As a youngster growing up in the town of Oxford, Mich., Maddie Novak always looked forward to spring break.  Every year, she, along with her two brothers, her parents, and her grandparents would fly down to Florida for some fun in the sun. 

Novak loved the Sunshine State so much, a week just never seemed to be enough time.

Now, Novak will have the chance to enjoy the warm Florida weather year-round as a member of the Stetson women's basketball team.  The 6-0 freshman guard is also looking forward to fulfilling one of her life-long dreams.

"It means a lot to me," Novak said about joining the Hatters.  "Ever since I was little, I wanted to play Division I basketball, and I eventually want to play overseas, too.  The players here are talented, I feel like we all are, and the coaching staff just wants us to get better every day.  I don't feel like an outsider. I feel like we are all family here trying to get better.  I feel blessed to be able to play on this level."

A left-handed shooter, Novak was an All-State performer at two different high schools in Michigan. After a season and a half at Lake Orion, she transferred to Detroit Country Day not only to play for legendary coach Frank Orlando, but to better herself both athletically and academically.  She helped lead the Yellowjackets to the Class B State Championship title as a junior and was one of five Division I starters on the team as a senior.

"I really love her commitment to the game and how coachable she is," Stetson head coach Lynn Bria said.  "I just think she can shoot the ball really well and her upside is huge.  I think she is someone who is only going to get better and better.  She is also a great student and really fits well into our program."

As with her prep career, Novak said it was important for her to pick a college that was strong athletically and academically.  Her longtime basketball trainer and mentor, Rashad Phillips, reached out to Stetson on her behalf.

"Rashad called me and left me a voice mail, but I had no preexisting relationship with him," Bria said.  "I knew he was a coach and a trainer, but I was still a bit skeptical at first.  He said he had watched us play and knew that we ran a Princeton offense, so that gave him credibility.  I thought, 'Maybe I should look at this kid.' I changed my plans so I could see her one day.  After that, I returned his call and got the process started."

Novak visited the Stetson campus shortly thereafter and immediately felt right at home.

"I didn't want to go to a big school, and I wanted to go a challenging school academically," Novak said.  "I knew this was it. The campus is beautiful.  The weather is perfect for me.  Everyone is friendly, the environment is so positive.  It's nice being in small classes where the teacher knows who you are.  There was nothing about it I didn't like."

The Hatters are now hard at work preparing for next Tuesday's season-opener against Palm Beach Atlantic.  It is a moment Novak has been waiting on for a long time.

Will she be nervous when that day arrives?

"I get nervous before any game – high school, AAU – I just get butterflies, but once I'm in to that first minute of the game, those just go away," Novak said.  "I am just excited for the season and ready to play."