The Seton Hall women’s basketball team entered BIG EAST Media Day ready to share their strategy and goals for the upcoming season as they aim for the NCAA Tournament.
With an experienced group of returning players and a freshman class that adds size inside, the Pirates are confident they can make their first tournament appearance since 2016.
Returning for the Pirates are key players Savannah Catalon, Shailyn Pinkney, Ja’Kahla Kraftand Ari Woodard. SHU also added three freshmen who stand 6-foot-3 or taller: 6-foot-5 Kenadie Maughan, 6-foot-3 Shamira Morton and 6-foot-4 Inieye Oruh.
For Pinkney, having that size in the frontcourt is something new.
“Our team is looking very good,” Pinkney said. “I’ve never played on a team where we have this much size.”
Pinkney described the Pirates’ young post players as “physical and strong” and said she is looking forward to playing with a bigger presence in the paint.
SHU’s size also stood out to Woodard, who is excited about what the freshmen can bring around the basket.
“It is fun to play with posts that can post up and rebound,” Woodard said.
While the freshmen could give SHU a different look, the Pirates will still rely on their returning leaders.
Catalon enters her senior season with high expectations after being unanimously selected to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. The honor follows her unanimous First Team All-BIG EAST selection last season.
Despite the recognition, Catalon doesn’t want expectations to change how she approaches her final season.
“I don’t want to place too much pressure on myself by being on that list,” Catalon said. “I’m just going to go into the season just like any other season and play my game.”
Catalon has set her sights on repeating as a First Team All-BIG EAST selection and competing for All-Met Player of the Year. Her biggest goal, however, is one shared by her teammates: reach the NCAA Tournament.
Individually, Kraft wants to improve as a rebounder and 3-point shooter after putting in offseason work. But like Catalon, her goal is winning.
“I’ve worked hard to become the player that I am this year, and I’m super proud of myself,” Kraft said. “My personal goals, honestly, are just to be a great rebounder, be a great three-point shooter and continue just to do whatever I need to do to help the team win.”
Kraft said the Pirates have already developed strong chemistry both on and off the court. She credited Catalon’s leadership as one reason the team has grown closer.
“We were blessed enough to have a great captain, which is Savanna Catalon,” Kraft said. “But she also trusts in us so much, so that helps build the team up.”
However, Kraft said leadership doesn’t fall on just one player. Everyone on the roster is encouraged to be vocal—something she thinks separates the Pirates from other teams.
Woodard said she is excited to play alongside Catalon, Pinkney and Kraft, pointing to their “willingness to put the team first.”
“They really just want to win,” Woodard said. “The accolades and awards are nice, but everyone just wants to win.”
For SHU, the goal is clear; The Pirates want to make a deep run in the BIG EAST Tournament and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016.
With experienced players returning and more size inside, the Pirates are confident in what this group can do.
“We want to do whatever we can to get to the NCAA Tournament,” Kraft said. “That’s the overall goal.”
Jaden Highsmith is the head editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at jaden.highsmith@student.shu.edu.
