Penn State is the reigning DI Elite champion. /// Photo: Jackie Finlan
State College, Pa., is one of four DI Spring Round of 16 sites, and the quartet that’s converging this weekend represents an interesting mix of teams. Host Penn State is the reigning DI Elite national champion; Notre Dame College is a DI program that took an at-large bid; and Virginia Tech and James Madison finished second and third, respectively, in the local Mason Dixon conference.
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11 a.m. ET PENN STATE v JAMES MADISON
The Nittany Lions are the favorite to go 2-0 this weekend and have been fielding multiple sides in 7s and 15s competitions this spring.
“As far as having everyone playing on the same level I would say that happened for us during Ruggerfest,” Penn State flyhalf Gabby Cantorna reflected on the D.C. tournament. “We were able to field two teams which gave us the opportunity to play a lot of mixed sides, which I think was really crucial for our younger and newer players’ development. We were also missing some of our more experienced players which allowed people to step up into their roles and get some time against some really physical teams. Overall I think that opportunity was what fueled our younger players’ confidence, and I’ve seen a real change in them since then.”
Kayla Canett and Ellie Fromstein highlight the freshmen class, and they’re benefitting from a wealth of national championship and international experience rooted in the upperclassmen. Expect to recognize many players on the roster, but also note those without the All-American and/or USA accolades who fit into the team game perfectly.
“As for the team gelling, every practice we have a new piece fall into place,” Cantorna continued. “Recently we’ve been really connecting well on attack and our defense has stayed consistent, so I’m looking forward to the coming weekend.”
James Madison will be tasked with Penn State on Saturday. The Virginia team advanced to the Spring Round of 16 after first dropping its Mason Dixon semifinal 57-5 to Virginia Tech, and then defeating Kent State 17-5 for third place. Since then, James Madison has traveled to Life University for a 7s national qualifier and participated in Virginia Tech’s Tackling ALS charity tournament.
1 p.m. ET NOTRE DAME COLLEGE v VIRGINIA TECH
The Notre Dame College vs. Virginia Tech match is a little tougher to call. First, some background:
The Ohio team was slated to join NIRA in fall 2016 and built a schedule that would have qualified it for that league’s fall championship. Player eligibility issues saw the Falcons abstain from the NIRA post-season, but the team contested its schedule and performed very well. A coaching change was made in the New Year, and as new coach Luke Markovich explained, the transition affected the spring schedule.
Notre Dame College at the LVI /// Photo: Paul Rudman, KLC fotos (see more)
“Unfortunately we have not been able to play any friendly [15s] matches yet,” Markovich reported last week. “Both of our attempts fell through. Due to the empty schedule coming in [to the spring season] and other teams’ schedules being full we were unable to get anything on the docket.”
So Notre Dame College is entering the playoffs having played no 15s games.
“That being said [w]e will be ready,” Markovich confirmed. “The girls have been focused and training hard.”
The Falcons do have good, solid talent that showcased itself during the team’s runner-up finish at the LVI 7s. Longtime favorites like Lea Walsh, Hannah Long, Marcaya Bailous, Kayla Rudman and Karmin Macedo drove a team that featured solid underclassmen in players like Emilia Ferrara and Alex Strasser. It will all come down to whether the team can remain composed during its first 15s game of the spring.
Conversely, Virginia Tech has enjoyed a natural build through the spring. The Blacksburg, Va., team qualified for the post-season after beating James Madison by 52 points in the Mason Dixon semifinals, and then falling 48-7 to UVA in the final.
“UVA is always a tough contender for us since they have such strong runners,” Virginia Tech coach Dani Barlow noted. “Playing them is a challenge, but it always makes us improve, especially with playing smart rugby and with our tackling.
“We have a physically rather small team, so speed and endurance are our strong points,” the coach added. “Virginia Tech players are scrappy and will never give up. Our goal is to play smart rugby at the highest level that we can and to use this opportunity to grow as a team and as a program.”
Barlow pointed to the senior class and captains Jordan Winston and Carly Mackey for leading the team into the playoffs.
“Their drive and desire to play are what keep the entire team going strong,” Barlow praised. “We are really excited to be playing at this level and are ready to show the rugby world what Virginia Tech can do!”
The winners of Saturday’s Spring Round of 16 matches will automatically advance to finals’ weekend in Marietta, Ga., on May 5-6. Sunday’s results will determine whether teams compete toward the DI Elite national championship (the quarterfinal winners) or DI spring championship (quarterfinal losers).