The Ball State men’s ultimate frisbee team travel to Indianapolis for the Eastern Plains Conference tournament this weekend. The Wizardz (8-10, 2-0 EPC) are going to face IUPUI, Indiana, and Notre Dame in pool play. Team captain Garrett Fuelling said Notre Dame is a big team and more organized.
“That is a team that we can’t have mistakes against. If we play our best game, we will be able to beat them,” Fuelling said.
Out of all the teams in the EPC, Purdue is the hardest team to beat.
“They are the team to beat and the favorite going in,” said Fuelling.
The tournaments the Wizardz have been playing, since this weekend, have not eliminated their chances from the playoffs. This tournament begins the playoffs, where the team has to place in the top four to move on to Great Lakes Regionals. Fuelling said if they don’t do well, then the season is over.
“We would like that not to happen, so emotions are high and stakes are higher than any other tournament,” Fuelling said.
During practices this week, freshman Alex Warfield has been focusing on handler cuts and seeing the field in different ways. Warfield said he loves to handle.
“I feel like I can be effective for the team this weekend and do what I have to do so we can be successful,” Warfield said.
This is Warfield’s first conference tournament.
“ I have played with a lot of people who we are facing this weekend and it will be a good competitive tournament,” Warfield said.
Also at practices this week, president Daniel Stephens has been working hard at zone offense. Stephens said he likes playing against a zone.
“I think it is easier to move around and swing the disc. And once you get it broken it is pretty easy to work it up the field and score,” Stephens said.
For this tournament this weekend, Stephens said he thinks the team will do really well.
“I think we are going to beat IU. Notre Dame is going to be a challenge for us and IUPUI tomorrow is going to be a game that we are going to win, Stephens said. “I’m really hoping that we can place fourth, if not third.”
The tournament starts at 9 a.m. against Notre Dame at World Sports Park.
Patrick Murphy 