Breaking down every team in every pool heading into one of the tightest women's division Club Nationals
October 20, 2026 by Graham Gerhart and Alex Rubin in Preview
Ultiworld’s coverage of the 2026 Club National Championships is presented by Spin Ultimate; all opinions are those of the author(s). Find out how Spin can get you, and your team, looking your best this season.
The first pull of the 2026 USAU Club Championships is just days away! To make sure you’re prepared for all the action, we’ve got breakdowns of every team in every pool, as well as projected finishes.
Can Scandal complete the double peak after winning the World Ultimate Club Championships earlier this year? Will Fury add another ‘chip to their storied trophy case? How will the pool of death, pool D, shake out with Molly Brown, Seattle Riot, and New York BENT all jockeying for the top slot? Could this be the year a new team breaks through the top four and into semis? Will Brute Squad do it again and peak at the perfect time?
Upsets and high-flying plays are assured during what’s heralded as the best tournament in the world, so let’s dive right in.
Ultiworld Event Page — USAU Competition Schedule — Streaming Schedule
Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D
Pool A
Washington DC Scandal
Pool Seeding: A1
Power Ranking: #1
Regional Finish: MA1
Overall 2026 Record: 23-0
Against the Nationals Field: 16-0
Against the Pool: 1-0 vs. Flipside, 1-0 vs. Schwa, 1-0 vs. Pop
It’s a rare moment in sports where you get to see a pitcher throwing a no-hitter. That’s what Scandal are trying to do in San Diego as they descend on the Del Mar Polo fields with a perfect record for the season so far. Their results over the last four months have been years in the making. Bit by bit, they’ve developed a roster with the athleticism and on-field IQ to match the likes of Fury and Brute Squad, but 2026 is finally the year when they truly seem to have eclipsed their rivals. For the first time since 2014, Scandal are the team with the biggest target on their back, and they’ve more than earned it.
Nationals provides no guarantees, though. Their path to the final is not an easy one. Pool A may not be the “Pool of Death” this year, but it’s still going to be a gauntlet Scandal will have to power through. Outside of being the best team in the nation so far, they do have another advantage over their pool — Scandal have seen all their opponents in the regular season and scored comfortable wins over the lot of them. Granted, it’s been a while since they’ve played Pop, but it’s hard to envision the bottom seed of the pool being able to outplay a team whose average margin of victory is 9.6. Yes, you read that right, Scandal win their games by double digits more often than not.
The Nationals field will be different for Scandal, but not by that much. They have a 15-9 win over Flipside and a 15-8 win over Schwa under their belts. Both of these teams weren’t at the peak of their powers at the US Open when they played, but you can’t argue with the results much beyond that. You can’t argue with the talent on Scandal’s roster, either. They have five players in the our Top 25 Players Ranking for the women’s division, and a host of others that could have made the list. Arguments can be made for Allie Wallace, Sami Smalling, and Kami Groom to have had the best season on the team so far, even though the stats still point to Claire Trop as the top player on the roster.
Regardless, it’s their depth that is winning their games. Every game Scandal play seems to highlight another unsung hero that deserves some level of awards recognition. Despite that, they’re clearly all in on playing as a team. They want to win Nationals. All other success is secondary.
Likely Ceiling: National Champions
Likely Floor: Semifinals
San Diego Flipside
Pool Seeding: A2
Power Ranking: #7
Regional Finish: SW2
Overall 2026 Record: 15-9
Against the Nationals Field: 5-8
Against the Pool: 0-1 vs. Scandal, 1-1 vs. Schwa, 0-1 vs. Pop
Nationals might be the first time we see a fully healthy and cohesive San Diego Flipside roster. By their own admission, the team struggled with injuries and absences throughout the season, fielding only 13 players at Elite-Select Challenge, but Southwest Regionals showed what the team was capable of when healthy. This is a dangerous, disciplined squad that has cut their teeth as a defensive-minded unit with an oppressive fast-break that can quickly swing games in their favor. With a full roster and a home-field advantage, Flipside no longer have to worry about keeping anything in the tank, making them one of the most dangerous teams in any pool.
Now that the team is entirely locked in, it’s easy to see why they’re confident in their ability at Nationals. Any roster with Kaela Helton has to be taken seriously, especially with Kaitlyn Weaver playing at a similar level to the long-tenured star. These two are Flipside’s best two-way players and deservedly earned their spots on the Top 25 players list, but they’re far from alone on offense. The emergence of Monica O’Brien Saez this year has caught opponents off guard, and Abbi Shilts is equally menacing when she’s in peak form. Flipside had to be judicious with their line calling in the regular season, so it will be worth tuning in to see how they’ll stack their lines when every game matters and there’s nothing left to save for.
They might just need those stacked lines, considering the pool they’ve been slotted into. Despite earning their spot as the second seed in Pool A, they’ve suffered defeats at the hands of every other team in the pool. These regular season losses mean they’ve likely lost the intimidation factor that most top-seeded teams can normally bank on, so Flipside will have to rely on earning an advantage the old-fashioned way: getting breaks early and often. Nothing is guaranteed for them, so they can’t set their sights on the bracket just yet. Instead, they’re using the losses as motivation.
As the captains noted to Ultiworld, “Our pool consists of teams we have lost to earlier this season. We have practiced hard and will now be able to showcase our full roster, and are looking forward to another opportunity to get redemption on these teams.”
Likely Ceiling: Semifinals
Likely Floor: Quarterfinals
Portland Schwa
Pool Seeding: A3
Power Ranking: #11
Regional Finish: NW2
Overall 2026 Record: 16-8
Against the Nationals Field: 1-7
Against the Pool: 0-1 vs. Scandal, 1-1 vs. Flipside
Schwa are a conundrum wrapped inside an enigma wrapped inside an ultimate frisbee team. On the one hand, they’ve proven time and again that they can hang close with any team in the nation, and will never go down easy. On the other hand, they’re 1-7 against the Nationals field, and their only win is against a team that had previously beaten them in the same tournament. Schwa are clearly a Nationals-caliber team, but just how good they are, and how they’ll finish at the tournament, is still very hard to quantify.
How Schwa play out their pool will be very telling. While they haven’t played Pop in the regular season, Schwa have solid wins over teams at a similar tier in the rankings. Unfortunately, none of those wins are particularly emphatic. Schwa’s penchant for tight games has worked against them more times than not — they struggle putting teams away, even if they’re winning comfortably in the first half. This might be enough against Pop, but not a fully powered Flipside and an almost metronomic Scandal team, both of whom are known for being able to find breaks in clutch moments. It’s not enough to build a lead or start strong against the top-seeded teams in Pool A; holding a lead is by far the hardest hurdle Schwa will have to vault.
The nerves around Schwa’s offense largely come down to how explosive and dynamic they are. It’s not the lack of throwing prowess or confident cuts downfield that gets Schwa in trouble, it’s the over-eagerness to reward every good cut or beat every mark with a stylized throw that can herald trouble. Rachel Hess, Emily Pozzy, Jesse Shofner, and Anna Reed are all incredibly competent players that can win a point with their throws, but at this level the margins are thin.
It hasn’t been long since an underrated Schwa roster with a “streaky” and “inconsistent” label went all the way to semis, so there’s plenty of hope for this roster’s potential. They just need to prove they’re more than the results of their regular season, and can shut out the opponents they need to beat.
Likely Ceiling: Semifinals
Likely Floor: Out on Day One
Minneapolis Pop
Pool Seeding: A4
Power Ranking: #17
Regional Finish: NC1
Overall 2026 Record: 13-4
Against the Nationals Field: 3-4
Against the Pool: 0-1 vs. Scandal, 1-0 vs. Flipside
Pop have an uphill battle to get out of Pool A, but their regular season results indicate they have what it takes to get it done. While they haven’t had as many games against the Nationals field as the rest of their pool, they have a solid record in the games they’ve played, including a win over Flipside, the second seed in the pool. This should inspire hope for Pop fans everywhere. The team knows they can beat a top opponent in the pool; all they have to do is play at that level again.
Of course, nothing is that easy, especially at Nationals. For a start, their first game of the tournament will be against Flipside, the very team Pop beat at ESC and who will be out for revenge. Pop managed to take a convincing lead in that game back in August, but circumstances are different this time around. Flipside have their full contingent in San Diego, and are far more equipped to take on Pop’s host of young, capable throwers. It’s not going to be enough to have a strong defensive game; all eyes are going to be on what Pop’s offense can do when they face the unfatigued pressure of Flipside defensive units. This will be doubly important in their second game against Scandal, where it’s even less likely Pop’s defense will see the field for many points.
Thankfully, Pop’s most important pool play game will be their last, facing off against Schwa in the afternoon. No matter the result of the previous games, this will likely be the one that determines Pop’s chance at the bracket, so they’ve undoubtedly been doing their homework for this matchup.
A major advantage for Pop is how young their core is compared to some opponents in the pool. While women’s ultimate often favors veteran squads, a tough tournament like Nationals is where talented youngsters get their best chance to shine. It’s no longer a marathon of a season; they’ve finally reached a sprint. For the likes of Kayla Blanek, Carly Eckstrom, and Mia Beeman-Weber, these are ideal tournament conditions to test themselves against the best of the best. The future of Minneapolis women’s ultimate is bright, but the future could also be now.
Likely Ceiling: Prequarters
Likely Floor: Out on Day One
Pool B
San Francisco Fury
Pool Seeding: B1
Power Ranking: #2
Regional Finish: SW1
Overall 2026 Record: 17-1
Against the Nationals Field: 10-1
Against the Pool: 2-0 vs. Nightlock
For the first time in a long time, it doesn’t feel as if this tournament is Fury’s to win, so that obviously means they should be considered the betting favorite, right? The thirteen(!!)-time national champions are positioned to make another deep run in the bracket this year, and there isn’t a lot of promise that the rest of Pool B will help in slowing them down. Whether through luck, skill, or divine favor, Fury find themselves in a pool with two first-time Nationals attendees and a team who’s had to play Fury’s shadow since its inception. All signs point to Fury comfortably topping their pool and setting up for the fight that follows.
A case could be made that Fury’s lack of reps against Flight and Starling makes San Francisco less prepared for those opponents than they might be against other pool third and fourth seeds, but that’s more than likely the wrong perspective. It’s Flight and Starling who are less prepared to take on what Fury brings to the table.
The San Francisco squad plays at a pace designed to break their opponent’s spirit. They play fast and loose on offense because of their extreme confidence in getting the disc back on defense. Their offense punishes poaches and dares defenders to take risks that cost them in the end. Against weaker teams, this often leads to quick games that finish well before cap, allowing Fury to rest longer between rounds and prepare more efficiently than their opponents. It’s a trick they’ve employed to great success for years and still not been punished for it.
None of Fury’s relentlessness would be possible without the talent they have amassed over the years. As other teams ebb and flow, Fury’s roster is a tsunami that continues to build in strength and momentum. You could point to the international stars like Kanari Imanishi and Irene Scazzieri as the blueprint for Fury’s success, or local college recruits like Esther Filipek and McKinley McQuaide, or even their impressive draws from other elite programs like Dawn Culton and Kaitlynne Roling, but the truth is all those players joined this team because the core of Fury continues to be a draw unlike any other. It is a roster that highlights the talents of Anna Nazarov, Carolyn Finney, and Maggie Ruden, all of whom may already have their HoF speeches prepared.
Fury have as good a chance of winning Nationals in 2026 as anyone – if not better – because their roster is built on the shoulders of giants. Until other teams prove that they can bring them to their knees, Fury will continue to march on to the bracket with ease.
Likely Ceiling: National Champions
Likely Floor: Semifinals
San Francisco Nightlock
Pool Seeding: B2
Power Ranking: #8
Regional Finish: SW3
Overall 2026 Record: 19-6
Against the Nationals Field: 8-6
Against the Pool: 0-2 vs. Fury, 1-0 vs. Flight, 1-0 vs. Starling
Nightlock had a few lean years in the past decade, but perhaps that’s what’s helped shape the agile, resilient hunters that this team has started to embody. Let it be said, Nightlock earned their spot as the second seed in Pool B. They were a top 10 team all year and have an unassailable record. The only losses they’ve suffered this season have been to other teams in the top 8, and they haven’t suffered a blowout loss that would put their results into question. They’re a hard out for any team, and that’s never been more true than for the teams in their pool. While Fury still hold an edge over them, Nightlock have strong wings over both Flight and Starling, ensuring the team should feel confident in their chances of making the bracket, which has not been a given in previous years.
It’s important to remember that Nightlock’s success was not a given. They were one of the biggest question marks this year after offseason turnover affected a third of the roster, but you wouldn’t be able to tell by the way they’ve been able to work together. The chemistry on Nightlock is that of a team five seasons into their campaign. Downfield defenders like Kai Agueros and Mars Bau transition to offense in a flash, allowing powerful throwers such as Thalia Ward and Connor Stuart-Paul to hit them in stride. There’s rarely a time when it looks like Nightlock’s offense has completely broken down, and defenses are having a much harder time deciding what space on the field they should be taking away.
Doubters would say that part of Nightlock’s success has been the element of surprise. With such a new roster and such a transformation on both offense and defense, they’re not the team opponents were expecting to face, and with more time to prepare, Nightlock won’t be as potent. That’s what Flight and Starling have to believe, at least. It’s far more likely that this is just a good team with a strong core and a cohesive identity. After proving their worth by winning Elite-Select Challenge, it’s clear that Nightlock are in a tier above most Elite Select teams; all that remains to be seen is if they are worthy of Pro Flight status, or potentially even more.
The women’s division can feel a little stale at times, but the teams in Pool B, and specifically Nightlock, are a good reminder that nothing can be taken for granted. If you’re looking for a true dark horse candidate for semis, Nightlock’s not the worst pick.
Likely Ceiling: Quarterfinals
Likely Floor: Prequarters
Philadelphia Flight
Pool Seeding: B3
Power Ranking: #10
Regional Finish: MA2
Overall 2026 Record: 19-7
Against the Nationals Field: 4-6
Against the Pool: 0-1 vs. Nightlock, 0-1 vs. Starling
There are two ways to look at Flight’s position in Pool B. Either you’re gnashing your teeth asking how they could be placed in the one pool where they’ve lost to the two teams they’re supposed to have a chance at beating for a spot in the bracket, or you can celebrate the fact that Flight can avenge their regular season losses and head into the bracket with real momentum.
The truth is that the team is likely somewhere in between both sentiments. Nationals is one of those rare chances to play teams of an equal footing and really test yourself, even if those teams are ones you’ve already faced in the regular season. Still, it gives the team something to work towards. “We’re very excited for our rematch against Nighlock,” said the captains of The Flock. “Our semifinal at ESC was a great game and we look forward to the challenge of playing them again. Hopefully we can beat them and Starling to be the one Bird that rules them all!”
While the pool is shaping up for a bird war that would make Hitchcock jealous, it’s also going to be Flight’s first foray into a contest of this caliber. A full 24 players from their roster have never attended a club Nationals before, and that comes with a host of challenges on its own. The team’s going to learn a lot in a short time and will have to adjust on the fly. San Diego is an entirely different animal, so they’ll need to rely on chemistry over experience if they want to make the bracket.
The good news is that they’re not alone. Starling are in a similar spot, and they’ll both be finding their footing. With everything on the line for both teams on Thursday, Flight will be forced to rely on their stars to keep them grounded. Expect a lot from Poppy Wagner, Quincy Booth, and Abigail Smith throughout the weekend. They have the throwing prowess to compete with the best teams at the tournament, so a lot of Flight’s potential success comes down to their composure. If they’re able to stay calm under pressure, there’s no reason to think they can’t make it deep into the bracket.
Lest anyone forget, this is the team that fought through a hurricane just to get to San Diego. They’re accustomed to handling pressure.
Likely Ceiling: Quarterfinals
Likely Floor: Out on Day One
Northampton Starling
Pool Seeding: B4
Power Ranking: #20
Regional Finish: NE3
Overall 2026 Record: 19-9
Against the Nationals Field: 2-7
Against the Pool: 1-0 vs. Flight, 0-1 vs. Nightlock
Starling already overcame the odds to make it to Nationals. In one of the most contentious regions in the nation, it was Starling who earned the third bid and booked their ticket to San Diego. Pool B provides them a chance to continue the magic by making the bracket, and there’s a very real case to be made that they can do it.
Okay. So, elephant in the room: Starling’s win over Flight was a long time ago. Teams aren’t really at their full strength in July, and many of the opponents they faced at the Swamp Seasonal Invite were using it as a training tournament. Still, a win’s a win. More importantly, it’s ingrained knowledge that can empower Starling to think that, no matter the score, they can beat Flight.
That’s important, because they have a tough pool outside of the Philadelphia squad. We can’t hype up Starling for their win over Flight and then downplay Nightlock’s win — by the same margin — over the Northampton team. Nightlock are disciplined and, more importantly, filled with players who have been to Nationals before. Beyond them is the real San Francisco terror, too. Starling should be under no illusions with their matchup against Fury.
Still, it’s not all doom and gloom. It’s always going to be a difficult pool if you’re the fourth seed, but Starling have the pieces to shock everyone if they can keep their chemistry bubbling. The likes of Mo Dougherty and Paige Howell are no strangers to big games, and they’ve found contributions from young stars like Ilsa Cusick and Danica Vasa. Beyond that, there are plenty of other players that could step up. It’s make-or-break time for Starling, and regardless of their finish, it’ll be a solid building block for the team going forward.
Likely Ceiling: Prequarters
Likely Floor: Out on Day One
Pool C
Boston Brute Squad
Pool Seeding: C1
Power Ranking: #3
Regional Finish: NE1
Overall 2026 Record: 15-3
Against the Nationals Field: 8-3
Against the Pool: 1-0 vs. Parcha
The 2025 champions return seeking their sixth title. The legendary program brings back stalwart players and coaches seeking back-to-back championships for the first time since their 2015 and 2026 titles a decade ago. Buoyed by high level additions in Anouchka Beaudry, Claire Revere, and Jackie Wang, Brute Squad have a title-worthy team, but they will need to stack up against other similarly loaded squads.
Brute’s three losses this season were all by multiple goals to Scandal, Fury, and Molly Brown – all semifinal hopefuls. Though, if any team were to be unworried by previous results, it’s Brute. Before winning last year’s title, 2025 Brute Squad took five losses, and they had no problem dispatching all challengers this time last year. The story of last season’s success was a defense aligned perfectly to challenge Fury’s style, last year’s championship favorites. This time around, the Brute coaching staff and strategy squad will need to concoct something different to challenge the title favorite du jour: Scandal, who are a perfect 23-0 in USA Ultimate play on top of their undefeated title at WUCC.
Brute Squad have a lot of levers to pull. They can lean into the deep throwing bag of Grace Conerly, Lia Schwartz, and/or Liv Player. They can rely on well-timed cuts from Kelly Hyland, Becky Malinowski, Emily Kemp, Erin McCann, or Lien Hoffmann. They can chip away with a small-ball approach led by Laura Ospina Gomez and Maria Angelica Forero Becerra. Or they can let Levke Walczak work her magic.
Walczak was the centerpiece of the championship-winning game plan last year, darting into open lanes for poach blocks and challenging defenders with her daring throws. Walczak’s will to win and competitive drive along with her vast ultimate experience allows her to fill a variety of roles on the team and mold her game to the gameplan needed to win. She’s something of the ultimate foil: someone so dedicated to the pursuit of a trophy that she will morph her own skillset to suit the moment and propel her team towards their goal.
As they have done time and time again, Brute Squad will be prepared and ready to play their best game at Nationals. Whether they surprise everyone and bring home another title1 or merely make their twelfth-straight semifinal2, only time will tell.
Likely Ceiling: National Champions
Likely Floor: Semifinals
Toronto 6ixers
Pool Seeding: C2
Power Ranking: #6
Regional Finish: GL1
Overall 2026 Record: 15-3
Against the Nationals Field: 2-3
Against the Pool: 1-0 vs. Dimes
It is October and we still have not yet seen the best version of Toronto 6ixers. That’s a good thing, because the team is coming together at just the right time to leave a lasting impression on the division.
Toronto 6ixers started their season undefeated, rolling through lower ranked clubs in a dominant takedown of Select Flight Invite. Though the team ran into a bit of trouble against higher ranked opponents at US Open, losing to Fury, Scandal, and Riot, their undefeated trip to Great Lakes Regionals has the team entering Nationals with momentum. Oh, and also some massive roster pickups.
Following her injury last season, Brittney Dos Santos returns this year. It is difficult to overstate her importance to the team. As a metronomic handler, BDS paces the offense and brings calm to any chaos the team faces. Just as importantly, her Team Canada World Games teammate Mika Kurahashi is joining as well. Kurahashi represents the future of Canadian ultimate, achieving silver medals at WUCC, U24 Worlds, and the World Games in the past four years (not to mention her USAU College Championship from 2025). Her downfield cutting ability is peerless, combining powerful strides with impeccable footwork and intelligent timing. With top quality players in the backfield and downfield sets, 6ixers are bringing their most talented roster in years to Nationals and will be ready to showcase their skill one more time.
That being said, Kurahashi did not join the team until Regionals. How much time she’ll need to gel remains uncertain – especially given that 6ixers did not need to test themselves against such difficult competition at Regionals. Kurahashi is a plug-and-play starter, but against the very best, most practiced defenses, there is only so far that talent can take even the most talented player. How quickly Kurahashi and the rest of her new linemates can build much-needed chemistry will impact the absolute ceiling 6ixers can hit in San Diego.
It is worth mentioning that the floor for 6ixers is already incredibly high. As great as Kurahashi is, there are 24 other players on the roster who helped the team finish fifth in the USA Ultimate rankings this season. Sarah Jacobsohn continued to develop their game. No longer just a tenacious defender, “Bear” is a dynamic playmaker and consistent release valve who flies to open space as a cutter. And speaking of tenacious defenders, Alyssa Mason is as fearsome as ever on that side of the disc. Behind the steady leadership of Carla DiFilippo (a four-time Coach of the Year finalist) and Jordan Meron, 6ixers are in good hands and will be ready to compete at their best and finally show fans just how good they can be.
Likely Ceiling: Semifinals
Likely Floor: Quarterfinals
Dallas Dimes
Pool Seeding: C3
Power Ranking: #13
Regional Finish: SC2
Overall 2026 Record: 16-5
Against the Nationals Field: 1-2
Against the Pool: 0-1 vs. 6ixers
Empty your pockets! The Dimes are here, and they’re ready to make a statement in their Nationals debut. Dimes hoped to be here last year, completing an undefeated season save for two losses to Molly Brown at Regionals.3 This season, they were able to play a more challenging schedule. While that did come with a few losses, it also helped the team grow, improve, and crucially, earn enough rankings points to get the South Central a second bid to Nationals.
As with every first-time Nationals team, there will be questions about the experience on Dimes. Dallas is not traditionally known as an ultimate hot bed and it is fair to question how players will do under a brighter-than-usual spotlight. Dallas does have some players on the roster with Nationals experience, and they’ll surely lean on Hani Pajela (who made Nationals with San Diego Wildfire), Megan Tormey (with Public Enemy and Nemesis), Tricia Smit (with XIST), and the group of Emma Ackels, Jenna Bigbie, Maricar Lafita Navarro, and coach Chris Casey (with Public Enemy) to guide this experience.
Dimes would not get this far without plenty of talent, no matter how experienced. Bethani Eberhart plays the part of a steady center handler. Her crafty throws are especially valuable during red zone scoring opportunities. Macy Lang is a powerful hybrid, capable of stretching the field or looking to continue, with Bigbie downfield as a speedy cutter. On the defensive end, Katie Metzler is a heads-up defender who can run the counterattack after a turn or cross over to offense when that group needs an extra set of hands.
Dimes do have a fairly unique playing style in that they will look to throw hucks early in possessions. This tendency can be positive when they lead to a quick score or flip field position on the counterattack, but they can also lead to quick turnovers and plenty of opposition break chances. Not yet masters of the unique wind at the Surf Cup Sports Park, Dimes will want to consider which chances they cash in on as they take on the best teams in the division. No matter how far their throws go, this season has already taken Dimes farther than they’ve been before and they’ll spend Nationals setting the standard for what they hope to achieve in the future.
Likely Ceiling: Prequarters
Likely Floor: Out on Day One
Pittsburgh Parcha
Pool Seeding: C4
Power Ranking: #12
Regional Finish: MA3
Overall 2026 Record: 14-11
Against the Nationals Field: 2-11
Against the Pool: 0-1 vs. Brute Squad
Parcha have made Nationals in each of the six years of the program’s existence. That’s as good of a track record as a team can ask for and something to be proud of…and it’s also clear that the team is on an upward trajectory. Parcha made the bracket for the first time ever last season, and after a great regular season, they’re set up to continue that trend this time around.
Led by Carolyn Normile, the 2025 World Games handler and former Club champion with AMP, Parcha will enter just about every game they play with an offensive master few other teams can match. Taylor Conroy emerged last season as a downfield menace, finishing third in the tournament with 16 goals and second in Ultiworld’s Breakout Player of the Year voting. No longer a secret, Conroy is still just as effective at creating scoring chances with her speed downfield. She’s helped by the Liang sisters — Sara darts around the midfield as a connector and Miya can sky a pack on demand given a floating throw. For a team built out of a community without a renowned youth scene, the talent Parcha have put together and developed is notable and should be a model for other communities to follow.
With a balanced offense, it will be up to Parcha’s defense to step up and make an impact on the field at Nationals. In big games, Parcha have been quick to cross over Normile to give the counterattack some extra oomph. If they’re able to earn and convert break chances without the need for extra minutes from their best player, Parcha will be in a great position to advance to the bracket for the second year in a row. But, they can be susceptible to burn out if the team’s standard D-lines are not able to generate stops and scores on their own.
Likely Ceiling: Prequarters
Likely Floor: Out on Day One
Pool D
Denver Molly Brown
Pool Seeding: D1
Power Ranking: #5
Regional Finish: SC1
Overall 2026 Record: 18-4
Against the Nationals Field: 10-4
Against the Pool: 1-1 vs. Riot, 3-0 vs. BENT
Call it fate, call it chance, call it the algorithm, but Molly Brown are positioned in the toughest pool possible considering their position, and it’s exactly what fans of the division should want.
Despite having one of the best regular seasons of any team with wins over Brute Squad and Riot, the most significant result for pool play is the loss they suffered on September 6th against Seattle in the Pro Champs semifinals. Molly Brown had practically slept-walked their way to the semis, only to get outplayed on offense by a feisty Riot squad that caught them off guard. It’s a result that one would expect from the Molly Brown teams that were still suffering from the National Title Hangover, not the retooled and redialed team we’d seen all season long. In San Diego, with everything on the line, Molly Brown will have a chance to prove they’re the team we saw at the US Open and Pro Elite Challenge, not the one that lost in September.
Every Nationals since Denver won in 2022 feels as if we’ve been asking the same questions of the team. We know they have the ability to beat the best teams in the nation, but are they also the team that has wilted against teams outside of the top four? Are they title contenders, or lucky to emerge unscathed from pool play? Last year, with their worst regular season finish in a decade, Molly Brown fought tooth and nail through the bracket before falling to Fury in semis. They played four universe point games at the tournament and pulled off an amazing upset over Scandal. This year is a slightly easier path, if you believe they’re able to take down Riot.
They have the pieces to do it. While they generally do run set lines across their tournaments, they have no fear at Nationals of crossing over the Cardenas sisters when needed. They’re also getting Lisa Pitcaithley and Claire Chastain much closer to full health than they’ve had in the past, and that cannot be overstated. There’s even potential for them to lean into their international stars more, as both Aurora Lesnik and Carmen La Gala weren’t overly pressed with playing time at Pro Champs.
While Riot are bound to give this team trouble, Denver should have some assurances with the rest of the pool. They have a 3-0 record against BENT, and while they haven’t faced Phoenix, the Raleigh team is not the same powerhouse that took them to universe point last year. Molly Brown are all but guaranteed to make quarterfinals; it’s just a matter of how difficult a path they give themselves. Their destiny is firmly in their hands, they just have to prove they know how to handle it.
Likely Ceiling: National Champions
Likely Floor: Quarterfinals
Seattle Riot
Pool Seeding: D2
Power Ranking: #4
Regional Finish: NW1
Overall 2026 Record: 15-8
Against the Nationals Field: 7-8
Against the Pool: 1-1 vs. Molly Brown, 1-0 vs. Phoenix
It’s ambitious to believe Riot are on a path to the national final in San Diego this year, but this is an ambitious team. After struggling to find a rhythm during the regular season, Riot started to surge at Pro Champs, only to be reminded by Scandal that they have a long way to go before they can be considered to be on the same tier as other teams in the Top Four.
On paper, Riot have what it takes to win their pool and go all the way. They have a recent win over Molly Brown, a healthy mix of veterans and rising stars, a respected coaching staff, and a deep roster. In practice though, this hasn’t always led to expected levels of success. A 15-8 record, with losses to Flipside and Nightlock, doesn’t instill the utmost confidence. Throughout the season, Riot struggled to gain a foothold over their opponents and take sizeable leads in the games they needed to win.
This shouldn’t count too much against them in Pool D, though. While they’re all but guaranteed to have a close game against Molly Brown, Riot have proven to be of a higher caliber than BENT this year and their 15-6 win over Phoenix that should convert even the most die-hard skeptic. It’s not a matter of IF Riot makes the bracket, it’s what they’ll do when they get there.
Pool D is in a tough position. Not only is it filled with teams that have the pedigree of title contenders, which adds all sorts of guesswork to the outcome of the pool, but the teams through to prequarters will have to contend with Pool A, which has its own fair share of hard hitters. For Riot to feel absolutely comfortable coming out of pool play, they have to win all their games and earn the coveted bye to quarters.
If Seattle is going to pull off a clean sweep, they’ll need a lot from their young stars. While Samiya Ismail, Shira Stern, and Hana Kawai are going to help anchor their respective lines, it’s the explosive ability of players like Chloe Hakimi, Kyliah Mcroy, Lauren Goddu, and Ollie Bunson that will take Riot to the next level. These players need to prove they can channel their raw ability into frictionless offense and punishing defense, but it’s the turnover game that’s going to be the most important tell to what type of hand this team is holding. If Riot can limit the amount of unforced errors they commit in any single game, there’s no reason they can’t make it all the way to the final on Sunday.
Likely Ceiling: Finalists
Likely Floor: Prequarters
New York BENT
Pool Seeding: D3
Power Ranking: #9
Regional Finish: NE2
Overall 2026 Record: 15-9
Against the Nationals Field: 5-9
Against the Pool: 1-0 vs. Phoenix, 0-3 vs. Molly Brown
Whether earned or not, the hype around BENT has dipped considerably since the start of the season. This was a team knocking on the door of their first semis for the past two years, only to find themselves stuck in the middle tier of Nationals teams for almost all of 2026. Their struggles have led them to Pool D, which is officially this year’s Pool of Death™. It has to be frustrating for BENT to be in this position after years of edging closer to the top four, but they’re now trapped in a pool where every game counts, and it might be just what they need to push them to the next level.
Many of BENT’s disappointing results this year have stemmed from the team’s throwing depth. They have a host of capable players up and down the roster, but clearly have been missing Yina Cartagena’s contribution to the team. Without her, a lot of pressure has been placed on the backs of Amy Zhou and Abby Hecko, two brilliant players who would likely benefit more from being initiating cutters than center handlers. The team’s need for handler depth is illustrated even more on their defensive lines. Cassie Brown and Anna Wysen have shown their talent this year, but when the disc is out of their hands, or they’re not on the field, teams aren’t worried about BENT’s firepower. Defenses will then heavily front BENT’s cutters, daring them to make use of the deep space. It puts New York in compromising positions when they’re trying to convert break chances, and should be what fans watch out for when they take the field in San Diego. If BENT can stretch the field and force the opposition to respect it, they’re going to be far closer to the threat that was expected of them when the season started.
They’ll have their work cut out for them, though. They might have some confidence in their matchup against Phoenix, but the rest of their pool isn’t exactly favorable. Molly Brown are exactly the sort of team they’ll have to beat to make semis, and BENT are re 0-3 against them in the regular season. It doesn’t get much better from there. While they now have a history of beating Riot at Nationals, the two teams haven’t faced off at all yet in 2026, and Riot appear to be peaking at the right time. New York will have to be very sagacious with the disc if they’re to pull off any upsets in this pool.
Likely Ceiling: Semifinals
Likely Floor: Prequarters
Raleigh Phoenix
Pool Seeding: D4
Power Ranking: #19
Regional Finish: SE1
Overall 2026 Record: 15-8
Against the Nationals Field: 2-8
Against the Pool: 0-1 vs. Riot, 0-1 vs. BENT
Last year, Phoenix had two of the most entertaining games at Nationals with their universe point wins over Flipside and Molly Brown. If it hadn’t been Fury that they saw in their quarterfinal matchup, there was a real chance they could have made semis. A year later, and this Phoenix squad isn’t on quite the same trajectory. While they’ve proven themselves to be a top 20 team in the nation, and done everything they needed to clinch a Nationals spot, they’re very clearly a step behind most of their opponents in Pool D.
There are some reasons to think Phoenix might be able to give their opponents more than they bargained for. Despite a losing record in the regular season against both Riot and BENT, they have never pretended to be anything other than a growing team learning what it takes to play at an elite level, and have improved consistently at every tournament. There’s no reason to think Phoenix haven’t made even more significant strides in the weeks since they faced down both Seattle and New York. Their loss to BENT wasn’t by the widest of margins, 15-10, and fans can hold onto the knowledge that Phoenix seemed to have a solid game plan in their matchups and defensive schemes.
At the end of the day, talent plays a major role in winning games at Nationals, and Raleigh is still developing theirs. Bridget Mizener is the veteran that the team turns to when they run out of options, but they need more from Sarah McKee and Emily Przykucki when the games get tight. There’s also potential that Allison Reilly, Caroleen DeWolf, and Lily Brooks could take the leap this tournament that vaults them into the national conversation, which Raleigh fans will have to be banking on if they’re to believe the team will make it out of pool play.
Likely Ceiling: Prequarters
Likely Floor: Out on Day One
To be clear it would not be a surprise that Brute are good enough for this to happen, just that Scandal have been so dominant that it would be a surprise to see them lose ↩
Second only to Fury’s run of 20 straight seasons getting at least that far ↩
Made even more heartbreaking by the 28 rankings points difference from the bid cutoff that would have given the South Central an extra bid ↩
