Naya Tapper began her rugby career in 2012 when she played for her alma matter at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill after completing a promising career in track at her high school. An All-American athlete before stepping on to the rugby scene, Tapper’s abilities only advanced when she made her debut with the Women's Sevens at the 2016 Sao Paulo Sevens tournament.

One month later, Tapper also earned her first international cap with the Women's National Team (15s) against France at the Women's Super Series.

Finishing her year at the National All-Star Competition, Tapper returned to the Sevens Series scene at the start of the 2016-17 season where she finished second overall in tries and lead the Women’s Sevens to a record 6th place finish.

Following her remarkable performance in the HSBC Series, Tapper was selected to the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup squad where she helped her teammates reach the Semifinal. After a short break, she suited up once more for the 2017 Dubai Sevens Tournament where the Women’s Sevens won silver.