By JARROD POTTER
THE next step in an already burgeoning basketball career is progressing rapidly for Cranbourne North’s Renae Mokrzycki.
The 20-year-old former Casey Cavaliers forward is in her first NCAA Division 1 basketball year playing with the University of Idaho – and could not love the atmosphere more as she adjusts to the higher tempo in the Big Sky Conference.
“It is a bigger step than I what I was expecting,” Mokrzycki said. “I thought I was going to be ready as I was coming from a Juco (junior college) and having a bit more experience, but every step up increases physically and mentally.
“Being a Vandal is great especially when most of the people you get to know make you feel part of a huge family … it is a great campus and the basketball program is exquisite.”
From limited minutes this season, Mokrzycki – switching between the three and the four spot on court – is averaging two points and 2.4 rebounds a game and earned her debut in November as she ran out against Central Washington State in the Vandals’ season opener.
“When I heard we were playing against Central Washington I got a little bit excited because two of the girls I played with my freshman year at NIC (North Idaho College) were in the team, but I found out they were no longer there,” Mokrzycki said.
“It was great to get my first few minutes against them, they were a good bunch of girls and they competed with a lot of integrity.”
The Australian-laden Vandals roster – featuring a former Dandenong Ranger Geraldine McCorkell, Melbourne’s Stacey Barr and Adelaide forward Tayla Corrigan – is another reason to love life at Idaho for Mokrzycki and she has relished having a few team-mates from down under.
“It is great being part of a big Aussie line-up and part of a team that has one of the most foreigners on a NCAA team,” Mokrzycki said.
“There is plenty of talent already on the team and bringing in Aussies brings in even more – they are a great bunch of girls.”
Mokrzycki has 15 regular season matches remaining in her first season of NCAA Division 1 basketball and is eligible for one more season in the college system.
