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ST. PAUL -- Hamline University junior forward Reilly Geistfeld understands the intrinsic value of doing the proper preparatory work during the offseason.
The 5-foot-10 Geistfeld currently tops the Pipers' statistical charts in scoring (16.5 points per game), rebounding (6.9 rpg) and field-goal shooting accuracy (45.1 percent) to help spearhead the St. Paul-based women's basketball team to a vastly-improved start to the 2018-19 hardwood season.
The former Martin County West athletic standout and her Hamline teammates closed out the first 11 games of the current campaign with a 7-4 overall record, including a three-game winning streak, prior to the holiday break on Dec. 15.
Quite a contrast to the Pipers' plight a year ago when Geistfeld & Co. sported a 2-9 record at this juncture of the season en route to a 4-21 overall mark.
"(Head) coach (Alex) Focke told me after we ended our season last year that I need to take the next step," said Geistfeld. "In order to elevate my overall game, I needed to get stronger, so that's what I did during the summer."
Geistfeld opted to travel to Vancouver, British Columbia, to begin her brand new offseason training regimen at the home of her aunt, Jaci Sampson Edgeworth and her family in Canada.
"I didn't believe in lifting weights before, but I've noticed that I'm actually faster, quicker and stronger on the basketball court this season after spending time working out at my aunt's place from June through August," said Geistfeld.
And the numbers prove Geistfeld's theory as she has shown a huge improvement in scoring -- 5.9 more points per game than her sophomore season, in addition to adding seven-tenths more rebounds per outing. She also has improved her overall shooting statistics -- 45.1-34.8 percent in field goals, 35.5-28.8 percent from 3-point range and 69.0-63.8 percent at the free throw line.
In addition to her weight-training sessions, Geistfeld thinks that making the transition from a two-sport collegiate student-athlete to just one athletic endeavor also has contributed to her newfound success.
"I played one season of volleyball at Hamline, but the two sports had a bit of an overlap, so I didn't have as much time to prepare for basketball," said Geistfeld. "I enjoyed playing volleyball, but I knew I wanted to play basketball at this level ever since I was in high school.
"Since I stopped playing volleyball, I had the extra time to get into a flow before this basketball season started and I think it makes a big difference."
Geistfeld also believes that a year's worth of varsity experience under their proverbial belts, and Focke's expanding playbook are two more reasons fueling the Pipers' success on the hardwood this winter.
"We're a year older and have gotten to know each other's games better after having eight sophomores and one junior play a lot of minutes last year," said Geistfeld. "We're playing better 'team' basketball, and it feels good to share that success with one another."
Geistfeld also gives credit to Focke as he continues to make the transition from serving as an assistant coach in the Hamline men's basketball program in the past to handling the Pipers' head women's hoops coaching duties for a second straight year this winter.
"When I was a freshman, we ran a basic motion offense. Now, we are more structured under (Focke)," said Geistfeld. "We have so many plays and options now, that I joked with my mom (Jodi Sampson Geistfeld) that we actually have a playbook.
"Defensively, we used to be passive and let our opponents dictate the pace. Now, we read better and know how to get into the passing lanes to disrupt other teams' offense."
When Geistfeld and Hamline return to action by playing host to St. Mary's at 7 p.m. Jan. 2 at Hutton Arena in St. Paul, the Pipers will look to continue their winning ways and hopefully, have an opportunity to attain one of their preseason goals.
"Obviously, we'd like to make the (Division III) playoffs, but we know it won't be easy since we face a couple of nationally-ranked programs like St. Thomas and Gustavus," said Geistfeld. "We just need to keep working hard and improving with each game."
So, what will life hold for Geistfeld in a couple of years after her collegiate basketball career ends?
"I'm majoring in psychology and public health so that I can go into occupational therapy," said Geistfeld, who has been named the MIAC athlete of the week twice this season. "It'll take two more years after I'm done at Hamline to achieve (the degrees) I need to pursue that career."