A freshman out of Elgin, Ill.,
Marlee Kyles has wasted no time making her presence felt on the court. Although Kyles has scored in double-figures ten times already this season, she says the transition from high school to college hasn't been easy.
"It's been a huge transition," Kyles said. "Time management has been huge. Not only with school, but with practice and eating right. It's just so much faster on the court. Now everyone is a Division I athlete too."
Adjusting to the new pace of play and lifestyle of a college athlete has been made easier for Kyles thanks to the help of upperclassmen on the team.
"Upperclassmen leadership has meant the world to me," Kyles said. "I look up to these girls so much, and they really are my family and my sisters I appreciate them so much."
According to Kyles, her teammates aren't the only ones who helped her get to where she is.
"I owe it all to my brothers," she said. "I'm the only girl, and growing up with three older brothers, they made me stronger. They pushed me, and they continue to push me to this day."
Kyles' standout freshman season was momentarily derailed when she suffered a concussion, forcing her to make more readjustments.
"It's been hard, definitely," Kyles said. "It was more frustrating transitioning back in when you're out of shape. I have to get my vision transitioned back into playing. It's been really hard, but out trainer Jessie (Joseph) has really helped me."
All the support she has received from the staff and her teammates in recovering from her concussion is part of the reason she decided to come here.
"I decided to come here because our whole coaching staff is amazing," Kyles said. "Each and every one of them wants to see us do well. It's such a family here."
Within that family there is a motto: "made for it." When asked what "made for it" meant to her, Kyles responded by saying, "made for it means going above and beyond. Being made for every obstacle, every success, everything that it means to be a champion."
Kyles will look to continue her strong freshman season when Arizona takes on Arizona State this week.
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