Nothing was promised to Kyla Overskei when she arrived on the UW-Eau Claire campus four years ago.
Overskei has earned everything that she has achieved.
The 5-foot-11 guard from Maple Grove, Minnesota has blossomed during a women’s basketball career where she has made significant strides and improvement.
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Overskei has gone from playing less than 10 minutes per game as a freshman to being the best player on the team as a senior.
She has been dynamite this season, averaging more than 20 points per game while leading UW-Eau Claire to an impressive 7-1 start.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Overskei said. “Our team dynamic is so much better this year. We trust each other and everyone does their job. We play so freely and confidently.
“This team has an ability to bond, on and off the court. That has been a big key to our success. We are more focused on winning and getting better.”
Overskei was an all-conference player as a high school senior and attracted the interest of the Blugold coaches.
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“When I first met the coaching staff at UW-Eau Claire, I knew it would be the right fit for me,” she said. “They were really welcoming. I wanted to be at a Division III school where I could focus on academics and basketball. It was the perfect fit for me. I loved the culture that they had here.”
Overskei had to earn her playing time when she began her collegiate career.
She played a small role off the bench as a Blugold freshman, averaging 2.4 points and 9.4 minutes a game.
“My freshman year we had a really good team. We made it to the national tournament,” she said. “I was really focused on getting better that season. When I came to Eau Claire, I wanted to be the hardest worker on the court.
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“I enjoyed every minute of that first season. It was amazing to be part of a team that made it to the national tournament.”
Overskei tried to take in everything she could during her first year in college.
“I learned a lot from the seniors and the older players we had,” she said. “I just had to trust the process. I knew I would have more of an opportunity once I gained some experience.”
Overskei played a much more significant role as a sophomore. She ranked second on the team in scoring, averaging 10.6 points per contest.
“I knew I had to keep working hard,” she said. “I give it my all, every single day of practice and every game we play in. I love the game of basketball and I want to be the best player I can every day.”
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Overskei’s progression continued as a junior. She averaged 14.8 points per game for a team that struggled to an 8-17 record.
Overskei has elevated her game again this season while averaging 20.4 points per contest. She has knocked down 25 3-pointers in eight games.
Overskei also averages 4.1 rebounds per game.
“Kyla is always in the gym, taking extra shots and trying to improve,” UWEC coach Tonja Englund said. “She knows how to work on her game. She’s a winner, and she understands what it takes to be successful.
“Kyla does a great job leading by example. She has elevated her game every year. And she’s off to a great start this year.”
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Overskei connected for a career-high 32 points in a win over St. Scholastica last month at home. She was 12-of-21 from the field while knocking down five 3-point goals.
She has the ability to score in a variety of different ways. She is an excellent shooter who also can score in the paint and drive the ball to the basket.
Overskei is closing in on the 1,000 point scoring mark for her career.
“We are having a blast right now,” she said. “I am living out my dream of being a starter on a good college basketball team.”
Overskei is one of three seniors on a team with a large number of freshmen.
“I try to be a leader for the younger players,” she said. “I try to set a good example for them. I give them pointers and share my experience with them.”
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Overskei has thrived while playing for Englund, who is in her 26th season at UWEC and has won more than 400 career games.
“Tonja. she’s been an awesome coach for us,” Overskei said. “She’s always willing to put in work with us, and she’s very supportive. It’s been a really good four years playing for her in Eau Claire.”
Overskei also has excelled in the classroom at UW-Eau Claire as a Dean’s List student. She is a marketing major who carries an impressive 3.97 grade point average.
Overskei said she is interested in pursuing a career in medical sales.
“School really matters to Kyla,” Englund said. “She is an excellent student. Her grades are outstanding. She is exactly the kind of student-athlete that I want to bring in here. She’s been amazing.”
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Before she finishes college, Overskei still has some goals she wants to accomplish on the basketball court.
“We would like to make it back to the national tournament,” she said. “We want to do well in the conference, and we are going to be a threat to contend for a title. We can play with any team on any given day.”
