NOTRE DAME, Ind. – It was the Monday of the first full week of the new semester. The 2023-24 Irish returners gathered in a cramped Debartolo Hall classroom in the evening hours on Notre Dame’s campus with a refreshed focus on the upcoming 15s season ahead–a clean slate to start anew in Big 10 conference play. The meeting objectives were clear: reflect on last season, set personal and team goals for this season, and identify ways to nurture development throughout the year with all eyes on a bid to the National Collegiate Rugby playoffs.
“I would say that last season was a big learning year. We had so many rookies, and all of the returners were still growing into their roles of leadership and also still learning the nuances of the game,” said Senior Sophia Frisbie, entering her final season for Notre Dame Women’s Rugby. “Even two of our captains, including myself, had only played for one year prior to the beginning of last season. So learning the game as a team and finding our strengths was difficult because we all had so much to learn.”
The graduation of key seniors Ashley Lurqin, Syrah Starnes, and Catie Daly means that once again the Irish have big shoes to fill, especially in the forward positions.
But this seemed to not phase anyone.
The Irish are no strangers to rising up to the challenge, especially in the face of heavy year-to-year turnover. Forward Sarah Mae Markley, now a sophomore, had never played a game of rugby in her life, but soon found herself in a starting role on the pitch in last Fall’s season-opener versus Ohio State University. Thrust in a new environment last season, she now strives to be a mentor to the new players that join.
“I felt fortunate enough to have the coaches trust me and know I could do something good in our first game of the season,” remarked Markley, reflecting upon her debut. “With a year of experience behind me, I have the opportunity to take what I have learned and guide as many of my teammates as I can, especially our rookies as they get up to speed on the pitch.”
Markley has channeled her passion for the team and the sports into this year's rookie recruiting, signing up a strong cohort of new players at this year’s Activities Fair.
Her efforts, in addition to those from Notre Dame and Holy Cross representatives, were on full display last Thursday resulting in another successful Rookie Day that saw many new faces across the tri-campus community. The veteran players enjoyed getting to know the new participants and helping teach them fundamental skills including passing technique, basic tackling form, and simple two-on-one drills. The day culminated in a touch-rugby game to demonstrate their new skills. With the new conference season quickly approaching, this weekend’s game against Ohio State will give some of the new players an opportunity to witness and even see minutes in their first ever rugby match.
“Trying a brand new sport for the first time is tough, but the special thing about our Notre Dame rugby coaches and our team is that everyone is so welcoming and encouraging of the new players that it makes learning a new sport while in a live game possible.”
The Irish went 3-3 in regular season conference play last fall, and finished second place to OSU in the Nash Bash 15s tournament earlier this year. With the first game of the season versus the Buckeyes approaching this weekend, the preparation begins in slight haste.
“I think that this team has so much potential to do some great things, and we have everything at our disposal to have a winning record this season. The team has talked about going to the playoffs, and I really hope that we can make that happen,” said Frisbie when asked about the ceiling for this season.
“We are fully capable of doing really great things on the pitch, and we just have to remember that, no matter who we are up against, and no matter how we’ve played in the past.”
The Irish kick off their Fall 2023 campaign in Columbus, Ohio this Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023 against Ohio State University.