Transfer Caldwell exceeding expectations in first season

When Christal Caldwell arrived in Morgantown after transferring from Florida, West Virginia women's basketball head coach Mike Carey had high expectations for the sophomore guard.

Carey expected Caldwell to be the go-to scorer not long after stepping onto the Coliseum floor.

With only two double-digit scoring games in the Mountaineers first 10, many wondered if Caldwell would ever produce the amount of scoring that was anticipated from her.

After nine straight games in double figures, one thing is clear – Caldwell has proven she can be one of the best scorers not only at West Virginia, but in the Big East Conference.

What has changed for the Charlotte, N.C., native?

"I just try to stay relaxed and not force anything," Caldwell said after a 53-32 victory over Marquette Saturday. "When I do play hard, the game will just come to me. I think I get started defensively. When my defense is going, I get going offensively."

But, Caldwell has done more than just score points during her recent stint of success. She is also the second-leading rebounder on the team.

"The thing that jumps out to you is her rebounding ability," said Marquette head coach Terri Williams. "She plays extremely hard. She never takes a play off. She makes things happen and she can do it in a variety of ways.

"We called her the key player in our scouting report."

Caldwell hasn't recorded less than seven rebounds in a game since December and has also turned into a solid perimeter defender.

Carey is pleased with the recent efforts from his starting guard, but kept his comments short and sweet.

"She's been playing well. We need her to continue to do that," he said.

When Caldwell is playing well, she is doing more than putting points on the scoreboard and grabbing rebounds.

As a perimeter threat, she has forced opposing defenses to play closer to the 3-point line and away from the basket.

This could benefit someone like junior center Asya Bussie, who has recorded double -figure scoring outings in five of the last eight games.

"I'm glad Christal has stepped up," Bussie said. "It's not just scoring – she's getting rebounds, as well. She stepped up a lot. We need someone who's going to do that."

Recent struggles from sophomore guard Taylor Palmer have put even more pressure on Caldwell to score.

But, she doesn't plan on changing the way she plays.

"I'm just trying to stay relaxed. Just let the game come to me," she said.