NEW YORK, N.Y. – Fairfield University Women's Basketball graduate Lou Lopez-Senechal '22 became the first Stag alum ever to be selected in the WNBA Draft as she was the fifth-overall pick by the Dallas Wings. Lopez-Senechal, the 2022 MAAC Player of the Year and the 2022 MAAC Championship Most Outstanding Player, scored 1,598 points in her four years with the Stags. She spent her graduate season at national powerhouse UConn, leading the Huskies to a Sweet 16 appearance.
Lopez-Senechal combined to score 2,173 points between her four seasons at Fairfield and one with the Huskies. She would also earn four All-Conference awards, being named to the All-MAAC First Team three times and to the First Team All-Big East squad this year.
Lopez-Senechal made her lasting impact with Fairfield, helping the program to their first MAAC Championship in over two decades and their fifth NCAA Tournament Appearance. She was the MAAC Championship MVP in 2022 as the Stags won three games in Atlantic City, N.J. The Stags would take on second-seeded Texas in the NCAA Tournament, with Lou netting 17 against the Longhorns.
"Lou had an incredible four-year career at Fairfield packed with wins, championships, banners, and lots of points scored!" Fairfield Head Coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis said. "However, everything I know about her is what a humble teammate she is, and how she made everyone around her better. Though I never had the opportunity to coach Lou, her impact is still felt and she has left a lasting legacy here at Fairfield. The Stags can't wait to cheer her on at the next level!"
"It was a pleasure to coach Lou," former Fairfield Head Coach Joe Frager said. "She brought exceptional talent and a drive to succeed. Lou always put our team first, tried to do whatever we asked of her and was very coachable. She was a major factor in us winning the 2022 MAAC Championship. I am just thrilled that she will be able to pursue her professional ambitions."
Her impact can also be seen in the record books as she ranks in the top-10 in program history in six categories. She places sixth in school history with 1,598 points, sixth in 3-point field goals made (170), and second in 3-point percentage (.391).
Her senior season was one of the best offensive seasons the Stags have ever seen as she netted 604 points, the second most by a Stag in a single season. She averaged 19.5 points per game, shot .409 from 3-point range and .856 from the free throw line. She would become the third Stag in history to be named the MAAC Player of the Year, as she was unanimously selected for that award.
She was also a two-time All-Met First team honoree and the MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2019.
With the fifth-overall pick, Lopez-Senechal will join a Dallas Wings team that went 18-18 in the 2022 WNBA Standings, finishing sixth.