With a recent win over Daemen University in the third round of the NCAA Division II tournament, Holy Family University has made history, becoming the first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) women’s basketball team to win the tournament’s East Regional.
The Tigers advance to the Elite Eight, where they will face Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Tuesday, March 24 at 2:30 PM at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh.
“This is more than a victory on the court; it is a milestone that belongs to our entire community,” said Tim Hamill, Holy Family’s Director of Athletics. “After knocking on the door in last year’s Sweet 16, these scholar-athletes didn’t just walk through this year — they blew the hinges off the door. Led by one of our own, head coach Bernadette Laukaitis, this staff and team are redefining the standard of what it means to be a Tiger. From their excellence in the classroom to their relentless grit on the hardwood, the energy they’ve brought has ignited our campus and shown us all the power of hard work and perseverance.”
The East Regional triumph comes at the end of an undefeated league season, the fifth time the team has accomplished that feat.
The Tigers were seeded fifth in the East Regional going into the tournament, marking the second straight season the team has made it to the East Regional and the 14th time in program history. In the first round, the team defeated Assumption University, 58-38. In the second round, the Tigers upset the top seed and host, Southern Connecticut State University, 61-51. In the final, the team bested third-seeded Daemen, 78-62.
The Tigers trailed for the first 58 seconds of the game but roared back with 16 points in a row and led by nine-plus for the remainder of the game. The victory came with contributions across the team: senior Skyler Searfoss went 8-for-8 from the free-throw line, earning Most Outstanding Player honors, while senior Kaelah Carter scored 14 points and senior Taylor Hinkle pulled down 14 rebounds. Both were named to the All-Tournament Team.
“I could not be more proud of the women’s basketball team and Holy Family in general than I am right now,” said Jim Bennett, Vice Chair of the university’s Board of Trustees. “One word sums up this group: ‘resilience.’ And ‘resilience’ is where talent meets determination and discipline. From Coach Bern and her staff, to the starters, to the players who came off the bench to contribute to a magnificent win, the Holy Family women’s team has exhibited grace under pressure. I can’t wait to see their next matchup as they move on to the Elite Eight!”
Follow the progress of the women’s basketball team at Holy Family University.
