After numerous hours of training and practice, senior Lauren Doyle accomplished her goal of making the National women’s rugby sevens team, but the quest to make the roster did not prove easy.

She competed with Chicago North Shore over the summer and qualified for club nationals in San Francisco.

After the tournament, Doyle, sophomore fly-half Nia Williams, and sophomore center Madison Kissner were invited to play with the Midwest team.

Following another sevens tournament, this time with the Midwest team, the three attended a national camp in September.

Sixty women participated, but only 25 of them were invited back to the next step.

Williams and Kissner did not advance, but not only did Doyle advance, she made it one more level onto the national roster.

“I’m happy I got a chance to come back,” Doyle said. “After the first camp in September, I am glad they took an interest in me.”

Doyle said she put in extra work off the rugby field to solidify her training for international play.

She not only attended dual practices, but also had some extra conditioning on the side with one of the Eastern’s track and field coaches.

“I went to track practice as well as rugby practice,” Doyle said. “I definitely have gotten faster; I wasn’t really as explosive as I am now.”

Doyle accomplished the feat earlier this month, and left last Wednesday to join the national team in San Diego.

The team assembled in California over the weekend and will begin its play in China this week.

Shortly after, the national team will make a trip to Dubai for the Emirates Airlines Dubai Rugby Sevens Tournament.

The decision to compete for a spot on the team began in her sophomore year after attending a camp on the West Coast and began making a name for herself.

The drive continued the more she played, and Doyle began the process earlier this year.

“I really like rugby, and I am very passionate about it,” Doyle said. “Then I heard it would be in the Olympics and I said, ‘Wow that would be amazing.’’

The 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro will feature rugby for the first time since 1924, and it will be in sevens format.

Doyle will look to remain on the national team and attempt to participate in Brazil in four years.

“That would be unbelievable,” Doyle said. “Just to go to China and Dubai, play well, and then actually live in San Diego and do this for a living would be great.”

The Rugby Sevens World Cup is also approaching in 2013, and it could prove as a good experience for Doyle going forward. Eastern head coach Frank Graziano is looking forward to all of the opportunities to come as well.

“(The national team players) will take her under their wing,” Graziano said. “It is going to be great for her.”

Nicholas Ruffolo can be reached at 581-2812 or nfruffolo@eiu.edu.