Stephanie Klemick was a three-year letter winner and team captain while a member of the Emmaus High School girls basketball program. Following her successful career in green and gold, she had the opportunity to continue her academic and athletic career in college, and decided to stay in green and gold, choosing Marywood University in Scranton.

“I chose Marywood because of the welcoming environment, fantastic graphic design program, and the basketball team,” said Klemick. “It is the perfect distance from home, and I knew I wanted to go to a smaller school and play Division III basketball. When I stepped on campus, I just knew it was the right fit for me. And meeting [head] coach Jen [Carleton] sealed the deal.”

Klemick has made an immediate impact. She has started the first nine games for the Pacers as a forward and is second on the team in minutes played.

“I am very thankful for the role I have been able to play in the basketball program during my freshman year so far,” Klemick said. “Coach Jen has trusted me to step into a starting role and I take that role very seriously. It is definitely exciting that I have been given the opportunity to play and improve every day.”

Her role has been as an enforcer in the paint, using her height (5-10) to alter and contest opposing shots. Klemick currently ranks first in the NCAA Division III in blocks (37) and blocks per game (4.11).

“I don’t go into games thinking about stats,” said Klemick. “I go in thinking about how I can best help my team be successful. For me, I think that defense wins games, so I take pride in my defense, especially when I can contribute to make a stop.”

Marywood has opened its season one game above .500 at 5-4. They open conference play in the Atlantic East Conference on January 5.

“I’m looking forward to playing more games with my team because we have such great team chemistry,” Klemick said. “I also can’t wait to play new competition and see what the other teams in my conference are really about. I feel that our team has played very well so far this year, especially since we have a small roster and were considered underdogs when the season began. Everyone on the team has a role and each person genuinely wants to make each teammate better, whether it is on or off the court.”

While in high school, Klemick learned a lot at Emmaus as a student-athlete. Lessons she has taken with her into her first year of college.

“At Emmaus, the basketball program helped me practice mental toughness and taught me to push through challenges,” said Klemick. “I learned valuable leadership skills and time management skills as a student athlete. Also, my high school coaches helped ingrain the mindset that defense wins games, which I have tried to carry over into college.”