GRR: Indiana
Indiana and Michigan were both undefeated as they entered last weekend’s match, and had enjoyed some good warm-up matches to prepare for the competitiveness of the Big Ten. Both teams are working with large pockets of young, developing players, which bodes well for the future, but adds some stress to the present.
Davenport opened up its fall schedule with a telling cross-divisional victory Saturday. The Panthers played Big Ten's Indiana, traditionally the runner-up to Penn State in the DI conference, and won 72-10. The DII Panthers went up 45-0 before the Redstorm got on the scoreboard.
Suzi Dillon did something that she never thought she’d have to consider: The North Central head coach held tryouts for this year’s varsity and JV sides. The nine-time Indiana state champion has claimed the previous six titles, and the lure of wearing the Panther jersey is being reflected in surging participation numbers.
The Big Ten decided to join the USA Rugby Women’s DI Fall Championship, hosted by ACRA, rather than the spring playoffs, this year, and the conference has made its presence known. Two teams – Penn State and Indiana – have advanced to the semifinals on Dec. 6-7 in Palm Coast, Fla., although the pair’s paths to the Final Four contrast greatly with each other.
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.
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