By Chloe Adam
LoCoSports Staff Writer
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Ashburn (November 30, 2015) – Stone Bridge High School senior Haley Breidenfeld has decided to continue her basketball career at Roanoke College starting in the 2016-2017 academic year.
“I chose Roanoke College because I was looking for a liberal arts education from a small school,” the 5-foot-10 forward said. “I feel that Roanoke College offers everything I was looking for: a strong biology program, a sense of community and an absolutely beautiful campus.”
Roanoke College is located in Salem, Va. and has over 2,000 students from about 40 states and 30 countries. Almost 88-percent of their students partake in study abroad, internships, research and independent studies while about 20-percent are members of varsity sports teams.
The Division III Maroons women’s basketball team — led by head coach Carla Flaherty and assisted by Tom Biskup and David Carter — have had a tough start to their season so far with a current 1-4 record.
Last year, Flaherty began her tenure at Salem with the determination of having a great season leading the girls to a remarkable 4-0 record to start off the season — their best start since 2009 — before finishing 8-18.
“I hope to help the Maroons by bringing my physical style of play and desire to win,” Breidenfeld said. “My versatility on the court will cause matchup problems for opponents.”
Breidenfeld has been causing matchup problems since she began playing basketball when she was 5-years-old.
“For many years, I played soccer at a very high level and played basketball as a recreational sport for fun,” Breidenfeld said. “About four years ago, I chose to stop playing soccer and focus on basketball. I enjoyed the speed of the game and the physicality and competiveness of the sport.”
Breidenfeld has played on three travel teams throughout her competitive basketball career — Elevate Elite, PSPA Rams and Vogues – and will take that competitive nature to her collegiate athletics and academics.
“I have wanted to play a sport in college for as long as I can remember, and I am happy that all of my hard work and sacrifice has paid off,” Breidenfeld said. “I am very relieved to have made my decision, and I am looking forward to spending the next four years at Roanoke College. Now, I can enjoy the rest of my high school career and focus on the upcoming basketball season.”
In the upcoming high school season, Breidenfeld has high hopes for herself and her fellow Bulldogs. Her main goal is to compete for the Conference 14 title and her journey to do so will tipoff on December 1 at home against J.E.B. Stuart High School.
