Rye High School’s girls varsity rugby team went nearly undefeated last year – which is both a challenge and an inspiration for this season’s players, whose 2024 campaign began in mid-March with daily practices.

“We really came together as a cohesive unit” last year, Coach Geri Jones said recently. “Coach [Allyson] Furcick and I are hoping this season is as much fun for the players as it was last year.”

This year’s team includes eager newcomers as well as confident veterans, all determined to have a successful year.

In addition to Jones and Furcick, the team’s leadership includes three captains: seniors Kiki Keith and Izzy Godden plus junior Molly Kennedy. Other returning players include Fifi Smith, Caroline Storz, Karis Repetto, Milena Jovanovic, Cami Bolivar, Marra Storey, Elisa Grani, and Meredith Ward. With Kennedy’s epic runs and Storz’s massive hits among their talents, they are a diverse group with great power.

Jones said it’s difficult to predict what lies ahead this season, as the 2024 game schedule

includes many unfamiliar opponents. But both the coaches and captains agree on one thing: next-door neighbor Greenwich (Connecticut) High School is the standout team to beat.

“Greenwich has a very established team and certainly gave us a run for our money last year,” Godden said.

Girls rugby is still a relatively new sport in high schools, so Rye’s team has difficulty finding enough competitors to play. But each year, as the sport continues to grow, new opponents turn up.

Godden said she wants to leave a team legacy that future players can build on. “I hope we establish rugby as a serious varsity sport at Rye High,” she said. “Trying to create a squad that supports, cares for, and loves each other is what matters to us. Rugby isn’t just a sport, it’s a family.”

The team has only three home games this year – April 25 against Ridgefield (Connecticut) High and, separately, against New Rochelle High; and May 8 against Greenwich – but they’re hoping the community comes out to support their efforts.