The redshirt-senior is having a breakout season despite team’s ongoing struggle
LEWISTON, N.Y. – The Niagara women were leading Drexel 65-63 in the final seconds of their matchup with the Colonial Athletic squad. Drexel sank a three-pointer with six seconds left in the contest worsening the Purple Eagles record at 1-8.
Then, something changed.
The Purple Eagles went on a 7-3 run following that game, bringing their record to 8-10. With recent losses to Marist and Quinnipiac, two teams at the top of the conference, Niagara is optimistic going forward being led by one of the top players in the MAAC.
Victoria Rampado has been lighting up the scoresheet for the past two seasons. While battling ongoing shoulder problems, the redshirt-senior is establishing herself as one of the premier players in the conference making any night an opportunity to shine.
January 7 is one of those evenings.
This night Victoria Rampado scored 41 points which is the second most all-time in a single game for the Purple Eagles. That statistic was also good for seventh on the all-time MAAC list for a single game performance.
Rampado, a 6-foot-2-inch senior from Niagara Falls, Ontario has spent the majority of the season as a leader in the locker room statistical leader. Her play is concise, consistent (20.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg) and clean. It’s difficult to find flaws in her game, aided by the play of her teammate.
“Team gives me a lot of confidence, coaches give me a lot of confidence,” said Rampado.
After losing a 17-point lead to Marist, a game that could’ve potentially been a turning point for Niagara, Rampado remained confident regarding not only the team’s ability but in the optimism going forward in the season.
“We fought the whole game, we needed to remain more disciplined,” remarked Rampado also citing shortages in the offensive game riddled with missed layups and blown opportunities. “There’s always room for improvement. Just have to keep working.”
Rampado has been almost immune to any offensive struggles Niagara has come across this year as she’s leading the MAAC in points per game (20.8) and is second in rebounds per game (9.4). Additionally, she is second in the MAAC in field goal percentage (48.8) and third in free throw percentage (80.9).
It is the strength of her team that allows her to play well.
“Jai Moore has really played better for us and we’re getting more production, we’re just feeling better,” said Rampado. “Our defense has picked up a lot more, so I feel the production as a team has really improved this year.”
The experience of Rampado shows as much in her interviews as it does on the court.
She has steadily improved her play over the last five years and will look to continue this highly productive season, one which can be her prolific season to date. Rampado and her teammates will look to close out competition as the season come to a steady close these next few weeks.
“I feel like we can beat any team, any time, we just have to stay true to our game plan, and stay disciplined.”
Niagara Wire 