TERRE HAUTE — Many of the veterans on the Indiana State women’s basketball team got to meet Maria Olsthoorn for the first time at a pool party at the parents of current ISU graduate assistant coach Melanie Boeglin prior to last season.

Known among coaches and teammates as “Mo,” Olsthoorn’s personality was surprising to some of the ISU players.

“People were shocked at how goofy and funny she was,” said ISU junior guard Leah Phillips, who was a teammate of Olsthoorn’s at Castle High School at Newburgh, a town just east of Evansville.

Olsthoorn’s personality — in addition to the versatile 6-foot-1 post player’s athleticism — is a key ingredient to the Sycamores’ success.

“She’s a great kid, she’s bubbly, she’s outgoing, she’s personable,” ISU coach Jim Wiedie said. “She keeps everything kind of light … when I’m getting frustrated or the team’s getting frustrated, Mo’s always got that smile and that energy that kind of lifts your spirits.”

But it was Olsthoorn whose spirits were in need of lifting last winter. The sophomore nursing major had a strong freshman campaign last season, but she left the team with four regular-season games still remaining to spend time with her ailing mother Marlene, who died Feb. 25 of breast cancer.

Olsthoorn, who celebrated her 20th birthday on Dec. 17 was glad to have a few days to spend the Christmas holiday with her father, although it was back to work in Hulman Center on Christmas Day for the Sycamores.

She also spent her summer living at her Newburgh home with father Larry Olsthoorn, a former University of Evansville player. Olsthoorn will have a chance to play in UE’s Roberts Stadium for the second time next weekend.

“Mo” worked in the family section of the new YMCA nearby in addition to serving at a restaurant. Olsthoorn was also taking classes at the University of Southern Indiana to make up for the time she lost during the spring semester at ISU.

All of that and she still found time to work on her game.

“Obviously you can tell she put the time and effort in to get better,” Wiedie said. “We’re just very fortunate that she’s back, not just from a playing standpoint, what she brings with her abilities, but because of her personality. She’s such a joy to have around.”

Phillips, who spent her summer as an intern at Evansville FOX affiliate WTVW, said time was at a premium to hang out with her friend during the offseason. But Olsthoorn did find time to help the two stay in shape. They would share text messages about when to meet to run at the Castle High School track.

“You always dread running, but Maria always brings such a postitive and funny attitude, it made it a lot easier to get through,” Phillips said.

Olsthoorn will make her third straight start for ISU today. Wiedie was reluctant to insert Olsthoorn into the starting lineup this season because hoped to use a smaller lineup to utilize a full-court press.

But with the Sycamores pressing less and with Olsthoorn playing so well, it was time to get Olsthoorn in the starting lineup.

On a team shooting an uncharacteristic 38.2 percent from the field, Olsthoorn is connecting on 56.8 percent of her shots. She ranks first in field-goal percentage for the Sycamores but sixth in shots attempted.

ISU’s poor shooting should work itself out, but one remedy might also be getting Olsthoorn more shots.

“The right people are shooting the ball and I think Maria if she continues to play the well she’s playing, needs to get more shot opportunities,” Wiedie said a couple days prior to Olsthoorn putting up 10 points in 21 minutes of action in a 73-69 loss at Marquette.

The strong game at Marquette was followed by a strong performance against Michigan State and 6-9 center Allyssa DeHaan. Olsthoorn had 11 points and 11 rebounds in that game for her first double-double of the season. She had 10 points in ISU’s loss at Michigan State last season.

Olsthoorn could help take the pressure off 6-2 senior Laura Rudolphi to carry the entire load for the Sycamores in the post.

“She’s just playing so well, playing with a lot of confidence,” Wiedie said. “Her and Rudy are starting to play well together and with the way she’s finishing on the offensive end and the way she’s rebounding, it’s hard to keep her out of the lineup.”

Olsthoorn is averaging 5.9 rebounds, second only to Rudolphi’s 6.0 so far. Olsthoorn’s minutes have been on the rise of late and her production could follow suit. As for her strong rebounding numbers, Olsthoorn has a modest explanation.

“I don’t really know how I get so many rebounds. It seems like the balls have just been coming to me for some reason,” Olsthoorn said.

Olsthoorn has the potential to be much more than a rebound-grabbing role player for the Sycamores. She made 5 of 17 3-point attempts last season, and is 3 for 7 so far this season from 3-point range.

Her shooting skills are perhaps best exemplified by a 29 for 30 mark for 96.7 percent at the free-throw line.

Again with the humility.

“I guess I’m just focusing really well when I get up there,” Olsthoorn said. “My senior year of high school, my coach was trying to get me to step out more. Over the summer before I came here, I really worked hard on my shot.”

Olsthoorn’s offensive skills are are progressing. Although she averaged just 5.1 points last season, Olsthoorn did reach a career-high of 16 points twice.

“She’s being very physical when she posts up. She’s taking the ball strong to the basket and she’s finishing. From a rebounding standpoint, for some reason the ball just seems to find itself to Mo. I hope that trend continues because it’s something that we definitely need from her.”

Phillips, for one, is not shocked by Olsthoorn’s play this season.

“You can tell she’s very inspired, very driven this year, you can tell she has a purpose,” Phillips said.

Olsthoorn is happy being the happy-go-lucky player that aids in ISU’s team chemistry. But she also shares credit for that.

“We’re all a lot of fun. We have a good time on and off the court. We are always together at night time after we do our homework. We just have a good time. I don’t think a lot of teams can say that.”