Roster Set for Women's Junior All-Americans' Tri-Nations Cup
- 25 Women’s Junior All-Americans named for Tri-Nations Cup
- Athletes will face rival-Canada’s U20s on August 7th and England’s U20s on August 15th in Nova Scotia
- Senior women’s players Kayla Canett and Mata Hingano included in roster
CHULA VISTA, CA. – Women’s Junior All-Americans’ (U20s) Head Coach James English has selected 25 athletes for the upcoming U20 Women’s Tri-Nations Cup beginning next week. Facing rival-Canada’s U20s on August 7th and England’s U20s on August 14th at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., English will have the support of new Women’s National Team Head Coach Rob Cain throughout the tournament. The entire tournament can be streamed live here with updates available by following @USARugby on Twitter.
“This should be a great learning experience for the players. There is a really nice blend of experience in the squad, for some this will be their first taste of international rugby,” says Head Coach English. “On the other hand, we want to see the more experienced players really step up and lead. The tour will be a great opportunity to benchmark as this group looks towards 2020 and beyond.”
Of the 25 women’s athletes traveling to Nova Scotia, four currently compete for high school clubs, five come from Lindenwood University — recent National Champions in both fifteens and sevens — while three play senior club rugby across the U.S.
The team also includes significant experience from Women’s National Team players Kayla Canett and Mata Hingano. Canett joined the Women’s National Team for their fourth-place finish at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2017; also making four tournament appearances in the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series. Hingano owns two appearances in the aforementioned Women’s Sevens Series, as well.
The U20 Women’s Tri-Nations Cup begins August 7th with the Women’s Junior All-Americans (WJAAs) facing rival-Canada’s U20s. The following week, the WJAAs will play England’s U20s in their final match on August 14th, both taking place at Acadia University. Updates will be available by following @USARugby on Twitter.
Competitions like the Tri-Nations Cup are critical for the development of athletes as they continue their journey to become national team players. And, in order to compete, monetary support from the community is crucial. To support All-American athletes, click here.
WOMEN’S JUNIOR ALL-AMERICANS TRI-NATIONS CUP ROSTER
| Player Name | Position | Player School/Club |
|---|---|---|
| A’au, Suiluana | Center | Central Washington University |
| A’au, Tiana | Prop | Central Washington University |
| A’au, Tiara | Prop | Central Washington University |
| Arena, Destiny | Hooker | Lindenwood University |
| Bargell, Cassidy | Wing | Summit Rugby (HS) |
| Canett, Kayla | Flyhalf | Penn State University |
| Cervinski, Sydnee | Fullback | Life University |
| Freeman, Morgan | Flanker | Ft. Miami Rugby |
| Fromstein, Elisha | Hooker | Penn State University |
| Gray, Natalie | Lock | Lindenwood University |
| Haungatau, Fane “Eti” | Prop | SacPAL Rugby (HS) |
| Henrich, Emily | Center | Orchard Park Rugby (HS) |
| Hingano, Mata | Center | Utah Valley University |
| Jones, Tori | Prop | University of Notre Dame |
| Manu, Isabel | Prop | Lindenwood University |
| Matina, Aniya | Flanker | Provo Steelers (HS) |
| Ortiz, Olivia | Scrumhalf | Davenport University |
| Pasioles, Mary Jane | Scrumhalf | Central Washington University |
| Sedrick, Alexandria | Wing | Life University |
| Strong, Mckenna | Lock | Lindenwood University |
| Tamaivena, Adi Finau | No. 8 | Seattle Saracens |
| Thunen, Lauren | Flanker | University of California Santa Barbara |
| Tuilaepa, Penina | Prop | Lindenwood University |
| Wilson, Elizabeth | Flanker | Northern Virginia Rugby (NOVA) |
| Tancredi, Samantha | Lock | North Bay Rugby (HS) |
WOMEN’S JUNIOR ALL-AMERICANS U20 TRI-NATIONS CUP STAFF
WJAA Head Coach – James English
Coach – Rob Cain (Head Coach of Women’s 15s National Team)
Coach – Kate Daley
Strength & Conditioning Coach – Ian Jones
Athletic Trainer – Katherine Henry
Team Manager – Kirstin Maurer
Pathway Manager – Anna Kunkel
WOMEN’S JUNIOR ALL-AMERICANS U20 TRI-NATIONS CUP SCHEDULE
vs Canada U20s
Tue, August 7 – 5:30 PM ET
Acadia University
vs England U20s
Tue, August 14 – 5:30 PM ET
Acadia University
