We are profiling each member of the 2012-13 Creighton women’s basketball team. Join us weekdays leading up to the regular season tip-off against Oklahoma (November 10) for an introduction to this year’s Bluejays, from freshmen to seniors.
The freshman from Dubuque, Iowa was lured to Creighton for basketball as well as academics. (Spomer/WBR)
The Creighton women’s basketball team is preparing to start their season following a trip to the 2012 NCAA Tournament. For the freshmen that watched Creighton’s game against St. John’s on TV and not from the bench, fall practice has been a quick and difficult introduction to the transition from high school athletics to the college game. Jim Flanery traditionally calls on his freshmen to contribute right away, and it may not be any different with this year’s class. Tessa Leytem is one of the new Bluejays trying to earn some playing time this season.
Leytem comes to Creighton after finishing her high school career at Wahlert Catholic in Dubuque, Iowa, as a three-sport athlete in cross country, basketball, and track. She was just short of 1,000 points in her high school hoops career. She scored almost half of her points during her senior season, when she set her school’s single season record with 408 points.
Transitioning from high school to Division I sports can be a challenge, but so far Leytem is finding her own way and fitting into the groove with her teammates.
“There are definitely some adjustments you have to make. One of the biggest things for me I think is the physicality of it. You always have to be ready to make contact and to be willing to throw your body on the line to get that loose ball and get that rebound. You have to talk a lot more, which is a big adjustment. Practices are always very intense, and when we go, we go hard. Practices have been tough, but coaches are really good about giving us rest if we feel like we need it with all the injuries and stuff.”
It didn’t take much to sell Leytem on committing to the Bluejays. Creighton’s high academic standards coupled with Leytem’s membership in the National Honor Society in high school, it seemed like a good fit.
“When I visited, I just really fell in love with the school,” Leytem said. “I really liked the team, the coaches, and all of the people here. I just really felt comfortable here and knew I wanted to be here.”
This season, Leytem might be a utility player for Flanery as she has great length on the perimeter, has great athletic skills, and shoots the ball well. Whatever role she plays, she wants to do anything she can for the team.
“I think that I am willing to do whatever the team needs me to do to help them be successful, whether that is the extra pesky defender and making them work harder on offense or just being a cheerleader on the bench and going into the game to give the other players a rest.”
There are several games that will get members of the team excited this season, but Leytem is looking forward to games against Iowa schools in particular.
“I’m just excited for the whole experience. It will be fun to go to Drake and UNI since I am from Iowa and most of my family and friends will be able to go to those. But I am just excited about the whole experience.”
The Bluejays host their only exhibition game against Southwest Minnesota State on Halloween night at 5:00 p.m.