Mo O’Connell is a senior basketball co-captain and exercise science major with a minor in leadership.
O’Connell plays forward and is No. 10 on the basketball team. She has been playing on the court since she was six years old.
Now in her last year of competitive play, O’Connell has taken on a leadership role for the team.
“You work so hard for four years to get it and then be recognized,” O’Connell said.
In the 2014-2015 season, O’Connell appeared in 26 games. She averaged 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds in 11 minutes per game. She is going to continue giving it her all on the court for this 2015-2016 season.
Balancing school and basketball came easier to O’Connell than she thought it would.
“In between classes and practices, I try and get some studying and homework done,” O’Connell said. “It really is all about time management.”
As team captain, O’Connell makes sure each of her teammates have a positive attitude and are ready for game day.
“We always say we gotta stick together no matter what’s going on,” O’Connell said. “We have to pick each other up.”
Her teammates look up to her as a role model and appreciate the positivity she brings to the team.
“She is always vocal and always has something great to say. She is key on putting in the extra work to get better,” teammate, Caroline Price, said.
Women’s head basketball coach, Kate Pearson thinks O’Connell, is one of the hardest working players on the team.
“She has been a leader on the team since her freshman year by playing hard whenever she was on the court and being the most vocal player when she is on the sideline,” Pearson said. “Mo joins her fellow seniors as a captain and we will rely heavily on her positive attitude, work ethic, and experience to lead us in our quest for a fourth straight championship.”
O’Connell has worked hard to get where she wanted to be. She hopes to make her last season has a Cavalier one to remember.
“It’s kind of scary,” O’Connell said. “This is the last time I am going to be playing competitively. That is going to mean something to everyone.”
Since high school, O’Connell has a tradition of eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before every game. Blasting music in the locker room is something that gets her pumped up for games.
O’Connell is also a member of the women’s lacrosse team.
She plays with her heart and works hard to succeed in everything she does. This is something that she will always be remembered for.
