Standout Performances: Week Four

Week four was fulled with history-making moments. Check out who stood out amongst the chaos.

Adrian Koretsky – Washington Admirals (B) 

Washington Admirals beater Adrian Koretsky had a record-breaking performance against the Ottawa Black Bears, concluding the series with an all-time single-series best plus/minus of +24. The record is a fitting testament to how much Koretsky, a second-year main roster player, has suddenly come to mean for the Admirals. They are an assistant coach and a member of every possible permutation of the Washington beating corps that could constitute a top beating pair. In addition to the +24 plus/minus, Koretsky also played 40 drives, averaged 1.65 dodgeballs, and logged 10 stops–more than double the number of any of their teammates. 

Melissa Ross – Charlotte Aviators (C)

Charlotte Aviators chaser Melissa Ross had a strong series against the Boston Forge two weeks ago, but she made an even larger impact under the hot Mid-Atlantic sun in the East SuperSeries. She tallied six goals, three assists, and six stops over six games, including crucial contributions against the hometown Washington Admirals. Using her size and length around the hoops and making well-timed cuts, she provided an excellent example for off-ball chasers everywhere about how to maximize their potential in a half-court offense. Not every chaser has to be initiating the offense to raise the ceiling for their team, and Ross shows exactly how and why.

Alex Naftel – Ottawa Black Bears (K)

Many members of the Ottawa Black Bears deserve credit for their competitive showing in the East SuperSeries, especially their strong run in game three against the Charlotte Aviators. However, it's keeper and longtime field general Alex Naftel that helped to spark the rally with his willingness to take contact and his ability to break tackles as a driver. For a period of time, as beaters Emily Naftel and Zach Reiken were wreaking havoc, the Washington Admirals chaser defense was powerless to stop Alex in the lane. He scored eight goals and added four assists over six games.

Ally Manzella – Chicago Prowl (C) 

In her first series of the season, chaser Ally Manzella helped the Chicago Prowl offense get back on track. She provided width with her constant activity on the wings, forcing defenses to extend out to the spaces beside the hoops and opening up the middle of the field for drives. She found dangerous positions quickly in transitions and converted her looks with authority around the hoops, finishing with four goals. Along with Ryley Andrews, Darian Murcek-Ellis, and Ben Peachey, she showed why the Chicago Prowl at full strength are a championship-level team in a dominant series victory over their biggest rival, the Minneapolis Monarchs. 

Ben Schlueter – Minneapolis Monarchs (B)

During an otherwise difficult weekend for the Minneapolis Monarchs, beater Ben Schlueter made a couple of jaw-dropping highlight reel plays that jumped off the screen. Schlueter has always had a cannon of an arm, but he is increasingly finding the right spots to deploy it and executing his long-range beats. His accuracy from distance has become a possession-killing talent that is guaranteed to steal the Monarchs several extra drives every game. Schlueter posted a team-high five stops and a team-best -4 plus/minus against the Chicago Prowl.

Hayden Boyes – League City Legends (K)

Fresh off a Player of the Week performance last week, League City Legends head coach and keeper Hayden Boyes engineered and spearheaded arguably the greatest upset in MLQ history. Led by Boyes on the field and off the field, the Legends knocked off the three-time defending champion Austin Outlaws, who had never lost a regular season series and had only lost a single regular season game once in seven years of existence. He scored 12 goals and he currently leads the league with 27 goals through six games, more than halfway to his total of 40 goals last season.

Kayse Bevers – Austin Outlaws (U)

Utility Kayse Bevers was a bright spot for the Austin Outlaws over a disappointing weekend in Huntsville, Texas. She helped to stabilize the beating corps in particular and bring championship experience to an unexpectedly challenging situation. With the flag runner on pitch, she pitched in at chaser and helped to hold dodgeball control and form a bubble as a beater, as the Outlaws secured catches in games two and three to stay competitive and avoid the sweep. She finished with seven stops, 1.61 average dodgeballs, and a +3 plus/minus.

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