Courtesy of Sofia Tavarez ’29
Camel of the Edition is a series that seeks to highlight extraordinary Connecticut College athletes who have stood out from the herd due to their recent performances or as a leader on campus or on their team.
Sofia Tavarez ‘29 leads the Connecticut College women’s basketball team in points per game, assists, steals, and field goals made and ranks second in points scored and fourth in points per game in the NESCAC. Tavarez, a freshman guard from Cortlandt Manor, New York, has appeared in every game for the Camels since her arrival and was recently honored as NESCAC Player of the Week after scoring a game-high 20 points in a victory over Tufts. Behind Tavarez’s play, the women’s basketball team has won more NESCAC conference games this season than in the last three seasons combined.
Recently, The College Voice caught up with Tavarez to talk about her journey in sports, her adjustment from playing high school to NESCAC level basketball, and what she hopes the team can accomplish for the rest of the season.
Could you please introduce yourself?
My name is Sofia Tavarez, and I’m a first-year at Connecticut College. I use she/her pronouns and I’m currently inclining toward psychology or economics as my academic focus. I play point guard for the women’s basketball team. On campus, my main involvement right now is with the team, where I focus on bringing energy, leadership, and competitiveness whenever I step on the court.
What was your journey in sports and how did you end up picking/playing basketball and your position?
Growing up, I played just about every sport, including swimming, soccer, tennis, and I also did gymnastics for seven years. Gymnastics, in particular, gave me an advantage that I think not many athletes have. It’s a completely different environment built on extreme focus, discipline, and attention to detail, and those habits have stuck with me as I transitioned to basketball. Basketball ultimately became my main sport because I loved the pace, competitiveness, and strategy of the game. As a point guard, I’ve always enjoyed organizing the offense, making reads, and setting up my teammates.
When did you realize you wanted to keep playing basketball in college?
I realized I wanted to continue playing basketball in college during high school, once I understood how much the sport had shaped my work ethic and confidence. Competing at the next level felt like a challenge I wanted to take on, both athletically and mentally. I’ve always strived to be the best version of myself, and that mindset continues to fuel me.
What was your recruitment process like and how did you end up choosing Conn?
My recruitment process led me to Connecticut College because of the people and the academics. From the beginning, the team culture stood out — the girls were welcoming, hardworking, and genuinely supportive. Conn’s strong academic reputation was also extremely important to me, because basketball doesn’t last forever, but having a solid academic foundation will carry me through life beyond the sport.
As a guard, can you talk about your responsibilities and what makes the position so attractive to you?
As a guard, especially at the point, my responsibilities include setting the tone, handling pressure, making smart decisions, and creating opportunities for my teammates. I love the position because it challenges me to think the game, communicate constantly, and lead while still being aggressive offensively. I feel like my teammates feed off my energy, which pushes me to always be on my A-game.
In the previous three seasons before your arrival at Conn, the women’s basketball team has only won one or no NESCAC conference games during each previous season. This season, the women’s basketball team has already won three NESCAC games and has won more games than any previous Conn team since 2018-19. What would you say sparked this shift in competitiveness and wins?
I think the team’s recent success has come from a shift in mindset. We’ve really bought into competing every possession and believing that we belong in these games. There’s a strong sense of trust and togetherness, and that has translated into confidence and better execution, especially in close moments.
Despite being a freshman, you have already played in every one of the women’s basketball team’s games this season and lead the team in a number of statistical categories. You’ve also become the first Conn player to score 20 points or more in consecutive games since the 2019-20 season, was named to the all-tournament team in the Hampton Classic, and hit game winners in back to back games against Wheaton and Framingham State. What has the transition from playing at the high school level to the level of Division III basketball been like and did you expect to have such an immediate impact and large role on the team?
The jump from high school to this DIII level has definitely been an adjustment. It feels like I’m facing the best teams from high school every game, but the intensity and pressure to perform well every game have really stepped up as well. From the start, I knew I wanted to play and make an impact, so that was always my goal. But when the coaching staff that recruited me left, it made things more challenging…I had to prove myself all over again to a completely new coaching staff and that shook my confidence a bit. But I was determined to make an impact regardless and so far I’ve faced the adversity head on and that’s been in my favor.
Following the win against Wesleyan, you were named NESCAC women’s basketball player of the week and were named on the D3Hoops.com Team of the Week. Were you expecting this recognition and what does it mean to you?
I wasn’t expecting the recognition I’ve received, and it truly means a lot. I see it as a reflection of the team’s success more than anything, because none of it happens without my teammates. Still, it’s really rewarding to know that my work and accomplishments are being noticed.
What do you hope to accomplish for the rest of the season for yourself and with the team?
For the rest of the season, I want to continue growing, helping the team win, and building something special within the program. Personally, one of my goals is to earn Rookie of the Year, God willing. I’d also love to shout out our assistant coach, Wade [McNamara], for being an incredible support system and someone all of us can rely on both on and off the court.
