New York University (NYU) was determined to repeat as NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Champions, and they did with a 77–49 victory over Smith College. The win continues the Violets’ now 62-game winning streak and number one ranking.
“We have winners in our locker room, and the way they’re wired and the way that our program has been focused on ourselves has really allowed us to block out noise of a streak or worry about the level of who our opponent was any given night during this time,” said NYU coach Meg Barber. “It’s about our team just continuing to keep our foot on the gas and try to get better every day and better every game.”
Barber spoke of taking a chance on the right people coming out of high school to build this successful team. Senior Belle Pellecchia was named tournament Most Outstanding Player. She described Pellecchia as a Division I-level player who was overlooked coming out of high school.
“College basketball is a grind, and you need to find the players that are willing to put the work in consistently, sometimes when the results aren’t yet seen,” said Barber. “Two of the top players in our program are two of the hardest workers in the program, and that has been a catalyst to the entirety of the team culture being about work.”
With several seniors and graduate students now going onto the next chapter of their lives, Barber said it’s a somewhat harsh reality that this team’s run is over, albeit in the best way possible. Now is a time to celebrate and reflect on the fruits of their labor.
Having a team based in the city that never sleeps means players must be disciplined, focused and able to balance academics, athletics and the city itself. Barber said they have to approach being an elite student-athlete in a mature way.
“What we’re asked to do on a basketball court every day in terms of you make a mistake, you need to pivot and find another way, we go through every day in New York City,” said Barber. “Whether it’s a subway being delayed or the everyday hustle and bustle of the city, they’re living in a world where resilience is a requirement. It reflects in the way this team plays because they play unfazed and very together. Those are two things New Yorkers are known for.”