The Dickinson Press

DSU WOMENS BASKETBALL

Klein/B1

Press Photo by Colton Pool

Dickinson State junior center

Megan Klein shoots a free throw
against Presentation College on
Feb. 17 at Scott Gymnasium.

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her meniscus popped during practice but she didnt know it had for
about a month then went to get
another surgery.
That piled on the fact that Klein
didnt feel comfortable with the coaches at the time.
I really started to lose the love of
the game, Klein said. I was kind
of over it and going to give it up.
Then my mom says, Try going to
Dickinson.
So Klein contacted DSU head coach
Mark Graupe and when a 6-foot-1
local player offers to join your team,
Graupe said, you dont turn her down.
And I got the love back for the
game, which is awesome to say,
Klein said. Theres athletes that lose
it, but Ive definitely got it back with
this transfer, and Im so glad I came
here. This team is awesome.
As for her knee, she was given the
OK to take her knee brace off two
years ago but shes had it for so
long now that it almost feels like a
mental blanket and its her signature piece on the basketball court.

The right fit

Klein said shes been humbled by
her collegiate experience and is thank-

ful for those who have been with her

at DSU.
One of which was Graupe, who
encouraged Klein when she struggled
offensively to start off her first full
season a year ago. He pointed out her
calling: grab rebounds.
Klein, Graupe and Blue Hawks
junior guard Lorna Shepherd all pointed to the beginning of conference play
last season when, for whatever reason, Klein began to dominate.
In DSUs first NSAA game of 201415 season, she went off for 21 points
and 15 rebounds to help the Blue
Hawks to a 75-59 win over Mayville
State.
She just came out of the woodwork
in the very first conference game, and
that just lit a fire under her, Graupe
said. Ever since, shes just been
unbelievable. Almost every game, I
can count on a double-double.
That sparked her run to being
named the NSAA defensive player of
the year.
Rebounding doesnt take talent,
you just have to have that desire,
Graupe said. And something went
off in Megan where she just has that
spark and desire. A light bulb went
off.
So much so that Klein believes
other teams scout her from keeping
her from collecting so many boards.

Find your

And the scoring just comes

sometimes via offensive rebounds and
putbacks.

Pride in the dirty work

Klein said shes gotten to know her
teammates so well that she can usually tell whenever theyre going to miss.
Whenever that shot goes up, she has
taught herself not to crowd the paint,
but to find her spot where she
thinks the rebound will land.
Most of the time, Im pretty accurate, Klein said with a smile.
Graupe said Klein is responsive to
his criticism, and usually its a positive
response that includes an emotional
fire.
I just got on her Saturday and I said,
Megan, youre not blocking shots.
Every single time theyre shooting
over you and youre not a presence,
to remind her shes defensive player
of the year, Graupe said. I didnt say
that, but Im not kidding you, within
30 seconds she goes up and just swats
one. So sometimes she just needs that
little spark so to speak.
Graupe also praised Kleins basketball intelligence. In fact, Klein picks
things up faster than just about anyone
Graupe has coached in his near 30
years of experience, which includes
time as a head coach at the NCAA
Division I level.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 B3

Its to the point now that Graupe

lets Klein take charge of the defense
and huddles in practices.
Her passion is the most interesting part, Shepherd said. Like when
were out on the court, if were struggling, not getting there or lacking on
getting rebounds, or something small
that we should be doing, shes the first
one that has our heads in.
Shepherd said while most shooters
shouldnt think like this, she shoots
with more confidence knowing that
Klein has a pretty good chance of getting the rebound if she misses.
So effectively, Shepherd said, she
makes her whole team more confident.
You always have people on your
team who are dirty players. They
do the dirty work, Shepherd said.
Megan, without ever complaining or
sitting there saying, Oh this sucks,
always took that job. Rebounds have
always been seen as the dirty job. You
have to do the work.
And she just takes that and goes,
Well Im going to be the best at doing
the dirty work for this team. So that
consistency through conference holds
us because every team knows theyre
going to have to make the basket, or
theyre not going to get the rebound.
Pool is the sports editor for
The Press. Call him at 701-456-1213
and tweet him @CPool_80.

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