USQ Cup Rankings: College D2
Voters: Jackson Vaughn, Alex Lipinski, Owen Weekley, Grant Himmelman, & Jack Maldavir
Rankings:
Boston University 79 (4)
RPI 76 (1)
Michigan State 65
Baylor University 63
Cal 56
Brown Bears 53
Virginia Reunited 52
Purdue 43
Minnesota 37
Emerson 31
UCLA 29
Salisbury Phoenixes 28
Florida State 23
Marquette 21
University of Vermont 18
Tufts 6
1. Boston
Ethan Dillon is the pillar of Boston's aspirations. The team boasts victories over a plethora of D2 adversaries, including Brown, Baylor, Emerson, and notably, a triumph over D1 contender Penn State. However, their Achilles' heel lies in their encounters with RPI, suffering a winless streak of 0-2 against them this season. While Boston exudes the aura of a championship contender, their ultimate conquest might hinge upon overcoming the RPI obstacle come Day 2 of the tournament.
Players such as Dillon and beater Cleo Brooks have been instrumental in Boston's campaign, delivering standout performances. Moreover, their advantage in coaching, a rarity among D2 squads, positions them adeptly to navigate the unpredictable terrain of this division. While Dillon shoulders much of the offensive burden, rookie chaser Evan Sciarabba and seasoned veteran Autumn Munsell have proven themselves as pivotal contributors capable of complementing Dillon. Additionally, the emergence of rookie Will White adds depth to their beater lineup, crucial for their championship aspirations. With an expanded roster and a series of impressive victories Boston University stands as the preeminent contender for the Division 2 title.
2. RPI
RPI emerges this season as a powerhouse seeking to reclaim its former glory, albeit amid a rebuilding phase following the departure of its entire starting lineup from the previous season. Guided by the formidable talents of chaser/seeker Ad Ojo and the underhyped Viviana Estrada, a First Team chaser of MQC. However, a lingering doubt looms over the team's depth in the beater position. While their physicality and quick ball movement, epitomized by their signature overload-heavy offense, command attention, the absence of a game-changing beater raises doubts. Yet, RPI's ability to fight through this shines through in victories over many of the northeast D2 teams. Much like Boston, RPI is a frontrunner for the D2 title, boasting victories over notably, Boston University itself. Despite recent setbacks, including a loss to Brown, their ability to navigate the challenges ahead positions them favorably for a prospective showdown with BU in bracket play. If they can solve their beater issues, a D2 Chip appears promising.
3. Michigan State
Despite bidding farewell to a sizable senior cohort, Michigan State has remained steadfast in the Midwest region, consistently notching victories against other D2 competition. Several narrow losses to Michigan and Illini place Michigan State as a squad poised take home a D2 chip and jump into D1.
Renowned as one of the more well-rounded units in D2 during 2023, MSU presents a slightly altered visage in 2024. While retaining talents like star chaser Gwen Pratt and beater Brady Sowers, notable departures include Ethan Wanous, Sarah Silkensen, and Nathan Clemente. With an infusion of youthful vigor into the fold for 2024, this iteration of the Michigan State squad must rely on their hallmark physicality and adept hoop finishing to propel them forward.
4. Baylor
Just shy of securing a nationals berth at the Northeast Qualifiers, Baylor strides onto the scene hungry to prove themselves as top D2 competitors. Fresh off a triumphant summer stint with the Chicago Prowl, standout beater Caleb Williams emerges as the linchpin driving Baylor's ambitions. In the chaser game, keeper Jackson Vaughn injects a dynamic blend of athleticism and robust defense, infusing Baylor's ranks with an added competitive edge. Armed with notable triumphs over mid-tier D2 adversaries and bolstered by a sturdy core of chasers, Baylor harbors the potential for a substantial finals charge, contingent upon securing quality beater contributions beyond the prowess of Williams.
Following a series of rebuilding seasons, Baylor resurfaces in the D2 primed to make some noise. The Bears boast victories over D2 stalwarts such as Middlebury and Emerson, even putting up strong fights against RPI and D1 opponents, including a razor-thin encounter against UT that was only decided by a flag catch. Williams commands the beating game with authority, providing space for the likes of Jackson Vaughn and Jax Franz to orchestrate plays or carve out scoring opportunities. Coupled with a promising rookie cohort featuring burgeoning talents like David Ramirez and Faith Edens, Baylor emerges as a Day 2 contender worth monitoring closely.
5. Cal
We don't have a ton to go off of with Cal, but they have consistently beaten UCLA this year, albeit sometimes in close fashion. However, they have been able to give Arizona State, one of the dark horses in D1, a solid run for their money. This team definitely has some firepower, but It will be a matter of stringing together 3 straight wins, and showing they can go toe-to-toe with the strong beating cores of the Northeast on Day 2 in order to win it all.
6. Brown
Demonstrating their ability to triumph when it truly counts, they've held their ground against strong D2 opponents like Middlebury, Tufts, Emerson, and even secured a victory over D1 Penn State at the Boston National qualifier. Undoubtedly, Brown possesses significant firepower; the lingering query remains whether they can convert this potential into victories against the upper echelons of Division 2. Throughout the season, Brown has exhibited a steady ascent. While many games were closely contested, the spring semester witnessed a narrowing gap in losses and a few upset victories. Notably, Brown has persistently chipped away at Division 1 powerhouse Brandeis, steadily closing the margin in their matchups. Moreover, a convincing victory against RPI underscores their upward trajectory. The zenith of Brown's potential is lofty, contingent upon their ability to maintain a robust roster and stave off injuries.
Amidst an influx of fresh faces, Brown remains unwavering in their trademark scrappy playstyle characterized by hustle, physicality, and swift breakaway goals. All eyes are on the fleet-footed Will Richardson, whose stellar performance during the summer with the Boston Forge catapulted him into the spotlight at Brown. Despite the odds still being stacked against them, nobody who has been paying attention will count Brown out of finals contention.
7. Virginia Reunited
Virginia Reunited, though their matchups have been somewhat limited, has displayed a knack for getting the job done. With a commendable 4-1 record against Salisbury and a respectable 2-1 standing against Pitt, VR has proven their capacity for victory. However, when measured against a powerhouse like Virginia, the gap becomes glaringly apparent. Despite the Cavaliers' success in the App 5 regular season, doubts linger regarding VR's ability to secure wins against high D2 opponents like Boston or RPI. Nevertheless, buoyed by the presence of star keeper Shane McConaghie, of Washington Admirals fame, this squad remains poised for a few upsets.
While McConaghie's name may be familiar to many heading into nationals, attention should also be directed towards emerging scoring threat Gabe Templeton. To progress to the next stage and make a significant impact in bracket play, VRU must demonstrate greater depth in their beating ranks, an area where they may face challenges against the retavility strong Northeastern beaters. Off the back of their ability to consistently get buckets this team harbors the potential to make significant waves in Division 2, provided they can rely on a broader array of contributors than earlier in the season.
8. Purdue
Purdue consistently picks fights with team bigger teams, evident in their matchups against powerhouse teams such as Creighton, Mizzou, Michigan, and Illini this season. Despite falling short in some of these contests, notably against the Blue Jays, the Boilermakers have demonstrated their potential by pushing these top-tier opponents to the brink. Victories over Marquette, Kansas, and even Michigan State underscore Purdue's capability, yet their inability to secure key wins remains a stumbling block.
Purdue's identity is shaped by their tenacity in close games against lower Division 1 to upper Division 2 teams. Though their quadball game lacks physicality and depth in certain roles, the team's resilience is an underestimated asset. Jack Sission stands out as the premier chaser, posing a constant scoring threat on the field.
Building on their impressive performance in Pennsylvania in 2023, Purdue eyes a D2 chip this time, spearheaded by the presence of keeper Aakash Srinivasan and chaser Emily Page. While offensive versatility bolsters their standing, defensive concerns linger. Tightening their classic 2-2 zone and encouraging aggressiveness among their beaters to generate turnovers could significantly enhance Purdue's chances of making a splash come the second day of Nationals.
9. Minnesota
Minnesota's making waves this season, holding their own against tough teams like Michigan State and pulling off a solid win against Purdue. They're showing they can compete with the best and never back down, even in nail-biting matches.
Their schedule might be light, but their standout player, Meredith McDowell, proves they've got talent. In the lower-tier D2 scene, Minnesota's known for their gritty, physical playstyle, refusing to give up without a fight.
As Nationals approach, Minnesota's one to watch. They embody resilience and won't stop until they've reached their goal.
10. Emerson
Emerson's been on fire lately, scoring wins against tough teams like Vermont and Middlebury and having some intense matches against RPI. Their momentum is sky-high, making them a surprise contender for Day 2 at nationals.
In the Northeast, Emerson's been holding their own against strong teams like Boston, RPI, and Penn State. But they've stumbled against Tufts and Vermont, showing they need more assertiveness and depth across their roster. If they can improve their flag-pulls and fill those gaps, they'll be a force to reckon with.
After rebuilding, ECQ is back on top in Division 2 of the MQC standings. Janie Hillman and Peyton Schweibert dominate the beating game, while players like Daniel Baradat and Amiri Rivera bring athleticism to scoring. With solid performances against Brown, RPI, and Baylor, Emerson's proving they're a tough opponent for any challenger.
11. UCLA
UCLA's facing a mix of challenges this season, but they've shown they're capable of pulling off surprises like their win against Cal. Even with key players gone, they've still got enough talent to compete at the national level.
While they've struggled in the West division, UCLA's well-organized off the field. Their experience from WCQ gives them an edge, and their close win against CCC adds some excitement to the Western scene. They're gearing up for the trials in April, ready to prove themselves.
Their lower ranking here is mainly because they haven't faced many different opponents this season, mostly sticking to the West region. They've got plenty of talent, but they've taken a slight step back since losing some key players from last year. Now they're eyeing Division 2 qualification, aiming to make some noise and give their rivals a headache at Nationals in April.
12. Salisbury
Salisbury's stepping up their game this season in the D2 scene, showing some solid skills. While they're not quite hitting the level of big names like Penn State or Virginia, their matches against Pitt are proof they're on the right track. Beating Virginia Reunited adds a hint of surprise to their journey, suggesting they could make waves and secure a Day 2 spot.
Their consistency against Pitt shows they've got stamina, but some wonder if they have what it takes to really dominate. Victories over Virginia Reunited and close matches against other tough teams in their division signal Salisbury's rise in the Mid-Atlantic competition.
Like UCLA, Salisbury's lower ranking might be because they haven't faced as many top-tier D2 opponents. While they've scored well against Pitt and have some smart plays in their chasing game, they need to prove they can adapt to national-level competition. It's all about showing they can handle the pressure and stand tall against the best teams out there.
13. Florida State
The Florida State Quidditch team is a bit of a mystery on the national stage. Known for their intense, physical style of play, they can both dazzle with big wins and surprise with unexpected losses.
With just one official match this season, there's a lot of uncertainty around how they'll perform at nationals. Their aggressive offensive strategy, led by players like Carden and Gordon, makes them a tough matchup for teams not used to that level of physicality. But they struggle against pass and shot-heavy offenses, leaving them vulnerable.
Despite their hunger for a national title, it's hard to predict where they'll rank with so little recent gameplay to go off of. Last season's chaos combined with new players and potential recruits adds to the mystery. Without much footage to analyze, the Seminoles' future hangs in the balance between unpredictability and championship dreams.
14. Marquette
The Marquette Golden Eagles are taking on tough opponents this season with grit and determination, refusing to back down against bigger names. They've snagged wins against teams like Minnesota and held their own against powerhouse squads like Purdue, showing they're not to be underestimated. With a roster full of athletic talents, they're poised to capitalize on any slip-ups by their rivals.
While they've mainly triumphed against lower-tier D2 teams, Marquette's resilience against stronger foes is clear. Close losses to top teams like Purdue and Illini prove they're not afraid to challenge the status quo, putting constant pressure on their opponents. Backed by a lineup of athletic players, Marquette is a force to be reckoned with.
Despite facing a tough schedule and setbacks against tough opponents, Marquette's growth throughout the season is undeniable. While it's uncertain how their record will fare in the upcoming Nationals, their performance suggests they're on the rise. Although they're still working on securing big wins against D2 teams, Marquette's ability to push elite opponents hints at a breakthrough. While their current ranking sits at 14th, their progress shows a team on the verge of reaching their full potential.
15. Vermont
The University of Vermont team, led by star player Jack Maldavir, dominates with their high-speed style, leaving opponents struggling to keep up. Yet, they face challenges, especially when Maldavir isn't on the field. Despite notable wins, they struggle against tougher opponents due to their difficulty converting chances and lacking physicality. To truly shine, they need to improve their driving and beater game.
But there's hope on the horizon. With a younger roster, Vermont aims to control the game tempo, guided by seasoned chasers Rachel Rose and Carter Boudreau. Meanwhile, the dynamic duo of Maldavir and Abby Rainey leads the beaters, aiming to exploit their cohesive play.
However, doubts persist about their half-court skills and beater depth, even though they handle lower-tier teams well. To become a force in Division 2, they must step up their physicality and ensure all beaters perform at their best. If they succeed, Vermont could shake up the competition and surprise many along the way.
16. Tufts
Tufts, a younger contender in the D2 division this year, is coming in hot after their recent triumph over Emerson. Although facing some fluctuation in performance resulting in several defeats during the regular season, we wouldn’t be surprised if an upset is in the cards for them.
The theme of this season is rebuilding. Fresh faces pop up after saying goodbye to key players, Ben Silver and Valentina Zamora, who helped pave the way to their semifinals run in 2022. Is rising stars, Cam Moro and Beckett Bruggeman, ready to lead the Tufts to bracket run?
Although glimpses of promising ball movement and creative in-game adjustments in their chaser and beater games respectively have been witnessed, Tufts grapples with issues of size and cohesion. Amidst their dearth of physicality and depth coupled with a meager record of one win in the regular season, their unwavering determination serves as a testament to their resilience, ensuring that they remain a force to be reckoned with on the field.
Edited by: Ally Manzella, Christian Barnes, & Kailey Fugate
