Although the match-ups and kickoff times have been published (click here), the women’s DI and DII spring brackets have not. Therefore, we don't know how the regional champions will line up in the spring semifinals (April 24-26). Nevertheless, a series of Round of 16 previews follows, beginning with the DI and DII Southwest, hosted in Albuquerque, N.M.

DIVISION I
Women’s Cougar Rugby (BYU) is the favorite for a 2-0 weekend. Historically, the Cougars are the most successful team in the group, but the most significant game they played this season was a one-point loss to New Mexico in the fall. It cost BYU the Mountain West title, but more importantly, it incensed the team to hush any suspicion that the Cougars were vulnerable. In the spring rematch, BYU beat UNM 110-5. BYU’s big threats are well known – All American Jordan Gray, Dana Mortenson – but keep an eye on lock Paige Torgeson and flanker Justina Grubb. They’re dangerous players who are developing quickly, and they buy more space for attackers like Chanel Arts and Ali Smith to attack.

Cal will be up first. The Golden Bears went 1-1 at the Pacific Mountain playoffs, dropping a 37-20 contest to Washington State before rebounding in a 62-3 win over UC Santa Barbara. Cal has all of the tools to do well, sporting several All Americans and players with higher-level of experience. But they showed some vulnerability in contact, especially against WSU, and if those issues haven’t been mended come Friday, then Cal will have a tough time against a physical BYU. When the ball does work to players like Stacey Wong out wide, Jess Lewis around the base, or CJ Whiteside from the backfield, then some exciting things happen.

UC San Diego went 1-1 at PMC playoffs, too, losing 45-15 to UC Davis before beating Chico State 24-14. The Tritons were in it against the Aggies, taking advantage of penalties and exerting pressure in the scrums. And when the ball moved to their wings – Sandra Grimaldi and Sofia Beltran – the points followed. But UC San Diego concentrated efforts around the breakdown, while strong runners like Di-an Duong and Jaylin Stevenson awaited more ball.

The Tritons will certainly want to bottle up New Mexico, although they do sport some size. The Lobos biggest threats are on the outside, where flyers like Tanya Aragon wreak havoc. The Lobos have buckled down since the BYU blowout, so it’ll be interesting to see how the team has recouped.

DIVISION II
This is an interesting one. There are only two teams in Albuquerque: UC Riverside and Texas State. The duo receive a bye through the first round of playoffs, therefore, the victor moves to the spring final four. No disrespect to these two teams, but byes typically go to top-ranked teams. Either way, the teams are both traveling to New Mexico and taking the advantages given them.

We’re picking UC Riverside for this one. The California team finished second in a good Southern California conference, one of the few that wasn’t marked by canceled and/or forfeited games. The team likes to get the ball out to its evasive backs, where players like flyhalf Desiree Millan and fullback Michelle Hong, can do some damage, along with some help from forwards like flanker Alysia Jones.

Texas State is a relative newcomer to these high stakes games. The team tried DI when the Southwest conference was born, but sustaining numbers has always been an issue for the team. This year, that wasn’t the case, and the Lone Star champion will counter Riverside’s back attack through players like Kaetlyn Bartels, Bethany Thompson, and finishers Ali Myers and Desiree DeLeon. The forward affront will be led by Shelvy Wilson, Olivia Gibeaux, Taylor Dahl, Val Chavez, and Zoe Tucker.

Want to learn more about the DI and DII playoffs? Then read about the regional championships occurring in:

Mid-Atlantic: Expect a Mason Dixon conference final rematch in DI; DII reigning champion Mary Washington is in a battle with itself

Southwest: BYU leads a pool that includes two California teams; the winner of Texas State vs. UC Riverside advances to the semifinals in Pittsburgh

South: Life has chance to declare itself top team in the South; caliber of Florida teams unknown, face conference champions