Tennessee high school champion McMinn County built an ambitious travel schedule last year, and the 2016-17 lineup is just as aggressive. Tribe spent the fall winning the state 7s championship and then bussed itself to Lindenwood University for 15s games against Warsaw (Ind.). Now, with the 15s season looming, Tribe is compensating for its lack of local competition by hitting the road.

RELATED: McMinn is Nationals-Bound (2016) • HS Nationals Deadline: March 1 • Women’s Rugby Results: Feb. 17-19

McMinn girls’ and boys’ coach Buck Billings explained that teams in Eastern Tennessee are dwindling, and even though Middle Tennessee is bustling, they’re three hours away.

“So I figured, if we’re going to have to travel, then let’s travel to elite competitions so we’re ready for nationals,” the coach said.

The team is heading to the Las Vegas Invitational (see roster below), Nash Bash and the Maryland Exiles’ international youth tournament. There, Tribe will reconnect with the Scion Academy in Washington, D.C., and have a similar experience when attending Life University’s camp in Georgia. In addition to the state playoffs and championship – Tribe is looking forward to playing Ravenwood and Storm – McMinn is returning to the Single-School National Championship (May 20-21) in Elkhart, Ind.

“We have a big senior class, and they’re going everywhere for college,” Billings referenced Davenport University, Quinnipiac University and two other DI Elite schools. “They just want to play together.”

That schedule is a lot of fundraising, coordination and stress, but the players are meeting financial and on-field expectations. The team has bought into a varsity model, according to Billings, and has been in the weight room several times per week since the summer. The coach has introduced a new playing style, one that affords more flexibility, and is eager to test it against competition.

The well knowns are still performing well, and seniors MaKayla Lowe and Jordan Butcher will be heading to the USA Rugby Academy Girls High School Resident Camp – East in Florida next weekend. Senior No. 8 Mariah Pruitt, who has committed to Davenport, is also blossoming.

“She’s developed so much as a player,” Billings said. “At first I thought she’d be a more mobile prop at the college level, but I’m starting to think she’ll be a flanker because of the way she’s moving and progressing in the weight room.”

There are also some standout sophomores on the starting line, including Danielle Satherlie, who has matured at inside center; and 15-year-old Julianne Carter, who started as a freshman and is now flyhalf. Carter’s gifted in the classroom, too, and is taking two classes at the local university.

“We have a new girl, Bailey Grubb, who is the most natural rugby player I’ve ever coached,” Billings said of the still-active softball player. “She’s fast, and pound for pound, she’s the second-strongest girl in the school. She scored seven tries at the state 7s championship and was named MVP.”

Billings was tempted to recommend Grubb to the All-American assembly, but the softball crossover – who will rejoin the rugby team after her softball season ends – could use a little more development first.

However the year turns out, McMinn will get its miles in, and play some great rugby along the way.

2017 LVI Tribe Roster

Jordan Butcher, senior
Julianne Carter, sophomore
Cortney Cronin, senior
Alexandria Dimberg, junior
Bailey Grubb, sophomore
Destiny Henry, senior
Sydney Long, junior
MaKayla Lowe, senior
Mariah Pruitt, senior
Onycha Pruitt, senior
Danielle Satherlie, sophomore
Cayla Watson, sophomore
Paige Wisebaker, junior

McMinn