Although Frisbee is popular on Myers quad and other campus locales, the women’s ultimate Frisbee club team plays for more than recreation. The team refers to itself as the Hodawgs. “Ho” stands for horizontal, team members said, the position of a player outstretched for a Frisbee.

Last year, the team’s season ended in heartbreak. In the regional tournament, the Hodawgs played their biggest rival, Emory, in the final match. The winner received an automatic bid to nationals.

With the score deadlocked, the game entered into hard cap (sudden-death overtime). Emory found the end zone, ending Georgia’s season.

“It was a very disappointing loss,” said co-captain Robin Wertheim. “That whole season we had our minds set on making it to nationals. This season we took a different approach. We tried to focus on playing our best each game, and if we do that, we’ll make it to nationals.”

The No. 41 Hodawgs (14-13) followed the same procedure in last weekend’s South Sectional Tournament. The team lost 5-3 in its opening match to Florida, but responded with five consecutive victories. Despite finishing second, Georgia had the best point differential – plus 37.

Due to standing water on the intramural fields, Saturday’s games were rescheduled. The entire tournament took place on Sunday. In similar fashion to the 2008 SEC Champion men’s basketball team, the Hodawgs played six matches in eight hours.

“Overall, we were really successful,” said co-captain Jessica Manley. “Although we had a rocky start, we held it together.”

The strong team camaraderie has been a cornerstone of the program, which won the National Championship in 2001. In preparation for the regional tournament, the current 21-member squad is assembling past alumni, who regularly attend matches, to scrimmage against.

Manley, a fifth-year senior, chose to return to school, largely to keep playing ultimate Frisbee. As a co-captain, she said school takes a backseat to the Hodawgs. This was also the first year that Georgia had a B-team. The extra squad, which placed sixth at sectionals (the top five teams qualify for regionals), should provide an outlet for seasoning younger players.

With regionals standing as the only roadblock between Georgia and a trip to nationals in Boulder, Co., Wertheim is confident the Hodawgs will prevail.

“I was really impressed with how we played even though we lost to Florida,” Wertheim said. “I’m more convinced now that we stand a good chance at making it to nationals.”

The Atlantic Coast Open Regionals will take place on April 26 and 27 in Statesboro, Ga. Of the 16 teams, the top two automatically qualify for nationals with a small chance a third school could receive a bid.