USCA narrowly misses victory against UVA in the U.S. Polo Association's Intercollegiate Championship semifinals
The University of South Carolina Aiken participated in the U.S. Polo Association’s Division I Women’s National Intercollegiate Championship for the second consecutive year, competing against some of the country’s top programs to become a national semifinalist for April 2024.
USCA beat Southern Methodist University in the national quarterfinals 24-15 to advance to the semifinals, where it lost to eventual national champion University of Virginia, 20-16, in the closing moments of the match. The University of Virginia, which hosted the intercollegiate championship, beat Texas A&M University in the finals.
Texas A&M was undefeated and the No. 1 seed entering this year's tournament as the reigning national champion. USCA is the only team to beat them this year during the regular season.
Competing for USCA’s team in the national championship included Brianna Jordan, Kaylin Bender, Summer Kneece, and Shona Adams.
At the national championship, Kneece was awarded All-Star recognition.
The Connie Upchurch Memorial Sportsmanship Award was presented to Bender for her continued positive attitude, fairness, and support for her peers on and off the field. Demonstrating consistent riding ability and equine care throughout the tournament, Bender also received the David Wenning Memorial Horsemanship Award.
USCA’s performance in the national championship caps an incredible season for the team, in which it beat top programs such as Michigan State University, Virginia Tech, Cornell University, University of Kentucky, and Texas A&M University.
The performance also improves on the team’s 2023 success in which it lost in the opening round of the
intercollegiate championship.
“We couldn’t be prouder of our women’s team,” Adams said. “Thank you to everyone who helped make this season as amazing as it was! Specifically, our Coach Parker Scott, our assistant Coach Andrew Scott, our Advisor Angela Taylor, and all the friends and family that do endless things behind the scenes.”
The team thanked Aiken Physicians Alliance for its support as a team sponsor for the intercollegiate championship and captain Kaylin Bender for her guidance of the team during her senior year.
“Kaylin is the definition of leading by example and being the type of player we all strive to be,” Adams said.
USCA beat Southern Methodist University in the national quarterfinals 24-15 to advance to the semifinals, where it lost to eventual national champion University of Virginia, 20-16, in the closing moments of the match. The University of Virginia, which hosted the intercollegiate championship, beat Texas A&M University in the finals.
Texas A&M was undefeated and the No. 1 seed entering this year's tournament as the reigning national champion. USCA is the only team to beat them this year during the regular season.
Competing for USCA’s team in the national championship included Brianna Jordan, Kaylin Bender, Summer Kneece, and Shona Adams.
At the national championship, Kneece was awarded All-Star recognition.
The Connie Upchurch Memorial Sportsmanship Award was presented to Bender for her continued positive attitude, fairness, and support for her peers on and off the field. Demonstrating consistent riding ability and equine care throughout the tournament, Bender also received the David Wenning Memorial Horsemanship Award.
USCA’s performance in the national championship caps an incredible season for the team, in which it beat top programs such as Michigan State University, Virginia Tech, Cornell University, University of Kentucky, and Texas A&M University.
The performance also improves on the team’s 2023 success in which it lost in the opening round of the
intercollegiate championship.
“We couldn’t be prouder of our women’s team,” Adams said. “Thank you to everyone who helped make this season as amazing as it was! Specifically, our Coach Parker Scott, our assistant Coach Andrew Scott, our Advisor Angela Taylor, and all the friends and family that do endless things behind the scenes.”
The team thanked Aiken Physicians Alliance for its support as a team sponsor for the intercollegiate championship and captain Kaylin Bender for her guidance of the team during her senior year.
“Kaylin is the definition of leading by example and being the type of player we all strive to be,” Adams said.
For more information, contact Wesley Brown - wesley.brown@usca.edu