Matt Donohue doesn’t know what to do with the whistle around his neck. It’s in his mouth, then out. He tosses it over his shoulder, then whirls it to the front. He brings it to his lips, then drops it immediately.
The way the Catholic University women’s basketball coach commands practice — prowling, prodding, teaching — there’s really no need for a whistle. His players are fully engaged, mirroring his energy. Even those temporarily sidelined during a 5-on-5 drill bounce from foot to foot, smiling, clapping, chirping, being Cardinals.
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Catholic is preparing for its first NCAA tournament game in program history. The Cardinals (22-5) face Muhlenberg (22-5) on Friday in Alliance, Ohio, in the opening round of the Division III playoffs.
After going 12-13 in his first two years, Donohue’s recruiting efforts paid off last season with a 19-10 showing. This year the Cardinals have taken another step forward, winning the Landmark Conference title.
“Ever since day one, we were out on the track, we were feeling it then,” sophomore Emily Grabiak said.
Catholic doesn’t have a go-to standout. The top scorers in its 10-player rotation are Jill Woerner (13.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and Katarina Owunna (10.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg).
Unlike most programs in the talent-rich D.C. area, Catholic doesn’t have a player from a local high school. Donohue, who is from the Philadelphia area and coached five seasons at Elmira (N.Y.), has continued to recruit the areas with which he has ties.
– Kevin Dunleavy
