Top USA U23 Women’s players assembled in Chula Vista this week for a Verification Camp bringing together rising talent from across the country as part of the Women’s National Team pathways program. The camp placed a key focus on evaluating player baselines, identifying high-performance potential, and integrating targeted skills and decision making strategies players can implement as they work on as they build towards a USA style of rugby.
The selected 30-athlete squad features a mix of standout performers from recent domestic competitions, top collegiate programs, and returning pathway athletes.
Head Coach Orlando Pulou highlighted the multi-layered selection process used to assemble this year's group:
“Athletes were primarily selected from a combination of scouting their season films, TID/RDD observations, and the U23 All Star tournament. Others were selected based on past Pathways performances. This camp also allows us to assess how those players have developed since we last saw them.”
Throughout the intensive camp, coaching staff will focus on holistic player development, position-specific technical execution, and aligning the athletes with national team standards and style of play.
Speaking on the primary objectives of the assembly, Coach Pulou added:
“The camp aims to verify athletes for future pathway inclusion, identify next steps for each player, and connect them to necessary resources. We will introduce WNT XV values & game model, and targeted skill work in position specific skills.”
The Verification Camp acts as an additional step on the USA pathways developing a future pipeline for the Women’s Eagles as they build toward future international competition cycles.
| Name | Current Club |
|---|---|
| Ania Simmons | San Jose State Women’s rugby |
| Charlotte Dauser | Sacred Heart University |
| Chayse McCann | University of Oregon |
| Clementine Radoff | Western Washington University Women’s Rugby |
| Emma Buxton | NOVA (Virginia) and Scion (DC) |
| Francesca Kovach | Life West |
| Ireland Jeffrey | Southern Nazarene University |
| Isabel Henderson | University of Notre Dame |
| Isabelle Sandoval | San Diego Surfers |
| Jayna Schalesky | UCSB |
| Jolene Russo | Northeastern University |
| Jordis Lomu | Dartmouth Women's Rugby |
| Jordynn LeBeau | Dartmouth Women’s Rugby |
| Kayla Saikaly | Columbus Squirrels |
| Krystal Tupou | BYU |
| Lauren Thomlinson | Drury University |
| Leila Wang Gaouette | Stanford Women's Rugby |
| Leilani Lepe | Davenport University |
| Lillian McDaniel | University of Nevada Reno Women’s Rugby |
| Maddie Hughes | Cardiff Metropolitan University (Cardiff, Wales) |
| Madison Cofer | Columbus Squirrels |
| Makenna Bailey | Lindenwood |
| Malenaite Sake | VKnack Rugby |
| Neasa McLaughlin | Harvard University |
| Olivia Baptiste | Brown University |
| Olivia George | Wisconsin-Eau Claire Women’s Rugby |
| Rachel Wilkie | Davenport University |
| SaTya Miller | AIC |
| Scout Spadoni | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Women’s Rugby |
| Zorah Coulibaly | Fresno State |
Orlando Pulou | Head Coach, USA Rugby U23 XV
Kelly Griffin | On-site Head Coach
Catie Benson | Assistant Coach
Sue Whitwell | Assistant Coach
