Lynch, Owls ready for NCAA tournament return

When the former teammates returned to their alma mater three years ago, the mission was clear.

Kate Lynch and Stephanie Hiriak, who experienced the highest of highs at Southern Connecticut, were charged with sharing their experience with a new generation of Owls. The members of the 2007 Division II National Champions had a story to tell.

“We played here, we had a wonderful experience both on and off the court,” said Lynch, named women’s basketball coach in 2015. “We take a lot of pride in Southern. We knew that it could be done, because we had done it as studentathletes. So our goal coming in was to be able to give that same experience that we had as student-athletes to our team, hopefully multiple teams … as many as we can.”

In the Year 3 of her tenure, Lynch and Hiriak — her top assistant — have Southern in the NCAA tournament. The eighthseed Owls play at No. 1 Stonehill Friday night (5 p.m.) in Easton, Mass.

It’s the program’s first tournament berth since 2012. Lynch inherited a team coming off three losing seasons, but the Owls were 19-11 in her first season.

After a 12-17 record last year, Southern earned a postseason berth with a 21-9 record this season.

“I really think with the first taste, it’s something you just want to keep going after,” Lynch said. “We’re hoping that after this year, there’s an expectation that it’s something you look forward to and that they work for every single year. Because it really is such a special experience. Not many teams get to experience it.”

Lynch is the program’s all-time leading scorer (1,779 points). She and Hiriak were part of the 2007 title team, something she continually hears about on the Southern campus.

“It was an awesome experience,” Lynch said. “The memories you create with your team and everything, it’s just a really special experience. So for us as a staff, it’s extra special that we’re able to do it at Southern and we’re hoping that this is just the first step toward bigger things. Making this a consistent part of our program. It should be the expectation that we’re able to do that every year.”

The Owls, led by senior Abby Hurlbert (13.8 points) and sophomore Kiana Steinauer (10.1 points, 10.6 rebounds), are coming off a loss to Bentley in the Northeast 10 tournament semifinals. They won eight of nine before the loss and Lynch senses an air of confidence around her team.

“They seem pretty ready to go,” Lynch said. “We’ve had really good, focused practices. We know what we need to do, game-plan wise, and we know what we need to do as a team defensively and offensively. It’s just a matter if we execute it or not. We’re ready to go, but it’s the NCAA tournament. So is everyone else, too.”

Stonehill (26-3) lost to Bentley in the conference tournament title games, ending a 17-winning streak. The Owls lost to Stonehill, 63-52, in January.

Before traveling to Massachusetts Wednesday, Lynch and her staff had a simple message for the players.

“There are over 300 Division II schools in the country, 64 are still playing and we’re one of them,” Lynch said. “We’re not just going up to Stonehill to play a normal game. As soon as you get off the bus, you’re going to know it’s different. … And they’re realizing it, that this is real, this is what we come to play for, this is why we’re here.”

SCSU Athletics Kate Lynch, who helped lead the SCSU women's basketball team to the Division II national championship in 2007 as a player, has led the Owls back to the NCAA tournament as head coach.

SCSU Athletics Kate Lynch has contributed to the SCSU program as both a player and coach.

Kate Lynch, center, coaches her players diligently and communicates effectively.