Johnson, an honorable mention All-Ivy selection, was a key newcomer for the Crimson this season. Before going down with a season-ending knee injury during a February loss to Penn, Johnson anchored the defense down low and grabbed countless rebounds. Had she played a complete season, she would have been among the nation's leaders in rebounding. Johnson had surgery on the knee in April and will suit up for the Crimson as co-captain next year.
Sophomore point guard Jenn Monti, likely the most exciting player on the team to watch and a Second Team All-Ivy selection, ably served as floor general for the Crimson, handing out dazzling assist after dazzling assist. She finished the year tied for 15th in the country in dishes with 6.1 per game. In a home matchup with Yale, Monti set the Harvard single-game assist record with 14.
Sophomore Katie Gates, a starter in Delaney-Smith's original lineup this season, was out for much of the year following a concussion, which opened the door for a number of players to step up in her place. Freshman Bree Kelley, a member of the All-Ivy Rookie Team, often started at the two or three spot in her place, and she gradually improved over the course of the season, developing a wicked post-up hook shot.
The rest of Harvard's bench stepped into the spotlight when it counted. Junior Lisa Kowal came back from injury in the middle of the season to spell Monti and give the Crimson a much-needed secondary ballhandler. Freshmen post players Sarah Johnson, Melissa's sister, and Kate Ides lent depth in the paint. Sophomore Laura Barnard came on strong at the end of the season, exploding for three-pointers left and right in the last few games, including a 17-point outburst with four treys against Cornell in March.
The future is looking bright for the Crimson, and Harvard is easily one of the favorites for an Ivy title next year. But that may not have been were it not for the progress made this season.
"It's been a great season," Sturdy said in Hanover after the final buzzer sounded on her career. "I can't say enough about the quality of the people on this team. Win or lose, it's been a fun ride."