Tapio has been a major contributor in her senior season, averging over 12 points in nearly 30 minutes per game. Courtesy of Fordham Athletics
By Matt Rosenfeld
Emily Tapio, who grew up just an hour away in Brewster, New York, is the captain and a senior forward on the women’s basketball team. After having a breakthrough in her junior year on the way to the NCAA Tournament, Tapio has the Rams on pace for another impressive year.
She currently leads the team in scoring, averaging almost 13 points per game, to go along with five rebounds and three assists per contest.
The Fordham Ram: How did your recruiting process go? What made you ultimately choose Fordham in the end?
Emily Tapio: I was being recruited pretty young, and I didn’t really like visiting schools very much. I knew I was going to go close to home. I came here and loved the campus and the atmosphere, so I chose Fordham.
TFR: Your freshman year was Coach Gaitley’s first year as well. You are part of the class that took the program from 12-18 in your first year to the NCAA Tournament team it is now, how did it feel to be a part of that process?
ET: It’s been amazing so far. We really have grown as a program, learning how to win and become a team that people want to beat. The other day, we saw another team that we were playing getting hyped to beat us and we thought ‘Wow, when was the last time someone did that to play Fordham?’ So, it’s been an amazing ride.
TFR: How have you adjusted to being a senior on the team?
ET: It’s been a ride. It’s been interesting. We have a pretty young team. They’ve been so supportive to me; it has been really great. I have some awesome teammates behind me.
TFR: Has there been any challenges to being a senior? Anything you didn’t expect?
ET: Finding our chemistry on the floor has definitely been a challenge, and it’s something we’re still working on. We haven’t exactly peaked yet, which isn’t a bad thing. Really it’s all about setting the standards for the younger kids and coming in every day with the same attitude. Trying not to get emotional about certain things has been a challenge.
TFR: You’re the team’s leading scorer, as well as a nice contributor on the boards; what’s clicked for you this season?
ET: I’m just letting the game come to me. The team has been great thus far, and we have such good depth that I don’t have to try too hard. When we let our offense come to us, it’s really been working. We’ve really made our staple on defense, and that really takes the pressure off of the offense, because we’re not singularly talented. As a team, we’re much stronger.
TFR: Is there any part of your game in which you take the most pride?
ET: I’d probably have to say posting people up because I’m so small. I love beating bigger players off of that.
TFR: What’s your favorite non-basketball part of Fordham?
ET: It would have to be Arthur Avenue. I love going there after games with my family and friends.
TFR: Do you have any plans after graduation?
ET: Oh my gosh, I need to find a job! I’m hoping for a job, I’m applying now so it’s crazy. I want to get into marketing, so I’m looking at either agencies or corporate.
