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TRB DI Elite All-Conference Team

  • 06 May 2021
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Lindenwood No. 8 Kapoina Bailey / Photo: Todd Lunow

The 2021 DI Elite season ended with Lindenwood University’s third-straight title, but there were plenty of highlights from all of the teams that were able to take the pitch this spring. Traditionally, an all-tournament team focuses on team representation, with the titleholder being the most prevalent on the list, but the following takes a different approach and focuses on freshmen and sophomores.

No disrespect to the juniors, seniors and fifth-years who are the foundations of their respective programs, but an all-tournament team would mostly feature players with whom the community is very familiar. The following list looks at the future, focusing namely on freshmen but also influential sophomores who had a truncated first year due to Covid-19 (remember DI Elite is spring-based so the fall is more pre-season play).

Additionally, team representation relative to final placement wasn’t a consideration. Central Washington, for example, fielded by far the most freshmen on its varsity roster, and the community got good, long looks at those players. A team like Lindenwood has an impressive freshman class, but most are building toward the varsity team and weren’t exposed to the opposition’s first side. There were also players who drew deserved attention but their game time was hampered by injury, academic probation or just a deep roster.

2021 DI ELITE ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

Freshmen & Sophomores Only

#1 Kayla Pemasa – Life Univ.

The entire field’s front rows showcased a lot of upperclass experience, and sophomore from Kahului, Hawaii, held her own at loosehead. The powerful ballcarrier is confident in the open field and earned high marks from Life head coach Ros Chou when the team competed at Tropical 7s in Orlando. Pemasa also scored Life’s first try against Central Washington in the team’s 29-20 semifinal win.

#2 Kawai Akina – Central Washington Univ.

The sophomore came out of the highly success Kahuku Raiders program in Hawaii and started nearly every game between two veteran props in Keia Mae Sagapolu and Hayley Abeyta. She’s mobile, very comfortable with ball in hand, and solid in the lineouts.

#3 Lali Lafitaga – Lindenwood Univ.

Around the 55-minute mark, Lindenwood would start working its bench, and the injection of dynamic players like Lafitaga devastated the opposition. The sophomore is power and physicality, and nimble and fun – much like fellow SoCal native and reserve Izzy Manu. Lafitaga came on at hooker during the national championship but can be found anywhere in the front row.

#4 Ashlyn Westhora – BYU

The lock is a first-year player and immediately impressed BYU captain Taylor Johnston during the Cougars’ DI Elite opener against CWU. “… I remember seeing her on defense, just running at the girls and not afraid to tackle anyone. It was inspiring for me – to see someone who’s never played before tackle like that,” the skipper said.

#5 Abby Nichols – Central Washington Univ.

The freshmen was also a high-achieving basketball player in high school, and the Idaho native put those ballhandling skills (and height!) to good use in the Wildcats’ lineouts, both offensively and defensively. Nichols has line-piercing ability, too, and was instrumental in kickstarting CWU’s second-half surge during the semis.

#6 Ahnea Aupiu – Lindenwood Univ.

It’s not easy to break into Lindenwood’s starting pack, and the Carson / South Bay product was the only freshman to do so with regularity this year. She worked so nicely with senior flanker Alia Ah Far and sophomore No. 8 Kapoina Bailey, and looked like she’d been playing at this level for years. Aupiu also scored a try in the national championship.

#7 Tessa Hann – Central Washington Univ.

Hann didn’t have much 15s experience coming out of Colorado, but the freshman didn’t let on while scoring seven tries this spring. She’s happy in open space, quick over the ball, and earned consistent praise for her work rate from the coaching staff.

#8 Kapoina Bailey – Lindenwood Univ.

The sophomore was TRB’s favorite player this year. The Kona, Hawaii, native was so dynamic from No. 8, always causing havoc at the breakdown, teaming up for highlight-worthy double tackles, and fast in the open field for four tries this season.

#9 Nina Wilson – Life Univ.

As one might expect, all of the teams had juniors and older in this decision-making position, but Life’s Nina Wilson looked good during JV and non-league games with the senior team. Reporting all the way from Thailand, Wilson was good in contact and wily as well.

#10 Alex Wantlin – Life Univ.

Like scrumhalf, flyhalf was another position that was filled by more veteran players, but the freshman did get a little time at 10 when she wasn’t otherwise playing in the centers. It’s a good choice, as the Floridian has one of the best boots in the DI Elite. She’s a hustler, too, pushes the work rate of the team, and plays with maturity.

#11 Sammy Stern – Central Washington Univ.

Stern is slight, but that’s the last thing one notices after kickoff. The Rancho Bernardo / Fallbrook alumna debuted with three tries against BYU, playing fullback then but rotating into wing later in the season. The freshman has so much pace and acceleration, and scored seven tries on the spring.

#12 Eti Haungatau – Lindenwood Univ.

The freshman was named MVP of the national championship, which isn’t necessarily a surprise given Haungatau’s status as a USA 7s and 15s Eagle. But the Sacramento native didn’t want her accomplishments to distract from the Lions’ team game, and the inside center did well to set up teammates for successes.

#13 Pepe Toomalatai – Life Univ.

The freshman was another player that coach Chou consistently complimented. When Life enjoyed time on attack, the outside center showed how shifty and evasive she is. But we really liked her work in the national championship. Life had few opportunities in scoring position, but Toomalatai helped produce two tries, working the defense to put wing Adrionna Duncan away for two tries.

#14 Aly Namosimalua – Central Washington Univ.

The sophomore has the ability to jolt teammates into action, powering down the sideline and connecting on breakaways, and planting big open-field hits. The Sacramento Amazons alumna looked for work around the pitch, as well.

#15 Nicole Lyons – BYU

Fullback is all about performing under pressure, and the sophomore was stellar in her first season in the DI Elite. Lyons is fast – with ball in hand and in the chase-down – and doesn’t pull up in the tackle. The former soccer player might have the most distance off the tee and was the go-to for long-range penalty attempts.

Honorable Mentions go to Lindenwood freshmen Puni Skipps (center) and Manaia Moala (No. 8); Life loose forwards Kate Buzby (soph.) and Brooklyn Vaifanua (fr.); Central Washington flanker Kayla Guyton (fr.); and BYU forward Kate Gormley.

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