Talking the Talk

After playing beside Peljto for three years, fellow forward Tubridy echoes her sentiments about the need to win an NCAA tournament game—a hump Harvard has been unable to scale the last two seasons.

“Since this is the last time the three of us will be playing together, there is definitely a sense of urgency,” Tubridy said. “We want a great season, we want another Ivy title and we want a win in the NCAA tourney.”

While Peljto is praised for her vision with the basketball, Tubridy earns her praise as a communicator that keeps the team together on the court.

“What Tricia Tubridy gives to a team, no coach in the world can teach,” Delaney-Smith said. “And she still keeps on giving. That’s who she is…She’s the coach on the floor.”

She is also recognized by her fellow players as one of the biggest hustlers on the team.

“Playing hard is always a good goal to have because no matter how many mistakes you make, you can always hustle,” Tubridy said.

Both her teammates and coach rave about how she anchors Harvard’s focus and motivation throughout the season. But don’t sell the 6’0 forward short on her basketball skills.

Last season, she was the only basketball player in the Ivy League to be in the top six in rebounding (7.2), assists (3.2) and assists-to-turnover ratio (almost 3:2).

Tubridy also had one of the individual highlights of the year when she registered the first triple-double in Harvard women’s basketball history, putting up 12 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in a victory over Brown.

Another aspect of her game is her accuracy—she lit up opponents, draining shot after shot. In a victory over Central Connecticut, Tubridy was five-for-five from beyond the three-point arc and put up a season-high 17 points.

“She was one of our top three-point shooters in terms of accuracy and she’s still that way,” Delaney-Smith said. “And I think she is that way because she has very good shot selection. She’s so unselfish that she doesn’t ever try to play outside of herself.”

Doing Her Country Proud

Rounding out the triple threat for the Crimson, Cserny’s play at center has attracted attention as the rock in the middle of this explosive and potent front court. But it is also her pressure-free attitude that has earned the respect of her teammates.

“When I’m on the court, I don’t think about what the expectations are about my performance—I’m just trying to do my best,” Cserny said. “Even if they say I’m a part of that ‘best front court in Ivy League history,’ that won’t change the way I play and definitely won’t make me feel nervous about it.”