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New USA Women’s Sevens Head Coach Richie Walker has named his squad that will take the pitch at the Atlanta 7s stop on the HSBC Women’s World Series. Walker, whom replaced Julie McCoy, is the team’s third Head Coach in less than a year. Walker is charged with improving upon the Eagles’ current 8th place standing on the World Series as well as putting the women back into medal contention at the upcoming 2016 Rio Olympics. With three rounds left to play in the World Series season, time is running out, but Walker remains patient.
“I still have a patient outlook,” Walker said in a release from USA Rugby. “For me, it isn’t about the hard work right now. Believe me, when we come back from Langford, that’s when we’re going to switch on to just all hard work. If I do my job and I do it right with the time we have, we should be able to prepare well enough for the Olympics.”
Jillion Potter has been named to Captain the squad in Atlanta and brings a wealth of experience to a squad that has a nice mix of proven experience and up and coming talent.
The USA opens up their Atlanta campaign against 9th place Spain. The USA won their lone match up against Spain at the Sao Paulo 7s in February. They follow with 11th place Japan who they lost to in the opening round of the World Series at Dubai. Their final pool opponent is New Zealand whom currently sit in 2nd place in the World Series standings, just behind Australia. The USA have faced off against New Zealand twice thus far this season, losing both matches by a combined total of 63-5.
The Atlanta 7s kicks off on April 8th at Fifth-Third Bank Stadium on the campus of Kennesaw State University.
USA Women’s Roster
1. Jillion Potter (C)
2. Megan Bonny
3. Kate Zackary
4. Amelia Bizer
5. Ryan Carlyle
6. Nicole Heavirland
7. Alev Kelter
8. Bui Baravilala
9. Lauren Doyle
10. Richelle Stephens
11. Kristen Thomas
12. Jessica Javelet
