After dabbling in the WNIT for four-straight years, all of the players from the previous NCAA Tournament appearance in 2013 had graduated and cycled out.
Last season, with four returning starters and the Villanova Wildcats’ top six scorers back in action, they seemed to be destined for a special year.
A hot 10-0 start to the season, along with their return to the rankings for the first time in over a decade, propelled the Wildcats to a 23-9 finish. Most importantly, they were able to achieve a goal that had eluded them since conference realignment--reach the NCAA Tournament.