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This time, savoring the ride

Caitlin Hynes, a senior leader on the Bowdoin women's basketball team, is enjoying her final Division III tournament.

By Mike Lowe mlowe@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

As a freshman, Caitlin Hynes was happy to be part of the Bowdoin College women's basketball team that made it to the Elite Eight. But she really didn't comprehend the experience.

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Caitlin Hynes of Bowdoin has emerged as a team leader during her four seasons, and now is a captain of the team that has reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III women’s basketball tournament and will take on the No. 2 team in the country on the road tonight.

Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

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Caitlin Hynes of Bowdoin has more than basketball on her schedule this week. She took a medical school entrance interview Thursday at Tufts University.

Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer

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TODAY'S GAME

WHO: Bowdoin (22-6) vs. Kean University (28-1)

WHAT: NCAA Division III women's sectional semifinal

WHEN: 8 p.m.

WHERE: Union, N.J.

FIRST GAME: Rochester vs. Christopher Newport, 6 p.m.

"I remember thinking it was awesome but not understanding what it was," said Hynes. "I mean, we had a good team. We were supposed to be there."

Now a senior, Hynes is a captain for the Polar Bears, and truly appreciates what it takes to be playing deep into the NCAA Division III women's tournament.

Bowdoin is back in the Sweet 16, playing at Kean University in Union, N.J., at 8 tonight.

"It's an amazing feeling," said Hynes, a Rockland High graduate from Owl's Head. "There are only 16 teams playing now and we're one of them. I understand it more and I appreciate it more."

Hynes has emerged as Bowdoin's go-to player at both ends of the court. At 6 feet, she plays center and is one of the team's top defenders, leading the team with 52 blocked shots (she had a team-high 39 as a junior) and 31 steals. She also leads the team in scoring, with 12.9 points per game, and is second in rebounds with 5.3.

"She has improved dramatically just in the two years I've been here," said Coach Adrienne Shibles. "I really think it comes from hard work, work in the summer and work in the weight room. And I really think, this being her senior year, she decided to be a real leader.

"She stepped up in some really big games and some really big moments this year."

Like last weekend. In both games, Hynes scored the basket that gave the Polar Bears the final push. In each game, Bowdoin used gripping defense to take a big first-half lead. In each game, its opponent rallied in the second half. In each game, Hynes hit a decisive shot.

Against Baruch, with Bowdoin leading by nine, she hit a 3-pointer from the right wing -- while falling -- to regain the momentum. Against Western Connecticut, the Polar Bears' lead was eight when Hynes drove left, flicked up an underhand shot that hit the side (or bottom) of the rim, then bounced over and in. She also was fouled and completed the three-point play.

"That's just Caitlin's confidence there," said senior Sabrina Cote. "It was a lucky shot, but it went in because she had the confidence to take the shot."

Cote, from Dexter, has seen Hynes mature over the years, noting that Hynes worked endlessly with former Bowdoin assistant Julie Veillieux on improving her inside game. "Every year you could see her improvement as she became more confident as a scorer and a defender," said Cote. "Her game has expanded 1,000 times."

On offense, Hynes has the ability to hit the outside shot or take the ball inside. She's strong enough to battle inside, but agile enough to make a move and dribble to the basket. Her size and long arms make her a strong inside defender.

"She's got a presence on defense," said Shibles. "She has great focus."

And she'll need it this weekend. Not only are the Polar Bears facing the No. 2 team in the nation, but Hynes has some personal business.

A biology major, she planned to take a medical school entrance interview Thursday at Tufts. She took a bus to Boston after Wednesday's practice and stayed with her sister, Janna, overnight. After the interview, which was expected to last most of the day, Hynes was to fly to Newark, N.J., to join her team.

"Caitlin, like so many women on this team, epitomizes the concept of the student-athlete," said Shibles. "She told me about this a long time ago. These are the dates and there's not a lot of flexibility."

While an extremely important interview, Hynes said her week really won't be unlike any other.

"Just like during the school year, I have a lot of homework and I can't think basketball all the time," she said. "It's something I do a lot. I'm used to having a lot to do and playing basketball at the end of the week.

"It's not something I'm stressed about."

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:

mlowe@pressherald.com