Photo by: Rob Rasmussen / P8Photos.com
5 Bobcats Earn All-NIRA Status Following Fall 2023 Season
2/14/2024 4:00:00 PM | Women's Rugby
HAMDEN, Conn. – Quinnipiac Women's Rugby has earned five All-NIRA selections following the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, as revealed by the league on Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.
The Bobcats received four selections to the All-NIRA First Team in total. Hannah Pfersch, Anna Van Dyk, Kat Storey and Gracie Cartwright were all crowned First-Team All-American status by the NIRA. Riva van der Valk also earned All-NIRA Honorable Mention status.
Hannah Pfersch played in all eight games for QU in 2023. She had 95 carries for 340 meters, recording one line break and eight defenders beaten. The senior reached the try zone four times in total. Pfersch made 48 solo tackles on the defensive side, recording a 92% tackle completion rate to go along with 11 tackle assists and nine turnovers won.
Anna Van Dyk played in all eight contests for QU as well. She had 118 carries for 522 meters, recording 14 line breaks and 25 defenders beaten. Van Dyk finished with a pair of trys. Defensively, the senior made 79 total tackles with a 96% tackle completion rate and 15 turnovers won.
Kat Storey tallied 46 carries for 544 meters during eight games with QU in 2023. She registered eight line breaks and 12 defenders beaten. She finished the season reaching the try zone seven separate times. Storey made 31 total tackles on the defensive side, tallying a 77% tackle completion rate, two tackle assists and seven turnovers won.
Gracie Cartwright played in seven of QU's eight games, recording 31 carries for 170 meters to go along with six line breaks and seven defenders beaten. Cartwright finished the season with one try. Defensively, she made 56 solo tackles with an 81% tackle completion rate, seven tackle assists and five turnovers won.
Riva van der Valk, QU's honorable mention honoree, logged 72 total carries for 423 meters over eight games for the Bobcats. She also recorded seven line breaks, 11 defenders beaten, and a pair of trys. She made 89 solo tackles on the defensive side (90% tackle completion rate), adding 14 tackle assists and 10 turnovers won.
Head Coach Becky Carlson just wrapped up her 13th year at the helm of the Quinnipiac Women's Rugby team in 2023-24, leading the transition from a new varsity program into a three-time national champion.
The Bobcats went 6-3 in total during the 2023 campaign, winning four straight games from Sept. 30 – Oct. 28 to close the regular season. QU defeated Navy, Sacred Heart, Army, AIC, Mount St. Mary's and LIU in 2023.
For more information on the Quinnipiac Women's Rugby program, visit gobobcats.com/rugby and follow the team on X/Twitter (@QU_Rugby) and Instagram (QURugby).
The Bobcats received four selections to the All-NIRA First Team in total. Hannah Pfersch, Anna Van Dyk, Kat Storey and Gracie Cartwright were all crowned First-Team All-American status by the NIRA. Riva van der Valk also earned All-NIRA Honorable Mention status.
Hannah Pfersch played in all eight games for QU in 2023. She had 95 carries for 340 meters, recording one line break and eight defenders beaten. The senior reached the try zone four times in total. Pfersch made 48 solo tackles on the defensive side, recording a 92% tackle completion rate to go along with 11 tackle assists and nine turnovers won.
Anna Van Dyk played in all eight contests for QU as well. She had 118 carries for 522 meters, recording 14 line breaks and 25 defenders beaten. Van Dyk finished with a pair of trys. Defensively, the senior made 79 total tackles with a 96% tackle completion rate and 15 turnovers won.
Kat Storey tallied 46 carries for 544 meters during eight games with QU in 2023. She registered eight line breaks and 12 defenders beaten. She finished the season reaching the try zone seven separate times. Storey made 31 total tackles on the defensive side, tallying a 77% tackle completion rate, two tackle assists and seven turnovers won.
Gracie Cartwright played in seven of QU's eight games, recording 31 carries for 170 meters to go along with six line breaks and seven defenders beaten. Cartwright finished the season with one try. Defensively, she made 56 solo tackles with an 81% tackle completion rate, seven tackle assists and five turnovers won.
Riva van der Valk, QU's honorable mention honoree, logged 72 total carries for 423 meters over eight games for the Bobcats. She also recorded seven line breaks, 11 defenders beaten, and a pair of trys. She made 89 solo tackles on the defensive side (90% tackle completion rate), adding 14 tackle assists and 10 turnovers won.
Head Coach Becky Carlson just wrapped up her 13th year at the helm of the Quinnipiac Women's Rugby team in 2023-24, leading the transition from a new varsity program into a three-time national champion.
The Bobcats went 6-3 in total during the 2023 campaign, winning four straight games from Sept. 30 – Oct. 28 to close the regular season. QU defeated Navy, Sacred Heart, Army, AIC, Mount St. Mary's and LIU in 2023.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Rugby
Prop
/ Women's Rugby
Fullback
/ Women's Rugby
Flanker
/ Women's Rugby
2nd Row
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