USA Women’s Sevens

Update May 9, 2018 – Sarah Buonopane has replaced Kristen Thomas due to an injury.

The USA Women’s Sevens will leave for the Canada Sevens in Langford where they will face Russia, France, and Japan. This is the 4th stop of the 2017-18 HSBC World Sevens Series that will be held on May 12-13. The last stop will be in Paris on June 8-10. At the previous stop in Kitakyushu, Japan, the team captured the Challenge Trophy. View the matches live on The Rugby Channel.

At Kitakyushu, the Women’s Sevens went 1-2 in pool play before back-to-back wins propelled them to the Challenge Trophy Final where they defeated Ireland to earn 4 points and bring their overall standing to 7th place.

Head Coach Richie Walker has added Lauren Doyle, Kayla Canett, and Joanne Fa’avesi to the squad.

Doyle last represented the United States during the 2016 Dubai Sevens, Fa’avesi at the 2017 Claremont-Ferrand Sevens, and Canett for the 2016-17 HSBC Series, but last represented the United States in XVs for the 2017 Women’s World Cup in Ireland.

At Kitakyushu, Kristen Thomas and Kate Zackary debuted for the Series with each scoring two tries.

Jordan Gray, Cheta Emba, Abby Gustaitis, Ryan Carlyle, captain Nicole Heavirland, Alev Kelter, & Naya Tapper round out the team.

The Women’s Eagles Sevens will be in Pool B. There they will face 3rd ranked Russia to open Day One. The teams have met once this season with the U.S. taking a 21-12 win.

Following Russia, the United States will face 4th ranked France, who won silver in Kitakyushu and finishing in the Top 5 for total points scored as a team this season. Japan, ranked 12th, will be the last the Women’s Sevens will face.l

WOMEN’S SEVENS: 1. Jordan Gray 2. Cheta Emba 3. Abby Gustaitis 4. Ryan Carlyle 5. Joanne Fa’avesi 6. Nicole Heavirland (C) 7. Kate Zackary 8. Kayla Canett 9. Lauren Doyle 10. Alev Kelter 11. Sarah Buonopane 12. Naya Tapper

Non-Traveling Reserves

Hope Rogers
Kasey McCravey

WOMEN’S SEVENS STAFF | 2018 HSBC Canada Sevens

Head Coach – Richie Walker
Athletic Trainer – Kevin Ng
Head of Physical Preparation – Jon Hood
Analyst – Dave Gardner
Team Manager – Liz Strohecker

WOMEN’S SEVENS SCHEDULE 2018 HSBC Canada Sevens

vs. Russia Sat, May 12 – 1:30 PM ET
vs. France Sat, May 12 – 4:46 PM ET
vs. Japan Sat, May 12 – 7:16 PM ET