The clock struck midnight not only on the Cinderella Quinnipiac Bobcats, but also for the career of redshirt senior captain Adily Martucci.
With 1:47 left in the fourth quarter Martucci checked out of the game for the final time as freshman Vanessa Udoji took her place.
Martucci, who was substituted after fellow senior captain Morgan Manz, received the same treatment: a line of hugs beginning with head coach Tricia Fabbri. Martucci embraced Manz when she got to the end of the Quinnipiac bench.
Martucci said before the South Carolina game that her coach Tricia Fabbri was one of her mentors.
“You know, our success starts from the top and trickles its way down, and she is the head of this team. And I look up to her as a role model for a leader. And it all starts with her to be honest, and, you know, she’s one of my biggest models,” Martucci said.
Martucci has had quite the journey at Quinnipiac. She had to redshirt her freshman season because of injury and then she did not start a game until her redshirt junior season.
Quinnipiac head coach Tricia Fabbri has enjoyed coaching Adily Martucci over the past five seasons.
“For me as a coach, its always been the greatest part of my job, not only this year but in years past to step back and see the young ladies go through their freshmen year to their senior year, and walk through the doors,” Fabbri said about watching players mature. “The process of watching them mature and become who they’re meant to become through those four years, is amazing, and one my staff and I’ve certainly enjoyed the most. Ultimately that’s the greatest joy in coaching, is watching the maturity and hoping that in some way you helped.”
Martucci has cherished her five years at Quinnipiac and she was proud to see change throughout her five years.
“Going to make me — waterworks over here. Indescribable. Life changing. The best years of my life. I’m just so proud to be a Bobcat and to be a part of this family. It’s really hard to describe my five years year because it’s been so amazing and just the growth that I’ve witnessed with our program and within myself. It’s life changing,” Martucci said.
Martucci started 10 games her redshirt junior season and 23 games during her redshirt senior season. She was named a captain along with fellow senior Morgan Manz and junior Carly Fabbri.
Although Martucci was not named Metro Atlantic Defensive Player of the year, she has continually shut down Quinnipiac’s opposition’s best guards. Martucci was instrumental in Quinnipiac’s run to the Sweet 16; she shut down Natisha Hiedeman of Marquette and had a key block at the end of the game. Martucci also shut down Miami’s Adrienne Motley before being moved over to Jessica Thomas who was having a career day.
Martucci was named to second team All-MAAC before the MAAC tournament began. Martucci would lead the Quinnipiac Bobcats to another MAAC title and a berth in the NCAA tournament. She was awarded MAAC tournament MVP honors for her performance throughout the tournament.
Martucci has become a leader for the Bobcats this season; she wore her heart on her sleeve every time she stepped on the court. She played with a hunger and desire unmatched by many players. Martucci was always there to help to encourage or teach her fellow teammates. You would always hear her encouraging teammates during pregame and pre-practice warmups.
No matter what the score was or whom the opponent was Adily Martucci would give up and Saturday afternoon was no different as Martucci finished with 12 points to lead her team in scoring along with Jen Fay.
Whether it was on the offensive or defensive side of the floor or both Adily Martucci left an impact not only on the floor but also in the locker room.
Martucci took her Quinnipiac jersey off for the final time on Saturday afternoon but her legacy will last forever as she was on the team that won Quinnipiac’s first NCAA tournament game and surprised the entire country by reaching the Sweet 16.
