By Sophie Grabiec
Elm Staff Writer
Saturday, Feb. 11 marked a double header against the Franklin and Marshall Diplomats for the men’s and women’s basketball teams. It was Senior Day for Shorewoman Ali Grundy, who stole the spotlight with the team high of 24 points, going five for 10 in three-pointers.
As the only senior on the team, Grundy takes on the role of senior leadership whole-heartedly. She influences the team with her impressive stats as well as her character.
Coach Alisha Mosely said, “Ali is the only player on our team that has been with me the entire time I have been a coach at Washington College. It has been amazing to watch her maturity and growth over the last 4 years.”
Grundy has been awarded 2016 Team MVP, 2014 Team Most Improved Player, 2015 Manhattanville Battle of the Castle All-Tournament Team, Centennial Conference Player of the Week, and is an eight-time Shorewoman of the week, excluding any recognition she has received this season.
Coach Alisha Mosely said, “Ali is the only player on our team that has been with me the entire time I have been a coach at Washington College. It has been amazing to watch her maturity and growth over the last four years.”

With an impressive freshman class on board, Grundy has had to adjust. Ali said, “My role changed from being a freshman with seven seniors to look up to, to being the sole upperclassmen… I had to adjust and become a leader,” she said.
Not only has she taken on the primary leadership position, but she has adjusted her position on the court as well. “We were able to move her to the two-guard position and she accepted the transition and thrived in her new role on the team” Mosely said.
Grundy thanked her younger teammates for their hard work and their contributions to the program.
“It was important to me to have an incoming freshman class my last year who really was exceptional and made what I do easy, in particular Caitlyn Clark. I wouldn’t be the player I am without her,” she said.
Grundy’s four years have definitely made an impact. Coach Mosely said, “When she’s locked in there is no stopping her. I always tell people she’s such a competitor. She’s tough as nails, and I am so fortunate to have been able to coach her.”
As of Feb. 12, Grundy has played in 23 games this season, starting in all of them, while averaging 31 minutes per game. She has shot 38.8 percent from the floor while shooting 38.9 percent behind the three point line. Grundy has averaged 2.5 rebounds per game while dishing out 2.2 assists a contest.
In her career at WC, Grundy has played in 94 games and started in 71. She averages 26.7 minutes per game, while shooting 33.1 percent from the floor. Shooting an impressive 34 percent from behind the three point line has allowed for her to average 9.5 points per game, dating all the way back to her freshman season.
Grundy has improved from the offensive side of the ball, and the numbers show it. Her shooting percentage has increased every single season. In her freshman season she shot 16.3 percent from the floor, which increased to 31.2 percent in her sophomore campaign. Her junior season she shot 31.6 percent, and now this year she has shot 38.8 percent from the floor.
She also increased her three point percentage, up to 38.9 percent this year from just eight percent from her freshman year.
Besides the numbers, Grundy has had a positive impact on freshman Cassidy Quattro and Caitlyn Clark.
“I will miss her positivity and energy on the court. She’s so passionate and boosts the entire team,” Quattro said. “She is a great all around player, one of the best I’ve ever played with. But most of all she is a great teammate and friend who I will miss so much”
Clark shared those same feelings as Quattro.
“I am so lucky that I got the opportunity to play with Ali for a year. She is one of the best players I’ve ever gotten the chance to play with, not only because of her skills but the person she is and positive energy she brings to the gym every single day,” Clark said. “There truly is no one like Ali, she is one of a kind. Not only is she a great role model and leader to look up to, but she is a great friend off the court to me as well. She made adjusting to college a little bit easier for me and the rest of the freshmen. I don’t know what we are going to do without her next year and years to come, it definitely will not be easy finding someone who can fill her shoes.”
Ali Grundy will finish her final season with WC on Saturday, Feb. 18 at an away game at Dickinson College.