By Charlie Leffler
University of Louisville sophomore point guard Sara Nord was named one of 11 finalists for the Conseco Nancy Lieberman Step Up Award. The award is given to the nation’s top Division I point guard and Nord is just one of three sophomores named to the list.
Nord leads the nation with 8.2 assists per game and is third on the team in scoring with 9.7 points per game. She recorded her second triple-double of her career against Houston this season with 10 assists, 11 points and 11 rebounds.
“I really never heard about until this year,” said Nord. “I was excited. I was in there with Sue Bird (Uconn) and all the top dogs. I think it’s an honor to be there and I couldn’t get there without my teammates.”
The phenom point guard also sees how it will help her team as well. “It’s a big thing for the program just to get our name out there,” said Nord. “Nobody really knew about us until last year.”
Even though she has now been named one of the top 11 point guards in the nation Nord does not expect defenses to treat her any differently. In fact, despite the fact that she is in the select group she does not believe she has played up to her potential. “I’ve had people shutting me down,” said Nord. “I haven’t really played to my capabilities lately.”
Yet, the Jeffersonville Indiana native is still excited. “I think this is great,” said Nord. “I’ve never had anything like that. I’ve had Miss Basketball but this is better than Miss Basketball.”
The 11 finalists are: Alana Beard, Duke; Sue Bird, Connecticut; Stacey Dales, Oklahoma; Sheila Lambert, Baylor; Kara Lawson, Tennessee; Brandi McCain, Florida; Ashely McElhiney, Vanderbilt; Tamara Moore, Wisconsin; Sara Nord, Louisville; Lindsey Whalen, Minnesota; Lindsey Wilson, Iowa State.
