MQC Opener Review
By Brandon Borges
Introduction
The Massachusetts Quadball Conference has become the Northeast’s connective tissue: part schedule-maker, part skill incubator, all community. By bundling resources that individual programs can’t sustain alone, such as consistent competition, shared officiating standards, film and scouting exchanges as well as a ready-made network of coaches and alumni, the MQC gives college teams the structure and camaraderie a region needs to thrive. It’s where developing players get real reps, rookies find mentors and rivals sharpen each other week after week.
This year’s MQC Opener felt like a baton pass to the next phase. The league’s trademark blend of intensity and camaraderie was there, but so was a deeper bench of ideas: more refined beating schemes, clearer offensive identities and young contributors stepping into real roles from the first whistle. If the Opener is any indication, the conference is poised to level up again, turning early-season chemistry experiments into the kind of competitive parity that makes every weekend feel like bracket play.
Harvard Horntails
Record: 2–1
Games:
L 100–135 vs. Boston University
W 160–65 vs. Brandeis
W 170–95 vs. Brown
After a transitional 2024-25 campaign that saw Harvard step down to USQ’s Division II following their Division I national title run the previous year, the Horntails look every bit like a program ready to return to prominence. Harvard’s identity remains one of precision and preparation, anchored by a coaching staff that continues to set the standard for collegiate Quadball. Under the guidance of longtime strategist Ethan Sturm and supported by one of the sport’s most accomplished beater pairs, Max Havlin and Lulu Xu, the team operates with an attention to detail and tactical clarity that few college programs can match. That foundation has allowed the current roster to blend veteran discipline with the enthusiasm and creativity of its newcomers, producing a team that can adjust on the fly, attack from multiple sets and defend with structure.
Central to this new chapter are the rookie creators Toby Cheetham and Bruce Lowmanstone, both of whom have immediately proven themselves worthy of significant touches. Cheetham brings a fearless energy and sharp decision-making to Harvard’s offense, excelling as both a driver and passer capable of manipulating space against veteran defenses. Meanwhile, Lowmanstone uses his size, vision and growing chemistry with veteran Mac Mertens to establish a dynamic offensive threat that can take contact and create through it. Surrounding them is a polished veteran group featuring Kevin Hu, Elisa See and Lucy Duncan, all of whom move intelligently off-ball and can quickly shift between finishing and facilitating roles.
But the pride of Harvard remains its beater corps, led by the rapidly ascending duo of Jason Wang and Alisa Lee. Their quick-release throws, precise shoot-outs near the hoops, and constant activity create a defensive backbone that transitions seamlessly into Harvard’s fast-break offense. Together, they form the engine of a system that can switch from containment to aggression in an instant. Early in the season, Harvard already looks deeper, faster and more confident than they did a year ago, and with a roster this complete and well-coached, the Horntails are once again knocking on the door of dark-horse contention for a deep Division I run.
Boston University
Record: 3–0
Games:
W 135–100 vs. Harvard
W 190–125 vs. Vermont
W 145–130 vs. Brandeis
Fresh off an MQC Division I runner-up finish, BU looks intent on taking the last step. This is a veteran squad that plays like one, an organized, physical and relentless unit. The team is headlined by 2024-25 MQC Chaser of the Year Zachary Donofrio, whose tournament form showcased exactly why he popped with Boston Forge over the summer. Decisive downhill drives, quick read-and-release passing and a knack for turning defensive pressure into instant offense makes Donofrio one of the best offensive generators in the college quadball scene. He’s flanked by ideal running mates: Evan Sciarabba, a Chaser of the Year nominee who combines elite hoop defense with confident finishing, and Zo Bonnier, the tempo-setter whose pace control and crisp distribution steady BU’s half-court sets. Rookie Jun Shin slotted in cleanly, demonstrating good positioning and composure as a behind-hoops finisher within BU’s structure.
BU’s identity still starts with a vicious chaser defensive press that flips stops into fast breaks, keeping opponents permanently on their heels. Molly French anchors a competent, poised beater corps with sharp exchange timing and space-compression near the hoops. Martin Meinert adds physicality and veteran savvy from their Cleveland Riff run, winning tough trades and cleaning up messy sequences. And when games hinge late, seeker Henry Dinges, working closely with coach and seeking legend Harry Greenhouse, gives BU a reliable end-game edge with improved mechanics, patience and clutch execution. As the season matures, this veteran core should only sharpen, squarely in the hunt to claim the MQC DI championship.
Brandeis University
Record: 1–2
Games:
L 65–160 vs. Harvard
W 150–135 vs. Emerson
L 130–145 vs. Boston University
Last year’s MQC DI champions entered a true rebuild after graduating 11 seniors, but the program’s culture lives on: supportive, cohesive and resilient. They’re not starting from zero, either. The reigning MQC Rookie of the Year Ryan Callaghan headlines the returners at beater, excelling at anticipatory beats, control management and creating behind-hoops space that powers Brandeis’s best sets. Versatile utility weapon Matan Schwartz remains a plug-anywhere threat, capable of driving, finishing, facilitating or filling gaps across positions without the system bending out of shape. In front of them, Oren Weinstein and Wesley Wei bring handsy, active chaser defense, with blocks, strips and wraps that keep scores manageable while the new group finds its rhythm.
The rookie class looks promising as well. Jakub Prohaska shows poise as an initiator, comfortable handling, probing and connecting the extra pass. Isaac Halpern adds athletic wing play and sturdy on-ball defense; Unique Zhang flashes as another solid utility player, with good reps at both chaser and beater throughout the opener; and Golan Altman-Shafer brings energy, hard-nosed defense and transition awareness beyond first-tournament expectations, seemingly within the mold of Wei and Weinstein. Brandeis already demonstrated a clear offensive blueprint: patient passing, smart use of beaters to open lanes and well-timed back-door cuts, and as the rookies absorb reps, the execution should accelerate. Expect growing pains early, but also expect wins: once the newcomers round into form, Brandeis has the talent and strategy to punch above “rebuild” status and stay dangerous in MQC DI.
Brown Bears
Record: 1–2
Games:
W 135–90 vs. Vermont
L 75–160 vs. RPI
L 95–170 vs. Harvard
After winning last year’s MQC Division II title, Brown enters a light rebuild after graduating much of its starting chaser line, but the identity is intact: confident, physical and upbeat. The centerpiece now is Karsten Assoua, last season’s MQC Seeker of the Year who will elevate to the star chaser role this year. He’s a downhill load with power through contact, quick first steps and the ability to block a beat and finish. Around him, Stephen Ogunbiyi and Jiang Yu bring additional driving pressure, while Max Cairo organizes possessions and ensures the driving threats have enough space to operate. Rookie Sam Marcus keeps defenses honest as a willing long shooter, giving the Bears a varied attack that ensures teams cannot simply stack the defense to prevent drives.
Beating remains steady. Captains Meredith Chang and Anna Di Fabio set the tone with disciplined exchanges and smart spacing, while newcomers like Sima Raha and Grace Hong add fresh legs and energy. The beaters have clear directive on how to work with their physical chasing unit: give this group a sliver of daylight in the lane, and Assoua and Ogunbiyi will punish hoop defenders.
And when it’s time to close, Brown still has the biggest trump card in the conference: Assoua can swap to seeker and hunt with elite instincts. Promising rookie Teddy Schwartz provides a tough, physical backup option so the Bears can keep pressure on endgames. How high Brown climbs will hinge on rookies absorbing minutes and veterans growing into their elevated roles, but the Bears are already one of the conference’s most entertaining watches: positive sideline, heavy hits and a go-forward attack that plays on the front foot.
RPI
Record: 2–0
Games:
W 160–75 vs. Brown
W 125–50 vs. Emerson
RPI plays with the poise of a program that’s been here before. That pedigree of high-end play shows up in their calm possessions and veteran confidence: the system hums, the ball moves and the right player takes the right shot. Ben Fawthrop orchestrates as the keeper, mixing on-time feeds with assertive center-hoop shooting to keep defenders honest, while Aidan Whitaker provides a reliable two-way valve with timely cuts and stout rim protection. Justine Cross adds slashing and quick finishes, and rookie Sebastian Benavente already looks native to the scheme, finding pockets and converting without forcing.
The beater corps is the backbone in the background. Emily Lardizabal and Vivian Rost-Nasshan, and Becca Itty make consistent and efficient choices, either manufacturing a clean look on offense or setting the table for a coordinated press on defense. Meanwhile, chaser Sam Kudarauskas brings the physicality and, in his sophomore season, greater command over his chaser line: cleaner spacing, better triggers and steadier resets when the play stalls. RPI’s modus operandi is clear and easy to understand, but hard to break: mature, scalable and calm in the face of pressure. If players like Benavente find the unique groove that works in coordination to the game plan, their system-first approach gives them both a high floor and a ceiling that can get them wins once bids and bracket spots are on the line.
University of Vermont (UVM)
Record: 1–2
Games:
W 120–50 vs. Emerson
L 125–190 vs. Boston University
L 90–135 vs. Brown
UVM is trending up. Despite operating without an external coach, Vermont looks sharper and more connected than previous seasons, with a clear identity built around their beater-led defense. Abby Rainey is the tone-setter: quick reads on exchanges, fearless shoot-outs around the hoops and timely control flips that turn promising opponent sets into Vermont runouts. Following her lead, Max Remes brings veteran calm, winning the messy trades, resetting possession and shepherding the quadball into safe lanes, while rookie Declan Maddock adds high-motor disruption, second-chance hustle and just enough chaos to tilt sequences Vermont’s way.
In the chase game, UVM consistently fields a primary threat in every unit. Jack Wright supplies straight-line power, physical drives, clean shots and rim protection that changes shot selection. Jack Fortin brings the slipperiness, weaving through tight windows, forcing help, and finding the last pass or the quick finish. Off-ball options Kellie Brunner and Sky Thompson keep cutting lanes alive and punish rotations once defenses key in on Wright and Fortin. It’s a simple formula: defend hard, run fast, finish clean and if they keep stacking reps, Vermont should sit in a far more competitive spot across the MQC slate.
Emerson College
Record: 0–3
Games:
L 50–120 vs. Vermont
L 50–125 vs. RPI
L 135–150 vs. Brandeis
Emerson opens in rebuild mode after graduating several veterans, but the core talent remains obvious. Amiri Rivera Sillah anchors the group as a true two-way star, erasing looks at the rim with timely blocks, then powering downhill in transition to finish or draw coverage and dish. Ryan Leary complements that perfectly with weak-side timing, board work and lane-running that turns broken plays into points. In the beater game, Megan Brown provides the stabilizer: savvy control management, smart field direction and the kind of exchange timing that buys Emerson cleaner possessions.
The rookie wave brings energy and real upside. Emery Cosci already shows feel as a backside cutter and quick finisher, while Wilbur McGeown adds endgame punch at seeker, capable of muscling through for the catch when windows appear. With the newcomers learning around established leaders, Emerson’s path is straightforward: keep the defense organized, raise shooting efficiency and let the stars’ gravity grow the rest of the rotation. As the pieces settle, this becomes a group that can hold its own in the MQC and punch above its weight in tight finishes.
