On the sixth day of Christmas, Ultiworld gave me…the best returning players for their final hurray!
December 17, 2023 by The final world In preview with comments
Ultiworld’s coverage of the 2024 collegiate season is presented by Spin Ultimate; All opinions are those of the author(s). Find out how Spin can make you and your team look your best this season.
It’s time to uncover some gifts as we introduce the 12 Days of College Ultimate. Over the next 12 days, we’ll be releasing one giveaway a day, but don’t count on getting any holiday chicken: it’s all about college. From highlight videos to player chats to season predictions, we’ve got a little something for everyone. On Day 6 of 12 Days of College Ultimate, we’re highlighting some of the best players returning for the final year of their extended eligibility.
This is for women
Anna Koshy (UW)
Koshy wowed the division with her performance at the 2023 Stanford Invite, where she and Abi Hiko led UW to a huge upset over UBC in the quarterfinals and nearly upset Colorado in a universe-point semifinal loss. Unfortunately, she had to miss the rest of the season due to injury and we didn’t get to see her at College Nationals, but she’s back in 2024 ready to lead UW to a first-place finish once again. The tall and athletic hybrid can fill any role and go toe-to-toe with the best in the division. As the Element enters a rebuilding season, expect Cauchy to be the centerpiece of their success.
Avery Lee Bee (UBC)
Every season Lee-Pii takes the field, she gets better. Athletic, fast, and a powerful thrower, it’s clear how highly UBC values her by the way she plays. In the half game against Colorado, she was tasked with guarding Stacey Gaskill and crossing over when needed. Lee-Pii is also coming off a U24 experience with Team Canada Mixed and a season on the Red Flag O-line. She easily fits into the core of the O-line pieces with Mika Kurahashi and Anna Goddu or could play D-line and be a primary defender in Andrea Moir’s absence. Either way, she will be an important piece for a UBC team that has title hopes this year.
Don Colton (UNC)
Somehow, Dawn Colton, the 2022 Callahan Award winner, is still playing in the college division. She has been the best player the past three seasons and doesn’t expect that to change this year. In 2023, she performed on Second Team All Club with Raleigh Phoenix, winning championships with Raleigh Radiance (PUL), USA U24, and UNC. They’ll attack you on defense and then attack you on a turn – old news, been there, seen that. The only knock against her may have been her throwing, but if her throws from the national final are any indication (see below), she has fixed that hole. Good luck to anyone in the department trying to stop her.
Missy Volbrecht (Stanford)
Stanford enters this season with talent that has it running deep in the College Nationals bracket, and Missy Volbrecht is sure to be a key part of that effort. The PhD student is the Swiss Army Knife who does everything for Superfly. She can play both ways, make layups and penalty kills, and defend you – she was the block leader at Superfly1 Nationally in 2023. Definitely keep your eyes on Fulbrecht and Stanford this college season.
This is for men
Andrew Lee (United Nations Command)
The former three-year captain is in his final season of eligibility and is preparing to make history with Darkside. His journey embodies the spirit of Darkside: Li began his career as a bench warmer and worked his way up to become a D-line player. Li is a tenacious defender, known for having high shoulder blocks as well as being a capable tackler with big throws. When asked about Lee, his teammates highlighted his leadership, teaching ability and team-first mentality. His presence on and off the field will be key as the team looks to win another championship. No matter the outcome of the season, Li Darkside’s legacy will be one of hard work, exemplary leadership, no shorts, and Carly Rae Jepsen.
Calvin Brown (Cal Poly Slew)
There isn’t a pitch in the game that Calvin Brown can’t hit. This has become evident over the past several years. What has grown is Brown’s understanding of the game on both sides of the puck. After a torn ACL cut short his 2021 and 2022 seasons, Brown returned last season and found a home on the D-line where his athleticism and intelligence combined on blocks, and his right-arm cannon provided a counterattack that could score quicker. Which volunteer scorekeepers at Nationals can look up from their tablets. In his final year of eligibility, Brown looks to surpass SLO’s previous level to reach the team’s first Finals appearance.
Henry Inge (Pete)
The reigning Player of the Year returns, hoping to not only match the individual brilliance in his play from last season, but also lead Pitt beyond its 2022 cutoff spot in the national quarterfinals. The best defender in the division, Ng can erase his opponent’s biggest threat. He’s not too shabby on offense either, often highlighted as an initial cutter in Pittsburgh’s isolation-heavy offense. Pitt will rely on his skills in the backfield this season, as the returning players from the O-line (Aidan Landis, Peter Kutz, Scott Hyman) represent bigger threats down the field.
Noah Cromie (UNC)
Last season was highlighted as the fifth year to watch, and Croom was the focus of doing everything Ohio State needed. He now follows in the footsteps of Collin Smith and Dylan Hawkins as late-career transfers to UNC. Expect him to play it both ways and end up with the ring. rinse. Repeats. Yawning.
D-Third for women
Laura Lyons (Michigan Tech)
With so many liberal arts colleges without graduate programs, it is rare to find players who stay for more than four years. A player staying for a sixth year is rare. This season, Michigan Tech, a small engineering school that competes in North Central due to its proximity, will return Laura Lyons as a sixth-year player. Lyons has been on the Michigan Tech Superior Ma’s team since her inaugural season in 2018. While her commitment has been primarily to Michigan Tech’s track and field team, where she runs the 400 and 4×400 meters, she plans to join a young team. Superior Ma team for the 2024 season. Although she was sidelined for the 2023 Nationals due to an injury she suffered at the end of the first half of the game against Winona State at Regionals, Lyons has a natural aptitude for grabbing the puck in the end zone. Before getting hurt in that game, Lyons led the Ma’s to a first-half win over Winona State, a game they won. Going back to the 2021 Fall Nationals, the last time Lyons played games with scoring statistics, she led the team with eight goals in two scoring games, all eight of which came in a 15-10 win over Lehigh. With three additional years of experience, Lyons could be a serious game-changer against opponents of the caliber of the national team. Lyons is an exceptional player with amazing speed and endurance. Beyond on-field contributions, Lyons serves as a spiritual boost to the team and has helped foster the carefree When We Can Be atmosphere that Michigan Tech prioritizes.
D-III men
Tyler Shanahan and Noam Gummerman (Davenport)
Due to the large number of liberal arts colleges without graduate programs, Section D-III rarely sees any fifth years. Those who have played their part have proven to have had a significant impact on their teams. Kyle Hinkie played for Oklahoma Christian where he won the 2021 POTY Award and is arguably the best player the division has ever seen, while Missouri S&T’s Mike Lahmeyer and Ray Mountiel each received multiple Ultiworld awards last season. Graduate students Tyler Shanahan and Noam Gomeran decided to take a chance at Davenport – the new school that offers terminal scholarships. Shanahan was the head coach and Donovan Whitman’s candidate last season and his skillful throwing led the Sweets to the Northwest Regional Championship. Gumerman is a tall, talented cutter with plenty of solid experience in the division, competing in Nationals three times with his former team, Brandeis Tron.2 The two will provide the Panthers with plenty of veteran experience for a team made up mostly of freshmen. If Davenport is going to make a national team in his first year as a team, look for Shanahan and Gommerman to make big plays and use their knowledge on the big stage to take the team out of the Great Lakes Region.
As the college finals season approaches, the 12 Days of College Finals 2024 is set to showcase the impact players who are entering their sixth year of college. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional talent, leadership, and dedication to their respective teams, and their experience and skill set are expected to make a significant impact on the outcomes of the finals. As the countdown to the finals begins, all eyes will be on these sixth-year players as they aim to leave a lasting legacy on their college careers.