We continue our brief profiles of each member of the 2010-11 Creighton women’s basketball team. Join us each weekday from now until the women’s season opener against Liberty at the Wolfpack Invitational for an introduction to this year’s Bluejays, from freshmen to seniors.
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So many people know what it is like to have sibling rivalry. But not nearly as many know what it is like to play Division I basketball with a brother or a sister. Creighton’s Kellie Nelson does, though. The senior leader for the Bluejays now has another role in addition to being the team’s starting center and main low post presence: she’s big sister to freshman Sarah Nelson.
This isn’t the first time the older Nelson has teamed with her younger sister. “Sarah and I played together in high school and it was very different. I got on her and yelled more and we fought more.”
And as the years have passed, Kellie has warmed up about the opportunity to play with her sister again. “I think we’ve both matured mentally and as basketball players in the past few years,” she told WBR. “We’ve become very close off the court and both have grown into our roles on the court. I am glad that I am here to help her get through some of the typical freshmen struggles. I definitely want my last year playing with my sister to count.”
For Nelson, this season will be the opportunity to capitalize on her spectacular season last year. The senior was named to the MVC All-Tournament team after going a record-setting 15-19 from the field in CU’s three tournament games. During the regular season, she led the Bluejays in field goal percentage (50.7%), which was third in the Valley, and she emerged as one of the better low post threats in the league. But she isn’t resting on those laurels.
“I think the fact we ended our season earlier than we wanted to last year motivated me to work hard this summer. Also, only getting one more year to achieve my goals motivated me to work hard.”
Working hard in the offseason creates hope that the time and effort will translate on the court. A recurring story for the upperclassmen on the women’s basketball team is the desire to get to a postseason other than the NIT. “Kelsey [Woodard], Sam [Schuett], and I have grown up playing basketball together. We’ve been teammates for so long that it’s important to all three of us that we make our last season together count. Our goal has always been to make it to the NCAA Tournament.”
The three seniors can try to carry the load for the team, but it will be up to the freshmen, including Kellie’s sister Sarah, to really step up and help to get the opportunity to make some noise this season. “Our freshmen have to learn the ropes fast and also have to play with urgency for us to have a chance. I have found out the hard way that every single play matters, consistency is very important,” Kellie said.
Nelson’s statistics have improved each year of her Creighton career. There are hopes that she can make a notable jump in production for the second straight season, as her 9.5 points per game last year were more than twice her career scoring average of her first two seasons. She has a real opportunity heading into this season to be an All-MVC player.
She is looking to create more memories as a Bluejay. “I have had to opportunity to play in a lot of fun places across the country that have intense and fun atmospheres. Also, all my favorite memories at Creighton are with my teammates. All my old teammates are still my best friends. I also love all the new incoming freshmen this year.”
But with the urgency of being a senior, Nelson has one thing on her mind, “Mostly, I hope to really enjoy the season to its fullest. I want to really appreciate each moment I get to have with my team.”