With two straight World Series tournament victories behind them, the USA women enter Dubai among the favorites, and certainly in a stronger position than they were in a year ago.

What's New?

Well, more of a development, the Eagles have started to use their physical strength. Chief among those who impose their will on the opposition is Ilona Maher. The 2017 MA Sorensen Award-winner as the top women's collegiate player for the 2016-17 season, the former No. 8 and center for Quinnipiac has found a home as a player who can be a wing or center or prop in sevens, using her combined speed and strength to run around or, more usually, through defenders.

But it's more than just one player. Cheta Emba has pace as well as power and she is very good in the air. Abby Gustaitis is probably even better in the air and really strong on defense.

(Video interview with Maher below. If you don't see it, refresh the page or go here>>)

The overall tackling for the team has improved markedly. No longer are the Eagles wrapping up, flopping down, and expecting their body weight and a ballcarriers generosity to bring the play to the ground. That has chanced to the Eagles players staying more on their feet and driving through the tackles.

Leadership

Head Coach Chris Brown wants to spread the honor (or burden?) of leadership around and he has made Gustaitis and Kristen Thomas co-captains for Dubai. This is a first for Thomas and a nod to her hard work and he status within the team.

It's also a way of giving everyone the message—you, too, can be a leader, and you, too, should be someone who is just part of the team.

“For us, it's huge that we stick to the process and enjoy the moments along the way," said Brown. "If we have this mindset, we recognize that every day we have the opportunity to grow and make some little wins that will be of great value later in the season. 

“We saw significant progress in our general attack in Glendale however we were a long way off our defensive best. With a mindset of controlling what we can control, we are looking for a more consistent all round performance during the second and third leg of the series. And with such a strong pool we will need to step up to the next level. It’s been a solid block where we’ve had a decent amount of time to make a few enhancement both sides of the ball. Warren Abrahams has had a big effect on expanding our attack understanding and what options we have available and as a group we are continuing to make big steps in decision making and how we solve problems.”  

The USA opens up the Dubai 7s on December 5 at 6:58AM Eastern Time against Brazil.

They then take on Russia and Canada on Day Two, December 6.