Zoey Ward was a breakout star for Iona women’s basketball in the 2024-2025 season. In 31 games this past season, Ward averaged almost nine points per game and almost six rebounds per game, which was up from the three points and almost two rebounds she averaged in her freshman season. “The Ionian” was able to catch up with Zoey Ward and interview her about the previous season:
Michael Marchionna (MM): “Last year you were a bench player, but this year you started in 30 out of 31 games. What was it like having an increase in impact you had on the team?”
Zoey Ward (ZW): “That transition was cool. Going from a bench player to a consistent starter gave me the chance to really step into a role that I knew I could handle and contribute in a big way. It felt good knowing that the work I put in during the offseason paid off, and I was trusted to help set the tone on the court. Every game felt like an opportunity to prove myself and support my teammates, not just with my play, but with my energy and efforts.”
MM: “What do you think is your key to success on the court?”
ZW: “My key to success on the court is mindset and work ethic. The games that we were most successful in are the games that I stayed locked in, stayed confident and I was willing to outwork the next person. Learning from my mistakes and not repeating them. Listening to my teammates and working with whatever we need.”
MM: “One of your hobbies is photography. Why did you pick up photography?”
ZW: “I picked up photography because I’ve always had a deep love for taking pictures and videos of meaningful moments. Ever since middle school l’ve always valued memories, and photography became my way of holding onto them and helping others do the same. I literally have over 50,000 photos in my library. What started as a creative outlet has grown into a real passion and business. Looking forward, I want to take things to the next level, as in expanding from freelance work into high end projects like shooting weddings, working with professional athletes, and collaborating with brands. One of my biggest goals is to open my own studio. Ultimately, I want to be recognized among the best in the photography world, creating the world’s most beautiful art.”
MM: “What are your goals for next season?”
ZW: “My goals for next season are to elevate every part of my game, physically, mentally, and as a leader. I want to be more consistent, more dominant, and more vocal on the court, also I’m aiming to improve in scoring, rebounding, and efficiency, being consistent all around. I also want to continue building strong chemistry with my teammates, learning from them and setting the tone with my work ethic every day.”
