Although the match-ups and kickoff times have been published (click here), the women’s DI and DII spring brackets have not. Therefore, the match-ups for the final four are not known. Nevertheless, below is some insight into the DI and DII regional playoffs.

West – Palo Alto, Calif.
DIVISION I
The Round of 16 games might have held a little more drama if they hadn’t played out in late March, but that’s not to say the victors from two weekends ago will again prevail on Saturday.

First up is Central Washington vs. UC Davis. The Wildcats are exciting from top to bottom. Up front, props Angela Ve’evalu and Suli Tausinga are fantastic in contact, while leggy forwards like Cam Devereaux provided a lot of power in the set pieces and able ball-carrying in the loose. The back line is stacked, as Cassidy Meyers organizes the attack from flyhalf but is also a big line-breaking threat. Ashley Rolsma is one of the scrappiest, eager wings playing, and fullback Katerina Long has a stellar boot, probably the best in the PMC.

UC Davis knows its competition and it’ll be interesting to see how the Aggies adjust. The team that tied for 3^rd in the conference has its threats as well – No. 8 Paige Steiding is sneaky around the base and has pull-away speed; freshman flyhalf Caitlin Reid has impressed with her poise and potential; and strikers Sydnee Watanabe at inside center and Kristin Shum at fullback are slippery. But Davis lost 57-10 to CWU two weekends ago, so the young team will have to ramp up its work rate and play cleanly to be in contention.

In the other Round of 16 match, Stanford revisits Washington State. The teams’ previous meeting was an interesting one. Underclassmen composed 60% of Stanford’s lineup and sustained a 41-22 victory. But WSU was crafty, changing up its offense and opening up space against an oppressive defense. The chip-and-chase played into the Cougars’ favor, and Stanford will surely be ready for that tactic in the rematch. Washington State also owned the last quarter, running in two tries for a more respectable finish, and that’s where Stanford has to be careful. The Cardinal can lose their form at times, and they’ll need a focused 80 minutes to repeat the victory against WSU.

The Cardinal will lean on All American captain Nikki Richardson to lead the way. The flyhalf has some great backs with which to work, and outside center Madda Wilson and wing Allie McDonald proved the most successful finishers during PMC playoffs. The forwards are all fit, with prop Chelsea Sveinnson inserting into the back line often, and hard-working rookie lock Julia Howell has impressed in the lineout, her hustle, and quick improvement.

Washington State is also led by its flyhalf, Eagle Anne Peterson. She is the consummate playmaker and the team’s best player. She feeds the ball back inside to some physical forwards – like lock Allesha Reyes and No. 8 Gaby Drllevich – who can really move, and sets up backs like Sammie Pedersen and wing Sierra Lewis, who can finish with the best of them.

DIVISION II
A nice mix of teams comes to Stanford: last year’s DII national finalist, West Coast conference’s finalists, and Cascade conference champion.

The first game at 11 a.m. PT will be very telling. Both CSU Northridge and UN Reno posted some big scores during the regular season, although Reno lost two close games to Humboldt during league. The relative strength of both conferences will become clearer after this game, but the edge goes to Northridge, which has a solid cadre of veterans who’ve played through the high-level playoffs.

Look for veterans like Monique Robles, Gill Chance and Jessica Murillo to dictate the pace and standard of play for Northridge, while newcomers Aaliyah Thomas and Jenna Loucks lend a new edge to the attack. UN Reno prides itself on an aggressive defense, which launches off of flyhalf Danielle Schumacher. On offense, take note of No. 8 Olivia Fulton, flanker Christie Patient, and centers Sara Parsons and Jackie Bordessa – all of whom are able ballcarriers who like to score.

If experience gives Northridge the edge in one semifinal, then it topples the scale in the other. West Coast champion Humboldt is favored over Cascade champion Western Oregon. Although both teams had their issues with canceled games, Humboldt had a more fulfilling build-up to nationals. Western Oregon played Western Washington in two close games, but that was essentially it.

The Humboldt forwards are fit and have a penchant for turnover ball. Watch for freshman Libby Treu, who has been a nice addition to the pack. Scrumhalf Jasmine Phiengsai directs traffic, while the backs continue to refine their field vision. The squad has relished the return of Lila Bell, who slots in at outside center and wing, and produces tries. Jordan Ludtke is a great comfort at fullback, covering kicks with aplomb and bringing down breakaways.

Want to learn more about the DI and DII playoffs? Then read more about the other regional playoffs:

Mid-Atlantic: Expect a Mason Dixon conference final rematch in DI; DII reigning champion Mary Washington is in a battle with itself

Southwest: BYU leads a pool that includes two California teams; the winner of Texas State vs. UC Riverside advances to the semifinals in Pittsburgh

South: Life has chance to declare itself top team in the South; caliber of Florida teams unknown, face conference champions