When Missy Traversi took the job as head coach of Adelphi University women’s basketball last May, she knew she was coming into a program on the rise. Accustomed to winning and looking to take it up another notch, in her first season as the Panthers’ head coach the team is an impressive 17-2 overall and 12-0 in NE 10 conference play.
“Adelphi, it’s a special place here,” said Traversi. “Our team has really come together in the last month or so, and they’re really starting to play with purpose. They have a collective buy-in and are such a joy to coach.
“It’s about the process and how we’ve committed ourselves to doing the little things,” she added. “Every single day, you ask yourself, ‘How can I be better?’ That’s what these young women have done day in and day out. They try to be better than yesterday. What we’re seeing now is a product of commitment and discipline. They really are a unit and it’s starting to show.”
There have been several stand out players on the team this season. Traversi said scoring leader Sierra Clark, who is leading Division II in double/doubles, has proved consistently every game that she is a serious All-America candidate. She has a tenacious competitive attitude and is also a strong leader. Junior guard Simone Hobdy, a Queens native, is a transfer from Niagara University who Traversi brought to Adelphi. She has a quick first step and is able to elevate over the defense and is deadly in the fast break.
Although not a statistical leader, sophomore guard Niajah Morgan from the Bronx is also a valuable contributor. Traversi said Morgan is a slasher/driver who does a great job of isolating her defenders one-on-one, gets to the basket and has stellar ball handling skills.
What Traversi likes about coaching in Division II is the balance between athletics and academics. Players are driven both on the court and in the classroom.
“Every team in the NE 10 is well coached,” said Traversi. “There are no easy games and Adelphi has a target on their backs and we know it. So we have to make sure we continue to do what we do well, which is defend the ball and rebound, and then the rest will take of itself.”