The Return of HGVL
After a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, Hackley Girls Varsity Lacrosse returns to competition. HGVL is a 10-time NYSAIS champion and is recognized in the Ivy League as one of the strongest competitors, but due to the last official season being in 2020, HGVL returns with only three varsity players; Jessye Salmon, Elizabeth Rudge, and Welyn Waterhouse. Despite this, HGVL defeated Horace Mann with a resounding 15-2 victory in the season opener on Wednesday, March 30.
Head coaches Jennifer Leffler and Melissa Stanek believe the greatest challenge the team will face is the pre-game nerves of the players who lack real game experience. However, both coaches believe the break will fuel the team in a motivational way. Everyone is excited about the season, and Coaches Leffler and Stanek think the momentum of not playing for a while will quickly overcome the nerves some athletes might face. The majority of competing teams’ players have graduated, leaving an element of surprise for every game. “Every single game, we are going to assume they are our biggest rival,” Coach Stanek says.
The team prepared during the off-season by playing “scrambled 3v3s” with Hackley Boys Varsity every Thursday beginning in February. In the double-gym, randomized teams of three were formed to compete in short, half-court scrimmages on a mini goal with a tennis ball. Over spring break, HGVL practiced at Hackley during the second week and scrimmaged RCDS winning 13-1.
Team captain Jessye Salmon (‘22), Amherst College commit, is super excited to be back on the field, “The team looks really good this year, we have a lot of talent! But more importantly, we have the drive and energy for an NYSAIS championship-caliber team.” Elizabeth Rudge (‘23) shares similar enthusiasm to be back.
“We have such a great group of girls this year, and we are lucky to have a lot of depth all over the field. We have tough matchups on the schedule like section 1’s Mamaroneck, Greenwich Academy, and North Shore,” Elizabeth said.
Although they are challenging teams, “These games are so great to become a better team and will help us in the long run,” Elizabeth remarks.
Some games to watch include Rye Country Day on April 25, Fieldston (the Sting game) on April 29, and Holy Child on May 9.