Hailey Zeise stood alongside her graduating teammates taking in the adoration from the Island Federal Arena fans on Senior Day. It was her last regular season home game and one of the final times she would compete in front of the home crowd. When the NCAA canceled the remaining Winter and Spring seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it seemed like the opportunity to play in her first America East Championship game was gone.
Instead, Zeise will look for one more chance after announcing her return to the Stony Brook Women’s Basketball program Monday morning.
“This year has been filled with unexpected challenges,” Zeise said in a press release. “After extensive consideration and countless conversations with my family, I have come to a decision that I believe is in the best interest for me and my future. With that being said, I am so excited to announce that I will be returning to Stony Brook this year where I will be pursuing my master’s degree and playing my final year of eligibility.”
Zeise led the team shooting 36 percent from three last season and ranks tenth in program history. The forward was a defensive anchor who halted opposing team’s best players, while averaging five points and four rebounds per game. She delivered the game-tying layup that helped erase a 15-point deficit and led to the eventual 54-49 America East Quarterfinal win over UAlbany in March.
The graduate originally planned on staying in collegiate basketball as a graduate assistant or working in student-athlete development.
Zeise graduated Stony Brook University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology last month. She earned her undergraduate degree in three years and was named to the Dean’s List for six semesters, as well as the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
“The impact that Hailey has had on [Stony Brook Athletics] is immeasurable… I’m excited that before she goes out and changes the world, she will give us one more year of positive energy on the court and purposeful work in the department that will only make us stronger,” Athletic Director Shawn Heilbron tweeted after the announcement.
She was also named to the America East Women’s Basketball All-Championship Team alongside the Stony Brook and Maine graduates, in March. The Seawolves went a program-record 28-3 in season action and 14-2 in conference play in the 2019-20 season.
