It’s been a historic and memorable year for Penn-Trafford’s Maura Suman. The senior guided the Warriors to a WPIAL playoff appearance last winter plus broke the school's record for steals in a career.

Now, Suman has made a decision on where she will continue her hoops career as she committed to Edinboro University last week. She mentioned that she immediately established a strong relationship with the coaching staff, which ultimately led to her decision.

“It was a long recruiting process,” said Suman. “I went to a lot of schools, went to a lot of respectful coaches that I was grateful to meet and learn their programs, but I think Edinboro was the right fit right from the jump because of the coaches.”

“I absolutely loved the coaches, I loved the team, I got to play with them and eat lunch with them. I felt a connection with them right away, and I thought it was a good fit. I feel like the coaches there, it’s more than just basketball, they teach you about family. It’s more than a team it’s a family that you’re building over your four years.”

The choice to go to Edinboro was a difficult one. She had other options to continue her career in hoops at a variety of NCAA Division II programs including Seton Hill, Pitt-Johnstown and California (Pa.). But in the end, Suman found that Edinboro had everything she was looking for in a place to call home for the next four years.

“It was not an easy decision. There were a lot of coaches I really liked, but I think that Edinboro really wrapped it up and had mostly the best thing for my fit."

Suman will look to be an impact player for the Fighting Scots in a similar manner that she was for Penn-Trafford. Suman was instrumental in her team’s 12-win season as she helped guide the Warriors into the WPIAL Class 6A playoffs where they fell to Upper St. Clair 47-32. She was recently named to the Roundball Classic All-Star game and will compete in the event on Saturday, May 21st.

The historical significance of Suman’s senior year came in a win over Butler 53-45 on Thursday, January 27th. After making six takeaways in the contest, she became the Warriors all-time leader in career steals with 223, as she surpassed the previous mark of 222 set by Taylor Cortazzo in 2013.

“I was reminded of the steals record at the beginning of the season but I honestly didn’t think about it,” Suman explained. “In that Butler game, I knew it was a big game for us that we definitely had to win. We came out with a win, but I think I anticipated passes a lot in that game, and I read the court pretty well so I was happy to do that.”

Her defensive play has been a major part of her game throughout her career but it’s who taught her those defensive skills that has had the bigger impact in her game. Her mother, Cathy Torchia-Suman, is a member of the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame. She graduated from IUP as the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,722 career points and was named the PSAC West Rookie of the Year in 1990. She’s always preached to Maura that at the end of the day, defense wins games.

“The impact she’s made in my life is huge. With her still coaching to this day she makes such an impact on so many players lives, not just mine.”

“In my life, she’s been there at every practice pretty much and game, she’s never missed and that’s something that I’m so thankful for. She’s always pushing me, she’s never letting me settle for anything less than my best. I think it’s the grit that she teaches me about, and the defensive end of my game has been because of her and I definitely have to thank her for that.”

Not settling for anything less than her best is going to be her mentality heading into her freshman year at Edinboro. Suman is looking to get back on the court in the offseason to begin the preparation for her collegiate career. She noted a few things she wants to work on during the summer time and one of them was a common theme for athletes heading to the college level, strength.

“I think honestly, getting stronger is a big thing for the jump from high school to collegiate ball,” Suman remarked about her offseason training. “I also think my shooting, I need to keep getting shots up every day in the gym. I’ll touch on every part of my game but definitely my shooting I want to stay consistent with.”

It’s clear Suman has the right mindset and work ethic as she begins her new chapter in basketball. She knows there is quite a bit of work ahead of her, but one thing is certain about Suman as she embarks on her new journey, she’s just excited to start some college hoops.

“I’m just ready for some college hoops. I’m ready for people who love the game just as much as I do and the competitiveness on the court every day. No games going to be easy and I’m ready for that and I’m ready for my teammates to push me harder every day.”