Completed Event: Women's Rugby at Lindenwood on October 18, 2025 , Loss , 5, to, 12
Final
Women's Rugby
at Lindenwood
5
12
Sophomore Summer Q&A: Ashley Zepeda
8/3/2016 1:07:00 PM | Women's Rugby
Throughout the summer, DartmouthSports.com will be focusing on members of the Class of 2018 who are currently in their “Sophomore Summers.”
Ashley Zepeda came to Hanover from Arizona and started playing rugby for the Big Green right away. A rookie to the sport upon her arrival, she is now entering her third season with the team and second at the varsity level. As a junior this fall, Zepeda will be one of the team's captains as they look to repeat as Ivy Rugby champions in 2016.
What was it like to be a part of a team that had gone from club to varsity from one year to the next?
I definitely went into it with my apprehensions but I have to say that the captains and coaches made the transition as seamless as possible. The level of play was undoubtedly upped, but that was the challenge that we sought in the first place. We were purposeful about keeping the culture that we had built as a club team and fostering it with the mindset of a varsity team. There are changes and road bumps on every team but this team saw the opportunity to improve and ran with it.
You were named a captain for next season, what was it like when you found out that you had been honored with that leadership position?
At first I was pretty shocked. I came into college with no high school sports experience and suddenly I was captain of a Division I team. But after it sunk in I was elated to be working with the coaches and the other two co-captains. I had seen what we could accomplish in just one year as a varsity program and felt honored to have the opportunity to shape and lead our team to even more success.
What's one place on campus that you love that may be considered off the beaten path?
I wouldn't say it's off the beaten path necessarily, but I really love Mink Brook. It's pretty a pretty popular swimming spot with a rope swing and I have found myself there countless times this summer.
You're from Arizona… how different is the Hanover weather from your home?
Pretty much the exact opposite! Arizona is like the inside of an oven when you open the door and the hot air blows into your face, while Hanover is like the inside of a freezer that's just too cold for its own good. I'm taking this winter off if that gives you any idea about how I feel about the cold.
Coach Dowty says you love to sing, tell us about that passion?
I mostly sing in the shower but I started doing covers and posting the videos online when I was 13 or 14. Now it's just a hobby and a way to amuse my friends and family on Facebook. I also joined an a cappella group this summer and it's been a blast. Two of my other teammates are in the group as well. The rugby team actually has a large number of singers and artists now that I think about it.
What drew you to rugby and how long have you been playing?
I saw an information booth when I came to visit as a prospective student and didn't really think much of it but wrote down my email. When I actually got to Dartmouth I realized how athletic everyone was and decided to give rugby a try since I could just walk-on. I liked that you could have any sports background, or none at all in my case, and still learn how to play rugby. The contact aspect was pretty cool to me too. I guess the rest is history but it'll be two years this September that I've been playing rugby.
If you could switch places with one teammate, who would it be and why?
I'm a forward but my dream has always been to be a back. I would probably switch with Morgan or Cookie because they get to play fun positions out at wing or as fullback. The team has a running joke where they call me "Zep the Wing" because I find myself on the outside where the wing is supposed to be pretty frequently (Zep is my team given name. There are four Ashleys on the team and none of us actually go by Ashley.)
Is it just me or does Coach Dowty always seems to be smiling?
I wouldn't be surprised is she's smiling right now at this very moment.
Dog or cat person?
I have the best cat in the world so I'm biased, but I have to say cats.
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