GORHAM, Maine – Graduate student Jackie Luckhardt (Londonderry, N.H.) and senior Katie Bagley (Hancock, Maine/Ellsworth) have been named captains of the 2021-2022 University of Southern Maine Huskies women's basketball team.
 
"As a staff we are thrilled to have Katie and Jackie as team captains this season," said seventh year head coach Samantha Norris.  "Both Jackie and Katie have the tremendous underlying qualities of work ethic and commitment while bringing their own unique leadership experiences to our program.  Katie has built an incredible reputation among her teammates, peers and athletic department staff members of being process oriented with a team-first attitude.  She gives a high-quality perspective to teammates growing through their roles while keeping us engaged and organized."
 
"Jackie is a veteran student-athlete, and has been at USM nearly as long as I have," said Norris of her sixth-year captain. "She's a tremendous competitor, and has been recognized for her leadership qualities by the department as a Paula D. Hodgdon Leadership award winner. Having a presence like Jackie on the court is an extension of our coaching staff.  When Jackie speaks everyone listens, intently.  The more she steps into her leadership role, there is a greater chance of success for her teammates and team."
 
An Occupational Therapy major, Bagley is a four-year member of the Huskies' program.  A two-time William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete, Bagley helped Southern Maine to its first Women's Basketball Coaches' Association (WBCA) Academic Top 25 recognition following the 2020-2021 academic year.
 
Leading the Huskies' from the point guard position for a majority of her career, Luckhardt is a former All-Little East Conference selection (second team).  Averaging 9.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.06 assists and 2.98 steals per game over her 86-game career, Luckhardt enters her final season with 784 points, 439 rebounds, 264 assists, 257 steals and 26 career blocked shots. Her 257 career steals are presently eighth in Husky career record books. During the 2019-2020 season, Luckhardt averaged a career-best 10.8 points per game. Luckhardt earned her undergraduate degree in
 
In addition to Luckhardt and Bagley, Norris also returns seniors Michelle Rowe (Gorham, Maine) and Victoria Harris (Altus, Okla./Lewiston).  Rowe, a Nursing major, is a three-time William B. Wise Scholar Athlete, and is an officer in the Huskies' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. 
 
Earning Maine Women's Basketball Coaches' Association (MWBCA) All-State honors as a sophomore (2019-2020), Harris, a Health Science major,  is averaging 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.06 blocked shots over her 58-game career.  In the Huskies' abbreviated six-game COVID-schedule, Harris averaged a team and career best 13.17 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.01 blocked shots per game while shooting 48.2 percent from the field.  Harris is a member of Huskies' Student Athlete Diversity, Inclusion & Equity (SADIE) Committee.
 
The Huskies, who earned WBCA Academic Top 25 honors at the conclusion of the 2021 season, open their 2021-22 season at home versus University of New England (5:30 pm).  The Huskies were picked fourth in the 2021-22 LEC Women's Basketball Preseason Coaches' Poll.