ADAMS – Southland grad Haley Kirkpatrick is ready to make a big change this coming fall.

Kirkpatrick, who played volleyball, softball and basketball for the Rebels, is preparing for her freshman season with the Luther College women’s basketball team.

Kirkpatrick will now have to adjust to the challenge of working on basketball year round.

“It’ll be a lot different, but I kind of like focusing and improving on just one sport,” she said. “I’ll have to have good time management and focus on school as well as basketball.”

Kirkpatrick, who averaged 13.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals for the Rebels last season, is also making a position change. After playing most of her high school career in the paint as a power forward or center, she’s making the switch to guard.

It was a move she expected and she’s ready to take it on.

“I’m kind of nervous. It’s a much different position,” she said. “I’ve been practicing at guard with my AAU team and hopefully it pays off.”

Luther’s women’s basketball program took a big step last season when it went 13-13 overall after several consecutive seasons with a losing record.

The Norse will welcome Kirkpatrick’s winning attitude as she was part of a Southland team that won back to back Three Rivers Conference titles.

She’s also looking forward to the chance to be part of a program on the rise.

“I’m pretty excited for it to start,” Kirkpatrick said.

Luther, which is a Division III school in Decorah, Iowa, will open its season in the UW-Eau Claire tip-off classic Nov. 15.