VOTS Spring 2018, photo by Quan Nguyen
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A History

Valley of the Sun Ultimate has been an official non-profit organization for less than 30 years, but it has been a community of players and organizers for much longer. New Year Fest, our locally run tournament, entered its fourth decade in 2012.

This page is an attempt at an inclusive history. It is a work in progress. If you have materials or reminiscences, please email me at webmaster@vots.org ~Katherine Nabity, 07/09/20


2020s

2020

New Year Fest XXXVIII

Leagues

  • Due to COVID-19, leagues were cut short and cancelled in 2020. A/B Winter League playoffs were cancelled and champions were determined by regular season win/loss. Spring League was cancelled in the third week after a welcome night game, one regular game, and rain-out.

  • A/B Winter 2020

    Champion A Division: DEFPOTEC
    Captain: Jake Hadziev

    Champion B Division: The Greengo Starrz
    Captains: Matthew Beversdorf, Sherri Mankofsky, Vick Mehta

    Teams | Results

Professional

  • Arizona Sidewinders

    The Arizona Sidewinders are the first professional Ultimate team in the state of Arizona. As part of the Western Ultimate League, the Sidewinders want to foster growth within the sport and provide a way for all women to compete on a stage which showcases high-level, competitive Ultimate.

    Alas, the inaugural WUL season has been sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Arizona Sidewinders

2021

New Year Fest XXXIX

  • New Year Ultimate Fest 39, which was originally scheduled for January 30-31, 2021, was cancelled due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leagues

  • Summer League 2021, Session 2

    Mixed Champions: The Bleam Team
    Captains: Nicole George & Kris Kaufman
    Mixed Teams | Mixed Results

    Men's Champions: Team F
    Captains: Kris Kaufman & Andrew Kelley
    Men's Teams | Men's Results

  • Fall League 2021

    Champion: Back 4 Blood
    Captains: Allyson Pacini & Logan Waskiewicz
    Most Spirited Players: Carlos Diaz & Jody Sheets

    Teams | Results | Playoffs

2022

New Year Fest XXXIX

  • After a special session meeting on Saturday 1/8/22, the Valley of the Sun Ultimate Association (VOTS) Board of Directors has voted to cancel the upcoming New Year Ultimate Fest tournament.

    A number of factors played into the Board's decision. The ongoing spike of Omicron infections, including break-through cases; reports of significant infections at similar events; concerns about travel disruptions for out-of-state teams; possible COVID-related personnel disruptions to all teams; and the potential for field access to be restricted to only in-state players were all discussed. While the Board takes no pleasure in canceling the event, they felt that there was not enough confidence that the New Year Ultimate Fest could be held with the high level of competition and amenities that have been the tournament’s hallmark for 40 years.

Leagues

  • AB Winter League 2022

    Champion, A League: Circle K
    Captains: Kris Kaufman & Kody Lippincott

    Champion, B League: Blubeluga
    Captains: Keith Aspinall & Eliza Laden Mauro

    Teams | Results | Playoffs

  • Spring Leagues 2022

    Champion, Mixed League: Flyin' Hawaiian
    Captains: Cassie Cox & Brian Parma

    Champion, Open League: Nacho Average Team
    Captains: Dean Nelson & Dustin Udall

    Teams | Results, Mixed | Results, Open | Playoffs

  • Summer League 2022, First Session

    Champion, Wednesday League: Sushi Stack
    Captains: Liv Chambliss & Tim Streit

    Champion, Thursday League: Frozen Bananas
    Captains: Katie Campbell & Tim Streit

    Teams | Results

  • Summer League 2022, Second Session

    Champion: Man, I Like Frogs
    Captains: Jacob Dixon & Nicole George

    Teams | Results

  • Fall Mixed League 2022

    Champion: The Great British Breaking Throw
    Captains: Allyson Pacini & Tim Streit

    Teams | Results | Playoffs

Professional

  • Arizona Sidewinders

    In their first full season of play, the Sidewinders finished third after sneaking into finals via tie-breakers. Congratulations, Snakes!

    Arizona Sidewinders

2023

New Year Fest 2023

Leagues

  • A/B Winter League 2023

    Champion, A League: Flawless Fatality
    Captains: Michael Simeone & Cynthia Thomas

    Champion, B League: Watch Your Six
    Captains:Ted Bland & Libby Salisbury

    Teams | Results | Playoffs

  • Spring Leagues 2023

    Champion, Mixed League: m8
    Captains: Phillip Samuels & Ashley Stahl

    Champion, Open League: Black Mamba
    Captains: Logan Waskiewicz & Dean Nelson

    Teams | Results | Playoffs

  • Summer Mixed League 2023

    Champion: Tropic Like It's Hot
    Captain: Nathan Brodie

    Teams | Results

  • Fall League 2023

    Champions: Book-hens
    Captains: Elizabeth Deming & Dustin Udall

    Teams | Results | Playoffs