University Park, Pa.- For the Lady Lions basketball program, one thing that has remained consistent since the start of the season is the phenomenal work ethic and performance by junior, Makenna Marisa.
Coming into the season, one of the main team goals set by head coach Carolyn Kieger was to become more consistent as a group in hopes to become more successful on the court. Since the start of the season, Marisa has tallied double-figures in every single game thus far, proving herself more consistent than ever as she leads the team at 21.1 points per game. That total is up from 13.4 points per game last season.
"My personal goals have always aligned with the team goals," said Marisa. "I just always want to win. Whatever I have to do to get the team to win, that's what I'm going to do."
A saying throughout the Lady Lion program this season is having a "Championship Culture" mindset through everything they do. In order to be successful, practicing with this mentality is necessary to accomplish the success that they want to see in the NCAA tournament.
"We've worked really hard in the last two years to establish this 'Championship Culture' mentality," said Kieger. "We have really amazing young women like Marisa in this program that represent their jersey with pride and passion. They're determined and on a mission to get us back to the NCAA tournament."
For Marisa, this mentality is extremely important to her because of her grandfather, who was on the 1954 Penn State men's basketball final four team. She looks up to him and wants to follow in his footsteps by doing everything in her power to get her team to where he once was with championship culture mentality.
"I really want to get a banner, like he did," said Marisa. "That's my goal. I play for him, for my family, my coaches and the people who sacrifice everything for me."
Between being a Pennsylvania native and following in the footsteps of her grandfather, growing up Penn State was all Marisa knew. She always felt in her heart that this was where she was destined to make a name for herself on the court.
"Since I was little Penn State was really the only college I even knew," said Marisa. "I had Penn State sweatshirts and all kinds of gear in my house. When it came down to the recruiting process there were a bunch of schools, but I always had Penn State in my heart, so I followed where my heart was close to."
Marisa strives to continue her grandfather's legacy by doing everything she can to help her team become an NCAA tournament contender. Now being a junior, Marisa is able to reflect on her experience and identify her strengths and weaknesses so she can continue being a consistent key player for her team on the court.
"When I was a freshman and sophomore I was still learning a lot about the game since the jump from high school to college is so different," said Marisa. "Now that I am older, one of my roles as a team player is helping the underclassmen adjust and help understand concepts. I want to win so I am always pushing my teammates to be more competitive with my work ethic."
Marisa's experience in the Big Ten has shaped her to become a role model and leader for her younger teammates. Her motivation and passion for the game inspires her teammates to work even harder for the winning season the team hopes for.
One of Marisa's most notable games so far this season was against Delaware State when she recorded her first triple-double, becoming the first Lady Lion to do so since 1988 in a 120-51 win. This was also the third 30-point triple-double in Big Ten history. Since then, Marisa has recently recorded a career high of 33 points against Duquesne in a 68-60 victory, but the triple-double against Delaware State was still a critical turning point to setting the tone for the rest of her season.
"It was really cool," said Marisa. "I've been wanting to hit a triple-double. Especially with my teammates who are so special to me. It was really cool to accomplish on top of the other records that were set that night, and really exciting to celebrate after with my team."
Marisa noted that the best part of hitting the tipple was celebrating with her teammates and coaches afterwards. Realizing her teammates and coaches had trust in her as a player was something really special.
"I believe she is one of the best guards in the country," said Kieger on Marisa's performance so far. "I don't believe she is getting the recognition she deserves. She's going to have a phenomenal year and I think the country is going to take notice of what she is going to become."
Having already set an incredible tone for the first half of her season, moving forward Marisa wants to remain consistent in order to help her team succeed.
"Our ultimate goal is to make it to the NCAA tournament," said Marisa on what's next for the remainder of the season. "Whatever it takes to get there, that's what my goal is. We're getting ready for Big Ten play, getting after it in the gym and working hard, and we're going to try and get those wins when it comes down to it."
