DIVISION I WOMEN'S NATIONAL INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP | U.S. POLO ASSN.

April 10 - 14, 2024

DIVISION I WOMEN'S NATIONAL INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Division I Women's National Intercollegiate Championship semifinals and final will be livestreamed on the USPA Polo Network.

DIVISION I WOMEN'S NATIONAL INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

TOURNAMENT HISTORY

The USPA Division I Women’s National Intercollegiate Championship (NIC) is part of the United States Polo Association's Intercollegiate/Interscholastic (I/I) polo program, which is dedicated to growing the sport by providing maximum exposure, recruiting collegiate and scholastic institutions, coordinating activities, and organizing competition. Supporting this mission, the I/I program has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, including the development of Division I and Division II polo, which increases the number of emerging teams competing in competitive games at every level.

Division assignments are based on the strength of teams as determined by rosters, a team's regular season scores, and the strength of their schedule. Men's and women's teams from the same school are not required to play in the same division, allowing teams to participate at an appropriate level. Teams are able to move back and forth between the divisions from year to year to accommodate for student matriculation and annual roster changes.

In 1976, the Women’s Intercollegiate Championship for the Katydid Farm Women's Intercollegiate Polo Trophy was introduced, and Yale University took home top honors. Today, the NIC provides an opportunity for collegiate players from all corners of the United States to come together and compete for the historic trophy.

Dominating the competition in the early 80s, University of California Davis (UC Davis) earned the championship five times, including an impressive run of four consecutive wins from 1980 to 1983. Cornell University currently holds the record for the most women's NIC victories, amassing 15 titles spanning five decades. Other notable champions include University of Virginia claiming 10 titles (1990, 1992, 1993, 1999, 2000, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2022) and University of Connecticut with seven victories (1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008).

In 2019, the men and women of Texas A&M University (TAMU) became the second team in history since the University of California Davis (UC Davis) in the 80s to complete a rare "double-double"(back-to-back victories from both the Division I teams) in the world of intercollegiate polo. In 2022, the men and women of University of Virginia (UVA) also earned double awards on home turf at Virginia Polo Inc. in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In 2023, the women of Texas A&M University (TAMU) (Cara Kennedy, Josie Dorsey, Olivia Reynolds) faced-off against reigning champions University of Virginia (UVA) (Katie Define, Elizabeth “Liz” Owens, Alana Benz, Kellie Booth). Hosted by Virginia Polo Inc. (Charlottesville, Virginia), UVA came into the competition with the home advantage, however TAMU's calm under immense pressure led the Aggies back to the podium for the first time since 2019.

A young team, TAMU excelled from the penalty line. six conversions from Reynolds combined with a crucial two-pointer aided the Aggie’s second half comeback to force a shootout. Pushing both teams to the limits of their mental and physical strength, a nerve-wracking second round of overtime penalties finally broke the stalemate, with Reynolds hitting the golden goal for an electrifying 13-12 victory. Read article here.

Returning to Virginia Polo Inc., seven talented teams will compete for the Division I Women's National Intercollegiate Championship including defending victors Texas A&M University. Also coming off a successful 2023 season, Division II Women's National Intercollegiate Championship winners California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) are hoping to sustain their momentum and earn their first Division I title.

University of Virginia (UVA) will attempt to avenge their 2023 overtime loss, with University of California Davis (UC Davis) and University of Kentucky (UK) vying to return to the podium alongside University of South Carolina-Aiken (USC-Aiken) and Southern Methodist University (SMU), each aiming for their first NIC championship.

Photo: 2022 Division I Women's National Intercollegiate Championship Winners: Texas A&M University (TAMU) - Coach Mike McCleary, Olivia Reynolds, Cara Kennedy, Josie Dorsey. ©Oana Moore

TEAMS AND ROSTERS

Bracket I

Bracket II

Bracket III

Bracket IV

Bracket V

Bracket VI

Bracket VII

Bracket VIII

Bracket IX

Bracket X

University of Virginia (UVA) (3-0)

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Mackenzie Craig
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Lea Jih-Vieira
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Philipa Harris
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Hannah Thomas
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Alana Benz
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Coach Lou Lopez

Texas A&M University (TAMU) (1-1)

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Josie Dorsey
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Cara Kennedy
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Olivia Reynolds
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Francesca Felhaber
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Coach Mike McCleary

University of South Carolina-Aiken (USC-Aiken) (1-1)

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Brianna Jordan
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Kaylin Bender
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Summer Kneece
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Shona Adams
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Coach Parker Scott

University of Kentucky (UK) (1-1)

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Grace Beck
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Joscelin Gallegos
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Taylor Nackers
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Ava Nunes
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Coach Jorge Vasquez

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) (0-1)

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Julia Schaefer
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Anna Mendez
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Camilla Mcfall
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Nicole Bailey
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Sofia Rosenquist
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Coach Megan Judge

Southern Methodist University (SMU) (0-1)

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Zoey Bivalacqua
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Lulu Moore
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Lindsey Morris
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Cassie Kaplan
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Savannah Coventry
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Sofia Garvin
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Coach Russell Stimmel

University of California Davis (UC Davis) (0-1)

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Emilynn Angie-Buss
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Elise Pardue
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Marisa Carelli
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Liliana Gonzalez
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Coach Bonnie Magill

DIVISION I WOMEN'S NATIONAL INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

TOURNAMENT GAMES

Wednesday, Apr 10, 2024

April 10

Final

Division I Women's National Intercollegiate Championship

Virginia Polo Inc.

University of South Carolina-Aiken (USC-Aiken) logo

University of South Carolina-Aiken (USC-Aiken) (1-1)

24

Southern Methodist University (SMU) logo

Southern Methodist University (SMU) (0-1)

15

April 10

Final

Division I Women's National Intercollegiate Championship

Virginia Polo Inc.

University of Kentucky (UK) logo

University of Kentucky (UK) (1-1)

17

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) logo

California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) (0-1)

7

April 10

Final

Division I Women's National Intercollegiate Championship

Virginia Polo Inc.

University of Virginia (UVA) logo

University of Virginia (UVA) (3-0)

29

University of California Davis (UC Davis) logo

University of California Davis (UC Davis) (0-1)

8

Friday, Apr 12, 2024

April 12

Final

Division I Women's National Intercollegiate Championship

Virginia Polo Inc.

Texas A&M University (TAMU) logo

Texas A&M University (TAMU) (1-1)

17

University of Kentucky (UK) logo

University of Kentucky (UK) (1-1)

7

April 12

Final

Division I Women's National Intercollegiate Championship

Virginia Polo Inc.

University of South Carolina-Aiken (USC-Aiken) logo

University of South Carolina-Aiken (USC-Aiken) (1-1)

16

University of Virginia (UVA) logo

University of Virginia (UVA) (3-0)

20

Sunday, Apr 14, 2024

April 14

Final

Division I Women's National Intercollegiate Championship

Virginia Polo Inc.

Texas A&M University (TAMU) logo

Texas A&M University (TAMU) (1-1)

13

University of Virginia (UVA) logo

University of Virginia (UVA) (3-0)

14

DIVISION I WOMEN'S NATIONAL INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

TOURNAMENT NEWS

DIVISION I WOMEN'S NATIONAL INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

THE VENUE

Home of the distinguished University of Virginia (UVA) polo team, Virginia Polo’s training facility sits on 75 spacious acres just five miles away from the historic University’s main campus. Equipped to support play year round, top-notch facilities include a 300’ by 150’ indoor arena building, 400’ by 150’ outdoor arena, and a regulation outdoor polo field.

Led by current coach and general manager, Lou Lopez, the UVA polo team is widely regarded as a powerhouse in intercollegiate polo. Some of their many illustrious achievements include 12 Men’s National Championships, 10 Women’s National Championships and 17 Polo Training Foundation (PTF) Intercollegiate Player of the Year Awards.

The Virginia Polo Center is host to numerous USPA interscholastic and intercollegiate tournaments, including the 2024 Division I National Intercollegiate Championships.

Formed in the early 1950s, the polo club is a student-run organization which strives to instill core values including the merits of responsibility, hard work, dedication, rewards of fellowship, working as a team, and the ability to compete in an intercollegiate sport on the national level. Throughout the year, the facility continues to host USPA interscholastic and intercollegiate events for players of all ages and skill levels. Virginia Polo Inc. is a destination for everyone, developing high school and local area players through lessons, clinics, summer camps and other programs.


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