Sports > April 14, 2005

By Caitlin O’Grady

Assistant Sports Editor

Though they may not be a varsity sport, the women’s ultimate frisbee team, lovingly known as RUCKUS (Raging Unleashed Chicks Kicking Ultimate Sass), works just as hard. The No. 32-ranked team placed fourth at Carolina Sectionals, which were played on Wake Forest’s campus April 9-10.

The first day of the tournament the team faced three opponents within their pool, Pool A. The women dominated 101st-ranked UNC — Greensboro, winning 15-5. Later that same day they edged past No. 46 Davidson, 12-10.

The Deacs then fell in a tough match to fourth-ranked North Carolina State, the school that ended up placing second in the tournament.

The Deacons’ fourth game of the day was a crossover match with Elon. They handily won the game 15-8 to advance to play in the championships the following day.

Unfortunately, their luck did not carry over, as they fell 15-7 to sixth-ranked UNC — Chapel Hill, the team that went on to win the tournament and 15-14 to Davidson, a surprise upset.

Because of the team’s success in sectionals, they have qualified to play in regionals. Within the system, the country is divided into regions and within each region those teams that qualify, by placing well in their sectionals, are invited to a regional tournament to play the other teams within their region.

In years past Wake Forest has qualified for regionals but has never been able to attend. However, this year’s regionals will be held in Statesboro, Ga. from April 30 to May 1. Teams that placed in the top seven in the Carolina Sectionals have all been invited to attend.

And the team is more than ready. RUCKUS practices five to six days a week for two to three hours each day. They spend many weekends at various other schools playing in tournaments. Sectionals were their sixth tournament of the spring season.

“The team motivates everyone a lot,” freshman Sarah Tullis said. “We all get out there and everyone’s worked hard for six days and we all want to win and do well. Even if you’re tired, your teammates are all there pumping you up.”

The Deacs won their first two tournaments of the season, the Joint Summit Classic and the Debutante’s Ultimate Ball, by defeating every opponent they faced.

In their third tournament of the season, Terminus, the team won their bracket. At the Southerns tournament, the team performed well on their first day of play and was placed into the A bracket. Unfortunately they did not fare well against such high-level competition.

In their most recent tournament, Eastern, the team won the consolation bracket.

All in all, the team has moved up roughly one hundred spots in the rankings since last year.

“A lot of people have come together and been really dedicated this year,” senior Katie Batten said.  “We also got a coach this year and she’s really helped out a lot.”

Tammy Mouse, a local frisbee player, volunteers as a coach to help the girls team. The girls feel as though she has helped the team tremendously and improved many aspects of their game.

With their unyielding drive and newfound leadership, it is certain that the team will make a statement at regionals this season.