True freshman Avril Smith expected this to be a transition season on the basketball court.

"Coming into the year, I thought it would be like a normal freshman year, like I might get a few minutes few and there," Smith said. "But with all the injuries, it gave all the freshmen an opportunity this season. Now all the freshmen have to step up because we're like half the team."

Smith is certainly doing her part for the short-handed Mavericks.

Smith is among the best in the country in rebounds and blocked shots. She entered this week third in Division I in total rebounds (246 in 22 games) and ninth in blocks (52). She's the only freshman among the top 12 nationally in rebounding.

"I'm definitely surprised and it means a lot because as a freshman I didn't think I'd be ranked high in those areas," Smith said. "But it also shows that I need to keep working because I could be better in those areas."

Smith thrived to those areas in high school at Millard North, where she graduated as the school's career leader in rebounds and steals.

She didn't commit to Omaha until last spring when new head coach Jamie Carey recruited her shortly after she was hired. Carey has been impressed by what Smith has provided the team in practices and games. 

"She works non-stop," Carey said. "Every single day when she comes in the gym, I know exactly what I'm going to get from her. So it doesn't surprise me (that she's among national stat leaders)."

At 6-foot, Smith isn't a traditional college post player. But because of injuries to teammates, Carey has relied on Smith to guard opposing centers.

Smith has been holding her own. Recently during a four-game Summit League stretch, Smith averaged 14 rebounds and blocked 19 shots. That included a career-best six blocks against South Dakota last Thursday.

What has made her such an effective shot-blocker?

"I think it's being there on help-side," Smith said. "If my teammate needs help, I just try to be there."

Smith leads Omaha in rebounding, blocked shots and steals and is second in assists and minutes played. She averages only 2.6 points per game, but Smith said that's one aspect of her game she's working to improve.

"I think she's learning to become a little more aggressive offensively and the mindset it takes to do that," Carey said. "I think the other big progression for her is she's not fouling as much. You have to be smart when you go up for blocks."

That's part of the learning process for Smith. The freshman class as a whole is learning this season as the Mavericks are 2-21 heading into the campaign's final month. 

"(For the rest of the season), the goal as a team is showing up from the start and playing a full 40 minutes," Smith said. "We talk all the time about winning five minutes at a time. Winning those little minutes add up at the end. We just want to compete hard every game."