1/24-25/26 - Air Squids Start the Regular Season with SBI

Game 1: University of California
The tournament opened against the highest-seeded opponent in the pool, Cal. A combination of facing a top seed, missing several key players, and early chemistry issues resulted in low intensity throughout the game. While the effort kept the contest relatively competitive, numerous drops and inconsistent communication hindered performance. A late-game Callahan ultimately sealed a 13–5 loss. Despite the scoreline, the result did not fully reflect the level of play, and the team entered the next game with increased motivation against another strong opponent.

Game 2: University of Victoria
The game began with both teams trading clean holds for most of the first half, as offensive lines consistently worked the disc up the field. The O-line showed significant improvement in consistency compared to the previous game against Cal. Many of UVic’s early points appeared unstable, relying on high-stall hucks and emergency resets. Sawsee recorded a massive layout defensive play that was controversially called back as a foul. With the score around 5–5, UVic earned a break on a fast-break huck, shifting momentum in their favor. In the second half, UVic repeatedly returned to their deep game, widening the score gap. As pressure mounted, forced hucks led to additional turnovers and breaks. After several disputed calls and a grueling 20-minute point scored as time expired, the game ended in a 10–7 loss. Despite the disappointment, the performance marked a significant improvement against a strong UVic squad. UVic would go on to win the tournament, defeating seventh-seeded Utah 13–10 in the final.

Game 3: Cal Poly SLO B
The opening points were marked by drops and errant throws, likely due to fatigue. Fortunately, the opponent posed less of a challenge than the previous matchups, allowing recovery and consistent holds. Slob employed defensive poaches in the vertical stack, which initially caused difficulties. As the game progressed, quick disc movement and well-timed hucks successfully exploited those poaches. Despite below-average execution and lingering chemistry issues, the team secured an 11–6 win in a must-win matchup to advance to prequarters.

Game 4: Stanford University
Stanford’s offense featured heavy dominator usage and rapid ball movement. The game began with an early break against UCSD, followed by a series of traded holds. Stanford frequently used no-pivot backhands on the trap sideline to move the disc efficiently. Late in the game, Nico “Corn” Nonemaker made an exceptional catch on a hucked disc several feet out of bounds, keeping his toes in while fully extended. Stanford responded with a full-field back-corner huck shortly after. Defensively, turnovers were generated, but the D-line struggled to convert them into scores. Fatigue set in toward the end of the long day, allowing Stanford to extend its lead and secure a 12–9 win. The loss concluded Day 1 and pushed the team into the 9th-place bracket for Day 2.

Game 5: UCSB
Day 2 opened with a matchup against a major rival, UCSB, with the return of several previously absent players providing a boost. UCSB opened the game with a huck for an easy score. Defensive adjustments, including backing UCSB, forced longer possessions and led to increased errors. The first break came on an inside break throw to the end zone from Jonathan “PSI” McGurrin. In the second half, UCSB shifted to a zone defense, causing a few turnovers, though their D-line failed to capitalize. Consistent holds and patient offense led to a hard-fought 12–9 victory and advancement to the 9th-place game.

Game 6: UCLA
The final game began with two early breaks against UCSD. A break was earned after a dropped UCLA throw near the end zone, highlighted by a big upline from David “Nette” Schwartz to Azkaban and a full-field swing for the score. Late in the game, Bodhi “Cass” Brenner recorded a spectacular layout defensive play that was negated by a preceding call. UCLA opened points in a zone defense before transitioning to man coverage, likely aimed at slowing the offense and preventing quick scores. Fatigue and effective defensive adjustments ultimately led to an 11–8 loss. The tournament concluded with a 10th-place finish, matching the team’s initial seed.