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In their final year on the Main Line, the Wildcat seniors are primed and ready to lead, as well as put their final stamp on things at Villanova. Bringing the experience of their past seasons to an already talented team, 2017 promises to be an exciting year for Villanova’s Women’s Basketball.
The Players:
#2 Alex Louin, 6-0, G — Doylestown, Pa./Mount St. Joseph Academy
#12 Megan Quinn, 6-2, C — Berwyn, Pa./Episcopal Academy
#24 Nicolette Juliana, 5-8, G — West Chester, Pa./Bishop Shanahan
The Breakdown:
The three local players are hoping for a big season to close out their careers. Former walk-on Nicolette Juliana and returning starters, Megan Quinn and Alex Louin, are searching for their first NCAA Tournament appearance—as well as Villanova’s first since conference realignment. Head coach Harry Perretta warns against too much confidence and the need for consistency in this year’s line-up, citing experience as key to practices but the return to consistent form is top of the priority list, but these three will look to keep their team focused and ready.
Quinn returns as a strong starting center. At 6-foot-2, she gives Perretta and the Wildcats plenty of size and skill in the middle, with an arsenal of strong offensive moves ready for deployment. She can score comfortably inside, but also take her game outside to the perimeter. Quinn can take and make the three, as well as drain shots from mid-range. Offensively, she also is a great passer and operates well in the motion offense.
The Doylestown, Pa. native started 31 of the 35 games last year. Her consistency and reliable form also spilled onto the boards, giving a great (and much-needed) rebounding presence. She averaged 5.7 per contest last season and was a great shot-blocker too.
The concluded the 2016-17 season averaging 7.5 points per game, a step back from the year before. However, she was slightly more efficient.
Quinn’s experience as one of just two returning starting seniors and the confidence she has gathered as a player from last season’s run to the WNIT semi-finals will be crucial to guiding the younger players through the tournament and leading the Wildcats in this year’s quest for an even better season.
As for Louin, she promises another outstanding year as a leading performer. She earned her place on 2017 WNIT All-Tournament Team for her role in the Wildcats’ five WNIT games, helping to lead the team to the semi-final round after registering 89 points, 34 rebounds and 13 assists in the tournament.
Overall, she led the ‘Cats in scoring last season, notching 13.1 points per game. Like junior Adrianna Hahn, she adds another high-scoring threat. Louin can score from anywhere and can do so off the dribble or by getting set.
Louin is expected to dominate in the 2017-18 season. Late last season, she notched her 1,000th career point, becoming only the 26th player in Villanova women’s basketball history to reach the milestone. Louin was able to achieve the mark in the Wildcats’ Mar. 19 win over Drexel in the WNIT. She scored a game-high of 24 points and was a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line.
“I thought her play was excellent,” Perretta said, after the game. “She rebounded the ball when we needed it. She played good defense. She just never gets tired.”
That’s the type of player she is, one that can go all 40 minutes if needed and play long stretches. Starting all of her 35 games last year, there are high expectations for Louin to continue her leading performances, as one of the cornerstones to this team.
These seniors take the first step of their final season this Friday, when they head on the road with the Wildcats to take on Hartford. The season opening game tips off at 5:30 p.m.