By SIERRA GREEN
Monmouth Athletics Communications Intern
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - The Monmouth University women's basketball team will have to fill the void of six seniors in 2020-21. Four experienced student-athletes will be returning for next season, becoming the new faces for the Hawks.  
 
The outgoing Hawks ended the MAAC Tournament combining for 428 games, 2,889 points, 2,077 rebounds, 611 assists, and 450 steals in their careers.  
 
In addition to junior transfers Brianna Livingston and Fatou Ndao, the team returns Alexa Wallace, Jen Louro, Allure Simmons, and Lucy Thomas, who are in position to become the new leaders for the incoming freshmen. The group will look to pave the way and show the newcomers what is expected.
 
"The six seniors being here my first two years really taught me about the game and myself as a player," said sophomore guard Alexa Wallace. "They each taught me more about life and being a part of a team. It's important to have a companion who looks out for you. Having six seniors taught us how to be leaders, vocally and through their actions."
 
Redshirt sophomore guard Jen Louro has appeared in 58 games through her first two seasons, beginning at UMass Lowell. "What I've learned in the last couple of years is to always work hard and push your teammates to work just as hard or even harder," she said. "Losing six seniors will be tough for us, but as a team we have been through a lot these past two seasons. It allowed us to create a strong bond with one another."  
 
Louro will take that experience and use it to build on leadership qualities.
 
"Personally, I like to lead with my actions and my voice," she added. "I believe if you are doing the right thing on and off the court then others will follow. Being a strong voice of guidance will be needed as an upperclassman and as a leader."
 
Head Coach Jody Craig will be looking for players to step up and lead by example. Not only on the court, but off it as well. Heading into her third full season, she expects the returners to have a clear understanding of the goals and high expectations being set.
 
Sophomore guard Allure Simmons already has 59 collegiate games under her belt. "Through my first two seasons, I learned that although the girls on your team are your teammates, they are also your competitors," she said. "That drove me to step up and fight for my position and playing time. As a leader, I want to take over and become a role model, which will push my teammates to be the best that they can possibly be."  
 
Lucy Thomas has seen plenty of production on the court, but will focus more on the leadership aspect in the coming months. "Being here for the past two years taught me how to fight through adversity," she said. "Looking ahead as a new leader, I'm not as vocal, but that's one thing I will be working on and making sure to get out of my comfort zone."
 
Monmouth ended the 2019-20 campaign advancing to the MAAC Quarterfinals for the seventh consecutive year. The returners are gearing up to take the program even further.