She is the tallest player on the Hornets’ roster since 1998, and holds the school record of most blocked shots in a single-season.

Currently ranked second in the nation, Sacramento State women’s basketball senior forward Megan Kritscher is on her way to passing the Big Sky record of most blocked shots in a single season.

Kritscher has successfully made 96 blocks so far this season, which leaves her just four away from tying Eastern Washington’s Brenda Souther’s 1983-1984 record of 100 blocks.

“She’s been really big for us and she’s added that last line of defense,” said head coach Jamie Craighead. “Our kids can be loose on the perimeter because she’s back there and can block shots.”

Out of the handful of players in the conference standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall, Kritscher said most teams are not used to a post player of her size. The one exception is 6-foot-5-inch Emily Evers of the University of North Dakota.

“In our conference, me and maybe the 6-foot-5 girl at North Dakota are the only real tall players, so I don’t think people are used to the tall posts, especially in our conference,” Kritscher said.

Evers is the runner up for most blocked shots in Big Sky, but comes nowhere near Kritscher – as she has only 47 blocks.

Kritscher averages four blocks per game and earned her season-high of eight blocks early in the season at Eastern Illinois on Dec. 7.

“She’s kind of a sleeping giant,” Craighead said. “She’s our enforcer in the paint and we feel comfortable knowing we can fly around in the press because she’s back there protecting the basket.”

Craighead has enforced a full-court style defense, which is known to be harder for tall players to learn, but Kritscher said she prefers this style.

“I love being tall and I know I’m not perfect for this style, but I’ve made it work and (Craighead) has made it work,” Kritscher said. “Obviously I’m not the fastest one on this team, but if I can stop people from scoring I’ll take that.”

Kritscher spent two years at UC Santa Barbara before she transferred to Sac State. The Woodland native said she likes the smaller community and being closer to home.

“I’ve gotten a lot more confidence here and I’m closer to home, which helps a lot too,” Kritscher said.

Kritscher’s mother, Yvonne Kritscher, said Sac State is a much better fit for her daughter and she is proud of her accomplishments.

“It’s wonderful and fun for her to do that,” Kritscher said. “It’s a neat achievement you don’t plan or look for; it just happens.”

Kritscher gets her height from father who is 6 foot 4 inches as well. She played volleyball throughout junior high and high school and said it has helped with her blocking skills.

Kritscher’s mother said Megan was dedicated to both sports, but basketball better suited her.

“She loved volleyball, but basketball was a little higher on her list,” Kritscher said. “Basketball was her thing.”

Kritscher got injured while playing at Santa Barbara and she said moving schools was the best decision and is happy she can offer something to her team.

“I really like how close we all are,” Kritscher said. “We have really good team chemistry.”

Craighead said Kritscher has adjusted well since she came to Sac State and is happy to see her end her college career on a positive note. 

“It’s a really cool accomplishment and I’m glad her senior year she gets to feel something special about her career,” Craighead said. “Not everything works out for four years, but if they can feel good when they leave, that’s the best feeling for a coach.”

This is Kritscher’s last year as a Hornet and her last season of her basketball career, as she will be graduating Sac State with a degree in communication studies.

“She’s full of life,” Craighead said. “As she came here to Sacramento State, she’s just embraced everything we’ve done and given us everything she has and I know she loves her teammates and we’ll really miss her next year.”

Jillian can be reached on Twitter at @jillian1035