Women’s Basketball graduate student Keagan Schwab posts up in a game against Roanoke.
Emilie Dajc|Marlin Chronicle
The Virginia Wesleyan’s Women’s Basketball team has struggled this season. The Marlins currently sit in second to last place of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, with a 5-15 overall record, 1-12 in conference play. With only four games left in the season, and currently No. 12 in conference, the Marlins will not qualify for the postseason.
The team is working to keep morale high. “We’re actually in a really good place with each other,” Keagan Schwab, a graduate transfer who currently leads the team in scoring, said. Despite the tough season, the team has found ways to celebrate their wins, both on and off the court. One of the ways they have done this is by looking back to last year. In the 2023-2024 season, the Women’s Basketball team finished with an overall record of 3-22, 1-17 in conference. Their only ODAC win came against Hollins University in overtime.
“Compared to last season, I feel like as a team, we’ve been doing really well,” Brianna Long, a freshman, said. Currently, Long is the second team leader in scoring and tied for first in rebounds and steals.
The Marlins have been able to compete with some of their opponents, but the challenge is closing the games out. “We can come in high to the third and like, that last few minutes of the game is where we start making mistakes,” Long said. Freshman Breyona Robinson agreed.
“Some of the games we play, we let them come into the game. We could have done better,” Robinson said.
With team morale still high, the goal of the final four games of the season is to finish hard and with pride. “Now that I feel like we’ve learned more, it’s getting to the end of the season, we can pick it up at the end,” Jaiden Hunter, a freshman, said.
“I feel like we could get at least a couple more,” Schwab said. “A win to end the season would be wonderful.”
Even in the face of adversity, the Marlins have been able to learn and improve. “There’s definitely been a lot of growth along the way,” Schwab said. “There’s pieces that are building together.”
With a roster consisting of several new players, including six freshman and a graduate transfer, the Marlins have had to adjust to playing together.
“We have to learn. We have to work together more. You know, play as a team. Some of us haven’t played with each other, transfers, freshmen, fifth years. We all have to learn how to work together and play as a team for real,” Hunter said.
For the freshmen, the transition from high school to college has been an adjustment, but one they have embraced. “There’s definitely been a learning curve, like there’s definitely been an adjustment,” Long said. “It’s like, okay, you’re coming out here, this chick is 6 foot. She can body me anytime. I’m only 5’8”. How do I do it?”
Women’s Basketball freshman Mia Alexander plays tight defense in a game against Roanoke.
Emilie Dajc|Marlin Chronicle
The Marlins have placed a strong emphasis on mental toughness and rebounding from adversity this season. “When we get punched, sometimes it can be difficult to get back, but we still fight hard,” Robinson said.
“I try to look at the stats in the game, or the film of it, and be like, okay, that was my fault, or that was my point,” Long said. “Then going into the next game feeling sorry for whoever we’re playing, because now I have something to prove and make up.”
Remaining focused on the game after halftime is critically important for the Marlins.
“We need to stay focused. Our focus sometimes goes down, or you know, we could be in it, and then as soon as they get their little boost or the little run of points, that’s when we fall down,” Hunter said. “We can definitely pick that up.”
The Marlins may not be heading into the postseason, but they’ve laid the foundation for a stronger season, one they are excited for. “I feel like it’ll be so much better next year, and everything will just go better,” Robinson said.
With a young core of talent and a season of experience under their belts, the Marlins are looking ahead to brighter days.
By: Eli Casey
emcasey@vwu.edu
