For the first time in the club team's short two-year history, the Arizona women's ultimate frisbee team received a bid to the Ultimate Players Association National Tournament.

The tournament will run the weekend of May 23-25 in Austin, Texas at the University of Texas. There will be a total of 16 teams competing for the national title, including three teams from the Wildcats' Southwest Division.

The University of California San Diego and the University of Colorado will accompany Arizona as they try to stake claim to the title of nation's best. Those two teams finished first and second respectively at the national tournament last season, which opened the door for the Wildcats to receive a bid this year, as voters recognized the toughness of the conference.

Though the title might seem out of reach, the team is going to learn from the experience.

"We are kind of a long shot (to win it)," said senior Florencia Chialvo. "We're just looking to win the spirit award."

Every year the UPA hands out a spirit award that is given to the most vocal and spirited team.

Chialvo said the team has a big obstacle ahead of them to win the national tournament because the competition in their own league is so competitive.

The Wildcats will start the tournament in round robin-style play the first day. Following that, they will be placed into a tournament bracket depending on how they finished their four-team pool. The team will play about four games a day for the weekend.

"It's pretty amazing (we made it to nationals)" said Chialvo. "It's really a great opportunity."

The women's ultimate Frisbee team is made up of both graduate students and undergraduate students. Chialvo said she is most excited for the graduate students who are running out of years for eligibility.