USA Women’s Sevens 2019 Sydney Sevens Squad

The USA Women’s Sevens Team enter the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series January 31-February 3 (based on Eastern Time) in 3rd place at HSBC Sydney Sevens 2019. The Eagles Sevens will face China, Spain and Australia in Pool C, LIVE on facebook.com/worldrugby7s.

The USA Women will need to continue to achieve semifinal appearances as this is an Olympic qualifying year, where the top 4 teams at the end of the HSBC Women’s Sevens Series qualify for the Olympics.

After opening in second-place at USA Women’s Sevens in Glendale, the Women’s Eagles Sevens finished fourth at Dubai Sevens 2018 last December.

Head Coach Chris Brown has selected a team with Kasey McCravey and Kristi Kirshe having the opportunity to make their national team debut.

Kasey McCravey is a former softball player from Army West Point and has worked her way through the Women’s Sevens Residency program and on multiple Falcons tours. McCravey was an injury reserve at the season’s first stop in Glendale and has proven to be a valuable addition to the full squad.

Boston Rugby’s Kristi Kirshe is also making her national team debut after performing well at the 2018 Club Sevens National Championships, as well as being named to the Dream Team at the Summer National Academy Tournament while representing Northeast Academy. Kirshe also competed with the Women’s Falcons at the Hokkaido Governor’s Cup last September and is a former D1 soccer player from Williams University.

Amelia (Meya) Bizer also returns to the Sevens Series circuit after performing well with the Women’s Eagles 15s in November and her performance in residency. Bizer last appeared in the Series at the Atlanta Sevens 2016.

The United States will first face 10th ranked China on Thursday, January 31, then ninth-ranked Spain, followed by fourth-ranked Australia in Pool C matches.

Australia is currently four points behind the U.S. Women in the overall standings and will be a key match. Knockout rounds begin Friday, Feb 1 at 8:06 PM ET.

Head Coach Chris Brown Comments

“It’s been a positive period from being able to refresh, to having the opportunity to test ourselves against a Top 2 team in the world with our scrimmage against Canada at home. Having the Canadians down for a week at the start of January timed perfectly and allowed us to practice some of the elements we worked to enhance over the last month.”

“With the quality of athlete currently coming through the college and club game, we’ve been trying to get our hands on a number who show specific qualities since the beginning of this season. Specifically, on Kristi, the Northeast Academy has spoken highly of her as a disciplined and highly coachable individual since she debuted with them last February. She’s done really well connecting with our group on and off the pitch this last month. We are excited to see how she converts for us on the rugby pitch.

“Kasey has been fighting for an opportunity for close to a year now and her consistency of application and ability to beat a player one-on-one has improved, thus the reason for her selection. Although Jordan and Meya have been here before, it’s been an exciting period where we’ve seen significant growth in them both. I am adamant they will add a lot to us when we hit the ground in Sydney.

“Ultimately, we are building towards Tokyo and having a quality squad where 18+ athletes can effectively play their part in any one of the 12 spots is a big part of the next six months of development.”

Women’s Eagles Sevens Roster

*All players are part of the Women’s Eagles Sevens residency program. #caps