Will it be another XIST v Hybrid final? Or can Polar Bears or Disco Club pull off the upset?
October 25, 2026 by Laura Osterlund in Preview, Recap
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SAN DIEGO – Four teams remain in the bracket of USAU Mixed Nationals: Ann Arbor Hybrid, Austin Disco Club, New York XIST, and San Francisco Polar Bears. Only one will come out on top. It could be one of the two teams that have stood at the top of the division since they appeared in last year’s final. Or it could be one of the two young challengers, whose majority of players have not made it to the semifinals within the past ten years.
Ann Arbor Hybrid vs. Austin Disco Club
A rematch of the Pro Champs final, Ann Arbor Hybrid face off against Austin Disco Club. In that game, Austin Disco Club had a 15-13 victory over the reigning National champions. It will likely be a battle between two teams who will not be afraid to take bigger, gutsier shots.
Hybrid have had a nearly flawless path to get to the semifinals. They practically breezed through pool play, blowing out both LA Lotus and Seattle Mixtape to start their tournament. Hybrid had no problem with the closer games either. Not holding a lead for parts of their games against shame. in pool play and AMP in the quarterfinal, Hybrid did not make any major adjustments; they instead continued to play their own game, one that they have proven time and time again to have the winning formula.
Ann Arbor Hybrid
Why They Will
They aren’t the reigning WUCC and back-to-back USAU National champions for nothing. Hybrid have systems that proved successful that most have not been able to crack. Additionally, their roster depth might just be the best in the division. Their play is indicative of the trust they have in their systems and teammates.
“Across the board, we’ve been talking about 26-deep all season. I think that’s why teams are not able to hang with us all through that game in the first and second half, is because we are so deep,” said Hybrid coach Jon Mast. “And because of that, there are multiple people who make plays, but everyone’s just bought in to when they’re on the sideline, or if they get a few points in a game, it doesn’t really matter. They’re just going out there and doing their role.”
Why They Won’t
Their defense can’t always garner enough pressure to generate turnovers. They’ve also lost to Disco Club before. Hybrid are the kind of team that keeps their systems as-is, relying on their opponents to make mistakes over the course of the game.
Players to Watch
- Dalton Smith
- Abe (Robert) Coffin
- Rachel Mast
- Maketta Mattimore
Austin Disco Club
Why They Will
When Austin Disco Club are locked in, they can hang with every single team. They have multiple big playmakers who can make quite the impact and lie at the top of the division in their capabilities. Players such as Joey Wylie whose defense is off the roof, Jamie Estes and Ria Stevens also have been the play makers.
Disco Club also rotate their lines in less of an O-line/D-line split and more of an even rotation. Not only does this allow their legs to be fresher, it helps each line be able to focus on playing offense and defense well, not focusing on one or the other, and makes it harder for their opponents to make a game plan around.
Why They Won’t
Consistency, consistency, consistency. Austin Disco Club are a team of hot and cold. When they’re on, they’re hard to beat, but when they aren’t, they make unforced errors, and their opponents are able to punish them for it. Their floor is also a bit lower than their cohorts at this stage in the bracket. Even with the high ceiling, it’s hard to tell if the bottom of their roster is consistent enough to match the level of everyone’s. Many teams in their first times in semifinals also fall victim to the nerves of a first big game. Even though they won Pro Champs, a National semi and final hold much larger stakes.
Players to Watch
- Madi Cannon
- Joey Wylie
- Ria Stevens
New York XIST vs. San Francisco Polar Bears
In a match between the old establishment in San Francisco Polar Bears versus the newer division leaders, expect fireworks. It’s going to be a game of the young Polar Bears’ talents and free and easy playstyle taking on the pure systems of the now stalwarts on XIST.
New York XIST
Why They Will
It’s been a long time coming for XIST – they made their first final last season but have consistently been in four of the last five semifinals. They have the experience in big games and hold the poise to get themselves through.
They’re a smart team that makes clinical throws and decisions. Leaving little chance for error, the New Yorkers wait for the right timing and placement. They have the star power up and down their roster to win with their depth and the discipline in their systems to back it up. New to the team, Theresa Yu and Emma Piorier blend in perfectly with the mix of Jolie Krebs, Oliver Chartock, Sadie Jezierski, and Ryan Drost.
Why They Won’t
XIST had a rougher start to their quarterfinal against Oregon Scorch, as they trailed 6-3 in the first half. Though they came back, they continued to play close through the end of the match. Yes, Scorch shocked the world when they had unique-to-them play, but knowing XIST’s prowess, the turns they threw and inability to get the disc back at times were enough to raise slight concerns.
Players to Watch
- Oliver Chartock
- Axel Agami Contreras
- Theresa Yu
- Audrey Parrott
San Francisco Polar Bears
Why They Will
This is an incredibly resilient Polar Bears team who are ready to meet the moment.1 With several former champions dotting the roster,2 the team’s relative lack of experience will be less of a factor than it otherwise might. Polar Bears last made Nationals in 2022; their semifinal opponent XIST have made every semifinal but one since then.
In the offensive backfield, Evan Magsig and Chagall Gelfand have been tough as nails. Unfazed by the variety of defenses they’ve seen, the start of every point smoothly gets Polar Bears into their preferred initiation set. Where Polar Bears can really make their mark is on defense. Noah Fong and Seamus Shogren set the tone downfield, each erasing opponents’ top options. Fong especially can make life difficult for throwers with her lengthy mark, and Shogren has made a living this tournament chasing down hucks both for blocks and for goals. Itay Chang, Sarah Combs, and Jesse Song hold down the counterattack backfield, giving Polar Bears threats at every level once they secure a turnover.
Why They Won’t
It’s simple: this iteration of Polar Bears have never been in a moment this big and they’re playing an XIST team that has been operating at a top tier level for half a decade with this core. XIST’s goals go beyond the semifinals while Polar Bears would be forgiven for being happy to be here. Polar Bears did not play a particularly difficult schedule this season, as the rigid set up of the TCT barred them from the best tournaments. As such, Polar Bears have not been challenged against a defense as tough as XIST’s yet and it’s no guarantee that they’ll be able to handle the pressure.
Players to Watch
- Lexi Zalk
- Evan Magsig
- Chagall Gelfand
- Seamus Shogren
A telling anecdote shared by the Polar Bears captain: Polar Bears faced off against regional rival Mischief five times this season. In all five games, Mischief took half but Polar Bears won. ↩
Off the top of my head there’s Sawyer Thompson, Byron Liu, Nick Tolfa with Revolver; Evan Magsig, Itay Chang, Saul Wildavsky with the Oakland Spiders; Chagall Gelfand with Carleton Syzygy, Margot Stert with Fury, and Sarah Combs with UNC Pleiades ↩
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