Wheeling, W. Va. - Following a second consecutive undefeated regular season, the Wheeling University Women's Rugby team once again had several players recognized for their efforts throughout the fall season. National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) announced their annual 7's and 15's all-stars, and the Cardinals would set a program record by having 11 players honored among the two teams. On the 7's side, Shannon Whypji and Kaiah Long were honored, while the 15's all-star squad included Ema Tai, Joelle Taylor, Alexis Dallas, Kylie Baigent, Nisaiah Berkeley, Payton Olivas, and Tamzin Boyce.
The honorees were part of the NCR's All-Star weekend in Atlanta, Georgia January 16th and 17th, featuring some of the top Rugby players across all three levels of the NCR. The all-Stars were separated into teams based on whether they were playing in the 15's or 7's tournament, with the 15's all-stars being separated into four teams and the 7's All-Stars being named across 17 different squads. The tournament took place at Silverback Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, running in conjunction with the NCR Men's Rugby All-Star National Shield Challenge. The Stripes team would win the 15's All-Star Championship tournament, while the Tri-State team earned the title in the 7's field. Two Cardinal representatives would play on the 15's Championship team, rounding out a strong All-Star weekend.
On the 7's side, the Cardinals had two athletes selected, with Kaiah Long and Shannon Whypji each earning spots. Whypji would play for the Allegheny Rugby Union 7's team, coming off a strong 7's season in 2025. During the Cardinal's National Tournament run, Whypji would account for 47 points, scoring nine tries while also playing a big role in the team's kicking game. She would make the lone conversion kick that she attempted on the season. Whypji continued that success into the past 15's season, where she finished with six tries and 30 points on the season. Whypji uses a combination of speed and skill to get up the sidelines and into the try zone. Kaiah Long played a more defensive role for the Cardinals, helping out in scrums and on the defense. Long did not make the score sheet during the 2025 season, but was still able to make her impact felt. She would play for the CCWRC 7's team to round out the 7's side of the event.
On the 15's side, the Cardinals had eight student-athletes spread out around the three 15's teams. Of those eight, two played on the All Star weekend winning Stats team. Kylie Baigent and Nisaiah Berkeley would appear on the roster after both helped the Cardinals to an undefeated 15's season. Baigent was the only one of the two to make the 2025 scoresheet, scoring one try and finishing with five points on the season. Baigent would get on the board early in the season, and was a key sub off the bench for the Cardinals throughout the season. While Berkeley did not get on the score sheet, she would be a bit player in the team's scrums and passing game. The junior was also a primary sub for the Cardinals during the 2025 15's season, and would be one of several players responsible for the Cardinal's strong scrum game. Berkeley and Baigent continued their success on the stripes team, and helped lead them to the All Star championship.
Each of the other two teams had three all stars with Alexis Dallas, Peyton Olivas, and Joelle Taylor playing for the Stars team. Dallas led the way for the Cardinals this season, leading the team with 12 tries while adding 60 points to sit second on the team. She continued her success from her junior season, scoring double disgit tries in back-to-back seasons. She currently holds the career 15's try record, scoring 22 tries over her first two seasons in a Cardinal uniform. She was joined on the stars team by Joelle Taylor and Peyton Olivas, who each were role players for the Cardinals in 2025. Taylor scored one try during the season and increased her role on the defensive side of the ball. Taylor scored seven tries during her freshman year, bringing her career total to eight during the 15's season. Olivas did not get on the score sheet during the 2025 15's season, but appeared off the bench in several games for the Cardinals.
The final team featuring Cardinal representatives was the Hawks team, with Tamzin Boyce, Liz Sinatra, and Ema Tai taking the field. Tai was one of four Cardinal captains during the 2025 seasons, and was a leader do the Cardinals throughout 15's season. She would score five tries during the 15's season, accounting for 25 points across the year. However, she was also the team's vocal leader on the field, setting up game plans on both sides of the ball. Tamzin Boyce put together a career year on the pitch, scoring eight tries during the 15 season. Throughout her career, Boyce has used her speed to her advantage, making her way up the sidelines and into the try zone. The final Hawks team member was Liz Sinatra, who rounded out a trio of try scorers for the team. Like Tai, Sinatra also score d five tries during the season, and like Boyce she would use her speed to get up the sidelines and into the try zone
The Wheeling University Women's Rugby team is preparing for the spring 7's season as they look to get back to the National tournament stage.
