Walking around in her SpongeBob Squarepants slippers, SarahCraig appears to be your typical college student.

The 19-year-old sophomore at Sacramento State enjoys spendingher free-time relaxing with friends, eating and tickling theivories on a piano.

What separates Craig from other students is her exceptionalskill on the basketball court and devotion to her religion.

A small forward on the women’s basketball team, Craig cameto Sacramento last year from Calgary, Alberta.

She quickly displayed a hard-working, aggressive style of playthat made her a standout during her freshman season as she led theHornets in scoring with 12.2 points per game.

“She’s got her game to the level she needed,”teammate MeganMoon said. “Going against bigger, strongerplayers you’ve got to play a little different and she’smade her game so she can do that. She’s a good teammate, veryintuitive, and she’s one of the most competitive peopleyou’ll ever play against.”

Craig is expecting major improvements this year, not onlypersonally, but for a Hornet squad that finished last in the BigSky Conference with a 3-24 overall record.

“It’s a whole new mindset,” Craig said aboutthis year’s team, which has an entirely new coaching staff.”We walked on the court last year not expecting to win.You’ve got to walk in there confident, expecting towin.”

Craig said the coaches have helped her improve upon herweaknesses.

“I’ve already improved my defensive techniques andmy footwork on offense,” Craig said. “I’m goingto come out of this season a much better player.”

Craig’s role will not change much from last season,according to head coach Dan Muscatell, but he expects herall-around game to improve.

“There’s been more put on her from the standpoint ofdoing things other than just scoring the basketball,” hesaid. “When you combine being a great young person with herwork ethic and skills, it’ll all come together.”

When the Hornets schedule was released for this season, Craigwas happy to find out they didn’t have any games scheduled onSundays.

Growing up in the Mormon faith, she doesn’t play onSunday’s because it’s the Sabbath day, a day ofrest.

“I always try to put God first in my life,” shesaid. “Nothing should take the place of Him being first in mylife, even basketball, which I love.”

She said she’s been fortunate to have coaches who supporther decision not to play on Sundays and it has rarely been anissue.

Adjusting to life in the United States is still an ongoingprocess for Craig, who was a four-sport athlete at Dr. E.P.Scarlett High School in Calgary.

“It’s a lot wealthier down here,” she said.”People have a lot more stuff and stuff is a lot moreimportant to people. People here are really laid back and they aremore uptight in Canada.”

Craig hopes to continue her basketball career after college byplaying in Europe. She is a fan of Steve Nash, the starting pointguard for the Dallas Mavericks and a fellow Canadian from a smalltown.

Craig is currently living in the residence halls and is aroommate of guard Kim Sheehy. “We have a lot of things incommon and I think you can live with anyone if you have mutualconcern for the other person and you’re considerate aboutthem and have open communications,” Craig said.

Craig plans on forcing herself to move out next year, though sheenjoys dorm life.

“The food and basketball court are right there,” shesaid. “What else can you ask for?”

“It’s a lifestyle that shapes how I think and how Iview different issues,” she said. “It’s aboutJesus Christ and how he treats other people and how he would dothings. I try to emulate his example.”