From the first time that guard Riley Hevelow '26, D'28 walked into Sorrentino Gymnasium, she knew she was going to attend Lebanon Valley College.

"I fell in love with the gym immediately," Hevelow said. "I knew I wanted to go to a school with a great Physical Therapy program. I had it narrowed down, but the second I saw our facilities, I knew I wanted to spend my four years here."

Hevelow excelled during her time with the women's basketball team, finishing her career as a four-time All-Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) honoree. The guard was also named the 2022-23 MAC Commonwealth Rookie of the Year following her debut season. Hevelow capped off her career by receiving All-MAC Freedom First Team honors and All-Region accolades as a senior.

"I have been so dedicated to this game, and I have put in as much work to be successful as I possibly could have," Hevelow said. "I was happy ending my career just knowing that I put my everything into the sport, but it is always nice to know that your hard work is recognized by others around you."

Hevelow expressed that she greatly enjoyed playing for Head Coach Julia Duggan this year and was proud of what the team accomplished during her last collegiate campaign. The guard tallied 1,242 points in her career and is tied for sixth on the program's all-time scoring list. Additionally, her production played an integral role in Lebanon Valley reaching the postseason in each of her four seasons.

"My experience as a student-athlete had many ups and downs, but I have learned so much," Hevelow said. "My biggest takeaways come from utilizing the people around you, standing up against adversity, and being strong and confident in yourself and your abilities. During my last year, I have learned to never say no, and to take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way."

In her final year, Hevelow was selected to play in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Senior All-Star Game. The contest was held before the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Championship game on the campus of Roanoke College in Salem, Va. In addition to competing against the top seniors in the nation, Hevelow participated in other events during the weekend, including attending a women's panel featuring former athletes and WBCA employees and visiting with local officials.

"It was an incredible experience," Hevelow said. "I was so nervous to go, but Coach Duggan pushed me to participate, and I was so happy that she did. I met so many players like me, and it was fun getting to know them and playing with all those talented girls. We also had other activities planned besides the game that I really enjoyed."

Hevelow graduated from Lebanon Valley College in May with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. She will continue her education at LVC over the next two years as she completes the graduate phase of LVC's Doctor of Physical Therapy (PT) program. During her senior year, Hevelow gained clinical experience as a Physical Therapist in acute care, which she believes will set her up for success in her future career.

"The clinical experiences are really helpful in allowing you to get hands-on experiences with patients in many different settings," Hevelow said. "The exposure is helpful in determining what kind of PT you want to be, ruling out settings, and gaining a lot of knowledge about different kinds of PT."

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