Women’s Eagles named for Las Vegas

Richie Walker has selected his team for the Las Vegas 7s. For the first time at the event the women will run concurrently with the men’s and enjoy full HSBC Sevens Series status. The historic all-North American final in Sydney has put the Eagles in the unusual position of being the top seed in a pool that also contains Ireland, Spain, and Fiji.

Alev Kelter continues as captain with Naya Tapper looking to continue her try-scoring feats of Sydney. Three changes in the side see Bulou Mataitoga return and two players set to make their series debut in Eagles XVs winger Kelsi Stockert and Bloomsburg University standout Nicole Snyder. Dropping out are Sarah Buonopane, Kayla Canett, and Hope Rogers.

Buonopane is one of five players named as ‘traveling reserves’ who will play in the Las Vegas Invitational tournament with the Women’s Falcons. Cassidy Bargell, Megan Foster, Sam Pankey, and Nicole Strasko are also on standby should any players be injured during the week.

USA WOMEN’S EAGLES 7s
Ryan Carlyle, Cheta Emba, Joanne Fa’avesi, Kelly Griffin, Nicole Heavirland, Alev Kelter (capt.), Bulou Mataitoga, Nicole Snyder, Kelsi Stockert, Naya Tapper, Kristen Thomas, Kate Zackary

DAY ONE FIXTURES
Fri, Mar 3 – 08:17 PT, 11:17 ET – vs Ireland
Fri, Mar 3 – 11:02 PT, 14:02 ET – vs Spain
Fri, Mar 3 – 13:47 PT, 16:47 ET – vs Fiji

USA WOMEN’S FALCONS 7s
Cassidy Bargell, Tia Blythe, Sylvia Braaten, Sarah Buonopane, Jennine Duncan, Megan Foster, Alena Olsen, Sam Pankey, Ashley Perry, Asinate Serevi, Nicole Strasko, Jessica Warner