Adding a junior varsity team to the mix, girls lacrosse gains the necessary tools to train future lacrosse players.
“We finally have enough girls to create two teams,” senior and co-captain Kathryn Rechenberg said. “It’s actually really exciting because we’ve been trying to get back up there for a few years now and now we finally have it”
This is the first time in three years that lacrosse has had a junior varsity and a varsity squad.
“The past few years it has been a struggle to get enough girls to play so we’ve had this awkward amount somewhere in between having too many girls for one team but just under the right amount for two teams that has been frustrating,” Rechenberg said. “It’s something we kind of just had to accept and then asked ourselves where do we go from here.”
The two teams allow the coaches and captains to set up more real, game like scenarios.
“It’s such a big deal because now we have the proper tools to train new and inexperienced girls while letting the veteran girls improve their skills,” senior and co-captain Chloe Kersten said. “Instead of just throwing new girls into a varsity game right away like we’ve done in past years, we can now give them time to learn and actually absorb information at a slower paced game on the JV level.”
The team worked during the off season to advertise the lacrosse team in an effort to gain members.
“We really tried to reach out to the underclassmen and have them spread the word too,” Kersten said. “I think that’s what helped us get so many girls to try out this year. Part of the fun of our lacrosse team here is we want it to be a learning environment for all players no matter their skill level or experience.”
The team had around 40 girls come out to play, losing only a few to injuries or personal reasons.
“I’ve never played lacrosse before and I am so thankful that there is a JV team,” freshman Libby Archer said. “I love the game already, but I don’t think I would have learned nearly as much if I was just thrown up on varsity, I honestly would have been really freaked out.”
Even though their records may not reflect their progress just yet, the team is hopeful.
“Overall I think the girls are gaining so much knowledge and experience from being able to play teams near their skill level that the progress has been fantastic,” Rechenberg said. “They are picking up new skills and perfecting others. I am very hopeful that the teams will continue to grow and get better and better each year to create a winning environment.”