In their second season as an organization, Women’s Club Basketball defeated Stanford to win the National Club Basketball Association (NCBBA) Pacific regional championship last spring. After going 5-5 in their inaugural season, the team improved to 11-3.
“That put us in the playoffs, and we ended up winning the whole thing, making us the best women’s club team in California, which was pretty cool, and only our second year, which was incredible,” Club President and co-founder Khelsi Petigny said.
The team persevered through several injury hardships, which included a torn ACL by Ava Walker in the opening playoff game vs UC San Diego, and a torn achilles by their leading scorer Misty Twyman in the championship game.
“Ultimately, it motivated us, you know, like we made it all the way here. […] We had to do it for them,” Petigny said. “I know a lot of people underestimate women’s sports and the amount of contact that we endure and the physicality, but no, we’re out there. […] We’re working, we’re setting screens, we’re moving, we’re getting on the floor. It’s a lot, but it’s what comes with the game.”
Before the start of the club, in 2023, during her sophomore year, Petigny was motivated to create a safe environment for women to play basketball.
“I came to Koret to play pickup and realized I was the only girl. I realized they did not f—k with me. They weren’t trying to put me in,” she said.
“I met this one girl (Alyssa Sarigumba ‘24) in passing who let me join her intramural team. We realized that there were a lot more women on campus who were feeling very similar to me, kind of feeling lost without organized basketball, not having that community of women. A lot of girls wanted to come play, but they didn’t feel comfortable enough.”
From there, Petigny created the club under Student Life Engagement (SLE).
“I joined women’s club basketball my freshman year after meeting Khelsi at the Koret night involvement event,” sophomore forward Marlee Hammer said. “She was so enthusiastic and welcoming, and I was super excited that there was already a club on campus for women’s basketball.”
She continued, “I went to the first couple of open gyms, and everyone was so fun and nice and danced a lot while playing which is something I love.”
Alumna and point guard Korinne Moss ‘25, who joined during the club’s first year, reflected on her experience saying, “I remember being nervous at first but it was definitely worth it.”
Moss continued, “Being a part of this club is everything. […] We all do different things, lead different lives, but when we come together to hoop or hang out, it’s us feeling joy, building friendships, holding space for each other.”
“A moment I really enjoyed was when we were in Reno this year. I forgot exactly when it was or if we won or not, but as we were leaving it started to snow,” Moss said. “Everyone got excited and we started singing ‘Mistletoe’ by Justin Bieber.”
In response to women interested in playing basketball, Petigny said, “Do it. You’re not alone. […] There’s a lot more people in your position just like you, who feel the same way, who are just as scared. All it takes is one person with one friend to come. We have many group chats with people, not even on the team, but just women that we meet in the gym. We can hit you up when we play pickup if you don’t want to shoot around alone,” she said. “It’s scary and it’s hard, but we can do hard things.”
To learn more about Women’s Club Basketball, visit their instagram @usfcawcb.
