More than two months away from serious competition, the women’s Ultimate Frisbee team is already getting focused for a tough season ahead.
The team is working at becoming even better, and is trying to build on a sixth place national finish from last year. Like all good teams, the Ducks know their next season’s success is made during the off-season. So even with more than 60 days before the season’s first game, players are already practicing and recruiting for the upcoming season.
Yes, recruiting.
“We have the returners do some recruiting for the season, to get girls interested in joining the team,” said coach Rachelle Depper, who co-coaches with Jared Weybright. “We have 10 to 14 new players that are out practicing now, along with 12 returners.”
With so many players back, experience shouldn’t be a problem for the Ducks, considering only seven players can take the field at one time. A line-up of seven experienced players starting, another five experienced players coming of the bench and 10 new players makes this year’s squad a well-balanced blend of youth and experience.
“We have a lot of veterans returning,” said Depper. “We expect to qualify for nationals. We have a great group of rookies, if we get a few more players like that we will be unstoppable.”
Boasting a unique offense is another key to success for the Ducks. Things seem to be falling in place for a truly unique season.
“We play an aggressive, quick, long game,” Depper said.
Translation: Oregon likes to air it out.
“We put it up for the hack (receiver), while running a European offense, conducive to the long game,” Depper said.
With an explosive offense and veteran players back for another year, Oregon looks to become yet another Duck team to win their conference crown.
“Last year we were second in regionals, and our region is the toughest region to play in,” said Depper. “Usually our regionals are more competitive than nationals.”
Included in Oregon’s regional play are such schools as British Columbia, Chico State, Humboldt State, California-Davis, California-Santa Cruz and Stanford.
“Oregon State has a team every so often,” said Depper. “Even so, they aren’t a very competitive team.”
In the meantime, the Ducks will host a tournament Oct. 26-27. Among the teams scheduled to participate are Reed, Pacific Lutheran, California, Chico State, Washington and Washington State, with a few other schools still undecided. Tournaments such as the Ducks’ are a way to gauge a team’s ability.
“We have what is, in essence, a preseason,” said team coordinator Merill Kusyk. “Girls who have never played before get an idea of what tournaments are all about. But the tournaments don’t count.”
With a lot of teams vying to make nationals, the competition will be stiff. Only two bids are given to teams in each regional, so to get back to the level the Ducks want to be, they have to hit the season in full stride.
Scott Archer is a freelance writer for the Emerald.