The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532241
MARCH/APRIL 2025 ■ 25 BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN ust before Madison Hayes took the floor against Wake Forest last March for NC State's senior night, the star guard surprised nearly everyone inside Reynolds Coliseum: She was returning for one more season with the Wolfpack. Hayes' decision was a welcome gift to the team. It came at a moment in college sports when players have the freedom to depart at the drop of a hat in search of new opportunities elsewhere. Hayes could have done so, too, but instead she chose to stay in Raleigh. For her, NC State was the program that provided that chance. Wolfpack coach Wes Moore was over- joyed when he found out Hayes planned on returning for one more season. She had been the Pack's "glue" since arriv- ing from Mississippi State following her freshman year and would be counted on to reprise that role during the 2024-25 campaign. So far, she has done just that. The grad- uate student from Chattanooga, Tenn., has been one of NC State's go-to players this season, helping the team position itself for a shot at the ACC Tournament championship and a second consecutive trip to the Final Four. Hayes is in a new role this year as the Wolfpack's starting small forward. Self- less on and off the court, she's been will- ing to do anything to help the Pack win, and that includes switching positions in her final collegiate season. "She has just been unbelievable with her work ethic, her unselfishness and how she's improved since she's been here, over the last three years especially," NC State assistant Ashley Williams said. "She attacks it and hasn't shied away from it. She has become what this team needs. I think there's so much value in that." Doing What's Best Moore needed to find a way to put his best five players on the floor this sea- son. That meant running four guards and a post player, since seniors Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers and Hayes, along with sophomore Zoe Brooks, were all too important to not play together. Last year, the Pack relied on a two- forward lineup, with Mimi Collins and River Baldwin in the frontcourt. Both have since departed, so Moore needed to find someone who could play the small forward spot. It was going to have to be a guard who was physical enough to match up with bigger, taller opponents. Moore landed on Hayes, a stingy defensive player with a knack for rebounding. Hayes spent the summer working with NC State's entire coaching staff to prepare for the move. Frontcourt assis- tant Nikki West gave her a refresher on post defensive footwork, while the guard coaches looked to improve her offensive game. It wasn't an easy summer, but Hayes was willing to do whatever it took. "Going through the transition was hard," Hayes said. "It was just a matter of embracing that opportunity. Even though it was something I didn't want to do, I think it was the best fit for the team." While it wasn't the picture-perfect role Hayes was looking for this season after playing on the wing her previous three years in Raleigh, she has accepted the challenge. Hayes' goal has been to log a double-double every night. On of- fense, the objective is simply to score. On defense, she has had to find ways of stop- ping opposing forwards with her intense play while treating every loose ball on the glass like it belongs to her. "I think just playing hard will get you there," Hayes said. "Playing hard, going to the boards really aggressively and be- ing aggressive on offense will only help me get to that goal." It took some time for Hayes' goal to be- come a reality, but by the time ACC play began, she was feeling more comfortable in her role. Hayes logged three consecu- tive double-double efforts in mid-Jan- uary. She had 13 points and 10 rebounds against Pitt before a 19-point, 11-board effort against Virginia and an 18-point, 10-rebound performance at Syracuse. All three of those games were victo- ries, helping the Pack surge in the league standings. Hayes began to feel as though the goal she had set for herself was not only attainable, but was something she could consistently hit. She led NC State in rebounding through its first 22 games with an average of 6.8 per night and was fourth in scoring with a 10-point aver- age. With the Wolfpack preparing for an- other postseason run, Hayes feels as though she's using a "Dennis Rodman approach" to becoming more physical as a rebounder. That will not only help NC State this season, but it's also preparing her for the next chapter of her basketball career at the professional level. And that's all Hayes could ask for. "I think going against bigger players will help me when I get to the WNBA or overseas," she said. "Being more physical, I'll already have handled that during my last year at NC State." ■ " I think going against bigger players will help me when I get to the WNBA or overseas. Being more physical, I'll already have handled that during my last year at NC State." Hayes Upholding A Legacy Madison Hayes has a small patch on the right shoulder of her jersey this season. She's one of 14 players around the country who had the honor to earn the Kay Yow Servant Leader Award, which comes with the small recognition on her uni- form each night. The award is given to student-athletes who have dis- played leadership, selflessness and a devotion to service in the battle against cancers affecting women. Hayes, who has held backpack drives in Tennessee the past two years, was the perfect nominee for the new honor. Hayes received it in early November, allowing her to be reminded each day of what others are going through. The honor, which is named after former Pack coach Kay Yow, who died from breast cancer in 2009, hits closer to home for Hayes. Before transferring to NC State, Hayes spent her freshman season under Nikki McCray-Pen- son at Mississippi State. McCray-Penson stepped down after that campaign to focus on her health. She died from breast cancer in 2023. Now, each time she steps onto the floor, Hayes thinks of her former coach and the countless cancer survivors she's met during her time at NC State through the Pack's annual Play4Kay Game. "It's been an honor to wear the patch on my jersey," Hayes said. "It's just a reminder of how strong all these women were as survivors fight- ing through cancer. I'm trying to uphold that Kay Yow legacy." — Noah Fleischman J