University of Vermont ends women鈥檚 basketball season
BURLINGTON, Vt. (BVM) — University of Vermont鈥檚 women鈥檚 basketball program has decided to end its season and will not play the rest of their remaining schedule.
The team announced earlier this week that it was making the player–led decision after on-and-off quarantines throughout the short season. The UVM athletic department has put a hold on the remaining athletic seasons in other sports, as the program stays in constant contact with players.聽
“We respect our players’ decisions and they have had our complete support throughout this unprecedented time,” . “It has not been easy for anyone involved with our program and I feel for them. I’m extremely proud of our team and what we have accomplished on and off the court. This group of impressive young women has a bright future ahead.”
The Catamounts played only half of their 12 scheduled America East matchups this year and their 4-2 record in conference play was their best start since the 2012-13 season. The team鈥檚 hot start included a three–game winning streak with their last win coming against UMBC.
The team had not played since Jan. 4 after the Catamounts were forced into quarantine due to contact tracing. That pause in action was extended because of positive COVID-19 tests within the program.
“I have tremendous respect for our women’s basketball student-athletes, coaches and staff and fully support what I know was a very difficult decision,” Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman said. “I’m particularly appreciative of the leadership that Coach Kresge and her staff have provided during this very challenging season.鈥�
With a disappointing end to their season, the Catamounts’ shortened year opened up a look into a bright future. Freshman forward Anna Olson led the team in scoring averaging 13.3 points per game, while sophomores Emma Utterback and Delaney Richardson finished close behind. Olson won America East player of the week earlier in the season.
鈥淥ur program has made great strides under this coaching staff and I look forward to watching the group continue to build on the solid foundation that has been established,鈥� Schulman said. 鈥淎ll of our student-athletes will remain enrolled and we will continue to fully support their academics and their health and wellbeing as they complete the semester.”
The America East will continue to have a women鈥檚 basketball season and recently unveiled the format for its 2021 men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball championship tournaments that will begin the first week of March.
