The Atlantis Women are veterans of the Las Vegas Invitational, both in the Open and Elite 7s divisions, but that doesn’t mean the team lacks surprises. The Elite team has, as per usual, paired former 7s Eagles with up-and-comers, and some of these new players have a unique background.

Four of the players will be taking a break from their full-time residency at the American Pro Rugby Training Center (APRTC) in Little Rock, Ark. The Julie McCoy-run facility is a new feeder to the USA Women 7s team, and APRTC signed its first residents beginning in mid-December. The most familiar player is Lauren Rhode, an Emil Signes/Princeton alum who graduated to the WPL ranks with the D.C. Furies. She hasn’t quite cracked the national side yet, but she’s trained at the OTC plenty and has four Atlantis tours to her credit.

Hunter Griendling is also from the Furies camp and the only other APRTC resident who’s toured with Atlantis (Tobago 7s, December 2014). Twenty-four-year-old Ashley Perry of Twin Cities hasn’t had the opportunity to wear the Roman numerals, but she’s played internationally with the Star 7s. Perry was also the first-ever resident to sign with McCoy.

Compared to Bria Bohannon, the aforementioned all have significant rugby experience. The 23-year-old had used up her eligibility with the Spring Hill College basketball team last fall and turned to rugby in her final semester of college. As graduation loomed, Bohannon connected with McCoy and is now learning her rugby ABCs in a professional environment.

“It will be great for them to get to play together after training together day in and day out for a month,” Atlantis Women’s Elite coach Dana Creager said.

Outside of the quartet, there is a nice range of experience. CJ Hildreth is far and away the most experienced. The NOVA alum is not only a former 7s and 15s Eagle but has also played internationally in New Zealand. Kimber Rozier is still fresh from the 15s world cup in France as well as the OTC residency program. Josie Ziluca of the San Diego Surfers, the two-time national club 7s champion, leads the squad in Atlantis tours with five, and Amanda Street is the third athlete who has both 7s and 15s caps.

Atlantis will be bolstered by Jess Wooden, the slippery fullback from Atlanta; and Cynthia Wright, the third D.C. alum, who is known for her work rate and physicality.

The two youngest players on the team are really exciting. Hannah Gauthreaux is a much repeated name, whether it’s with the DII fall champion Notre Dame College, Atlantis U19s or Old Blue 7s. She’s got great speed on the wing, and she’s busy banking as much higher-level game time as possible. Penn State’s Beth Rose has sneaky speed. A track crossover, the Nittany Lion is built for the front row, but flies like a finisher. She’ll catch some folks off guard.

“Six of them played together in Tobago this past December,” Creager explained. “We only gave up three tries all tournament, and we're excited to build on what we were able to put together in the Caribbean 7s tournament.”

The Elite division is going to be tough. Several nationalities will be represented, and the Canadians are likely the top contenders for the title. The Maple Leafs – the developmental sides for the Canada national team – are sending two squads and hope to repeat their #1/#2 finish last year. And if the Canadian Aptoella Angels are as good as they were last year, then their cache of ex-internationals will be difficult, too. Japan is sending two sides and always a crowd pleaser with their never-say-die play, and it’s likely we’ll see Argentinean and Dutch sides to round out the international flavor.

As for the Americans, all-star programs Stars, Serevi and Scion will be looking to cull the best domestic players as well.

Atlantis Women Elite 7s
Name (15s club) – age, notes, Atlantis tours
Bria Bohannon – 23 y/o, APRTC resident
Hannah Gauthreaux (Notre Dame College) – 20 y/o, Tobago ‘14
Hunter Griendling (DC Furies) – 27 y/o, Tobago ‘14
CJ Hildreth (NOVA) – 33 y/o, USA 7s & 15s caps
Ashley Perry (Twin Cities) – 24 y/o, APRTC resident
Lauren Rhode (DC Furies) – 25 y/o, Laos ’13, Tobago ‘13/’14, Spain ‘14
Beth Rose (Penn State) – 22 y/o
Kimber Rozier – 25 y/o, USA 15s & 7s caps, Tobago ’14 (MVP)
Amanda Street (Raleigh) – 27 years old, USA 7s & 15s caps
Cynthia Wright (DC Furies) – 29 y/o, Spain ‘14
Josie Ziluca (San Diego) – 25 y/o, USA 7s caps, Laos ’13, Tobago ‘13/’14, Fiji ’14, Spain ‘14