Holly Abrams - Assistant Coach - Staff Directory - Princeton University Athletics

Staff Directory

Holly Abrams

Title:
Assistant Coach
Email:

Holly Abrams joined the Princeton women’s rugby team as an assistant coach in fall 2023.

Since then, she has been a key figure in the growth of Princeton’s 38th and newest varsity program. In 2024-25, the Tigers’ third season as a varsity program, Abrams helped the program make history. Princeton earned its first varsity 15s victory, a 59-0 triumph over Bowdoin on Sept. 21. In addition, Princeton defeated Mount St. Mary’s, 49-12, on Oct. 26, and Malinka Kwemo was honored with All-NIRA Honorable Mention accolades. In the spring, Princeton advanced to the semifinals at the Navy 7s tournament and competed at the College Rugby Coaches Association of America (CRAA) 7s National Championships, where Princeton almost took down national championship-winning Harvard, 29-22. The Tigers were rewarded for their growth representation on the national scene with four players attending USA Rugby Pathways camps: Annie Huettel, Ava Gregory, Sara Zavieh and Celia Watson. In addition, two Tigers were named finalists for Princeton Varsity Club (PVC) awards, with Erica De San Jorge nominated for the Art Lane ’34 Award and Sofie Grouws the Class of 1916 Cup.

2023-24, Princeton's second season at the varsity level, saw the Tigers continue to grow as a program. In the 7s season, the Tigers earned wins over Mount St. Mary's, Navy, West Chester, Kutztown and UNH. After a competitive 15s season in the fall, Leilani Bender was honored as a Second Team All-NIRA selection.

In addition to her time on staff at Princeton, Abrams served as the World Rugby Liaison Ireland Men’s National 7s team in 2023 and for the New Zealand Black Ferns National 7s team in 2024. She also managed the Pittsburgh Steeltoes and Rocky Mountain Experts in the Premier Rugby 7s.

Abrams is a USAR L2 Certified Rugby Coach and is USA Rugby Strength and Conditioning Certified. She is a member of pioneer of the Women’s Rugby Coaches and Referees Association and was the USA Rugby Senior Club Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair from 2014 - 2021.

Abrams also is working towards her PhD titled “With You: An Exploration of Black Women’s Perceived Mattering on a Collegiate Women’s Rugby Team” and is also the author of the publication “They Just Don’t Get That We Matter: Black Boys’ Critical Consciousness Development During a Health Crisis and Racial Reckoning.”
As a player, Abrams played for East Carolina (2012-2016), the Hangzhou Harlequins (2016-17), the University of Delaware (2017-2019), Scion Rugby (2018) and the Chesapeake Stingers (2019-2022)

Abrams graduated with a Masters of Science in Human Development and Family Science from the University of Delaware in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Family and Community Services from East Carolina in 2016.