Let us celebrate what ultimate we got in 2020 by picking the Play of the Year!
February 11, 2021 by in Awards, Opinion with 0 comments
Our Play of the Year 2020 bracket is presented by Friction Gloves; all opinions are those of the author. Want to make highlights of your own? Try Friction Gloves!
It’s hard to recall clearly, but we did actually have ultimate in 2020. Most of it occurred in the first few months of the calendar, though there was some isolated play throughout the year. In those early moments, nobody knew we’d be almost entirely without ultimate for a long time and played with the fervor that’s made so many great plays over the years.
This year’s bracket is different than our traditional annual reader-voted competitions. With so much less ultimate, we’re doing one big celebration of the blocks, catches, throws, and whatever other wacky stuff y’all come up with. There will be simply one play to rule them all from 2020.
Over the next couple of weeks, we’re inviting you, the Ultiworld readers, to vote for your favorite of the remaining finalists.
Check out all of the nominees and vote below, then check back to see which clips advance for another opportunity to participate. The second round of voting starts now and closes on Monday, February 15 at 12 PM Eastern.
The Bracket
The BracketMatchup 1: Viktorsson vs. Merrill
Both contestants eliminated Ohio Valley collegiate foes on their way to round two. Viktorsson’s toe-in was the dominant victor of the opening round, piling up 74% of the votes against Sieber. Merrill’s margin was much closer, a slim 4% lead over Ing, but a nice upset. Which of these two skillful plays will make the semifinals?
Vendela Viktorsson – KFUM Örebro (European Indoor Club Women’s)
Joe Merrill – Brigham Young CHI (USAU D-I College Men’s)
Which Play Was Better? (R2M1) (Results)
- Vendela Viktorsson
- Joe Merrill
Matchup 2: Sun vs. Sellers
Time for a block battle from the college scene! Sun won one for the defenders, comfortably ousting her O-line teammate in her first matchup. Meanwhile, Sellers also defeated a hammer with a layout block, leaving Whitlock behind in a narrow win. However, Sellers had the most total votes of the first round, far beyond the rest of the field aside from his opponent. If he repeats that success, Sun’s run could be at it’s end.
Jessie Sun – Pittsburgh Danger (USAU D-I College Women’s)
Phillip Sellers – NC State Alpha (USAU D-I College Men’s)
Which Play Was Better? (R2M2) (Results)
- Jessie Sun
- Phillip Sellers
Matchup 3: Jezierski vs. Khudobin
The closest competition of round one was between Jezierski and Ong. Only a handful of votes separated the Beach of Dreams forehand from Ong’s goal-scoring interception. Perhaps iron sharpens iron, in this case, and Jezierski is prepared to take down Khudobin’s clutch double-sky. The Russian receiver had a more impressive first round win, eliminating a BYU CHI opponent by a bigger margin than Jezierski did.
Sadie Jezierski – Team Grace (Beach of Dreams Women’s Showcase)
Mikhail Khudobin – Russia RealFive (European Indoor Club Men’s)
Which Play Was Better? (R2M3) (Results)
- Sadie Jezierski
- Mikhail Khudobin
Matchup 4: Cannon vs. Sun
Two upset picks are fighting to advance to the top four! Cannon flipped the script in round one, conquering Ash’s scoober with 56% of the matchup’s votes. Sun’s catch outshone Childress’s grab, giving Sun the rare honor of sending two plays to the top eight. Can the celeb support from MKBHD, hoping for a Sun vs. Sun final, overpower some delightful D-III defense?
Harris Cannon – Richmond Spidermonkeys (USAU D-III College Men’s)
Jessie Sun – Pittsburgh Danger (USAU D-I College Women’s)
Which Play Was Better? (R2M4) (Results)
- Harris Cannon
- Jessie Sun