Sarah Veilleux leads women’s basketball effort
Having a player who strikes fear into the other team is a must-have in basketball. The ideal player is versatile, can attack in multiple ways, and makes a team better as a whole. For the Hawks, this player is Sarah Veilleux, a junior guard/forward.
Veilleux is an alumna of RHAM High School in Connecticut where she played basketball for four years and set the school record for total points scored with 2,079 points.
She was also a volleyball star in high school and was named the 2013-14 Gatorade volleyball player of the year in Connecticut.
Veilleux has been an offensive machine this season, leading the Hawks in points in seven of their 18 games played. She’s averaging 13.7 points per game, as well as 4.8 assists per game. She has a three point shooting percentage of .418, which is the highest on the team.
Her defense is just as impressive, as she’s led the team in steals in eight games, with a total of 19 steals on the season to go along with a total of six blocked shots.
The Hawk Classic MVP knew St. Joe’s was where she belonged from her first visit.
“I came on my visit and really just loved the school, loved the atmosphere, loved the basketball program,” Veilleux said.
According to Veilleux, the coaches, particularly head coach Cindy Griffin, and their attitudes drew her in, as well.
Despite the Hawks carrying a 9-10 record (4-3 in A-10 play), Veilleux still feels positive that the team can accomplish their goals.
“Our goal this year is to win the A-10 [Atlantic Ten] championship and get to the NCAA tournament, that’s definitely been one of our goals the last few years,” Veilleux said.
Veilleux feels that she’s gained much more than just playing time from women’s basketball at St. Joe’s.
“I think I’ve learned a lot about discipline and time management here,” she said. “You really need to manage your time if you want to be successful on the court and in the classroom.”
Veilleux’s coach, Griffin, feels that her consistency and work ethic are what make her a great player.
“She’s a terrific shooter,” Griffin said about Veilleux’s qualities on the court.
On the season, Veilleux is 93 for 183 and carries a .508 shooting percentage, which is good for second among the team. She also has a .848 free throw percentage, shooting 28 of 33 from the line.
Griffin noted Veilleux’s efficiency and ability to move well without the ball, as two tendencies that may go occasionally unnoticed, but are nonetheless extremely important.
Off the court, she is just as special.
“She’s very conscientious,” Griffin said. “She’s a very good student. She is goal-oriented.”
Veilleux was named a Big 5 scholar-athlete over the 2016-17 season, as well as being twice awarded the Reverend Emory Ross Award for Academic Excellence, as well as making multiple honor rolls.
With Veilleux being a be a senior this fall, Griffin expects her to be looked upon as a leader on the team.
“She leads by example,” Griffin stated without hesitation.
While some players have game day routines, Sarah says she doesn’t have anything special that she does.
“I usually get out and shoot before the game and that’s about it,” she said with a laugh.
When she’s not running on the court, Veilleux has other ways of occupying her time.
“I love to cook, and when we have time off in the summer, I love to go hiking and be outside,” Veilleux answered.
Fans can see Veilleux and the rest of the women’s basketball team at their next home game, where they will play George Mason University on Feb. 4.
