Mount St. Mary’s women’s basketball senior Jess Tomasetti recently chatted with PressBox about the Mountaineers’ move to the MAAC, how she has improved throughout her time at the Mount and more. The 5-foot-5 guard averaged 10.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for the Mountaineers in 2022-23. She is a native of North Potomac, Md., and graduate of Our Lady of Good Counsel.
PressBox: How did you first become interested in basketball?
Jess Tomasetti: When I was growing up, my dad, [Jeff], had me play a ton of sports and I think basketball was the one that stuck with me the best, probably because I was the best at it.
PB: Who was the biggest influence on your game growing up?
JT: I watched a lot of UConn growing up, so probably Maya Moore and just that whole entire UConn team in general.
PB: How did playing your high school ball in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference impact your game and how you developed?
JT: The WCAC is one of the best conferences in America, in my personal opinion. There was competition every night. You’re playing kids that are going high D-I, high mid-major every single night, so you’re playing the best competition. I think that really got me ready to come to college and it just increased my overall play level.
PB: Why did you choose to go to Mount St. Mary’s?
JT: It’s not too far from my house. It’s small, which I like. I can create better relationships with people, stay close to people. And also, when I went and visited, the campus was absolutely beautiful and I could feel that there was a very high family aspect on the campus.
PB: What’s your favorite memory from your college career so far?
JT: I think when we won the NEC championship my sophomore year [in 2021-22]. I liked to going to March Madness. That’s another huge part of why it was my favorite.
PB: The Mount moved from the Northeast Conference to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference last year. What kind of adjustment was that on the court?
JT: The MAAC is a much bigger conference. I’m used to people being bigger than me, but last year everyone was much bigger than me and I think that was the biggest thing for me. I had to play a lot bigger than I am. Our whole team in general just had to really suck it up and take the bumps and bruises that we were getting just because we’re physically smaller. Definitely the size was the biggest thing.
PB: How have you become more productive each year at the Mount?
JT: I think just the opportunities. Obviously freshman year, you get a little bit of playing time, then sophomore year you get a little bit more. Last year was definitely much more than I had in the past. Our coaches do a great job off the court with us, getting us ready in the offseason, specifically one of my coaches [Kelsey Funderburgh]. We worked out every single day for the past three years together. What she gives me just really helps me out in the game.
PB: What’s your favorite thing about the Mount?
JT: I feel like it’s a really generic answer that everyone would give you, but when I say that the Mount is like a family, it really is like a family. Everyone is going to support you. Outside of basketball, inside of basketball, around the athletic department, they all know you. Everyone is just one big family here.
PB: What’s your favorite thing about Emmitsburg?
JT: It’s really pretty. In the spring and in the winter, it gets really pretty here.
PB: Who’s your best friend on the team and what’s a story that underscores your friendship?
JT: Isabella Hunt and Jada Lee. We came in together as freshmen and we’re all still here. We’ve had a really, really great bond. We’ve known each other for four years now. We’ve spent, I don’t know, every single day together for the past three years except for when we go home. We can’t really break anything there.
PB: Who did you look up to early in your college career?
JT: When I was a freshman, it was probably Michaela Harrison because we played kind of a similar position — point guard and the one or two. She taught me a lot in my time here when I was younger, and I will always look up to her because she was a great player for her entire five years here.
PB: What advice would you give to younger players?
JT: Choose a school that you’re really going to like, and when you like that school, it’s going to make you want to work your butt off and be the best player you’re going to be because when you get to college, you have to work hard if you haven’t had to in high school. But when you get to college, it’s repetitive and you just have to work your ass off every single day.
PB: What are your goals for after basketball, whenever it ends?
JT: I am going to take my fifth year next year. I don’t know what I want to do yet within the real world. I’m thinking about maybe going to play overseas if that’s a possibility, but I don’t exactly know what I want to do yet.
PB: Why do you plan on taking a fifth year?
JT: I just know since I got the COVID year, it makes sense to go and play another year for free and get my master’s for free. I know that’s something that my parents would want for me, and I think that’s the best thing that can come out of playing another year of basketball while getting an education.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Mount Athletics