Players to Watch: Week 9

To end MLQ’s 10th season, we close out the summer with a rivalry that’s captivated quadball fans since 2015. Both the Cleveland Riff and Detroit Innovators have already punched their tickets to Buffalo, but they will be competing for seeding in the play-in bracket and for third place in the division. Not to mention both teams would hate to lose in a classic Michigan-Ohio clash. Here are some players to watch in this intense matchup.

Detroit Innovators: Brooke Smiley (#51)

In last year’s series against the Cleveland Riff, no beater was as dominant as Brooke Smiley. Smiley put up a plus/minus of +21 across the series, the highest by seven points. She also recorded six stops, the most among the Innovator beaters, and an average dodgeballs of 1.81, the second highest in the series. Smiley’s role in Detroit has only grown over the years and she will certainly play a critical part in this weekend’s rivalry matchup. On Saturday, Smiley will play important minutes down the stretch and lead the Innovators at the end of a tight game.

Cleveland Riff: Delaney Lindberg (#44)

One of the most memorable experiences for rookie players is competing in their first rivalry match in MLQ. This weekend, a handful of Riff rookies will get to do so, including Delaney Lindberg. Lindberg has had a great first season in Cleveland. She currently is fourth among Riff chasers in stops, and five of those stops came against the top team in the North, the Chicago Prowl. Lindberg is also one of the top scorers for the Riff this season. Look for her to have an impact in what should be one of the most exciting series of the summer.