READ ALL ABOUT IT

Looking for a Fresh Start

It’s just like old times for the Kavounas sisters who were once teammates on Harvey’s girls varsity lacrosse team eight years ago and are now the co-coaches of the 2026 Cavs LAX squad. When Elizabeth Kavounas ’18 suited up for Harvey she played the attack position and sometimes on defense. Her sister Kaitlyn, Class of 2019, guarded the net as the Cavs’ goalie. By sharing their skills and in-game experiences with their players, the two sisters hope they can help this year’s team find success on the playing field. With a short roster, the Harvey girls will play a modified game of seven on seven, which challenges the players to maintain their stamina throughout the contest.

The co-coaches are expecting three captains to provide peer leadership, which falls on the shoulders of seniors Talya Langer and Tory Janush and sophomore EmileyRose Murphy. Langer will play attack while Janush and Murphy will share goalie duties.

The co-coaches believe the team’s greatest strength is the attitude of the players. “Our biggest strength does not lie in numbers, but in our motivation,” Coach Elizabeth Kavounas said, adding, “The girls are committed to being on a lacrosse team. They’re showing up to practice and putting in the work to have a great season. Our goal is to get outside and have some fun.”

Beyond carrying the responsibilities of team leadership, Langer, Janush, and Murphy are being counted on to perform at a high level on the field. Langer, mostly a defender in her past years as a Cav, will lead the attack on offense. In her first game April 7, she scored five of her team’s 13 goals in a 13-6 victory over Storm King. Janush is expected to flash her skills in front of the net. She spent the summer preparing for this season. Coach Kavounas said Murphy, the team’s second goalie, is one of the team’s key players. She played varsity hockey this winter, which should, the coach says, “benefit her during the LAX season.” One other key returner is senior Ruth Doran who scored a team-leading seven goals in the season opener.

The coach sees newcomer Rizlane Mall as someone who will help the team find success. “Rizlane’s excitement and motivation are keeping our team's spirits high,” Coach Kavounas said.

In sizing up her team’s opponents, Coach Kavounas sees Wooster as a team to be reckoned with.

“The toughest opponent we have this year could be Wooster,” the coach said, adding, “We have had a long rivalry with them, but we’re excited to play them again this year.”

Regarding the team’s overall prospects for success, Coach Kavounas said, “Although our team is small in numbers, this season is feeling like a new team; we are starting fresh, and we are all just pumped to be playing lacrosse. Everyone is excited about what we are going to be this year.”

With their first game in the books as a 13-4 victory, Harvey will travel Friday, April 10 to Litchfield, Connecticut, to take on Forman.