Another update from Coach Joe Costello!

Complete results: Girls, Boys

Sunday has been the most action-packed and competitive day of the trip so far. In the morning the VU Girls faced off against Utah Swarm and it was clear from the beginning that we were a different and better team than we were the day before. We started making connections on offense and fed off of our defensive pressure. We took the 8-15 loss, but we are playing better and continue to have a lot of fun.

Our second game was against DEVYL, in the 9th place bracket. Just as we finished our pregame warm ups and got on the line to start the game, a lightning delay was called and we had to leave the fields for about 30 minutes. When we came back, and ramped up again, we came out with energy and scored three quick goals. DEVYL responded to tie the game at 3s and it remained back and forth for the rest of the half until we broke to take half 8-7. In the second half, both teams matched each other play for play and it would inevitably be decided by a double game point. DEVYL was the team that scored it to win 11-12, but it was also clear that we had just played our best game and have been steadily improving. We are excited bring continue to improve tomorrow!

At the end of the day, after watching the US Open women’s finals, we got to meet two of our favorite ultimate superstars! Octavia “Opi” Payne and Claire Chastain!

On the other side of the National Sports Center, the VU Boys lined up in their first game against Iowa U20 YCC. After trading early in the first half, we got our footing and started to pile up some breaks. We never looked back and closed the door to take the 15-8 victory!

Our second game was part of the 17th place bracket and we matched up with St. Louis Storm in the pre-quarterfinals. We started the game with a lower, different kind of energy which might have been because our teammate Isaac Appel was take to the hospital to get x-rays on his ankle (it was just a sprain). Down 0-3, we collected our selves to score our next couple of O points, but still weren’t firing on all cylinders yet. St. Louis played aggressively with their large cutters and huck plays. Down 4-8 at half, we shook it off and went out with a new energy. We forced some turnovers and got a couple of breaks back. Eventually it felt like it was our game, but it was too late. Some mistakes and unlucky bounces finished the game for us and we lost 9-13 in the cap.

We had a third game this afternoon after a long break. We filled our time by visiting tournament central and watching some games. When we returned to our field, we were scheduled to play Michigan’s SEMI. We were not looking like ourselves in this game either. Down 3-5 on defense, a lightning warning forced us from the fields for a while. We decided to use the time in the vans as something to force us to recommit and be better. Surely enough, we came back to take half 8-5, and then eventually notched the 13-9 victory!

After our game, we all made our way to the tournament dinner and showcase game (Mixed Final on ESPN2) in the stadium. There were players trading jerseys and discs in the stands!

Tomorrow both of our teams have games at 8:30 and 10:45. Early morning again coming up! Tzoot!

Another mail delivery from Coach Costello!

Our first day of competition has come and gone, but not without A LOT of action and excitement. In the morning, The VU Boys picked up Valley Ultimate’s first ever win in their first ever game!  

Against Charlotte Flight, the energy was high in the first half to put everything together for the first time and we rode that energy to build a lead. In the second half, Charlotte played well to close the gap but VU closed it out in the cap with a break and the 12-9 victory.

Our next game was against Austin Amigos who came out of the gates with three straight breaks. VU tightened the screws, made some adjustments, and scored their next two O points. After a timeout we started to break back and bring it within one point in the second half before the game went out of reach. We took the loss 10-15. 

Complete game footage: 

The VU Girls opened up their schedule against cATLanta, which featured the best players from our coaches hometown. VU was hanging tough in the first half with some athletic plays and some near misses on deep throws. In the second half, some long grinding points didn’t go our way and the eventual 5-15 loss doesn’t tell the story of how hard VU played throughout.

Our next game was against DC Rogue. More inspired play from VU throughout this game. For one of youngest teams in the division, the VU Girls play with poise and intensity. Throughout this game, some pieces started to come together. A great effort considering that this is the first day that all of the players have been together playing ultimate. We took the loss 5-15.

After the VU Girls’ second game, we enjoyed delicious parking lot pizza outside of the stadium where the Women’s semi finals games were being played, and then we went in to watch the second half of the Riot vs. Revolution game. ESPN cameras showcased the action with a big screen behind one endzone that showed instant replay footage of the huge plays made by both teams. Some of the VU girls got to go on the field to meet recent USA Worlds players with our coach. After the game, they got in a picture with the Columbian Revolution, who defeated Riot in order to advance to the Finals on Sunday!

The atmosphere in the stadium was truly energetic. The stands were filled, and there were things to do like test how fast you can throw at the speed gun. One of our VU Boys got called onto the sideline several times to help throw prizes into the stands. During halftime of the second semifinal, Molly Brown vs. Fury, two of our coaches and two of our players participated in a fun relay. We didn’t win, but it was exciting to be on the showcase field!

Early wake up tomorrow as both the Girls and Boys have games that start at 8:30. After that, we will see! Here are some pictures from Saturday:

Complete results: Girls, Boys

Check out this dispatch from VUYCC Coach Joe Costello:

The Valley Ultimate U20 Boys and Girls teams have arrived! On a day that began with very early flights (and then even some delayed flights!), we were able to take most of our teams to the National Sports Center in Blaine to watch some of the Elite club teams play on their first day of competition. We had an especially fun time seeing our friends from home on the BUDA teams, and some familiar players on Brute Squad as they competed against the Columbian women’s club team, Revolution.

Everywhere we turned there were players from all club divisions making huge plays. We watched Brute Squad play a couple of games, then walked a few fields down to watch Sockeye break Revolver to win, and then mingled with friends on Ironside. By the time we made our way to the Slow White vs. Mixtape showcase game, we were completely surrounded by ultimate players and supporters of all ages, and from all around the world. An incredible experience!

Returning to our respective houses, we enjoyed some down time with our teams and arranged team meetings to prepare for Saturday’s games. The families who have graciously agreed to host us are INCREDIBLE. They have been so welcoming and accommodating to us that it truly feels like home staying with them. We also get to enjoy their big trampoline, basketball court, large yard space, and pool! We are about 20 minutes from the fields.

Each team has two games on Saturday. The Boys team plays at 8:30am and 10:45am and the Girls team plays at 1:00pm and 3:15pm. Lots of exciting ultimate ahead! 

Complete results: Girls, Boys

Here are Valley Ultimate’s first ever YCC rosters!

Coaching Staff: Leila Tunnell, Joe Costello, Dylan Tunnell, Nolan Benoit

Girls U20:

1. Sophie Acker (Amherst)
2. Hjordis Aho (Four Rivers)
3. XiHu Arfa (Four Rivers)
4. Claire Babbott-Bryan (Northampton)
5. Amalia Butler (Amherst)
6. Alexis Dimitriou (Four Rivers)
7. Lily Harris-Hendry (Four Rivers)
8. Karta Khalsa (Amherst)
9. Maya Laur (Deerfield)
10. Zoe Lemos (PVPA)
11. Lili Lieberman-Bachman (Northampton)
12. Sarah Rose
13. Abby Schlinger (Four Rivers)
14. Casey Shaw-Merrigan (Northampton)
15. Grace Valentine (Montpelier)
16. Sarah VonDoepp (Burlington)

Boys U20:

1. Isaac Appel (Newton North)
2. Nick Auerbach (UVM ’21)
3. Lukas Becker (Amherst)
4. Tai Coppinger (Northstar)
5. Cole Davis-Brand (Amherst)
6. Kai Harwood (PVPA)
7. Luca Harwood (Amherst)
8. Sam Laur (Deerfield)
9. Sam Losen (Lexington)
10. Scott MacLeish
11. Caleb Ng (Rochester Institute of Technology ’21)
12. Liam O’Connor (Hamilton College)
13. Cameron Park (Brandeis ’21)
14. Hieu Pham (Westfield State ’21)
15. Gavin Prough (Williston )
16. Daniel Rabinovich (University of Southern California ’21)
17. Alex Sciaruto (Amherst)
18. Luke Sedor Protti (Amherst)
19. Jesse Strod (Washington University in St. Louis ’21)
20. Peter Treyz (Amherst)
21. Michael Yip

 

Over the last 3 years, Valley Ultimate has run a highly successful U20 league throughout June and early July that has served 60+ girls and boys from our area. This summer we will continue to offer this youth playing opportunity.

In addition, Valley Ultimate will be sending two teams, a U20 girls team and a U20 boys team, to compete nationally at the Youth Club Championships in Blaine, Minnesota this August 5th through 7th!

Valley Ultimate YCC2017 Application

Complete team information can be found on the VU YCC page.