When you think of dominant NIU women’s basketball rebounders, the names Carol Owens, Tammy Hinchee and Lisa Starosta come to mind.

For head coach Jane Albright-Dieterle, Angela Lockett could very well continue that “inside” tradition of rebounding greats.

The 5-11 sophomore forward comes off a season in which she led the Huskies in rebounding—a big honor for a player in her first collegiate season. She finished 1990-91 with 261 total rebounds in 35 games for a 7.5 average.

Not only did Lockett see action in every game last year, she also started in 26 games. She was awarded for her rebounding prowess with the team’s Rebounding Excellence Award.

“She’s a very explosive player,” Albright-Dieterle said. “For a freshman last year, her play was so welcome.”

Lockett dominated on both ends of the floor, not just the defensive boards. She hustled and scrapped for 123 offensive rebounds, where many of her 8.4 points per game came from.

“A lot of my points came off rebounds,” Lockett said. “I definitely think my rebounding carried me last year.”

But Lockett also admitted that much of her success was attributed to her playing time. “It would have been a down year for me, and I may have lost confidence if I hadn’t played,” the Gary, Ind., native said.

When given the chance to play, Lockett made the most of it. She had a season-high 15 rebounds against West Virginia, another 14 boards at Valparaiso, and 13 rebounds each versus Wisconsin-Green Bay and Cleveland State. In all, she was the high NIU rebounder in 14 games.

Lockett also contributed a season-high 21 points against Wisconsin-Milwaukee and 18 points each on two seperate occasions.

What Albright-Dieterle is looking for this season out of Lockett is more scoring. “I’m expecting her to score more this season,” the eighth-year coach said. “We’ll be getting the ball to her more this year because we’re focusing on the post play.”

“I’ve got the confidence now from last year,” Lockett said. “If I can develop an outside shot, I know the scoring will come.”