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Dream Big Profile: Kelly Mazzante
The accolades surrounding Penn State?s basketball star Kelly Mazzante make the mind swirl. But not Mazzante's. She is as solid as they come. Currently, the nation's leading scorer, the 6-0 sophomore guard was voted the Women?s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Player of the Month for December, 2001. This was highlighted by a 49-point scoring effort in a single game, setting Big Ten and Penn State single-game records. As the National and Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year, Mazzante spent her off-season learning to create more, knowing she would be a target for teams this season. Her Nittany Lions are working hard to win the Big Ten and make it to the NCAA final four. Mazzante feels no pressure to always be the team scoring leader. "I don't feel the pressure to go out and score a lot of points. I just think it comes natural to me," says Mazzante. "I try and go into games with a focus about winning and doing the best I can. If I have an off-night shooting, I try and help the team in other ways." Some may be surprised that Mazzante played other sports in high school, like tennis, softball and ran track. But basketball caught her attention the most. She has been playing since she was seven. Throughout her career, her parents have been right by her side, providing encouragement and support for her decision to pursue basketball. On the court, the home crowd provides the necessary motivation to try even harder. When she is at an away game, she relies on great plays to get her motivated. Mazzante is a true lover of the sport of basketball but takes the time to attend other sporting events at Penn State. For Mazzante, sports helped her make friends and taught her many life skills growing up. So how does a top-notch player Dream Big? "I dream big by setting goals and doing what it takes to achieve them."
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