Autumn leaves started to fall as the Hawk’s basketball team is ready to ball.
The women’s basketball team is coming off a semi-final loss, last season to the University of New England; led by Head Coach, Kelly Thompson. The team in the prior two seasons went back-to-back, capturing a championship win in 2021 and in 2022.
“We have historically been one of the top teams in the league for a very long time now. So I think there is always somewhat of a target on us,” Coach Thompson said. “I wouldn’t want it any other way, I think that is a compliment to what our program has done over time,” said Thompson.
With championship wins in recent years, it brings in championship experience on the roster; which according to Thompson, could help the newcomers learn the process of winning.
“While it may be one game where you win the championship it’s really about what you’re doing through the whole process. I think for new players that part can be hard to understand,” said Thompson.
Last season, Guard, Katie Galligan led the team with 15 points a game in her final season with the Hawks; according to the RWU Athletics website. Now with five incoming freshmen and plenty of returners, Thompson believes the scoring role and many other leading team roles are up for grabs.
“One of the interesting things about this team is while we have a lot of returners, there’s not a lot that are in established roles from last year,” said Thompson.
Guard and forward, junior Sophia Coppola was right behind Galligan in scoring, with averaging 14 points a game. Thompson has beliefs for her to take a leading role.
“I would expect Sophia Coppola to not only lead us, but be one of the best players in the league. She was one of the best players in the league last year, and she’s growing. Now without Katie [Galligan], and Caroline Elie, who were two of the best players to ever play here,” said Thompson.
The Hawks have a roster mixed with newcomers and a group driven off last season’s semi-final loss; Thompson believes there is some competition coming into this preseason.
“There is a lot of competition right now, the people that are really going out of their way to get up the extra shots, if they come in, have an understanding that it might separate them,” said Thompson.
Last season Thompson’s Hawks fell short to the University of New England in the semi-finals, this season the Hawks will visit them for a rematch game on January 11th. Thompson, though, still has no higher concern for one game over another for the regular season as she values them the same.
“We kind of look at the regular season as every game is equally important in our conference. The regular season there is no one that weighs more than another,” said Thompson.
The Hawks 2024-2025 season features the final season for the four Hawk seniors, Caroline Aaron, Elizabeth Dufrane, Reese Codero, and Abrielle Racine. The season begins November 9th, with a home matchup for the Hawks as they face off against Montclair State to tip off the 24-25 season.
“When our players leave, we want them to look back on their experience as wow that was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but it was also the best,” said Thompson.
