Maddy Siegrest is coming off one of the best freshman campaigns in the country and one of the greatest in Villanova history. Now, she starts her sophomore year out on the same positive note. She was named a unanimous preseason All-Big East First Team selection. This is just another accomplishment in an already dominant career from Siegrest.

Siegrest came to Villanova from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. and had a decorated career at Our Lady of Lourdes. In high school, she averaged 32.7 points per game and 13.1 rebounds as a senior. She was named all-state twice and was an all-league selection three times.

Siegrest came into Villanova and redshirted her freshman year. After that, she came out hot. Siegrest averaged 18.8 points per game and 8.9 rebounds per game. She shot .477 from the field and .325 from the three point range.

In her first year, not only did she lead the team in multiple categories, but she also led the Big East in 20 point games and double-doubles. 

Siegrest also set many Villanova records, such as points in a season, points in a game and 20-point games in a season. She ranked second in the Big East in scoring and rebounding and had Villanova’s third ever 40 point game. 

First year head coach Denise Dillon spoke on Siegrest and her drive. 

“In my short time with Maddy, I have been overwhelmingly impressed with her inner drive and passion for the game of basketball,” Dillon said. “She is never satisfied with her game, and her work-ethic and competitive nature allow her to get better each and every day. Maddy has also developed into an outstanding leader for us, and the enthusiasm she brings to the gym on a daily basis is something our entire team feeds off of.”

In her freshman year at Villanova, Siegrest was named unanimous Big East Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Big East. Siegrest garnered Big 5 Rookie of the Year honors and First Team All-Big 5 distinction. She was the second highest scoring freshman in the country, with her 18.8 points per game average. 

One of her biggest accomplishments was being named one of the top 10 freshmen in the country by ESPN.  She tied a Big East Conference record for most Rookie of the Week honors with 10. She was a two-time USBWA Tamika Catchings Freshman of the Week.

Siegrest will be entering this season with huge expectations. She will be leading a young women’s team that is coming off a third place finish in the Big East. The Wildcats themselves were projected to finish seventh in a conference that has regained one of the best women’s basketball teams in history, UConn. Siegrest is looking for a big year that will help put women’s basketball back in the NCAA Tournament in Denise Dillon’s first year. Siegrest is looking forward to it as well.

“As a player, you just want to keep looking forward,” she said. “The goal this year is to finish higher in the league, compete for championships and ultimately go to the NCAA tournament. So that’s a motivator that I use every day.”