Iowa State is feeling pretty lucky right now. The Midwest’s #2 team had applied for, and was denied, an at-large bid to the USA Rugby Women’s DI College Fall Championship, hosted by ACRA. Up until last week, the season was over for ISU, but then Texas A&M dropped out of the West bracket, and a spot opened up.

“We lobbied hard to get in, as we knew Northern Iowa was the first bid,” Iowa State coach Mark Wibholm said of the Midwest champion. “We were willing to travel anywhere just to get a seed. I think that determination showed on the field as well.”

ISU turned heads when it played UNI to an 8-0 loss in the teams’ first game of the season.

“UNI was a tough match, and they are the gold standard for the Midwest conference,” Wibholm said. “I know there were some opportunities that we missed, but we were lucky on a few missed opportunities they had as well.”

That close loss yielded a lot of confidence, both in strategy and team talent. Iowa State built upon what it learned against UNI and finished the season undefeated.

“We are a small team that focuses on fitness,” Wibholm said. “We push to have a diverse game plan, to be students of the game and adapt to what is being shown to us. I don't want the team to focus on a style of play, but to have the knowledge to adapt as a team.

“We have a special team this year with young and new players – great leaders and supporting players,” Wibholm added. “I wouldn't say we have big standouts. The big contribution I feel we have is depth. We have 23 girls who can be the first 15. This whole season we never had the same starting squad twice. The level of competition doesn't go down when substitution happens, but increases with fresh legs.”

Finishing 3-1, it looked like Iowa State's season was over, as there were already three Midwest teams - UNI, Indiana, Ohio State - in the Round of 16, and there wasn't room for a fourth. But then Texas A&M sustained too many injuries in its loss to Texas Tech, and had to withdrawal. Iowa State was ushered right in.

“We weren't ready for the season to end,” Wilbholm said. “Every bit [of promotion] helped us lobby this year for a playoff seed. The girls know this and are ready to show the bracket that they didn't make a mistake.”

Iowa State will have to make that statement against Indiana, Big Ten’s runner-up. The Redstorm have ample post-season experience and compete in a competitive conference. Vaughn Mitchell’s squad won all of its matches – including a 17-10 win over Ohio State – save its final league game against Penn State (83-0 loss).

“I've learned that our team this year has very good ball handling skills,” coach Mitchell surveyed his team. “I also like our speed on the outside. We have been able to use those influences against all of our opponents except Penn State – they are a very good team this year overall.”

Work horses Alaina Polaski at lock and Victoria Duffin at flanker are key to Indiana’s stability, and they do a great job of setting up high-scorers prop Karen Strunk and wing Bridget Tasker. Watch for rookie prop Brittany Reedy, also, who has taken to the front row – and the try zone – very well.

Iowa State and Indiana will play on Saturday, Nov. 15 at Northern Iowa, and the victor will face the winner of Northern Iowa vs. Air Force in the Sunday quarterfinals. For the entire DI bracket, click here.