Former Albright standout Jessica Venturelli enters her third year as a women's basketball assistant coach in 2017-18.
In 2016-17, Venturelli helped the Lions to its second consecutive - and third overall - appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Albright defeated Piedmont College in the first round, 64-54, before losing in the second round to Marymount (Va.), 68-59.
Albright cruised through the regular season, finishing with a 16-0 record in MAC Commonwealth play. After defeating Lycoming in the MAC Commonwealth semifinals, Albright lost a thrilling contest to Messiah, 53-50, when a Lions' three pointer at the buzzer rimmed out.
Albright posted the best season in school history during the 2015-16 campaign. The Lions won a school-record 27 games and finished the year with a 27-3 overall mark. Albright captured the MAC Commonwealth Tournament title for the first time in school history and notched its first-ever victory in the NCAA Tournament with a win over Husson. The Lions advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and finished the season ranked in the top 10 of both the USA Today Sports and the D3hoops.com Top 25 polls. Kelecia Harris became the first player in school history to earn First Team All-America honors as she was named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association team.
Venturelli graduated from Albright following a decorated four-year career. She ended her Albright career with 282 assists, which ranks second all-time at Albright, her 100 career three-pointers are fifth most in a Lions uniform, and her 104 games played place her in a tie for the second most in school history.
She played a vital role in helping lead the Lions to one of the best seasons in school history. Albright finished the season with a school-record 21 victories and advanced to the championship game of the Commonwealth and ECAC South Tournaments.
