Mount Holyoke Rugby is back in full swing, with their April 11 match against Middlebury marking their third game of the spring season.
“Middlebury is a tough team that is no longer in our division,” said Jen Kovacs ’11, co-captain of the team, “but we played better against them than ever before.”
Mount Holyoke was able to score twice against Middlebury, led by Hannah Howard ’12 and Melynda Apton ’11. Although they do not feel that this was their best game of the season, the team felt that the game against Middlebury went really well.
“We were able to make a lot more offensive plays than when we did last time we played [Middlebury],” remarked Allie Berger ’13. “We’ve definitely improved a lot as a team since last season, and it showed last Saturday.”
Spring season is a much more social season for the team, but the team is still channeling their spirit and drive into improving their game. Kovacs cites fitness and conditioning, as well as safety, as the team’s top priorities this season. “We are working hard to improve our rucking, fast hands, and to develop a better understanding of the games as a team,” she added.
The team loves the new coach, Laura Pederson, and assistant coach, Adam Carnie. It is now the team’s second season with Pederson, so the team is much more comfortable with her. The team was very pleased with the introduction of a winter lifting routine, which was designed by Pederson, who is currently getting her Masters in Strength and Conditioning at Springfield College. Pederson has brought the team to a new level of competitiveness. “She isn’t afraid to be hard on us,” said Amber Atteridge ’12. “She isn’t afraid to make us sprint.”
This weekend Holyoke will participate in the biggest rugby tournament of the spring season, Beast of the East. It will take place in Providence, Rhode Island on April 17 & 18. The team will play two matches on Saturday and depending on the outcome, might play Sunday as well. “It’s really exciting, whatever happens this weekend it’s gonna be a lot of fun,” said Howard.
The team hopes to be undefeated by next fall. In the mean time, they are working towards that goal by focusing on their fitness and ball-handling skills, while still keeping the fun in rugby.
Clara Lefton ’12 contributed to this article.
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