The Lady Stallions celebrated an unforgettable 2014. In its debut season in the Utah girls high school league, Orem edged perennial powerhouse Vipers for the state title. The team followed with a state 7s title in the fall, and only good things awaited for the Lady Stallions is 2015. But Lady Stallions coach Jeremiah Tiatia had no idea that the league would unfold the way it has.

“This year’s been different,” Tiatia said. “I had no idea our defense was so good; we haven’t had anyone score on us this year. I don’t know what’s different in this year from last year, but it must be the experience gained.”

That experience revolves around captain Kathryn Stowers. The 15-year-old scrumhalf is at the epicenter of the Stallions’ fast game, despite her young age.

“She’s a natural leader,” Tiatia said. “She knows how to talk to the girls and get them pumped up for the game. And if there’s anything that needs to be changed or fixed, she knows how to get that taken care of.”

The Lady Stallions pride themselves on speed and excellent ball-handling skills. Senior flyhalf Eternity Tenney and sister Charity at inside center are the epitomes of such.

“Eternity is very fast and knowledgeable about the game,” Tiatia praised. “She doesn’t give up and is a hard, strong player.

“Charity is determined and has high expectations of herself,” the coach added. “When she sets her mind to something, she pushes herself to exceed her goals.”

If Orem has one vulnerability, it’s in the forwards’ size. They’re generally smaller, and that plays a role in the success of scrums.

“We have some competition there,” Tiatia confessed. “We don’t have size and that’s a disadvantage. But we use the speed that we have, and it works for us. … Size doesn’t really play into the breakdowns, because the girls’ speed to each ruck is an advantage.”

Leading that forward charge is senior flanker Katelilna Kaaihue-Afalava, the pack captain.

“She is a hard player, hard worker, and hard runner,” the coach said. “She’s skinny and uses her fitness to get around girls or bring them down.”

During the team’s undefeated, un-scored-upon campaign, Orem has scored 499 points, including 70 against Kau Tau in Saturday’s state playoff. It doesn’t appear that any of the traditional contenders – Vipers, Herriman, United – will pose a post-season threat.

“I teach the girls to play faster, smarter and stronger,” Tiatia said. “Use any advantage they can find, reading gaps, playing Stallions rugby: smash-mouth rugby. Go hard every play and give it your all.

“I make them earn my respect during practices,” Tiatia addressed how he keeps the squad humble and hungry. “I make them compete. They’ll earn the respect of the state if they stay committed and passionate.”

Orem wants to repeat as Utah state champion, and beyond that immediate goal, the Lady Stallions want to make their mark on the national stage. The team was invited to high school nationals but had to decline due to financial reasons (the team had traveled to the Las Vegas Invitational in February and finished third in the Elite division). The team’s looking for sponsors now, so should the opportunity to earn national respect return, the players will be ready.