The women’s rugby team has been competing in matches throughout the Southeast for the past two years. The team hopes to put together a solid season this year.

Meagan Vaughan is the president and founder of the women’s rugby team on campus. Vaughan has been playing rugby since the spring of 2009. She wanted to be involved in sports at the University, and with the help of the men’s rugby team, Vaughan got the women’s team started.

“I grew up playing team sports, and through some friends I have on the men’s rugby team I discovered that I really enjoyed rugby,” Vaughan said. “I worked with the men’s rugby team to help start the women’s team.”

In their opening game this season, the team defeated Emory University 34-12. This year’s game against Emory marks improvement for the team. In last year’s game the women’s rugby team won by only 3 points. The commanding victory this year has given the team hope for the rest of the season.

“Our season opener was exciting. We had three new people score for the first time,” Vaughan said. “I think this game is a good indicator of how we are going to play for the rest of the season.”

The women’s rugby team only played a few games in the fall semester. In the spring, the team began their matrix season. During this season, the team will play their most important matches. During the matrix season, matches are held that determine whether or not the team will go to national competitions.

The team plays club teams and women’s league teams from all over the South. This year the team will play Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Southern Mississippi. If the club does well, they will be eligible to play in a national competition.

“Because we were a first year team last year, we were focused on recruiting,” Vaughan said. “However, this year we are hoping to be competitive and get some wins under our belt.”

The team has a difficult season ahead of them to make the national competition. Getting more recruits will be important for the team’s success. There are 15 players on the field at a time. Right now the club only has about 20 members.

“Rugby is a very physical sport,” Vaughan said. “So we need a deeper roster in order to give our players on the field some rest.”

The team is working on a number of specific things in practice to prepare for their games, including physical training and tackling.

“We are working very hard in practice to prepare for the tough games ahead of us,” Vaughan said. “I am confident we will have a solid season this year.”