After missing her entire sophomore season due to injury, Bowdoin Women’s Basketball player Rachel Storey '22 spent her off-season making sure she would be ready for tip-off this Winter. 

“I started to get healthy again last summer. It was a long time of working within the limits I had and always pushing the boundaries.” With the help of her coaches and trainers, Rachel entered the season physically and mentally ready to compete while remembering to set realistic expectations and be nice to herself: “My coach says, ‘You're a junior, but you have sophomore-level experience. You have to remember that and give yourself grace.’ ”

Coming off a NESCAC Championship in 2024, managing expectations was also a theme for the team’s season: “I think the first half of the season we felt the weight of the expectations and knowing we were a championship-level team. We had to learn to play through that and not be afraid to fail.” The pressure to win brought the best out of the Polar Bears as they finished the regular season a perfect 24-0. 

Knowing every opponent was bringing their best, the Polar Bears kept their focus on themselves throughout the season: “What helped us be successful was a hyper focus on the 13 of us. Our motto this year was ‘Up to us.’ Whether the opposing team went on scoring runs or we went on scoring runs, we were super composed, knowing we knew how to win the game.” This team mentality was on full display in this year’s NESCAC Championship against Colby College. Down 10 points entering the 4th quarter, Bowdoin stuck to their game plan, methodically chipping away at the Mules’ lead. Up by two with the clock winding down, Rachel secured a rebound, drew a foul, and knocked down a free throw to complete the comeback and cap off their undefeated run with a second consecutive NESCAC Championship. 

Reflecting on the season, Rachel credits the coaching staff for how they help the team prepare: “Our coaching staff is amazing. It's hard to go undefeated and still get better and learn–there are always things we can do better next time.”

Rachel compares this supportive yet high-standard environment to her time at Holderness: “I was able to work with coaches who knew me as a person, a student, and a player. I got to work with Mr. Arsenault as my soccer coach, basketball coach, and math teacher. Learning to build those relationships and build trust with people who are helping you grow as an athlete and as a person is really important. My coaches now play that same role. I was lucky to have that starting in high school and to have adults in my life who cared about where I was going, where I would end up, and how I was growing and developing.” 

Looking back on her athletic development, Rachel feels that Holderness allowed her to grow as a well-rounded athlete: “The three-sport model is important, and it's something now that I miss. I think it's important as an athlete to develop a wide range of skills and abilities. Every team I was on had different team dynamics. It helps you become a better teammate, a better leader, and helps you build relationships.” 

As she prepares for her senior season, Rachel is focused on improving every chance she gets: “I think of my athletic journey as a continuous progression. I know the basketball player I am today won't be the basketball player I am in a few weeks or next year. I believe the work you put in is going to make you better. One of the reasons I love sports is that there’s always the opportunity to get better.”

About Rachel

Hometown: Westport, New York
College Major: Government and Legal Studies
Holderness Highlights: Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, Lacrosse

View Rachel's profile on Bowdoin Women's Basketball >