Lone senior Munson handles stress, leads women's hoops

Whenever senior point guard Jessica Munson is on the floor, people notice.

Her team notices every time she controls the court by calling a play, or during one of the frequent occasions when she motivates her teammates by pushing herself even harder.

The opposing team, because of Munson's stifling defense, is forced to pay even more attention to her. Losing track of the extremely aggressive and competitive five-foot seven-inch guard would prove disastrous. As the team's most talented thief, Munson leads the Tigers with 17 steals on the season.

It is not only the players on the floor who pay Munson close attention. At games, it is easy to see that the crowd in the stands loves to follow the actions of the talented player. After a great defensive stop or a key three-pointer, children and adults alike can be heard screaming out her name.

"There are so many people who learn from her, so many people that she teaches and affects," junior forward Lauren Rigney said. "If anyone needs to know about something, they can definitely get it from talking to or watching her. She is always there."

There are a number of reasons why Munson has become one of the most recognizable and important players on the women's basketball team. One is that she is not new to Princeton basketball — for the past four years, Munson has been an integral part of the squad.

Although her time was limited during her freshman year, Munson has been a consistent starter for the past three seasons. Her sophomore year, she ranked third in assists (46) and second in steals (26). The next year, she led the team with 63 assists, and started all but two games for the Tigers.

Currently, Munson is third on the team with 29 assists. She is also a critical person to have on the floor at the end of close games: shooting almost 75 percent from the free-throw line.

Munson's experience with the women's basketball system has given her a familiarity that inspires confidence in both her coaches and teammates alike.

"I've been doing this for so long," Munson said. "After a while, it just feels natural."

Besides being one of the few people who honestly understands all of the intricacies of Princeton's famous motion offense, Munson is also unique in another way. She is the only person associated with the women's basketball program that has more than three years of experience with the team. Not a single player, trainer, or even coach can make the same claim.

Other players could have been understandably uncomfortable playing such a vital role. After all, being a senior necessarily involves holding a great deal of responsibility. The challenge becomes even greater when you are the only senior. The stress becomes almost unbearable when you are the only senior as well as a co-captain.

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However, all of those factors still do not have an effect on the unshakable Munson.

"I never felt that I had any added pressure," Munson said. "If anything, I would describe it as a challenge."

Through her work ethic, leadership, and constant desire for the team to succeed, Munson has earned the respect of the entire basketball team. Her own admiration for the program can be easily seen as well.

"I still remember freshman year, and the first time I put on a Princeton uniform," Munson said. "I was so proud to be on the team, so proud to be a Tiger. That feeling still hasn't escaped me. Every time I go down to the locker room before a game I feel it again. I wonder if I will ever find that feeling again."

She is not the only one who is left questioning. When Munson graduates in a few months, the entire team — players, coaches and trainers alike — will be left to wonder how they will ever possibly be able to replace her.