Marin Launches Girls Team
Larkspur, Calif. – The Marin Highlanders have established the first girl’s rugby team in Marin County.
The girls team will be learning 7s during this summer alongside the members of the Marin Highlanders’ boys high school team and youth program. Among the first eight girls comprising the squad is Jenna Herz, 16, a sophomore at Redwood High School. Her older brother, Alex, is a senior standout and vice-captain of the Highlanders boys team, and he began playing rugby in 7th grade.
“I really like the community aspect of the game,” said Jenna Herz. "I am looking forward to playing with my friends and building a girls program. I think people have a preconceived notion of what girl’s rugby looks like, we want to try and eliminate that stereotype and let the game speak for itself."
Orem Officially #1 in Utah
Orem was the undisputed favorite heading into the girls high school Utah state championship. The Lady Stallions had posted intimidating scores, and until yesterday, had not surrendered a point-against during league or post-season. But Herriman did not enter the title match with the intention of being bullied, and the Mustangs took it to the reigning champ.
“Yes, they did catch us by surprise a bit,” Orem coach Jeremiah Tiatia said. “Herriman was more aggressive and a lot better since the last time we saw them. There was more on the line, and they wanted it.”
Grant Ready to Defend State Title
The stage is set. Oregon will replay last year’s girls high school state final, pitting Grant and Beaverton against each other. The reigning champ defeated North Clackamas 90-10 in yesterday’s semifinal, while the Lady Barbarians eliminated Valley Panthers 50-22 for a final’s berth.
“North Clackamas is a pretty good team, and the score doesn’t reflect their level of talent,” Grant coach Val Burns said. “They have some hard hitters who identified some weaknesses in our game and deserve the necessary props.”
Grant scored three quick tries before North Clackamas got on the board, but from that point on, the Generals controlled the match.
Armstrong Relishes Tough Competitor
Both Armstrong (5-0) and North Suburban (4-1) were looking forward to yesterday’s game. The leaders in Minnesota's girls high school league were not only desperate for quality competition, but the game was also a Tundra showdown. Armstrong coach Jimmy Hanson and North Suburban coach Mikayla Miller are co-founders and coaches of the all-star program, and their respective players are teammates for nine months of the year while playing for the 7s and 15s Tundra teams. But ultimately, the five-time, reigning state champion, Armstrong, won 36-10 to remain undefeated.
Lady Barbos Barreling Forward
If you think the Valley Panthers are eager for a rematch against Oregon state champion Grant (read more), then meet Beaverton, which lost to the Generals in last year’s title match. After very successful summer and fall 7s seasons, the Lady Barbarians were feeling good about 2015’s potential, but the year did not start as auspiciously as expected.
Panthers Eager for Oregon Playoffs
The girls high school Oregon state semifinals get underway this weekend, and if the tension of the spring season carries over to the playoffs, then expect some thrilling games this Saturday. The team to beat is Grant, the reigning 15s champion and undefeated in Rugby Oregon this spring. But the Generals have played some close games, most notably against the Valley Panthers and Lady Barbarians. The latter is the 2014 runner-up, but this top-four post-season is new ground for the Panthers.
PA State Semis Nearly Set
The Valkyries (4-1) have taken over the top spot in Rugby Pennsylvania’s girls high school division. The team has rallied since an early-round loss to State College, and has one more league match against Penn Legacy (Hempfield) before hosting the state playoffs on May 16-17.
The Valkyries posted its second consecutive shutout yesterday, defeating Downingtown (3-2) 25-0. Stout defense from both teams marked the first half, and the eventual victors took a 5-0 lead into the break. Incoming Life University freshman Zoe Rex scored two tries, and a try apiece from Alexa Huzar and Hannah Moran helped seal the win. Maya Grassi slotted a conversion and penalty kick to top it off.
Aircraft Charter Solutions POW: Whitney Wilson
When one thinks of girls high school rugby in Texas, alum Meya Bizer is the first image that comes to mind. But Aircraft Charter Solutions Player of the Week Whitney Wilson has been carving out her piece of Texas history. A four-year star at Kingwood, Wilson capped her high school career with another Back of the Year nod, awarded after last weekend’s state 7s championship.
"Whitney has been a force to be reckoned with since she stepped on the field her freshman year," Texas Girls U19 coach Nick James wrote. "She is an incredibly dynamic player with an impressive arsenal of skills. Life U is lucky to be getting such a dedicated athlete."
St. Joe's Impresses at Midwests
St. Joseph’s Academy made program history last weekend when it finished second at the girls high school Midwest Championship. After two solid victories on Saturday, the Ohio state champion faced perennial force Divine Savior Holy Angels (Wisc.) in the title round. Although St. Joe’s fell 24-17, the team played incredibly well and was highly commended by Dashers coach John Klein (read more).
Mustangs vs. Stallions Utah State Final
It's the year of the horse as far as the Utah girls high school state championship is concerned. Having won their respective state semifinals last weekend, the Orem Lady Stallions and Herriman Mustangs are advancing to the state final on May 9. Orem is looking for its second consecutive state title, while Herriman will endeavor to deal the Lady Stallions their first loss of the season.
City Honors Leads Upstate NY
Within days of the snow finally melting from their frozen pitches, the teams in the Western New York (WNY) girls high school division began their competitive seasons. The top two teams from the region will take the 3rd and 4th seeds at the state championship on June 6-7, and City Honors is making an early bid for one of those spots.
DSHA Best in the Midwest
The Midwest Championship is an annual highlight for girls high schools. Outside of nationals, where else do so many state champions and regional powers compete against each other? Teams that typically dominate their leagues back home, convene once per year and test themselves against their peers. Several of last weekend's teams are heading to national championships (May 16-17), top among them Divine Savior Holy Angels. The Wisconsin side proved once again that it is the team-to-beat, going 3-0 and relying on a wealth of reserves to get there.
Fallbrook Racing Toward Match-Ready
There’s a drought in California, but water isn't what Fallbrook is craving. The four-time reigning high school champion is struggling for competitive games, and as nationals approaches, the Warriors are not feeling as confident as seasons past.
“We usually go into nationals feeling match-ready, because we’ve played some tough matches during the season,” Fallbrook co-coach Marin Pinnell said. “But we’ll be using the semifinals and final in SoCal to still work through some of our development. We’re a little behind, and it’s frustrating for Craig and me – "
Girls High School Top 20 - April 23, 2015
Since it’s been a month since our last Girls High School Top 20 ranking, we have plenty to update. The ample time, however, has allowed a better understanding of the candidates.
Fallbrook’s still at the top, but the Warriors are hurting for competition. Stay tuned today for a more in-depth look at the four-time reigning champion, but coaches Marin and Craig Pinnell (who welcomed a new baby this week) admitted to being behind on the development curve. But, the team has welcomed back All American Richelle Stephens, who had been nursing a lower-body injury, and she’ll play a weighty role in the team’s SoCal championship next weekend against South Bay.
Danville, NorCal's New HS Champ
After a couple years of coming close, Danville has its first Northern California girls high school title. But it wasn’t easy. Sacramento, despite its ups and downs this season, was ready to defend its territory, but ultimately the Lady Oaks, in their third year of existence, prevailed 41-38.
“The players didn’t really celebrate after the game,” Danville coach Simi Hingano said. “I think they were relieved that they won, and that part of our goal has been accomplished. We’ve been working really hard this year, and we’re happy that we’ve achieved this milestone.”
