NC State on continuing their streak in the ACC Conference
CHARLOTTE, NC – North Carolina State women’s Wolfpack basketball looks for another ACC championship title in the 2023 season with head coach Wes Moore, under him, he is ranked for the top four seasons that led to three straight ACC titles in the program’s history. In 2020 he succeeded in conquering the first conference tournament since 1991 with back-to-back repeats in 2020 to 2021 and lastly 2022.
“Last year we were probably a little bit more inconsistent than we are used to.” Said, Coach Moore. “We definitely want to find some more consistency this year, I like the fact that we have some freshmen on this team, so I think it makes everyone have to teach a little bit more including the coach but just excited about that mix.”
Ranked third in the ACC, completing a three-peat, and a season full of impressive records from the women’s Wolfpack. The team is at an all-time high of seven ACC Tournament titles in the program’s history tying up with the program record for single-season victories from the 1977-78 season.
With big contributions to the team and the winning game Madison Hayes, a six-foot senior guard has appeared in 32 games her junior year with the Wolfpack. Her career best in the 2022 season has been outstanding as Hayes puts up 7.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists with a 42.8 percentage of field goals per game.
“Just making sure I am a three-level scorer this year, I know that I was a lockdown defender last year. I am pretty good on my three-point shot, just trying to piece everything together and be the glue to my team.” Said Hayes.
It’s not just basketball to Hayes, it is the community around her. Madison Hayes used her NIL earnings to give back to the youth in Chattanooga. She gave away 250 backpacks to her local community. Making sure the young kids are set for school and that they are able to have what they need.
Hayes voiced, “It was important to me because that is the same summer camp that I went to every year back in my hometown and just giving back to the kids, their parents can’t go to the store to get them something or everyone is selling out of backpacks, so having the supplies for them and making sure they have everything they need for school and making sure they understand that school is important is the biggest thing for me.”
Joining the Wolfpack in 2020, junior guard Saniya Rivers, coming off the bench as ACC Sixth Player of the Year emphasizes her growth and what it means to tap into her leadership roles at NC State.
She states, “I’ve never been a leader before this is my first time being an upperclassman.”
Last season, Rivers completed the season with 8.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists including a 43.9 percent field goal advantage.
Grasping more of an insight into how Rivers maneuvers personally, she speaks on being more calm and concise in decision-making on the court. Focusing more on her mental, she can tap into her roles and make sure that she’s not in her head during the season. Rivers highlighted her sister helping her in those moments.
“I see a big difference, and part of it is being mentally and physically tough.” Coach Moore stated.
The women’s Wolfpack faces the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for the season opener. The team shall stick together and conquer to bring the first matchup a victory in defending their home court.