NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Following their standout showings at the 2026 National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) Women's All-Stars Showcase, senior forward Alyssa Gioia (Stamford, Conn.) and junior forward Carlyan Vigbedor (Centreville, Va.) of the Norwich University women's rugby team have each earned national recognition for their play at the prestigious event.

Gioia, representing Team Stripes, was named Forward of the Match in her team's tournament-clinching performance as the Stripes captured the 2026 NCR All-Stars Tournament Championship at Silverback Park in Atlanta, Ga.

Vigbedor, who competed for Team Stars, was selected to the 2026 All-Tournament Team, earning a spot among the event's top performers across all four showcase squads.  She was also selected to join the National Rugby League (NRL) 9s Women's Premier Division roster, which will compete at the 2026 Vegas 9s Festival later this month.

The selection places Vigbedor on a national stage as one of 15 women chosen from over 600 student-athletes evaluated in Atlanta.  She will represent NCR in the Premier Division of the tournament, where top collegiate athletes will perform in front of international professional scouts and NRLW officials.

Additionally, Vigbedor was named to the 2026 NCR All-American Team, joining a class of just 92 players nationwide selected from a pool of nearly 20,000 student-athletes across 632 collegiate programs.  Selections are made based on season-long performance, impact, consistency, and All-Star showcase evaluations.

"I credit my success to my teammates, who have helped me develop as a leader and teammate on the field, as well as Coach Baylee Annis and Coach Andrew Denson, who have pushed me physically and mentally to become as resilient as I am today," Vigbedor said.  "And I'd like to give all the Glory to God."

The national postseason honors cap off a remarkable 2025-26 campaign for the Cadets, who finished 4-4 in the fall 15s season and returned to the NCR Division II National Tournament, earning a 34-19 win over Texas-San Antonio in the West Regional Third-Place Game.

Gioia and Vigbedor were among four Norwich players selected to the 2026 NCR All-Stars Showcase, joining backs Octavia Crawford (Shelburne Falls, Mass.) and Lillie Ells (Centerville, Mass.).  All four were previously named to the Rugby Northeast Division II All-Conference Team, with Vigbedor and Crawford earning First Team honors.