The West defeated the Big 10, 19-14, in the final of the Women’s All-Star Championship Sunday in Round Rock, Texas. The weekend didn’t start well for the eventual champs, who dropped their first match, 26-24, to the Great Waters and finished pool play 2-1-1. But the West pitched a perfect Sunday, beating Upstate New York, 15-7, and avenging a day-one draw against the Midwest, 17-5, to advance to the final.

‍

Three MiraCosta sophomores stood out for the West, earning selection to the All-Tournament team by Premier Rugby 7s coaches Rosalind Chou and Irene Gardner; Isabella Devore, Makell Edwards and Jesse James, with Devore earning MVP honors. 

‍

The Big 10 debutants had a smooth road to the final, posting a 3-0-1 record before falling to the West. They conceded just two scores during pool play, earning a bye to the semifinals, where they blanked the defending champion Lone Star Armadillos 29-0. 

‍

In the final, the Big 10 took the lead through Iowa’s Erica Coulibaly, an all-tournament selection who quickly-tapped a penalty and dove under the posts from point blank range. South Dakota’s Grace Vanderzee drew the West level shortly after the restart, running through a pair of arm tackles. Coulibaly and Vanderzee doubled their efforts to tie the game at 14-14 before Edwards broke free for the long-range game winner in the final minute of the match.

‍

All Tournament Team

‍

Harmony Beppler, Allegheny, University of Pittsburgh, Senior

‍

Nia Butts, Great Lakes, Bowling Green State University, Senior

‍

Erica Coulibaly, Big 10, University of Iowa, Senior

‍

Isabella Devore, West, MiraCosta College, Sophomore (MVP)

‍

Makell Edwards, West, MiraCosta College, Sophomore

‍

Ari Gieseck, Lonestar, Sam Houston State University, Sophomore

‍

Annie Henderson, Midwest, University of Northern Iowa, Junior

‍

Loren Henich, Great Waters, University of Illinois Chicago, Sophomore

‍

Jesse James, West, MiraCosta College, Sophomore

‍

Makenna Ramsey, Upstate New York, St. Bonaventure University, Senior

‍

Courtney Smith-Hernandez, Midwest, Iowa State University, Senior

‍

Nicky Taghert, Great Waters, DePaul University, Senior

‍