Senior spotlight: Mocchi and Van Sickle

Since they were young, both Gabby Mocchi and Ashley Van Sickle knew basketball would be a major part of their lives. Now seniors on the women’s basketball team, the two laced up for their last home game at MSU on Saturday, Feb. 19, and reflected on their years in the basketball program.

Last year, the mental and physical tolls of the COVID-19 pandemic added immense weight to the athletes’ shoulders. For Mocchi and her teammates, the return to semi-normalcy this semester has been a blessing. “It has been amazing to be playing in front of fans again,” Mocchi said. “The energy that the fans are able to bring in the arena is immense and unmatched compared to anywhere in the Big Sky (Conference). To be able to have this senior season and it return more to normal is a blessing beyond compare.”

Van Sickle explained how the team provided her with long-lasting memories and experiences. “I learned the importance of building connections. I’ve learned how to trust and embrace a role, and I've learned how to lead.” Van Sickle said. “Coach Bin has preached the core values of her program of being selfless, disciplined, reliable and tough since the moment I stepped on campus.”

For Mocchi, MSU has provided her with opportunities both on and off the court. “To have the ability to make lifelong friends and gain an education at a renowned university has been phenomenal,” Mocchi said. “To be able to wear my jersey sporting Montana State on a weekly basis fills me with pride and all I can hope is that I did it justice. I hope I have made this university and my teammates proud during my time here and helped contribute to the great tradition of being a Bobcat.”

After graduation, Mocchi is considering at both chiropractic school and sports psychology masters programs, where she hopes to help athletes and people live their lives in the healthiest ways possible. “I don’t know for sure what my future basketball plans will be or where it will fit with my other life plans, but right now I’m just focusing on one game at a time and making the most of my time as a Bobcat,” she said. Mocchi closed her interview thanking the MSU community. “Thank you Montana State. Thank you Bobcat Family. Thank you to all the staff and professors here and the entire athletic staff, each of you have impacted my life in amazing ways and am so grateful to each and everyone of you and making my life better,” she said.

Van Sickle hopes to teach and coach after graduation. In terms of her future in basketball, Van Sickle had a lot to say. “I do have an extra year of eligibility and I have thought about playing another year. I do not see myself hanging up my shoes just yet… and I will probably join a rec league or a women’s league in the future.”

“Montana State has given me some of the best times of my life and also some of the most challenging,” Van Sickle said. “I am very grateful to be able to wear Montana State on my jersey and represent the Blue and Gold. Thank you to everyone that has impacted my life and has helped me along my journey. Bozeman will always have a special place in my heart and I am so proud to be a Bobcat.”

The Cats will face off against in-state rivals, the Lady Griz, on Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in Missoula. This is the second matchup between the two teams this season, and the last was a convincing Bobcat win, 73-59. Following the Brawl of the Wild, the Cats are slated to play Sacramento State and Northern Colorado in a series of make-up games that were postponed due to COVID-19 before heading into the Big Sky Tournament. With the top seed still up for grabs, these last few road games will be crucial for MSU.