When the AU Women’s Basketball team entered Patriot League play with a 5-6 record after struggling through much of the non-conference schedule, few could have predicted what has followed: a 12-2 conference record and sole possession of first place in the Patriot League. A driving force behind the Eagles league success has been the emergence of junior forward Michelle Holmes.
Since league play began on Dec. 31, Holmes has averaged 14.7 points-per-game and 7.4 rebounds-per-game and has only failed to reach double digit points in four of 14 league games. Quietly, Holmes has placed herself in the top 15 in both rebounding and scoring in the Patriot League and has developed into one of the league’s best low-post players.
Holmes recorded double-doubles in three of the Eagles' last five games and was recognized as the AU GEICO Student-Athlete of the Week for her performances during AU's victories against Loyola (Maryland) on Feb. 4 and Colgate on Feb. 7. Head coach Megan Gebbia has noticed a steady increase in Holmes' effectiveness since the Eagles concluded a grueling non-conference schedule, playing against top women's programs like Gonzaga, Oregon and Maryland.
“I think Michelle has been playing with a lot of confidence ever since non-conference [play],” Gebbia said. “Just playing against better talent, night in and night out in the non-conference and knowing she can play with people in the Patriot League. I just feel like she’s coming into her own as a junior, and she’s just been terrific.”
Holmes echoed Gebbia’s sentiment and said she believed her recent success is tied to an increase in confidence not only in herself but from her teammates as well.
“I think I’ve been able to get going earlier [in the game],” Holmes said. “Earlier in the season, I would get going in the second half, [but now] my teammates have confidence to go with me and give me the ball in the first half.”
The confidence in Holmes is justified, as she is having her best season in her three years as an Eagle. Holmes leads AU in rebounds-per-game (6.6), ranks second on the team in points-per-game (11.4) and has started every game. Although Holmes is experiencing high levels of success this season, her first two seasons on campus were not as easy on the 6-foot-1 junior from Toledo, Ohio.
In high school, Holmes was a driving force on one of the most successful teams in Notre Dame Academy history. During her senior season in 2012, Holmes stood as the leader in rebounds and blocked shots on a team that reached the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I Final Four for the first time in school history. She was named to the All-District and All-Conference First Teams in addition to being named to the All-State Third Team. Her high school success did not translate into immediate playing time in college, as Holmes averaged only 2.7 points in 11 minutes-per-game her freshmen year.
“She always talks about how difficult her freshman year was. I wasn’t here for that, so I didn’t get a chance to see it, but just the growth [in her game] from last year to this year is tremendous,” Gebbia said.
While the transition to college level competition was tough, having her role incrementally increased from her freshmen year to her junior year brought comfort to Holmes.
“A lot of times people are just thrown into situations and it can be a shock, but I think easing into it [playing time] really helped me be comfortable more in the role that I have this year,” Holmes said
While Holmes’ ease and confidence has emerged during the 2014-15 season, hard work in practice and in the off-season still remain at the core of her basketball philosophy. Instead of being discouraged by a lack of playing time early in her career, Holmes decided to work on her game as often she could, including staying over the summer before her junior season.
“I think the one-on-one with the coaches I was able to get and [to be able to] see what they really wanted from me for this upcoming season [was important],” Holmes said. “I am in a different role, and they need me to score more and rebound more, and I think [learning that] this summer was a big help.”
Holmes’ work ethic has always been a staple of her game, dating back to her days at Notre Dame Academy under head coach Travis Galloway.
“Her work ethic during the season and in the off-season was second to none,” Galloway said in an email. “She put countless hours in the gym to improve her game.”
With Holmes emerging as a low-post force in the Patriot League, AU has soared to the top of the Patriot League standings with an 12-2 record in conference and a 17-8 mark overall. The Eagles have been dominant in their victories, averaging a margin of victory of 13.4 points in Patriot League games, with only two league victories coming by less than five points. As the Eagles continue to rattle off wins and the season reaches its final stretch, the possibility of making the Women’s NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history is becoming a strong possibility. Holmes, however, remains grounded in her approach and outlook.
“We have to take it one game at a time because each game determines whether or not we’re going to get there [Women’s NCAA Tournament],” Holmes said. “I think looking ahead sometimes can bring on games where we’re not really playing hard.”
As Holmes’ hard work continues to translate into results on the court, AU can expect to see additional success. Holmes continues to see her game develop and her role in the team increase, and with another year of eligibility remaining, Gebbia said she hopes that Holmes has not reached her maximum potential yet.
“We hope we can keep her here [again] this summer and work on some little things because we need her to produce even more next year,” Gebbia said.
