe. Terrific athletes and elite on both ends of the pitch, the talents of Bell and Arends powered Texas through their tough games at WCVI. At the end of the season, they were each rewarded as All-Americans. Bell and Arends will no longer fly under the radar in 2013-14. The good news is, I still think there is room for improvement for both players. With their athleticism, determination and effort on and off the pitch, Bell and/or Arends could become the most dominant player in quidditch. For each player, it starts with them getting more playing time and touches. Injuries to LSQC's chasing corps might not be a bad thing for Bell and/or Arends. Neither player has really ever been expected to carry his team and having that leadership experience would be good for their development. On the pitch, I think Arends' could benefit from having Bell's vision in transition and distributing skill and Bell needs to be able to improve at grinding through tackles in the half court, Arends' speciality. Either way, these are two outstanding pickups for Lone Star QC.

Photo by Lauren Carter

You have to be excited to see Reed Duncan and Mollie Lensing back on the pitch together. It feels like forever since Duncan and Lensing were one of the most dominant beating pairs in the IQA with Texas A&M. In one year, beating strategy has come a long way. While Duncan and Lensing certainly played ahead of their time, one of the biggest questions for Duncan especially, will be how he adjusts to playing against much more strategic, athletic beaters. Duncan was known for eliminating passing options, then gunning for the ball carrier at a time when most beating strategy centered around the ball carrier. He will have to play more conservatively than what feels natural, as teams hold onto bludger control much tighter and longer now than before. Another big question is whether we will see the return of Duncan's crazy, skin tight pants.

Photo by Lauren Carter

Sarah Holub, a consensus All-American, will continue to do what she does so well for Lone Star. She has tons of existing chemistry with all of the former UT players and as she showed in fantasy tournaments, will be able to develop chemistry with new teammates very quickly. As updated in Rulebook 7, the bigger, wider quidditch pitch will be fun to watch Holub play in. With more space behind and to the sides of the hoops (Holub's sweet spot), she has more opportunities to spread the pitch. While I still expect a lot of jump dunks, I think with more space, Holub will receive the quaffle further from the hoops more often, forcing her to truck through defenders or juke them out. I think the new pitch size creates lots of opportunities for new strategies especially with a player with the skill of Sarah Holub.

Although he is not an official captain, former LSU captain Beto Natera brings lots of leadership experience to Lone Star QC. A power chaser with speed, Natera is good on the fast break and will love the up tempo, UT style attack. Also joining LSQC is Bo Roth. Roth, a first year player, will be playing beater according to the website. Unless he can get some great training from Reed Duncan and Mollie Lensing, I don't expect to see much of him on the pitch this fall. Beating is getting more complex every year and raw athleticism won't cut it.

Questions
Will Simon Arends be Lone Star's go to point defender?

With Augie Monroe still at UT (at least this year) does Stephen Bell start at keeper for Lone Star?

Is the beating pair of Duncan and Lensing able to outplay Baylor's beaters? How do they compare to other top regional beaters like Kody LaBauve and Matthieu Gregorie?

Does the change in pitch size really matter for Sarah Holub? What new strategies will Lone Star attempt using Holub?

Does Beto Natera fit into the half court offense style of Lone Star's UT players? How much of an impact will he have?