Pickerington High School North girls basketball player Nicole Olszewski has deep ties with higher education and the state of Tennessee.

Her father, Jeff Olszewski, played quarterback at the University of Tennessee from 1977-81. Her older sister, Amanda, plays soccer for the University of Memphis.

And now, Nicole Olszewski signed a letter of intent last Friday to continue her basketball career with Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tenn.

"I was narrowing down my search and Austin Peay popped in the picture late," Nicole Olszewski said. "The campus was beautiful, and after meeting the coaches, I decided it was the perfect place for me."

Olszewski is expected to start at point guard for North for the second consecutive season.

Last season, Olszewski averaged 7.6 points per game. The Panthers finished 20-5 after losing to West Chester Lakota West 77-60 in a Division I regional semifinal.

"In the last 12 months she has really increased her body strength," North coach Dave Butcher said. "She has always had a slight build, but her increased strength has allowed her to play a lot stronger with the ball.

"She's always going to be slight build, but she increased her strength which has allowed her to play a lot stronger with the ball. She's got a lot of athleticism and is extremely quick. Those are aspects you need if you're going to play Division I ball."

North football coach Tom Phillips approached the girls basketball team to see if any players were interested in working out with his team. Olszewski jumped at the opportunity.

"The first few days were a little intimidating," Olszewski said. "Our lifting program wasn't as intense as the football team's. But once we got to know everyone, it was fun."

Olszewski is the first to admit she lacks an imposing physical presence.

"My size is a little disadvantage," she said. "But my speed and quickness make up for it."

Austin Peay is happy to have Olszewski's speed and quickness. Entering this season, the Governors returned 10 letterwinners and four of five starters, but they are thin at point guard.

"They needed to sign a senior point guard," Butcher said. "They had a point guard blow out an ACL and had another leave the program."

Austin Peay lost its opener last Sunday to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga 77-66 .

Last season, the Governors finished 17-16, but won the Ohio Valley Conference tournament as the fifth-seed and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in program history.

This season, fourth-year coach Carrie Daniels has only one senior on her roster.

"I really wanted to continue playing basketball after high school," Olszewski said. "I wanted to be at a place where I could make an impact right away and being a Division I school made choosing Austin Peay that much better."