Approximately 400 miles away from Oakland University, with a population approaching 13,000, lies the city of Escanaba, the home of Golden Grizzly women’s basketball star Olivia Nash. Growing up in Escanaba, Nash became the first women’s high school player to ever score over 1,000 points in a career.

Basketball and family has always been the recipe for success on and off the court for the 6-foot-1 forward. Nash was named all-state in academics, basketball and track as a high jumper, winning the Upper Peninsula high jump finals three years in a row.

Whether it be camping, hunting or fishing, the outdoors has played a big role in shaping Nash’s personality, a self-proclaimed “country girl.”

Nash credits her father, Gary, for helping her find her passion for basketball at a young age.

“My dad started coaching my sister when I was in second grade, I was always there hanging around in the way, and I eventually picked up on it,” she said.

That passion has paid off, earning Nash an already decorated resume early in her Grizzly career.

Last year, Nash was named Summit League Freshman of the Year and all-league second team by CollegeSportsMadness.com. Additionally, Nash was also named to the website’s Madness 2013-2014 Horizon League Preseason All-Conference first team.

While normally sporting a laid back personality, Nash says it all changes on the court as the aggression and competitiveness takes shape at tip-off. In the eyes of her teammates and coaches, Nash feels she’s viewed as a hard worker who brings positive energy to the team.

“I try to stay positive all the time, bring my teammates up, make sure everyone’s doing their roles and sticking together as a team,” she said.

Coming off of a tremendous high school career, Nash received many scholarship offers from numerous Division I basketball programs, including Central Michigan, Western Michigan and Kent State. In the end, Nash decided to take her talents to Rochester and become a Golden Grizzly, where she plans to take her game to new heights.

Nash was recruited by former OU coach Becky Francis, who was dismissed in light of allegations of treating players poorly, something that Nash says has only brought the team closer.

“We’ve come together as a team even more, we’re just moving forward,” she said. “It was a smooth transition when Coach Tungate came in, it was like another part of the family. I love playing for Coach Tungate, he brings out the best in us and our team chemistry is great.”

This year marks the first season in the Horizon League for Oakland, so newfound team chemistry couldn’t have come at a better time.

“We came in at the right time, anyone can win the league this year, it’s a confidence booster to see where we’re at,” Nash said.

In her second year with Oakland, and first in the Horizon, Nash is averaging 12.4 points per game, good for second on the team. She also leads the team with 7.8 rebounds per contest.

Already accomplished on and off the court, Olivia strives for even greater heights.

“Our goal is to win the Horizon League,” she said. “It has been since day one. For me, personally, it’s to continue to be a team player.”