Almost a year after a quarterfinal exit in the 2024 MAAC Tournament, Quinnipiac women’s basketball has undergone a complete turnaround. The Bobcats are finding their groove at the right time, currently sitting No. 2 in the MAAC.
It wasn’t until six games in when the Bobcats had their first loss handed to them, in a tough overtime battle against a power four school in the University of Miami.
This year’s squad has shown grit and toughness, with freshman guard Gal Raviv leading the charge. The Kadima, Israel native, averages 17.4 points per game and has been a key factor in the team’s success.
“She’s just so fearless, she’s so confident in her abilities,” Quinnipiac head coach Tricia Fabbri said on Feb. 1. “She’s so confident in what she can do and how she controls the game and the tempo for us. Finding her teammates on some great dimes.”
In her first year at Quinnipiac, Raviv has been a standout, earning MAAC Rookie of the Week honors seven times and MAAC Player of the Week one time with a month remaining in the regular season.
“She’s going to be a problem for a lot of years,” Fairfield head coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis said on Jan. 30. “I think she’s special because she can create her own shot in difficult ways. She’s very crafty with the ball. But the hard part is, she’s a great passer.”
Raviv’s talent has helped spread the floor, creating opportunities for her teammates. However, Quinnipiac’s strength doesn’t stop with just one great guard. The Bobcats have three, which gives them an edge.
Senior guard Jackie Grisdale, who missed most of last season due to injury, and sophomore guard Karson Martin have both played key roles in the Bobcats’ 17-3 record.
Grisdale has been a force on both ends of the floor, averaging 1.3 steals per game and 40.7% from beyond the arc, while Martin, who started in 21 games a year ago, has averaged 10 points per game, best for fourth on the team. The Woodstock, Georgia, native is shooting 43% from the field and ranks third in minutes played behind Grisdale and Raviv.
As the second half of conference play looms, Quinnipiac is poised to make noise in the MAAC. If they continue their strong play, the Bobcats could be a tough matchup for opposing teams down the stretch. Averaging 68.8 points per game — the second most in the MAAC — and a point differential of +8.6, the Bobcats are in a strong position as the regular season winds down.
Fairfield, who defeated Quinnipiac 72-63 on Jan. 30, currently sits ahead of the Bobcats in first place. The two teams will meet again on March 8 in the regular-season finale before heading to Atlantic City for the MAAC Tournament.
“If we can get a couple of people out there to make some shots, and (sophomore forward Anna) Foley stays on the floor, we’ll have the opportunity again when we see them a second time, and maybe even a third time in March,” Fabbri said after the loss to the Stags.
One factor that sets this year’s team apart is its depth and ability to stay healthy throughout the season. Last year, injuries derailed the Bobcats’ campaign, but this year’s team has seen consistent contributions from various players like graduate student forward Caranda Perea, senior forward Grace LaBarge and junior forward Ella O’Donnell.
Fabbri might not go as deep with her bench as other teams, but when she does go to the bench, she has two quality forwards who are also starting caliber, helping the starters take a breather and not have to worry about a drop in production.
LaBarge has missed some time this year due to injury, but is averaging 14.3 minutes per game off the bench. In her absence, Foley and O’Donnell have been seeing an uptick in minutes late in games, highlighting the trust the coaching staff has in the frontcourt.
Foley is a prime example of someone who has stepped up this year. After starting 31 games as a freshman, she has made a noticeable leap in her sophomore campaign as a key facilitator on offense and a strong presence on defense. Her continued success will be crucial for the Bobcats as they approach the final stretch of the season.
“We said this in the locker room: just continue to have that championship mentality,” Foley said on Feb. 1. “Not be afraid to lose, really want it, and have that hunger to be the best team we can be.”
If the Bobcats keep up the tempo that they have this season, they should finish in the top two and earn a bye to the quarterfinals of the conference tournament in March, where Fabbri is no stranger to taking her team all the way.
