Towering Presence

By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The email that she received from a prospective student-athlete in New Hampshire a couple of years ago was an intriguing one.

Bridgewater State University women's basketball coach Bridgett Casey gets numerous inquiries expressing interest in her program throughout the course of the year, but this one had a different angle to it.

The note came from Emilie von der Linden (Sanbornville, N.H.), who mentioned that she stood 6 foot, 3 inches tall prior to her junior year at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Dover, N.H.

"The first email I got, she introduced herself as a 6-3 center and was very interested in Bridgewater," recalled Casey. "I was like, OK, a 6-3 sophomore, she's got to get scooped up by somebody. There were schools in New Hampshire that weren't going to let her leave the state."

That wasn't the case, however, as von der Linden made an instant connection with Bridgewater State and made it her top priority.

"I really liked the campus and when I had my overnight (recruiting visit in 2024), the team was great," said von der Linden. "That's really what sealed the deal for me. It was the campus, the coaches and the girls on the team that I met."

von der Linden finished her high school career by helping Saint Thomas Aquinas go 19-0 and win the New Hampshire Division III championship -- the school's first since 1981 -- last winter.

She joined the Bears last fall, won a spot in the starting lineup at center and is making an early impact in her initial collegiate season.

von der Linden is leading the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference with 28 blocked shots and ranks fourth with 8.2 rebounds per game and fourth in field-goal percentage (.464).

She leads BSU in rebounds and blocks (2.2 per game) and is third in scoring (8.6 points).

von der Linden has helped the Bears open the MASCAC schedule with three straight wins heading into Saturday's noon game at the Tinsley Center against the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

She is one of just two players to start all 13 games this season, and von der Linden wasn't counting on being a starter entering the year.

"It certainly wasn't what I was expecting," said the psychlogy major. "It was kind of a nice shock. I was expecting to work hard and eventually make my way there.

"At first, it was defintiely nerve wracking. I was very nervous when I found out I was starting. After having an adjustment period, I think I became more comfortable with it and everything started clicking."

von der Linden has recorded a double-double in games against Amherst, Whittier, Salem State and Anna Maria, the last two occurring in back-to-back wins.

She has grabbed at least 10 rebounds in six of the 13 games and had a career-best 14 against Redlands in Las Vegas, Nev.

Twice, von der Linden has been selected the MASAC Rookie of the Week for her play.

"It's pretty nice," said von der Linden of the honors. "It definitely pushes me to try my best every game and keeps me on track with my goals."

Once Casey learned of von der Linden's interest in BSU, the Bears' coaching staff paid close attention during her junior season and then on the AAU circuit as well as her state title season in 2024-25.

"She was a presence in high school being that tall," said Casey. "That height was very intriguing and she had some game to her. She had a nice little mid-range jump shot. She was obviously a presence under the boards because of her size.

"We were very excited at the opportunity to work with that and get her stronger and quicker and adpat to the college game."

BSU was hit hard up front by graduation and there was a void to fill, and von der Linden has stepped right into the college game and provided a lift.

She is averaging 2.7 offensive rebounds per game and has at least 12 rebounds in four of the last six games.

"My dad (Eric) always told me if I rebounded really hard, there would always be room for me on the court and rebounding is something not a lot of people want to do," said von der Linden.

"If I did that, it would help me everywhere."

von der Linden keeps making progress halfway through the first season of her career.

She gives BSU an inside presence and is improving as a contributor at the offensive end, getting a career-best 17 points against Salem State last weekend.

"She works hard," said Casey. "She's a sponge and wants to learn more and get better. That's what is nice about her. She's a great student and she's enjoying the Bridgweater life.

"With any student-athlete, you put the time and work in, especially in the offseason, then you come back better than when you left. The sky's the limit for her if she puts that extra work. We're looking forward to what's to come."

von der Linden said she first learned about BSU while going through a college search app as she looked at potential schools.

Now in the second semester, von der Linden is glad that she found Bridgewater State and is looking forward to continuing to move ahead.

"I definitely think there's a lot of room for improvement in my game on offense and even on defense and rebounding, knowing the right positions," she said. "I think I can get a whole lot better."