Note: All ranks indicate where players stand in the Pro Division Points race; which differs slightly from the Team USA Points race. - you can check review those cumulative points races here.

For overall player rankings beyond the national series, check out US player rankings and player status.

The US National Championship will be October 4-5 in Baltimore, MD. Don’t wait, take advantage of the early bird pricing to sign up today! Featuring mixed, open, and women’s pro, as well as a Regional All-Star Squad event and divisions for all levels, it’ll be a weekend to remember.
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Written by Drew Ryder, Edited by Ben Dantowitz, Photos by Harry Zaye

The US National Series heads to Chicago for the second-to-last regional of the season. The field is looking relatively open with 26 Bronze+ teams, 9 Women’s teams, and 21 contender teams. As one of the last tournaments to secure a position in the Pro Divisions, a Power Pool, and set up for a Team USA berth, the best of the best have come to play. This will be the first regional of the year to use Package C, the third phase of rule change efforts in conjunction with the International Roundnet Federation*. Premier Spike will be sponsoring the weekend, supplying their kits and bigger ball as the equipment for the weekend.

Ben Savage reunites with Dawson Morgan this weekend with plans to build upon a podium finish in March.

In Bronze+, there is no outright favorite but multiple established teams have a strong chance to win the event. Most excitedly, Rogue (T-24 Thomas Hamilton/#32 Ryan Marino) is returning for the first time in nearly a year. The midwest duo of Hamilton and Marino are a threat to win any tournament they sign up for. While Marino’s presence hasn’t been felt in 2025 nearly as much as previous years, there can’t be a single team excited to see Rogue on their side of the bracket this Saturday. Snarl, made up of T-6 Ben Savage and T-8 Dawson Morgan, are a team that continues to impress every time they sign up for a tournament, and Morgan has years of experience facing off with Rogue as a former Midwest and Michigan roundnet player. Their experience and consistency puts them right in the mix to come out on top. Both players find themselves in the top 10 for this year’s pro race, meaning a podium finish could ensure top seed and power pool berth for Nationals. J.A.R.V.I.S., the California duo of T-6 Connor Nelson and T-41 Josh Fragiacomo, are eager to make a statement after a subpar performance at South Regionals. With slightly less pro points than their counterparts, it will be interesting to see how their route looks as they push for a deep bracket run.

Big Man on Campus: Dan Abrams boasts wins playing with IRF Rules Testing Packages A and B - he has his eyes on the Trifecta this weekend playing with Testing Package C.

The mashup teams at this tournament are especially strong too. #1 Dan Abrams and #16 Etienne Cote are signed up; a partnership certain to provide some excitement and athletic defensive plays. Abrams leads the National Series with two wins and another finals appearance, all but locking up a spot on Team USA for the fall post-season as well, and Cote is the leading Canadian on the US tour scene. it feels like first place or bust for Abrams/Cote. T-11 Ryan Gross and #5 Gabe Finnochi are playing together once again, aiming to improve on their runner up finish in the Southeast Regionals in March. With both yet to miss a semifinal on the USAR tour series this season, it would be a great surprise if that were to change in Chicago. #2 Kieran Rose is now mashing up with #19 Henry Pilliod as Rose’s season partner #4 Tyler Fernandez is sidelined with injury. Both these players have been journeymen this season with the duo having 10 tournaments played between them. Expect Rose/Pilliod to make a deep bracket run given their talent and familiarity with the field. Some other teams with potential to spoil the favorites include Party Fowl (T-9 Maddox/T-9 Fowler), T-14 Snover/T-11 Greer, and T-24 Evanko/T-21 LeVeque.

Malia Wanderer and Joanna Gould have split bracket series one apiece in 2025, and both are the only two to have attended all five regionals thus far. A win for Wanderer could earn her a tie at the top spot in the National Series.

There is an exciting combination of experience and newer talent in the Women’s division. A. Jenki/T-11 Allen is a team many will have their eyes on given they are the most experienced and decorated in the field. However, this is Jenki’s 1st event of 2025 and only Allen’s second. The California duo of T-11 Lowe/T-21 Kim have the talent to make a strong run also. The California community is amongst the most active in the country, and these two find themselves on their podiums regularly. #1 Gould/#8 Phan are another pairing that have serious potential to make a deep run in Chicago. Gould is currently 1st in the women’s pro race, and another result here could clinch that heading into Nationals. 1st in combined points, however, is T-3 Wanderer/#2 Morgan. Wanderer has played every regional this season and is yet to miss a semifinal. Expect some exciting matches in the late bracket with little separating these teams talent-wise.

There is no shortage of storylines to follow this weekend from Chicago! Package C debut, an additional equipment provider sponsoring the National Series, and coveted pro points on the line, excitement is guaranteed to unfold. Follow all the results in real time at https://fwango.io/usar2025midwest. Below are Drew’s predictions to digest for both divisions:

Open: 1. Cote/Abrams, 2. Gross/Finocchi, 3. J.A.R.V.I.S., 4. Evanko/LeVeque

Women’s: 1. Gould/Phan, 2. A. Jenki/Allen, 3. Morgan/Wanderer, 4. Kim/Lowe

Full Forecast for Open Bronze+, Women’s, and Open Contender

Midwest REGIONALS PREVIEW

NORTHEAST REGIONALS PREVIEW