Season Outlook: 2025 Rye Girls Varsity Rugby Team

Season Outlook is a new series for the 2024-25 academic year, where MyRye.com asks every varsity coach about the season ahead. Today, we learn about the Rye Girls Varsity Rugby Team and Head Coach Geri Jones.

When asked for quick thoughts about her team ahead of the upcoming 2025 season, Coach Jones said, “This is a hardworking group of players.” That determined attitude should lead the Garnets to success on the pitch after a solid 9-3 showing in 2024.

Part of the reason there is so much excitement around the girls this season is because of their strong leadership contingent despite some roster overhaul. “We lost some strong players and leaders last year,” Jones told MyRye.com before the campaign got underway. “But we have returners who have trained in the off-season and have come back to dominate.”

Two of those returners are seniors Molly Kennedy and Molly Budke, both of whom will serve as captains. Kennedy and Budke have spent time in the last calendar year playing for their respective club teams, keeping them in top shape and overly prepared to lead the Garnets this spring.

A strong core supports the two captains, including Darcy Lawrence, Elisa Grani, Cole Corcino, and Natalie Rosenbluth. Those six athletes figure to be the most prominent contributors for Jones, who appreciates the strengths of each of them. “Kennedy, Lawrence, and Rosenbluth are quick and aggressive,” Jones told MyRye.com. “Budke, Corcino, and Grani will return to head up the forwards…  We are expecting great things from our returners.”

The six veterans will be accompanied by several underclassmen to fill in the rest of the starting lineup and depth. Jones confirmed the rookies have already spent time learning from the returners and training in preparation for a season with high expecttions. It all kicks off at home on Thursday, April 10, as Rye hosts the Harvey School in the season opener.