4/26/25 - The Air Squids' Season Ends on Universe Point

Day 1

Game 1: W vs Slo B (15-5)

We came out hot in our first game. While our competition was not particularly strong, we executed well to keep the game short and preserve the energy of our starting line. With an exceptional defensive performance from Nico “Corn Beef Hash” Nonemaker, and consistent handler movement from Daniel “Red 40” Bonkowsky, and Janeil “Cumin” Guada, we were able to consistently get blocks and convert on the offensive end. SLO B is known for their high spirits and good attitude, so they never let up their pressure against us but we stuck to our game and were able to close out with the opposition never getting a chance.

Game 2: L vs UCSB (12-13)

We knew this was an important game for getting good placement in the brackets. We did a really good job, compared to past games, of not allowing small setbacks to get us off our game. Anytime something did not go our way, whether a turnover or missed opportunity, we maintained intensity and focus and never allowed the other team a breakaway. Shoutout to Trey “Zeta” Scheid and Tynan “Namo” Sander for pulling off the greatest play I have ever seen. Despite not scoring the final point of the game, this was a much improved performance for us in comparison to our encounters with Santa Barbara at Sectionals..

Game 3: W vs Santa Clara (15-6) 

While they could not hold a candle to us overall, it was still important for our non-starters to carry the load so that our starting players would be in good shape for the following much more difficult game against Cal. Music was pumping from the sidelines and the Squids were able to maintain a relatively high level of energy compared to other games where we were blowing the other team out. Before long, we were able to achieve a quick victory without any long, back-and-forth points. 

Game 4: L vs UCB (11-15)

We got simply outplayed by UCB. While we were aware of their notorious zone defense beforehand, we still turned the disc over at an alarming rate, causing your Squids to fall behind quickly. However, with the pleasant weather conditions, the Squids slowly regained their rhythm and strung together multiple scores in the row, with Jonathan “PSI” McGurrin and Eli “Dewey” D’Amico taking difficult matchups from Berkeley, and generating turnovers that would turn into breaks. While it wasn’t the performance we hoped for overall, we were not yet eliminated and had hope for day 2.

Day 2

Game 1 W vs Grand Canyon (15-14)

While the game’s pace felt controlled by the Squids, GCU played a deep-ball heavy game style, and managed to consistently churn out points, even despite solid pressure from the Squids. GCU’s height and athleticism mostly ran through just a few players on their team, so with the Squids better depth, we were able to pull ahead by multiple breaks. One of the notable D’s was from the stout David “Nette” Schwartz who got a block in the endzone against a considerably taller GCU player.  GCU gave your Air Squids a scare by bringing the game back to universe, but a well-run O-point ended this close game.

Game 2  L vs. UCSB (13-14)

A devastating and intense game. The whole season led up to this game and it was well fought. Amazing defense was played by Tyler “Saw-See” Bourke and Bradley “Cosmo” Zanteson. We had super great defense the whole game, suffocating the Santa Barbara O-line. Over and over they would attempt to patiently work it into the endzone, just for our athletic defenders to barricade them at the line. Despite being down early in the game due to some untimely turnovers, the Squids fought back from a multi-break deficit to take the lead and receive the disc on universe. However, on universe, the pull-play huck sailed out of bounds, and Santa Barbara was able to convert and win the game. 

Game 3 Vs. UCLA - UCLA forfeited

While it is sad that there was no last game to send off our seniors, the growth that the team showed all the way through to that UCSB game was unmatched, and thus concludes the 2024-2025 Air Squids season.