Senior center Danielle Vuletich has played all four years of her collegiate career in Colonial colors. With her signature stomp after an and-one and her 6-foot 3-inch frame, she has been a cornerstone of the program and grown to be one of its foremost leaders .
Vuletich has increased her playing time year-over-year. She played minimally her freshman year, appearing in 15 games with no starts and averaged less than six minutes per game. She played in all 30 games her sophomore year, coming off the bench in all but three games, and averaged 7.8 points per contest.
Her junior season was by far her best, starting all 30 games and averaged more than nine points a game. Although the team’s success wasn’t ideal, she was their best player, leading the Colonials in rebounds (6.7), blocks (0.8), and field goal percentage (49.1)
Although she has been particularly healthy throughout her time at RMU, she went down with an injury just before the New Year and was sidelined for 11 games.
Fortunately, Vuletich would be able to return to the floor Thursday night against IU Indy. Both her and first-year head coach Chandler McCabe were excited to see number 4 check in once again.
“ I’m very thankful that I have the opportunity to come out and play with them,” Vuletich said. “Getting injured right before New Year’s was hard because I didn’t know what was going to happen. But with hard work never losing who I am, and always being a leader on the bench, on the floor, and whenever I can. I’m just happy I can play with my girls again.”
She certainly picked up where she left off too, scoring eight points in 14 minutes shooting a perfect 4-for-4 when inside the three point line, including have four rebounds and two blocks.
The Columbiana, Ohio native was itching to get back on the court as she had rarely missed games before she went down in December.
“ I will have to admit it was kind of frustrating,” Vuletich said. “I knew the Lord had bigger plans for me. I always say, ‘minor step back for a major comeback,’ and I luckily I’m just happy with how I did [Thursday]. No matter how I played, I’m just very happy to be back.”
Those who have seen Robert Morris women’s basketball knows who Vuletich is, not because of the tall frame, but because of how vocal she is on the court and the electricity she brings. She brings her teammates together.
This offseason, she was selected as one of the team’s captains for her leadership, voted on by her teammates.
“I’m just very thankful that the rest of the girls voted for me to make me a captain and it’s just all trust at that point. I’m happy that the girls trust me and I’m happy that Coach trusts me in my role that I have as well.”
With new leadership in Chandler McCabe, Vuletich and the three other seniors that have played all four years in Moon Township, are arguably in their best position to go far in March and Vuletich’s return is a huge add for McCabe and the Colonials.
