November 20, 2015
USA Women’s Rugby 7s Squad Selected For Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens
Logo: USA Rugby
Doug Coil
Jules McCoy, Women’s Eagles Sevens Head Coach has selected her squad for the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens, the first stop of the 2015-16 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, which kicks off Thursday, December 3rd.
Jillion Potter returns to the USA Rugby national team as Captain. She last appeared in a USA Women’s Eagle at the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 in France. Richelle Stephens and Nia Williams will earn their first caps as part of the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Lauren Doyle was the leading USA scorer last year. Both she and Kelly Griffin provide veteran leadership. Kristen Thomas and Jessica Javelet add a speed threat for the side. Alev Kelter kicking prowess and overall play are an asset.
Kathryn Johnson, Jane Paar, Kate Zackary and Megan Bonny have all been key contributors for the USA Women’s Sevens.
At the end of the 2014/2015 season, the Eagles finished in fifth place, tied in points with the 4th place England team. They then competed in the NACRA Sevens, winning the tournament to qualify for the Olympics in Rio.
At Dubai, they are in Pool B along with Canada, Fiji and Ireland. It is a tough pool with Canada, who finished second last year. Fiji just dominated the Oceania Sevens and qualified for the Olympics. They are a physical side who has beaten the Eagles previously in a tournament last year. Ireland is new to the circuit, but has qualified for the Olympic Repechage in June for the last remaining spot in the Olympics.
This year there was some surprise with the 2015-16 HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series circuit being reduced to four stops in this Olympic year. Each stop will be streamed by World Rugby. The other three stops are Sao Paulo, Atlanta and Langford.
The USA Women’s Eagles Sevens team kicks off Thursday, Dec. 3, at 3:20 a.m. ET against Ireland. They play Fiji at 6:38 a.m. ET and Canada at 9:13 a.m. ET in Pool play.
Women’s Eagles Sevens | Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens
1. Kathryn Johnson
2. Kristen Thomas
3. Jillion Potter (C)
4. Alev Kelter
5. Jane Paar
6. Nia Williams
7. Lauren Doyle
8. Kate Zackary
9. Kelly Griffin
10. Megan Bonny
11. Richelle Stephens
12. Jessica Javelet
Women’s Eagles Sevens | Coaching Staff
Jules McCoy – Head Coach
Nicole Titmas – Athletic Trainer, Certified
JoAnne Kos – Team Manager
Dr. Lisa Bartoli – Doctor
Jared Siegmund – Strength and Conditioning Coach
