The SDSU women officially closed Frost Arena with a perfect 16-0 conference slate, claiming yet another Summit League championship. The season has been one of trial with the Jackrabbits once down to just seven healthy bodies due to a plethora of serious injuries.
Theres not a positive to it that would be the wrong way to word it. But its forced other people to step up, not just as players, but forced them to grow as teammates, as leaders, as people that are going to think of others, SDSU head coach Aaron Johnston said. So, theres been some things weve improved with through that adversity.
While the chips had seemingly been stacked against the Rabbits, their goals never shifted.
I think in maybe some peoples’ eyes weve exceeded what they expected of us. But I think even with the adversity, with the injuries, while those are really challenging things to go through, I dont think those things ever changed our expectations for ourselves, SDSU senior forward Tori Nelson said.
With so many vital pieces missing, someone would have to fill those voids. And the coaching staff know just who to turn to.
For us, we love versatile wings and thats exactly what Tori is, Johnston said. Shes the most versatile player I think weve ever had. Its hard to be a player thats expected to play all five positions at times and be able to guard all five positions and know everything going on, and weve really forced Tori into that just because weve needed her to.
You know, to the two or the three, its kind of similar, the four and five are kind of similar, so I can kind of make some of those work, but when Ive had to play point a couple times Paige (Meyer) needs a lot more credit than she probably gets because its a challenge, Nelson said.
Its probably hurt her in terms of some of her numbers because weve asked her to do that, but its helped our team immensely and I think she understands that and I think thats all shes really worried about, Johnston said of his senior.
Nelson has shouldered quite the responsibility this season, and that’s OK her personality is built for it.
Shes like an old soul. Like, shes not your normal kind of college kid living it up, shes an old soul, Johnston said. Shes got a way of looking at things differently than a lot of young people do. And thats a good thing.
She just brings a calm presence and I think that really brings people together, especially in chaotic or pressure moments, SDSU junior guard Haleigh Timmer said. I think shes competitive and driven, but she also just brings a consistency and calm presence.
After being named the conferences Freshman of the Year in 2020, Nelson has now been a part of 126 wins and four championships during her time in Brookings.
You know, when I committed as a sophomore in high school, I dont think I knew exactly what I was getting into, but Im so happy I did, and it really turned out to be the best experience I could have asked for, Nelson said, smiling.
Nelson and the Jacks are back in action on Saturday in the Summit League Tournament in Sioux Falls. They will play either Kansas City or Omaha.
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