Raleigh’s return to DI was a good one. /// Photo: Colleen McCloskey (See more photos) •
Raleigh isn’t new to Division I, technically. The club had claimed multiple DII national championships before entering DI years ago, but that promotion lasted a season. When Raleigh was asked to rejoin DI this season, the team formulated a thoughtful plan that sought to navigate the challenges of the past and set a foundation of success for the future. Our Club of the Year advanced to the DI national semifinals and demonstrated how a club can prepare for the next level of play.
“Some of the team stalwarts who have been around for many years – T Fletcher, Kam Lee – reminded us that the last time Venom went DI, it wasn’t very successful and hence the demotion back to DII,” Raleigh backs captain Chelsea Garber explained. “We didn’t want the move to DI to be an excuse for losing – and we didn’t want it to be a question whether or not we belonged in DI. … From the start, we agreed that we would put in [the] extra work necessary to be competitive at the next level.”
That plan included building numbers, depth, playing lots of games, and building trust. Key additions like second row Carol Trammel, who was named forwards captain in the spring, and fullback Sarah Rosche influenced big wins in the fall. In 2016, Raleigh added key starters like prop Mariah Farrar and wing Manuela Wingord (pictured).
“We also added depth that we have never had before,” Garber added. “We consistently had decent numbers at practice when just 18 months ago we were lucky if eight people showed up on a Tuesday night. We have always had a lot of individual talent on the team, and this year we figured out how to fill the few gaps we had and play as a unit.”
Raleigh didn’t take any chances and scheduled a ton of games. The Mid-Atlantic Conference (MAC) splits its league games between the fall and spring, meaning there is a lot of space to fill in and between seasons.
“Having 15 matches under our belts prior to MAC championships was no doubt helpful,” the flyhalf stated. “Early in the season, the team committed to being fit, united, and relentless. We used those three words constantly in training and matches. We worked hard to embody those three ideals, knowing that success in those areas would lead to wins.”
Over the course of the season, the Venom beat NOVA three times, won tournaments, played WPL and DI Elite teams, won the MAC championship and entered the national DI Round of 8 with a clean league record.
Coaches Mike Lee and Tri Ligon were influential in pushing the team out of its comfort zone and holding players accountable for their performances. Both are former Raleigh Vipers and therefore invested in the club’s success and sustainability. Garber described the pair as the “perfect ying-and-yang combo for us.”
“Mike has coached the Venom for a long time and knows how to get the best out of us,” Garber praised. “He brings a commitment to the contact area and a quiet intensity to the team. Tri has been with the team for a little over a year now after a stint coaching the men’s team. He brings an unbridled enthusiasm for rugby and a passion for competition. They have sacrificed just as much time and energy as the players this season and deserve every bit of recognition.”
In the team’s first DI national post-season, Raleigh played a nail-biting, rain-ridden quarterfinal against Boston, winning 12-5. The Venom returned Sunday for a muddy semifinal against Chicago North Shore, which triumphed 24-15.
“The nine-point loss to Chicago left us wanting more, but I believe that developing a team culture of hard work and success tends to breed more hard work and more success,” Garber concluded. “This season proved to a lot of the less experienced girls on the team that they can compete at a high level. The last few games also showed how little details do matter in close games. Hopefully we can take those lessons and continue to build for next season. I am proud of our progress in such a short time.”