Corrine Eisner, Emma Fischer, and Sakeria Haralson. Provided by the Athletic Department.
Written by Lizzy Kubancek
The Seton Hill Women’s basketball team concluded their 24-25 season with a 24-7 overall record and made their first appearance in the NCAA tournament in 15 years. The women started the season strong with a 15-game win streak and earned their place as “the team to beat” in the PSAC, according to Coach Maeve Gallagher. The women set a single-season program record for wins since joining the NCAA in 2013 and led the PSAC in points per game, rebounds, assists, and steals.
“Seton Hill (women’s) basketball has kind of operated in an underdog seat for the last couple of years…we wanted to flip that and be in attack mode,” said Coach Maeve on the mindset going into off-season training, “they worked relentlessly hard in the preseason…worked on doing hard things together.”
According to junior guard Hallie Cowan, “Preseason was really hard, so that prepared us for the start of the season.”
The team was recognized on the national level throughout the season but “didn’t talk about it,” according to Coach Maeve. “Rankings are opinionated…our goal entering every single game was to fight, do what we were good at, and win games.” Coach Maeve said the team acknowledged they were winning and “knew winning came with challenges” as they adopted an “us versus us” mindset as their approach to competing.
The team faced its first loss to Holy Family University. Cowan said, “Obviously, we hate to lose, but I think it was something that we needed to show us what it feels like…it was kind of like a little wake-up call.”
Junior forward Corinne Eisner added, “It sucked but if anything it was motivating for moving into PSAC play.”
Coach Maeve said, “Holy Family was a great team, ranked in their region, and had phenomenal players. Wins are going to come and so are losses, what matters is how we respond.”
Outside of training, the “support from students and faculty was very helpful and motivating,” said Cowan.
Coach Maeve talked about how in previous years the team “struggled filling seats in the gym but this year the top was blown off,” she added, “the biggest thing I noted was the community, the admin, and alumni believed in our women, so our women believed in what they were doing.”
Eisner said, “The support was overwhelming and I think it helped us in every aspect of our game.”
This season was labeled as “historical” by the team. “We made history in the university in many ways,” said Cowan.
“Seton Hill is a place where women have pioneered since the doors opened. What we have is special, and this 24-25 team will be remembered for achieving many firsts,” said Coach Maeve. “We realized we could achieve historical things, and these women have earned it.”