Post by HC13 on Nov 8, 2021 6:58:30 GMT -5
Holy Cross women's basketball: After more minutes, Kelly Petro is ready to shine as senior
Wing player looks forward to important role with Crusaders this season
Jennifer Toland
Telegram & Gazette
WORCESTER — Kelly Petro scored 10 points over her first two seasons at Holy Cross. In her first career start against Boston University in January, Petro, with eight points, nearly matched that total.
Petro went on to start 12 of HC’s 15 games during the COVID-shortened 2021 season, and averaged 23 minutes, 3.3 points and 3.5 rebounds. The Crusaders finished 7-8 in coach Maureen Magarity’s first season.
“Last year was really good for me personally,” Petro said before Thursday evening’s practice. “I didn’t see the floor a lot my freshman or sophomore year, so it was really great to get that experience. It was a great way for me to get used to being on the floor, so I’m coming into this year a lot more confident than I was.”
Petro, a 6-foot-1 wing, is part of a senior class that also includes guard Avery LaBarbera, a three-time All-Patriot League selection, and forwards Madison Demski and Oluchi Ezemma, one of the top frontcourt players in the PL.
The foursome has played for three coaches in four years and stuck together through highs and lows.
“They deserve to have a great senior year,” Magarity said.
The Crusaders open 2021-22 at home against Northeastern at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Petro’s mom, Jean, who never misses a game, is looking forward to being back at the Hart Center this season. Petro excitedly filled out a ticket request for her last week. Fans weren’t allowed at games last year. Petro’s dad, Christopher, and her sisters, Kristen and Sara, come to the weekend games.
PIcking up her game
Petro battled knee issues her freshman season, and played behind a strong senior class her sophomore year. When Holy Cross moved to remote learning in March 2020 and Petro went home to Hillsdale, New Jersey, during the pandemic shutdown, she used the time to her advantage, focusing on her body and getting in top shape.
Petro returned to campus last fall revitalized.
“I was really excited about a fresh start and a new team,” she said, “and I worked my way up to getting some playing time.”
Petro’s upbeat outlook rubbed off on the whole team.
“She’s the type of program player that you need, especially when you take over a program,” Magarity said. “She has a positive view on life. She never used the first couple of years as an excuse. She works so hard, and it’s great to see her reap the rewards of her hard work.”
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Petro had three steals in an early-season win over Army, and scored a season-high nine points against the Black Knights later in the year.
“I’m so proud of her,” said LaBarbera, Petro’s best friend and four-year roommate. “She was able to transform her body and stick with it. Cheers to Kelly. That shows her character.”
The Crusaders return all five starters, including sophomore Bronagh Power-Cassidy, the 2021 Patriot League Rookie of the Year, and added three freshmen.
Expected to play key role
Petro will continue to be an important part of the rotation.
“She’s had a tremendous preseason,” Magarity said. “We see her jumping into the same role, but she understands with the freshmen and having everyone back, it’s competitive, and her play has definitely elevated with that as well. She doesn’t expect anything; she works for everything. She is excited for her senior year.”
The Crusaders were together on campus for seven weeks this summer, and Petro balanced workouts and weight room lifts with her internship in business consulting at Ernst & Young. An economics major, Petro worked mostly remotely for the Boston office.
She obviously impressed her superiors. Petro recently accepted a full-time offer from Ernst & Young and will begin as a first-year staff business consultant on the finance team next September. She will be working in the Hoboken, New Jersey, office, which is closer to her home.
“It’s honestly really nice,” Petro said. “The stress of that is out of the way, and I have just a few more credits to finish for school. It’s great I can put all my energy into this, my final year.”
Petro’s teammates are confident she will have a similar effect on her co-workers as she does on them.
“She’s the best,” LaBarbera said. “The fact she was able to get this job is so amazing. She has worked so hard. She’s the best person I’ve ever been around. I’m so grateful to be teammates and roommates with her for four years.”
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @jentandg.
Wing player looks forward to important role with Crusaders this season
Jennifer Toland
Telegram & Gazette
WORCESTER — Kelly Petro scored 10 points over her first two seasons at Holy Cross. In her first career start against Boston University in January, Petro, with eight points, nearly matched that total.
Petro went on to start 12 of HC’s 15 games during the COVID-shortened 2021 season, and averaged 23 minutes, 3.3 points and 3.5 rebounds. The Crusaders finished 7-8 in coach Maureen Magarity’s first season.
“Last year was really good for me personally,” Petro said before Thursday evening’s practice. “I didn’t see the floor a lot my freshman or sophomore year, so it was really great to get that experience. It was a great way for me to get used to being on the floor, so I’m coming into this year a lot more confident than I was.”
Petro, a 6-foot-1 wing, is part of a senior class that also includes guard Avery LaBarbera, a three-time All-Patriot League selection, and forwards Madison Demski and Oluchi Ezemma, one of the top frontcourt players in the PL.
The foursome has played for three coaches in four years and stuck together through highs and lows.
“They deserve to have a great senior year,” Magarity said.
The Crusaders open 2021-22 at home against Northeastern at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Petro’s mom, Jean, who never misses a game, is looking forward to being back at the Hart Center this season. Petro excitedly filled out a ticket request for her last week. Fans weren’t allowed at games last year. Petro’s dad, Christopher, and her sisters, Kristen and Sara, come to the weekend games.
PIcking up her game
Petro battled knee issues her freshman season, and played behind a strong senior class her sophomore year. When Holy Cross moved to remote learning in March 2020 and Petro went home to Hillsdale, New Jersey, during the pandemic shutdown, she used the time to her advantage, focusing on her body and getting in top shape.
Petro returned to campus last fall revitalized.
“I was really excited about a fresh start and a new team,” she said, “and I worked my way up to getting some playing time.”
Petro’s upbeat outlook rubbed off on the whole team.
“She’s the type of program player that you need, especially when you take over a program,” Magarity said. “She has a positive view on life. She never used the first couple of years as an excuse. She works so hard, and it’s great to see her reap the rewards of her hard work.”
Your stories live here.
Fuel your hometown passion and plug into the stories that define it.
Petro had three steals in an early-season win over Army, and scored a season-high nine points against the Black Knights later in the year.
“I’m so proud of her,” said LaBarbera, Petro’s best friend and four-year roommate. “She was able to transform her body and stick with it. Cheers to Kelly. That shows her character.”
The Crusaders return all five starters, including sophomore Bronagh Power-Cassidy, the 2021 Patriot League Rookie of the Year, and added three freshmen.
Expected to play key role
Petro will continue to be an important part of the rotation.
“She’s had a tremendous preseason,” Magarity said. “We see her jumping into the same role, but she understands with the freshmen and having everyone back, it’s competitive, and her play has definitely elevated with that as well. She doesn’t expect anything; she works for everything. She is excited for her senior year.”
The Crusaders were together on campus for seven weeks this summer, and Petro balanced workouts and weight room lifts with her internship in business consulting at Ernst & Young. An economics major, Petro worked mostly remotely for the Boston office.
She obviously impressed her superiors. Petro recently accepted a full-time offer from Ernst & Young and will begin as a first-year staff business consultant on the finance team next September. She will be working in the Hoboken, New Jersey, office, which is closer to her home.
“It’s honestly really nice,” Petro said. “The stress of that is out of the way, and I have just a few more credits to finish for school. It’s great I can put all my energy into this, my final year.”
Petro’s teammates are confident she will have a similar effect on her co-workers as she does on them.
“She’s the best,” LaBarbera said. “The fact she was able to get this job is so amazing. She has worked so hard. She’s the best person I’ve ever been around. I’m so grateful to be teammates and roommates with her for four years.”
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @jentandg.
