The PennWest Edinboro women’s club basketball team, coached by Chautauqua Fusion board member Michael Engdahl, is currently ranked No. 8 in the country. Photo courtesy of PennWest Edinboro

Editor’s note: Michael Engdahl is a Lakewood resident and has been a professor at PennWest Edinboro for 22 years. He commutes from Chautauqua County and still serves on the board for Chautauqua Fusion basketball, while also helping coach their teams on a part-time basis.

After claiming the National Club Basketball Association — Women’s Division North Atlantic-West Conference title in 2024, the Edinboro women’s club basketball team is off to another stellar season.

With a conference record of 7-1, the Fighting Scots are currently in second place in the conference and are ranked eighth in the nation in the Tytan Athletics NCBBA-W national collegiate club rankings.

Behind these impressive stats is a story of dedication and passion, a narrative head coach Michael Engdahl, a professor in PennWest’s Department of Business, Economics and Communication, is eager to share.

“Not only are they very skilled at basketball, but they are also outstanding students and young adults who, through their actions, allow a very bright light to shine on PennWest Edinboro,” he said, applauding his team and, in particular, the leadership of club officers and inaugural members Joelle Paul, Torsha McCall, Maddie Cowie and Emily Cevera.

For Paul, a defensive powerhouse from Erie and 2024 NCBAA-W All-America First-Team honoree, the team is more than just wins.

“Edinboro women’s club basketball is and has been for me a club that facilitates healthy competition, teamwork, friendships, and the love for basketball,” Paul said. “This club has brought together so many young females that love to play basketball but also encourage and support each other through the adversities of sports, academics, and life in general. I’ve been beyond grateful to have a team full of individuals with passion and joy, from coaches and advisors to teammates and managers.”

McCall, the team’s leading scorer from last season and a 2024 NCBAA-W All-America Second-Team recipient, echoes this sentiment.

“Being part of this club since the beginning has been an incredible experience,” McCall said. “Watching it grow and seeing how we’ve built such a strong, supportive team has been really rewarding. We’ve not only improved as players but also created lasting friendships and a community that feels like family. It’s amazing to see how much the club has evolved, and I’m proud to be part of something that brings people together through our love for the game.”

The team has posted an impressive overall record of 22 wins and five losses since its founding two years ago.

Cevera, a senior sharpshooter from Ashtabula, Ohio, who led the team with a 33% 3-point percentage in 2024 and earned a 2024 NCBBA-W All-America Second-Team spot, added, “Playing club basketball has given me incredible opportunities and a supportive community that constantly challenges me to grow on and off the court, for which I am truly grateful.”

With just two regular-season conference games remaining, including a highly anticipated home finale against St. Bonaventure on at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, in the Frank G. Pogue Student Center, the Fighting Scots are poised for a strong postseason run. The top two teams in the conference will advance to the regional tournament on March 29-30, with the winner moving on to the eight-team NCBBA-W National Championship Tournament April 11-13.

“Edinboro women’s club basketball is the heart of the people and the place where I found my love for basketball again,” said Cowie, a senior speech and hearing sciences major from Ohio. “Over the past two and a half years, I have discovered what it feels like to have a reignited passion for the game and am forever blessed by the team that has become family.”

For more information about Edinboro women’s club basketball, please contact Engdahl at 716-485-1409 or mengdahl@pennwest.edu.