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2024 Play-In Analysis
Fri Apr 26, 2024 11:58 am
Since the play-in is tomorrow, we weren’t able to provide you with the kinds of detailed write-ups on each competitor that we usually include in our yearly TBC post. But we did want to give folks a little preview of each play-in competitor’s respective strengths. Below, we’ve explained in just a few sentences how each of the 8 students competing in the Trial by Combat Play-In Tournament can win their rounds and earn their spot at the tournament in Los Angeles this coming June. We’ve also included an award breakdown.
Taliah Blom
Blom has more awards than not only anyone in this field, but anyone in the actual TBC field. Part of the reason is that she’s a 5th year—but remember that last year we saw 5th year Michael Chandler win this very tournament. A lot of these awards also come from Bye-Bust squads, which could mean she’s super adaptable, or could mean she’s an All American beating up on bad teams. Blom wins if she slows down and sets her natural dynamism up to steal the show.
Amarah Friedman
Friedman is clean, adaptable, and consistent. She blends well with her bench in round, fitting into the distinctly different roles needed for each side. But she’s also someone who is individually standout in retrospect. When you look back on every component, you’re impressed and realize that there are no mistakes. She wins if her classic style, along with her cool, calm and collected attitude, prevails in a stressful and chaotic environment.
Anthony Hailey
Hailey is this year’s wildcard. He’s the only one who didn’t compete in Chicago this April, he has the fewest awards of anyone in the field, but when Justin and Phil introduced him, they said they were extremely impressed by his tape. Hailey wins if that same X Factor that impressed Justin and Phil impresses the judges.
Devika Narendra
Narenda comes to the play-in with the most raw presence of anyone in the field. There is a reason she was the top ranked All-American in her division at nationals. Her command of the courtroom and natural charisma is infectious, and although Zoom can sometimes mute an excellent performer’s highs, Narendra is the kind of attorney where she opens her mouth and you think “this is going to be good” within the first sentence. She wins by not allowing more technical attorneys to break her flow.
Paige Pattison
Pattison’s style of play can only be described as cerebral. But her reserved demeanor and tremendous facility with the rules of evidence mask a higher presentational gear—the righteous prosecutorial anger that surely won her a new in box All-American award last weekend. She wins if she outsmarts everyone else.
Anu Pillai
Pillai is a perfect mix of power and poise. She can open with the best in the country, and she has the performative dynamics that are hallmarks of Texas mock trial. Digging in the archives a bit, we also know that she’s had some success with Zoom mock trial. During the Rookie Rumble she helped her team to a second place division finish in 2022. Pillai wins if she can outshine her opponent on statements and maintain her polished performative style on the short prep.
Katie Volpert
Volpert is a crisp, unflappable attorney whose style is defined by professionalism and excellent fundamentals. And, given her history with zoom competitions, we know her demeanor translates to the online format extremely well. She wins if she finds that same poise in short prep and makes her opponent seem messy and unprofessional.
Nicholas Wesley
Wesley plays a slow, clean style, thriving on simple case theories and real, reasonable presentation. Well-placed, clever objections may throw him off—or, depending on judges, someone with a more dramatic style. He wins if he can work enough responsiveness into his clear case theories when he’s short on sleep.
Individual Award Breakdown
When possible, these numbers were taken from the website of each competitors’ respective team. When these records were unavailable, we used publicly-available AMTA tab summaries. If we missed any awards, we invite any competitor to message us or post below with a list of individual awards and we will update the table.
Taliah Blom
Blom has more awards than not only anyone in this field, but anyone in the actual TBC field. Part of the reason is that she’s a 5th year—but remember that last year we saw 5th year Michael Chandler win this very tournament. A lot of these awards also come from Bye-Bust squads, which could mean she’s super adaptable, or could mean she’s an All American beating up on bad teams. Blom wins if she slows down and sets her natural dynamism up to steal the show.
Amarah Friedman
Friedman is clean, adaptable, and consistent. She blends well with her bench in round, fitting into the distinctly different roles needed for each side. But she’s also someone who is individually standout in retrospect. When you look back on every component, you’re impressed and realize that there are no mistakes. She wins if her classic style, along with her cool, calm and collected attitude, prevails in a stressful and chaotic environment.
Anthony Hailey
Hailey is this year’s wildcard. He’s the only one who didn’t compete in Chicago this April, he has the fewest awards of anyone in the field, but when Justin and Phil introduced him, they said they were extremely impressed by his tape. Hailey wins if that same X Factor that impressed Justin and Phil impresses the judges.
Devika Narendra
Narenda comes to the play-in with the most raw presence of anyone in the field. There is a reason she was the top ranked All-American in her division at nationals. Her command of the courtroom and natural charisma is infectious, and although Zoom can sometimes mute an excellent performer’s highs, Narendra is the kind of attorney where she opens her mouth and you think “this is going to be good” within the first sentence. She wins by not allowing more technical attorneys to break her flow.
Paige Pattison
Pattison’s style of play can only be described as cerebral. But her reserved demeanor and tremendous facility with the rules of evidence mask a higher presentational gear—the righteous prosecutorial anger that surely won her a new in box All-American award last weekend. She wins if she outsmarts everyone else.
Anu Pillai
Pillai is a perfect mix of power and poise. She can open with the best in the country, and she has the performative dynamics that are hallmarks of Texas mock trial. Digging in the archives a bit, we also know that she’s had some success with Zoom mock trial. During the Rookie Rumble she helped her team to a second place division finish in 2022. Pillai wins if she can outshine her opponent on statements and maintain her polished performative style on the short prep.
Katie Volpert
Volpert is a crisp, unflappable attorney whose style is defined by professionalism and excellent fundamentals. And, given her history with zoom competitions, we know her demeanor translates to the online format extremely well. She wins if she finds that same poise in short prep and makes her opponent seem messy and unprofessional.
Nicholas Wesley
Wesley plays a slow, clean style, thriving on simple case theories and real, reasonable presentation. Well-placed, clever objections may throw him off—or, depending on judges, someone with a more dramatic style. He wins if he can work enough responsiveness into his clear case theories when he’s short on sleep.
Individual Award Breakdown
When possible, these numbers were taken from the website of each competitors’ respective team. When these records were unavailable, we used publicly-available AMTA tab summaries. If we missed any awards, we invite any competitor to message us or post below with a list of individual awards and we will update the table.
| Competitor | Career Awards | Attorney | Witness | All American |
| Taliah Blom | 29 | 21 | 8 | 1 |
| Amarah Friedman | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Anthony Hailey | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Devika Narendra | 10 | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| Paige Pattison | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Anu Pillai | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Katie Volpert | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Nicholas Wesley | 8 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
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