Louella Tomlinson could not complete a single push-up when she arrived at Saint Mary's College.
Nearly three years later, the Australian center can do more than 25 in succession and is closing in on the NCAA Division I career blocks record. Her improved strength and conditioning has played a big part.
``Obviously in the last couple of weeks it's been exciting knowing it's coming up,'' Tomlinson said before a practice this week. ``I've been taking it in stride. It's not the most important thing to me right now. I want to win games and I want my team to do well first.''
At a lean 6-foot-4, Tomlinson has 478 career blocks for the Gaels (17-7, 8-1 WCC) and is three away from breaking Sandora Irvin's record of 480 for Texas Christian from 2002-05. Her next opportunity comes in a key West Coast Conference game against No. 22 Gonzaga at home Thursday night.
But Tomlinson could get beaten to it by 6-9 Michigan State senior Allyssa DeHaan. DeHaan has one more career block than Tomlinson and plays earlier Thursday at rival Michigan.
LaKisha Phifer blocked 533 shots for Division II Saint Paul's College in Virginia during the late '90s - though Tomlinson has another full season to get that one.
Tomlinson, the conference leader in scoring and rebounding to go with her 161 blocks, insists she comes by it naturally. Shot-blocking is also largely considered an art.
Her 5-11 mother, Sandra, was a shot-blocker and twice played in the world championships for Australia. Tomlinson's oldest sister, 6-3 Samantha, also had a knack for blocking shots during her collegiate career at Troy State. Even sister Clarissa, a former guard at Samford, had her share.
Tomlinson is the youngest of four girls.
``I don't think it's a trick. It's probably genetics,'' Tomlinson said of blocking shots. ``I definitely think it's a natural thing. I've known bigger players who can't block shots. I don't ever remember being taught how to block shots.''
Saint Mary's sits in second place in the league standings behind the Zags. Tomlinson's mom watches nearly every game on her computer back home in Australia - Thursday night's tipoff will be Friday afternoon there.
Her mother is always the one reminding Tomlinson how many more blocks she needs for the record.
``When people ask me what this record means, I always say the bragging rights,'' she said.
The national recognition will be a nice boost for tiny Saint Mary's, whose picturesque campus is tucked away in the hills of San Francisco's East Bay - not to mention in the shadow of nearby, nationally known Pac-10 programs Stanford and California.
Tomlinson wound up in Moraga thanks in part to the men's basketball team's tradition of bringing in Australian players. There are five Aussies on the Gaels' men's team now.
She instantly felt comfortable during her recruiting trip.
``She has developed that natural ability,'' fourth-year Gaels coach Paul Thomas said. ``I think it's right place, right time for Lou. Saint Mary's College is a great fit for her.''
Aside from her big block total, Tomlinson's career-high 24 rebounds in last Saturday's 56-46 win over San Francisco tied the conference record set by San Diego's Chris Enger in 1990.
She's having more fun with her accomplishments now that her team is winning. Tomlinson has been named the WCC's Player of the Month for November, December and January.
Tomlinson's toughness has improved thanks to her increased fitness and hard work off the court to get stronger. There were many days early on at Saint Mary's when the intense practices and workload overwhelmed the emotional Tomlinson. ``I've grown up a lot,'' she said.
Tomlinson set the NCAA single-season blocks record with 156 as a freshman, then that was broken by Morehead State's Brittany Pittman last year at 164. Tomlinson likely will hold that mark again soon.
Almost as important to her right now is another number: getting her 2.9 grade point average up to a 3.0.
Tomlinson, who spent three years training at the Australian Institute of Sport, is determined to do well in her sports management and kinesiology studies so she has something to fall back on after what she hopes is a standout professional career in the WNBA.
Her mom runs a swimming school for 500 students in the family's backyard in Melbourne.
``Maybe one day take that over or do something similar,'' she said.
Tomlinson realizes it might only be a matter of time before star Baylor freshman Brittney Griner breaks the blocks records. The 6-foot-8 Griner began the week with 133 blocks and already has dunked in games for the 11th-ranked Lady Bears.
``She'll probably break any record I set,'' Tomlinson said. ``It's great for basketball what she's been able to bring to the game, and good luck to her.''
Yet Thomas figures Tomlinson's record will stand for a while. Saint Mary's plays a man-to-man defense that allows Tomlinson to come off her player to help her teammates.
``She has a nearly 7-foot wingspan and she has a great sense of timing,'' Thomas said. ``With that reach - her fingers are so long and her arms are so long - her body is just built for that. She has become known as the best shot blocker. It's definitely a family thing. That's what the Tomlinsons do. But I think Lou has since separated herself (in the family).''
