Clemson transfer Victoria Cardaci brings leadership to Pirates in final season 

Nick Santoriello @NickSantoriello

11/13/18

On a team looking for veteran leadership and shooters in a revamped, fast-tempo offense, Victoria Cardaci fits the mold perfectly for Seton Hall.

The Holmdel, N.J., native and Clemson transfer is using her final year of eligibility in South Orange after sitting out last year due to eligibility rules.

“I chose to come to Seton Hall for the coaching staff. I felt like the staff really believed in me and wanted to develop me not only as a player but as a person for my future,” Cardaci said. I think it was important for me to come back close to home and be with the program that brings players back home and really harps on family and that type of atmosphere.”

For head coach Anthony Bozzella, Cardaci brings a hard-nosed, no nonsense attitude to the Pirates.

“I have known Victoria for not even a year and she’s already one of my favorite, favorite people,” Bozzella said. “She comes to work every day. She tries hard. She’s committed to one thing and one thing only; winning. You can tell how well she’s been raised by her parents. She’s respectful and she’s successful because of how she was raised on hard work, no excuses, do your best.”

It was the opportunity to play in front of that family that helped land Cardaci in South Orange.

“I’m happy that my family gets to watch me play. I’m close to my brothers and my parents and just being around a hometown crowd is huge. It means everything to me,” Cardaci said.

Cardaci, a four-year starter at Holmdel High School, has embraced her new leadership role at The Hall.

“I think I can bring leadership. I want to make sure that I’m vocal both on and off the court. I want to lead by example and I want to make sure I’m bringing out the best in the people I’m out on the court with,” Cardaci said.

As a unit, Bozzella and the Pirates are looking to play an up-tempo brand of basketball this season, making fast breaks and three pointers a major point of emphasis. In her three years at Clemson, Cardaci knocked down 109 threes, something Bozzella would certainly like to see carry over this season.

“Our pace is so much quicker this year and we’re going to shoot a lot of three pointers. She’s one of our keys, she’s got to get her feet set and be there,” Bozzella said. “When we heard she was available we we’re really excited to have that opportunity.”

In her first game as a Pirate, Cardaci immediately proved her worth. In the exhibition game against Jefferson University, Cardaci led the Pirates with 20 points on six three-pointers in a high scoring, 95-81 victory.

Out to prove the first game was no fluke, Cardaci one-upped her debut with a stellar showing in the Pirates’ season opener against Wagner. Cardaci caught fire in the first half hitting seven three pointers. The seven three pointers tied a program record for most threes in a game.

“Honestly, I didn’t even know I hit that milestone,” Cardaci said. “I’m grateful for that. I can’t be more thankful that my teammates were getting me the ball for open shots.”

The graduate transfer again led the Pirates in the scoring with a game-high 21 points, but also affected the game in other ways.

“Cardaci was tremendous,” Bozzella said after the 95-40 victory. “Victoria’s defense was very good today. She’s not just a three-point shooter, I know she only took three-point shots, but she had four assists. It’s the assists and everything she’s working on with her game that really impressed me.”

With her final season getting underway, Cardaci knows she is ready to give her all for her last go around.

“I want to leave everything out on the court. I really want to do everything I can to help the team win,” Cardaci said. “Ultimately, I just want to have a great last year, have a fun time, and experience new things with my new teammates.”