Sexe and Clougherty reflect upon careers ahead of Sunday's Senior Day

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The amount seniors Mary Clougherty and Mariah Sexe have given to the Lehigh women's basketball program on and off the court in the last four years is incredible. Each player possesses something special that will be very difficult to replace in 2021-22.

Clougherty has been an every game player for the Mountain Hawks since her freshman season and this year became a crucial part of the starting lineup and an All-Patriot League-level talent from the get go.

Sexe has been through it all, the highest highs and the lowest lows in her time with the Mountain Hawks, but her leadership over the last two seasons has been very, very special. As a member of the starting lineup this year, her production has helped Lehigh tremendously by playing some of the best basketball of her collegiate career.

This Sunday against American, the program will honor Clougherty and Sexe for their indelible service to the team in four years. Lehighsports.com caught up with the pair of seniors ahead of Sunday's Senior Day celebration.

#34 Mariah Sexe – Forward – Woodbury, Minn. – Health, Medicine and Society

What's your favorite Lehigh WBB memory up until this point? Why?

MS: My first favorite Lehigh WBB memory is getting to play two hometown games against University of Minnesota because all of my friends and family got to see me play in an arena I grew up dreaming of playing in; my other favorite memory is our team trip to the Bahamas as it was such a fun experience to share with my teammates.

Describe your relationship with Mary Clougherty. Mariah Sexe

MS: Mary is one of my best friends on and off the court. We have really been by each other's side for the past four years and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Mary is a friend and teammate who I trust and love immensely. She is compassionate, kind, dedicated, and an extremely hard worker. I feel blessed to have shared so many Lehigh memories with her and know she will be a friend for life.

Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?

MS: The past four years have gone by so fast and I really have learned a lot about myself. My years at Lehigh have not been easy but they have made me the person I am today and I will forever be thankful for that. I will also forever be thankful for all of the friendships and relationships I was able to make that I know will last a lifetime. I have been playing basketball since second grade, so it is hard to believe it is going to end. I have loved everything about this sport and am so glad I pursued basketball in college. It will be weird to no longer be on a team and get to compete every day, but I have so many memories that can always take me back. It is a bittersweet feeling as I do not want my career to end but I am also really excited for my future.

What will you miss most about Lehigh Women's Basketball?
MS: I will miss a lot of things about Lehigh WBB. I will miss being able to play basketball at an incredibly high level. I will miss game days and rituals that give feelings that cannot be replicated. I will miss workouts with Eric, Dom and Owen. I will miss the feeling of a great practice or game. I will miss the random conversations and all of the laughs shared in the gym. Most importantly, I will miss my teammates and all the people who made Lehigh a home away from home.

How proud are you of the strides the Lehigh Women's Basketball program has taken and continues to take?

MS: It has been awesome to be a part of the Lehigh WBB program the past four years and see it evolve. Each year brings a new team that pushes each other and makes our program better. Wins and losses are the focus but it is also amazing to see how my teammates evolve as people. It is awesome to learn from previous years and be able to use that to help better the program for future years.

What has it meant to you personally and athletically to have had Coach Troyan as your head coach?

MS: Coach Troyan was there for me during a really difficult time in my life, as my mother passed away from cancer during the fall semester of my sophomore year. I am very thankful to have a coach that was always looking out for my well-being and had absolute trust in me and decisions I needed to make. Her support during this very difficult time in my life was incredible. I also am appreciative of the effort she has put in to develop me as a person and leader as well as a basketball player. I know she truly cares for me as a person and she has done a lot for me, which I will always be thankful for.

What are your post-graduate plans?

MS: I plan on moving back to Minnesota after graduation to take a gap year and work as a scribe in order to gain health care experience. I then plan on applying and attending a Physician Assistant school to get my masters; it is my ultimate goal to be a PA and work in healthcare. I also would love to travel the world (especially Europe) once it is safe to do so.

#44 Mary Clougherty – Guard – Herndon, Va. – Accounting

What's your favorite Lehigh WBB memory up until this point? Why?

MC: Last year's Senior Day was a really, really fun game. This game is one of my favorite memories because Paige Galiani let loose and made six 3-pointers. She's the best shooter I've played with and it was so fun to watch her score like that.

Describe your relationship with Mariah Sexe. Mary Clougherty

MS: Mariah and I are lifetime friends. Starting out as roommates our freshman summer, our differences were highlighted pretty early. We like to joke that this makes us better friends. But, as the years go on, I think we have found a lot more things to bond over than not. She's a sister that I can lean on, laugh with, and love forever.

Describe the feeling going into Senior Day. What are some of the thoughts going through your mind as you're nearing the end of your collegiate career?

MC: It is very surreal that I am almost done with four years of college basketball. Basketball has always been such an important part of my life and I think even after I stop playing in college, I'm still going to keep playing for fun and being a fan. For me, accomplishing the feat that is being a college athlete is something I'm going to remember forever.

What will you miss most about Lehigh Women's Basketball?
MC: The team. I'm going to miss hanging out with my teammates every day. Competing against them at practice. Competing with them at games. Although I won't see my teammates every day, I'm still going to keep them in my life.

What has it meant to you personally and athletically to have had Coach Troyan as your head coach?

MC: Coach Troyan has been such a great support for me at Lehigh. She has always pushed me to explore my interests outside of basketball and improve my game on the court. She has provided me the opportunity to grow as a student, athlete, and person.

What are your post-graduate plans?

MC: I hope to stay at Lehigh to get my Masters in Accounting and Information Analysis and use my last year of eligibility. If not, I plan to move back to the D.C. area and be a CPA.

Upcoming Event: Women's Basketball at #2 Holy Cross on March 15, 2026 at 12:00 PM

Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus #1 Navy on March 12, 2026 , Win , 81, to, 76 , OT

Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus #5 Loyola University Maryland on March 9, 2026 , Win , 68, to, 54

Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus American on March 4, 2026 , Loss , 60, to, 62

Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Bucknell on February 28, 2026 , Loss , 45, to, 57

Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Boston University on February 21, 2026 , Win , 76, to, 61

Completed Event: Women's Basketball versus Navy on February 18, 2026 , Win , 75, to, 64

Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Lafayette on February 14, 2026 , Loss , 59, to, 73

Lehigh University Athletics

Sexe and Clougherty reflect upon careers ahead of Sunday's Senior Day

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Paige Galiani

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