Katlyn Olsen isn’t afraid of a little challenge.
That was evident when the former Raymond High School star accepted an invitation from RDC Queens basketball head coach Dawn Smyth to join the program this season.
Olsen was stepping into a program that was rebuilding and in need of players willing to accept a major role in that development.
“What better than to be able to step in and be a part of a rebuilding program,” said the five-foot-seven point guard. “Dawn showed a lot of interest in me and you want to go to a place where you’re wanted.
“It’s something I had to adjust to as we’re never guaranteed a win, but then we weren’t in high school either . . . this is OK.”
Olsen came out of an outstanding high school program in Raymond, which won the provincial 4A championship last year at Lindsay Thurber. But even there it was a building process.
“In Grade 10 we finished fifth as we were a bit undersized, in Grade 11 we were fourth before winning it all,” she said.
“It was still a building process as you can’t expect it to all happen in one year.”
Smyth is getting exactly what she expected out of Olsen.
“She came in using this as a challenge with the point of view that she didn’t want to just be a role player, but a huge contributor and that’s exactly where she’s at,” said Smyth.
“She’ a massive part of this program, as are several of the other rookies and the veterans. She’s received a role she was looking for and a role we were offering.”
Olsen is the team leader on the court as she’s instrumental in running the press break and the offence.
“She’s done a fantastic job of running the point, organizing the girls and organizing the offence,” added Smyth.
“She’s someone we needed to help break pressure, which we’ve struggled with in the past. In the past month she’s taken a huge step forward as have all the rookies.”
Olsen says she had some learning to do.
“It was definitely a higher level than high school,” she said.
“I needed to pick it up a level. In college they put a lot more pressure on you than in high school and I also had to adjust to the quickness of the guards I had to defend. And there’s definitely more height.”
But playing in a high level high school program did make it a bit easier.
“Knowing what to expect and knowing the expectations of a high intensity program helped for sure,” she added.
The Queens, and Kings return to action this weekend as they entertain the Briercrest Bible College Clippers Friday and Saturday. Women tip off action Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. The men follow both days.
The Queens take a three game winning streak into the weekend, which includes a pair of wins over the Clippers.
“The winning streak is a boost and it shows in practice,” she said.
“But we can’t take anything for granted as it’s so close in this league it can go either way on any night.”
If the Queens do what they have the capabilities of doing they have a shot at a playoff berth.
“There’s a chance if we work our butts off and show we want it,” said Olsen. “But that means starting today. We can’t wait until the last minute.”
Olsen is in her first year of kinesiology and will be at the college for at least one more year and possibly more.
“I’m not sure what I’m taking for sure yet,” she concluded.
The Kings take a 7-3 record into the weekend, one game back of the SAIT Trojans and Mount Royal Cougars, both at 8-2.
• The volleyball squads meet Grant MacEwan in a home-and-home series — Friday in Edmonton and Saturday at RDC.
The women get action underway at 6 p.m. with the men to follow.
• The hockey Queens face SAIT in a home-and-home series, beginning Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Arena and concluding Friday at SAIT.
• The badminton team will compete in an interlocking meet Saturday and Sunday at Concordia University in Edmonton.
• Two RDC athletes — cross-country’s Jodi Sanguin and RDC soccer Kings Jason Stangler — will accompany the Olympic torch bearer Friday. The torch arrives at RDC at 6 p.m. and leaves for the Westerner at 6:17 p.m.
• A pair of volleyball veterans — Queens Katie Graves and Kings Mitch Irvine — were named the Moxie’s Classic Grill RDC athletes of the week.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com