WINTHROP, Mass. - The Norwich University women's basketball team collected its first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) weekly honors of the 2025-26 season, as freshman Gracie Laster (Triangle, Va.) was named GNAC Rookie of the Week and senior Kiley O'Brien (Kingston, Mass.) landed on the GNAC Weekly Honor Roll, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.

Laster made an immediate splash in her collegiate debut, leading the Cadets with a team-high 20 points on 9-14 shooting off the bench in Norwich's 65-48 season-opening victory over Vermont State University Castleton on Friday evening inside Andrews Hall.  The first-year guard also pulled down seven rebounds and added an assist, while helping the Cadets close the game on a 9-1 run to seal the win.

Her standout performance marked the program's first GNAC Rookie of the Week nod since Haley Brewster '25 collected the honor three times during the 2021-22 campaign.

O'Brien added a steady veteran presence in the win, scoring 17 points on 7-17 shooting to go along with two rebounds and a steal.  The senior forward played a pivotal role in setting the tone early, helping the Cadets jump out to a 7-0 lead in the opening minutes, and later provided critical baskets throughout the second half to maintain separation.

As a team, Norwich limited VTSU Castleton to just 30.0% shooting from the floor and forced 24 turnovers, while controlling the paint with a 38-20 advantage in inside scoring.  The Cadets also held edges in second-chance points (12-5), points off turnovers (19-14), and bench scoring (26-14).

Norwich returns to Andrews Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 11, for a 6:00 p.m. non-conference contest against Gordon College.  The Cadets then embark on a four-game road swing beginning Friday, Nov. 14, at Plymouth State University.