There are two more weeks remaining in the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) women’s virtual season, and the field has narrowed down to the Round of 8. On Sunday, Nov. 8, NCR Women’s Commissioner Angela Smarto will announce the four teams advancing to the championship round.
RELATED: Round of 8 Announcement (video)
Fifteen programs competed in last week’s opening round of playoffs, accruing points through a variety of purposeful challenges. Smarto explained that the tasks related to that post-season feel, when teams travel to regional championships, bond in hotels, and then compete with higher stakes against teams that have also been building to this moment. The week’s challenges included:
- Law quiz: The Minnesota Rugby Referee Society generated the quiz, highlighting key areas with which all players should be familiar
- Fitness challenge: Players recorded scores for various exercises – plyometric, isometric, running and speed – and teams had to create a YouTube channel and post players’ videos for verification purposes. Smarto explained that teams should have a YouTube channel anyhow and use the platform for recruitment, player interviews, game film, etc.
- Team bonding: Squads performed talent shows (Wisconsin received a special shoutout for conducting the show live and without editing), and two teams received bonus points for completing “Talent Show Bingo,” which involved checking out other teams’ videos. Again, the process not only leaned on that playoff road-trip experience but also the opportunity to meet new teams. Of the 40 people nominated for MVP during the first round of playoffs, Lex Candido was selected for the superb organization and hosting of Union College’s show.
- Coaching video: During the regular season, coaches were allowed to address any topic of their choosing, but in the post-season NCR selected the box kick as the subject of the video. Coaches could demo the kick or explain why one might use it – no restrictions there. The process allows coaches to see what their players see during training.
- Social media: Gratitude Week was the theme and an opportunity for players and teams to thank those who have helped them in any form
After tallying all of the scores, the following are advancing to the Round of 8:
- Univ. South Dakota – 191 points
- Kent State Univ. (Ohio) – 127
- Winona State Univ. (Minn.) – 122
- Univ. Wisconsin – 118
- Univ. Wisconsin Oshkosh – 108
- Grace College (Ohio) – 103
- Univ. Chicago (Ill.) – 102
- Univ. Northern Iowa – 96
All of these teams, and the weekly MVPs, have received Rhino Rugby match balls, and the sponsor will provide the champion a customized kit for the entire team. Smarto will announce the semifinalists on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 3 p.m. Eastern via NCR’s Facebook.