By: Donald Hunt
VILLANOVA, PA – Every team needs to have role players who can contribute on a regular basis. Villanova has one in Kaitlyn Orihel who gives the women’s basketball team consistent play as a key reserve. Orihel, a 5-10 senior guard, has helped the Wildcats with her shooting, defense and as player who can provide with them some savvy and experience. The former Archbishop Wood star is always prepared to gift the team a lift.
Villanova senior Kaitlyn Orihel #4 - PSD Photo by Geanine Jamison
“My thing is about winning whatever the team needs from me depending on each game,” said Orihel, who averages 2.7 points and 1.4 assists a game while tallying 15.4 minutes a game. “Sometimes it differs, I just have to see what’s needed on the court.
“Yeah, I think at this point. I’m just kind of used to that which is working hard every day at practice and trying to do a little of everything. I try to see what’s working and not working.”
Villanova (16-12 overall, 10-6 league) are fifth in the Big East Conference standings behind No. 5 ranked UConn, No. 22 ranked Creighton, Marquette and Seton Hall respectively. The Wildcats are trying to hit their stride as the team gets ready for the conference tournament next month.
“The Big East is super fun,” Orihel said. “It’s so competitive. You prepare every day like the next day because it’s the biggest. We’re super excited to finish the season and play in the Big East tournament.”
Orihel has enjoyed playing with her high school teammate Ryanne Allen this season. Allen, a 6-1 junior guard, transferred from Vanderbilt to Villanova. Allen has given the Wildcats some quality minutes like Orihel.
“Ryanne is a year younger than me,” Orihel said. “We played together for three years. It’s so awesome having her back here. It was so much fun playing with her in high school. It was so much fun playing together. We play well off each other.”
Orihel was a four-time first-team All-State selection at Archbishop Wood and is the Vikings All-Time leading scorer in the history of the girls' basketball program. She was named Pennsylvania 4A State Player of the Year. She was also a three-time All Catholic League standout. She has some great memories playing in the Philadelphia Catholic League playoffs at the Palestra.
“It’s so awesome and that league is so special,” she said. “Everyone knows about it from this area. People would come into Villanova and we have a couple of PCL [Philadelphia Catholic League] girls on the team. We always talk about it.”
Kaitlyn Orihel's jersey was retired by Archbishop Wood on 1/14/25 - Photos: Donna Eckert
Orihel has experienced playing some exciting basketball in the Catholic League and at Villanova too. She will be honored along with her fellow seniors tomorrow evening as the Wildcats host Butler in their final home game of the season.