FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University Women's Basketball team announced their three team captains for the upcoming 2020-21 season. Juniors Lou Lopez-Senechal and Rachel Hakes will join redshirt senior Katie Armstrong as the team's three tri-captains as they prepare to help lead the team during the challenging upcoming campaign.
 
Lopez-Senechal will be entering her junior season after leading the Stags in scoring in each of her first two collegiate seasons. She is coming off another successful season, being named to the All-MAAC First Team after finishing fifth in the conference with 15.5 points per game. The 2018-19 MAAC Rookie of the Year has netted 724 points in her first 52 games.
 
"I'm happy to be a captain as I've never been chosen to be one in my whole career," Lopez-Senechal said. "It means the coaches trust me and I'm grateful for that. I want to be a good leader for the team and be a good example for others."
 
Hakes will be a team captain for the second-straight season after earning the honor as a sophomore. Hakes started 29 of 30 games in her sophomore season, only coming off the bench on Senior Day. Hakes helped orchestrate the offense and finished second in the MAAC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0) and tenth in assists (3.2). One the team's grittiest defenders, Hakes swiped a career-high 21 steals last season.
 
"It is a tremendous honor to be named captain alongside KT and Lou," Hakes said. "Our team is fully equipped to win the MAAC Championship this year and I am willing to do whatever it takes to help get us there. This year takes on extra meaning and I know we will give everything we have at each workout, truly not knowing what the next day will bring. We are committed to riding the waves that the pandemic brings and coming out victorious on the other side."
 
Armstrong had a breakout season during the 2019-20 campaign, being voted to the All-MAAC Second Team. Armstrong finished in the top-10 in the conference in both points (14.0) and rebounds (7.0). She helped lead the Stags to a third place finish by scoring in double figures in 10 of her last 11 games down the stretch.
 
"I am really excited and honored to be named captain this year with Rachel and Lou," Armstrong said. "To me, being named a captain means a lot. I am honored that the coaches chose me, and I want to do everything in my power to help the team win a MAAC Championship this year. Interpersonal connections on and off the court are huge for me, and I hope that I can help encourage and push each person on the team to be better, as they do the same for me. Together as a team we have battled lots of adversity, and I think we are ready to come together and have an amazing season."
 
The Stags finished with a 12-8 MAAC record last season, their 12th winning mark in the conference during the 13 seasons under Head Coach Joe Frager. Fairfield earned the three seed in the MAAC Championships and defeated Siena in the Quarterfinal round. The Stags advanced to the MAAC Semifinals before the tournament was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.