They did it at last! This Sunday, the Huskies, led by their iconic head coach Geno Auriemma, took to the court fully armed to face the Georgetown Hoyas at the XL Center. Their preparation paid off with a dominant 79-44 victory to open Big East play, marking a remarkable milestone for Auriemma as he celebrated his 1,222nd career win in his 40th season with UConn. However, not everyone shared the celebratory vibes.

This time, Kaitlyn Chen found herself under scrutiny. She managed just three points, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 25 minutes of play—a lackluster performance given her time on the court. Yet, despite the off day, Chen seemed to find a moment of relief post-game.

After UConn’s win, Chen was seen reconnecting with her former teammates, posing for a picture. “Always great to see old friends! Hello @chetnweke, @kaitlyn.chen, and @bella_alarie! 🧡🖤” read the caption of the post by Princeton Women’s Basketball.

Chen, a three-time Ivy League Tournament Most Outstanding Player and a three-time Ivy League Regular Season Champion during her time with Princeton, joined UConn for her final year of eligibility.

Through her three years there, Chen’s connection with her former teammates has always been strong, especially with players like Emmitchoo, whom she’s called a “legacy player,” as well as Kiyomura and Chan, with whom she is known to train at gyms and 24-Hour Fitness. In fact, her initial decision to commit to Princeton University was highly influenced by bonds she formed during recruitment visits.

Chen’s long-form bond was never forgotten.

Chen’s first official visit to Princeton, under then-coach Courtney Banghart, left a lasting impression as she instantly clicked with the players. Even after a coaching change brought Carla Berube on board, Princeton remained on her radar.

“I was stuck for a little and confused, and I didn’t really know where to go from there,” Chen admitted. “Then Coach Berube started recruiting me again.”

That renewed interest, combined with the stability of the coaching staff and the friendships she built with future teammates like Julia Cunningham, Grace Stone, and Abby Meyers, solidified her decision to head to Princeton. For the California native, the sense of belonging and community in New Jersey was pivotal to her move across the country.

Even after transferring to UConn, Chen’s ties to her Princeton roots remain strong. However, with UConn’s younger talents like Jana El Alfy and Morgan Cheli vying for more minutes, the battle for playtime is heating up. For Chen, it’s time to step up her game and prove she’s ready for the challenge.