Krista Opheim garnered interest from a number of colleges coming out of high school, eclipsing 1,000 points and assists in her prep career.
That attention waned for some schools when Opheim visited.
"When I actually went there it's just like, 'You are too little. You are too little, you are too short,' " Opheim said. "I've been called little my entire life and I've got shot down by a bunch of colleges because I was so little."
Minnesota State Moorhead wasn't scared away by her size. Listed at 5-foot-5 on the MSUM roster, the junior point guard hasn't been short on value for the Dragons.
The former Eden Valley-Watkins (Minn.) standout leads the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with 5.8 assists per game.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The roster says I'm like 5-5 so that's nice," cracked Opheim, who said she is closer to 5-3.
Opheim's play has helped the Dragons to the No. 17 ranking in this week's NCAA Division II women's basketball coaches' poll. They were as high as No. 11 before losing two games last week.
MSUM (11-2, 4-2 NSIC) hosts Augustana at 6 tonight, looking to snap its first losing streak of the season.
"That's the one thing when we recruited her from high school is she was always able to find the open person," Dragons head coach Karla Nelson said of Opheim. "She could get the ball to just about anybody. ... There is a certain toughness to her that she is able to overcome her size."
Opheim used the cynics as motivation heading into her college career.
"I was so little and I wanted to prove to everyone who told me I was little that I could play at a high level," Opheim said. "And it paid off so far."
Opheim has increased her scoring average, assists average and 3-point shooting percentage in each of her three years with the Dragons.
She is in her second season as MSUM's starting point guard and has the flair for making the spectacular pass.
ADVERTISEMENT
Opheim is most dangerous in the open court when she can use her quickness and vision to find the open player.
"She's outstanding with her passing," Dragons senior guard Katie Walden said. "I think she just has a knack for it. She's been good at that the minute she stepped on campus. She's a flashy point guard and she has the ability to see the pass before it comes."
While passing has always been a strength for Opheim, she has improved her shooting, defense and leadership skills since coming to MSUM.
Opheim said she has also worked hard to increase her strength because teams will try to post her up with taller guards.
Opheim usually overcomes the height difference by using her strength and quickness.
"You can look at her and visually see that she is small," Nelson said. "You can't measure her heart size and she has great heart. Sometimes when she battles you, she goes from 5-3 to 5-10."
Readers can reach Forum reporter
Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513.
ADVERTISEMENT
Peterson's blogs can be found
