After a season that tested their perseverance, the women’s basketball team has rewritten their narrative in a major way.
“What I’m most proud of is our resilience. This team fights, and they embody hard work and a relentless pursuit to be great,” said head coach Jessica Mannetti. “After being picked almost last in the conference, we want to prove everyone wrong,”
After finishing 5–15 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play last season, this season’s jump has not come overnight.
“This team is really hungry to prove themselves, and they are on a mission,” said Mannetti.
That mission began in nonconference play, where they worked through embracing new roles and finding their identity. Once conference play started, a gritty road win at Iona University helped solidify their confidence.
“We’ve just been able to gut out some really tough games and go into the locker room with confidence and that no quit mentality,” said Mannetti.
Junior Nalyce Dudley has been a key part of this season’s success.
“Over the course of this year, being my junior year, I knew that I had to step into a bigger role,” said Dudley.
Source: Josh Gee, SHU Athletics
Dudley’s improvement and development of her three-point shot has helped her earn all-conference team consideration.
“Last season, we started off rough. It was a new conference, and we were still trying to figure out how to play with each other,” said Dudley. “This season, coming into the locker room, I feel like we’re starting to buy into each other a lot more and play for each other.”
“We never quit, we never give up,” said senior Sierra Johnson. “I genuinely never feel like we’re going to lose even if we’re down 15 in the fourth.”
“Being in this conference, it forces us to not rely just on talent because anybody can show up and be good on any night. It doesn’t matter if you’re a top team, it’s just a matter of who’s the most connected, who’s the most disciplined, and that’s who’s going to come out with the win,” said Johnson
As the season continues, Mannetti is making sure the team does not get complacent with where they are.
“Let’s continue to put in the work now that we’ve earned a pretty fun target on our back,” said Mannetti.
After a 68-63 overtime loss to Mount St. Mary’s University on Feb. 7, the Pioneers currently sit fifth in the MAAC standings with a conference record of 9-6. They have five regular season games remaining.
The Pios next game is on Saturday, Feb. 14 at Saint Peter’s University.
Sacred Heart Athletics contributed to this article.
