Women's Rugby | 11/16/2016 3:57:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The Central Washington University women's rugby team (8-2, 4-0 NIRA) is ready to face American International College (4-5) this Friday (Nov. 18) in the semifinals of the seven team NIRA National Championship Tournament in West Point, N.Y. at Noon PST.
 
"We are extremely honored to be representing CWU and competing for a National Championship title this year," CWU head coach Mel Denham said. "The NIRA competition has proven to be the highest quality of collegiate rugby in the nation, which adds to the excitement and prestige of the varsity tournament.  The women's game is rapidly growing, and varsity programs are now setting the bar high.  We are very excited to have the opportunity to go out this weekend, and see how good we can be." 
 
The National Intercollegiate Rugby Association is comprised of 15 member institutions. Each of these institutions sponsor NCAA rugby at their respective divisional levels and are committed to the expansion of women's rugby at the highest level with eventual full sponsorship by the NCAA. 
 
The Wildcats secured a number one ranking in the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA), and a first-round bye in the quarterfinals of the NIRA National Championship Tournament. Central is now ready and rested for their showdown with #4 AIC this Friday.
 
"During pre-season we agreed as a team that the hardest competition we would face all year, would be against ourselves at training," Denham said. "That we could look back and say that no game we played was harder than when we competed against ourselves at practice.  That has taken us a long way this year, and led to some very intense and match-like training sessions- especially last weekend.  Having the ability to train and make decisions under match-pressure in controlled scrimmage environments is invaluable.  This is a very special team, and we are grateful to draw on our strengths of depth, support and bonds across the entire roster."
 
The Wildcats defeated the Yellow Jackets 57-26 earlier this season behind a pair of hat tricks from both Suiluana A'au and Michel Navarro. Yana Manoa will lead CWU on defense, making a habit of dominating every point of contact for the Wildcats.
 
"It helps to remind us that we don't rest easy on past wins, and that we don't take any team for granted," Denham said. "No matter who we face our goal is always to be the best team that we can be, and our preparations reflect that. We know that AIC are a strong team, and seeing them again is an opportunity for us to improve on our last performance, and see how good we can be on the day."
 
The victor of the second round matchup will advance to the NIRA National Championship on Sunday, Nov. 20 at the same location with kickoff slated for 11 a.m. PST.
 
-CWU-