Lauren Klieber is the star of the NU women’s basketball team. A sophomore guard from Malvern, PA, Klieber had a massive jump from year one to year two, leaping from 6.2 PPG to 22.3 PPG. She credits this jump to hard work and dedication throughout the off-season.
Head Coach Mary Beth McNichol says, “I don’t know if I have ever seen a player improve in one season like she has, and it is because of her work ethic.”
Klieber's teammates also know how hard she works and see that it pays off. Coach McNichol mentioned how much her teammates respect and trust her. “They know she Is good; they trust her to take over.”
Throughout Neumann’s 27-game season, Klieber built quite the resume for herself. She ended up winning Atlantic East Player of the Week five times, dominating the conference. Klieber also finished the season averaging a massive 22.3 points per game, tied for 6th leading scorer in the nation in all D3 women’s basketball.
Reacting to her ranking among the top 10 scorers in the nation, she expressed excitement. “Oh wow, I am one of the best in D3!”
After having such an amazing season, Klieber analyzed her success in the game. She spoke of her versatility, mentioning how her height, mixed with her ability to shoot and post-up, made for the perfect combination. She also said she can take girls off the drive.
Klieber realizes how big a jump she made from year one to year two. She noted how hard she worked and how much she practiced. However, the biggest factor for her was an increase in confidence. Klieber had been granted more playing time this season and developed a better bond and understanding of her teammates. This experience increased her confidence, and she claimed it made her the cut-throat player that she turned into in her sophomore season.
Lauren praised her teammates as well. She mentioned how she would not have been able to accomplish what she did this year without them. “I would be nowhere without them.”
The game cannot be won without a team, and Lauren emphasized the trust the team had in one another. They stepped up when there were several injuries and allowed her to have the season she had. “I seriously am nowhere near the player I am without them.”
Coach McNichol and her players were amazed by Klieber’s incredible season. Not that they did not think that she was capable of this feat, but they were impressed by the way she did it. Both Coach McNichol and Klieber mentioned how busy she is, and how impressive it is that she can accomplish so much while having such a packed schedule. Coach McNichol stated that Klieber is “the ultimate student athlete.”
Klieber is a Nursing major, which comes with a massive workload. When she is not averaging a near double-double, she is at practice. When she is not at practice? Studying. Lots and lots of it too. “I have to make a social life sacrifice, but I would say it is worth it.”
Being busy and shining in several different areas of Neumann takes some sacrifice. It also takes extreme toughness, perhaps enough to warrant the “ultimate student athlete” label.
The women’s basketball team finished at 16-16, losing in the opening round of the Atlantic East playoffs. None of the team’s success would have been possible without Lauren Klieber’s insane jump from freshman to sophomore year. Led by Klieber, the team pushed through injuries, ultimately competing with the best of the conference.
Lauren Klieber’s incredible season helped bring the program to another level. Neumann basketball is now more of an attractive destination for recruits as well.
