class of 2014

Height: 5’10”

Position: Forward

Petronaci, a forward on the team and business major, lives for the adrenaline rush that pulses through her while she is on the basketball court. She describes herself as emotional about the games she plays and the excitement she feels while on the court. Petronaci’s father, who was a coach for a local team, is credited for introducing her to the sport of basketball. “My father was really big into coaching basketball so he just threw me in,” Petronaci said. She has been playing basketball for 14 years in her hometown of Verona, N.J., and attended Verona High School, where she continued to play. Upon visiting Cabrini, Petronaci instantly felt comfortable. “I didn’t feel like I was just being recruited. I felt like Coach Kate wanted me on her team,” Petronaci said.

Petronaci appreciates the bond she has gained with her teammates and has enjoyed becoming a family with them.

Michelle Petronaci #10 Annie Rivituso #35

Height: 5’10”

Position: Guard/Forward

Having a father for a basketball coach influenced Rivituso to become interested in the game of basketball at a young age. After her father pushed her sister to play, Rivituso followed suit and also has been playing for the past 15 years of her life. She attended St. Mark’s High School in Wilmington, D.E., where she played as a guard and forward. This early education major became interested in Cabrini after being recruited by the coaching staff. Rivituso was first influenced by the great education programs that exist at Cabrini, and then was won over by the campus. Traveling with the Cavaliers to play in both San Juan, Puerto Rico and Madison Square Garden has been the most memorable experiences since the start of the her freshman year Rivituso describes herself as a competitive person and fell in love with the competitive nature of the games. “When I’m on the basketball court, I forget everything and can get all my frustrations out,” Rivituso said.

Brittany Sandone #22

Height: 5’5”

Position: Guard

Sandone, an elementary education major, has spent practically her entire life involved in the game of basketball, being that she has been playing since the age of 4. Influenced by older cousins that had played, Sandone has had basketball in her life since she was a child growing up in Harleysville, Pa. Sandone attended Souderton High School and played as a guard for all four years there. Once she was recruited, Sandone toured the campus and fell in love with the basketball program. “I talked to coach and I loved the way that she runs her program, so it seemed like a perfect fit,” Sandone said. Being part of the basketball team made the transition from high school to college smoother for Sandone and she found it easier to feel at home. “I think that being on a team made it easier to meet people than just coming to a school,” Sandone said.

Sandone loves the competition of the game of basketball and found it easy to balance both a social life and a practice schedule. “The group of basketball girls are my social life,” Sandone said.

Colleen Stewart #21

Height: 5’10”

Position: Forward

The love of basketball runs in Stewart’s family and this exercise science major developed an interest for the game at a young age. Stewart, a forward for the team, is an Eastchester, N.Y., native and has been playing basketball for 14 years. She attended Eastchester High School in her hometown and played as a forward there for four years.

The feeling of winning a game and her competitive nature is what drives Stewart, as well as the connection she has with her teammates. She enjoys the camaraderie of the women’s team. “The girls made it easy to transition coming from high school and not knowing anyone and we have a lot of fun together,” Stewart said.

After being recruited, Stewart toured Cabrini and enjoyed both the coaches and atmosphere of the campus. She also was interested in the opportunities that Cabrini offered for her. Stewart continues to keep her priorities straight and focuses on getting her schoolwork out of the way so she can place all her attention on playing the game.