This time last season, OU women’s basketball coach Sherri Coale was shocked at what she saw from her team.

The Sooner program was coming off consecutive Final Four appearances and made a trip to Columbus, Ohio, to take on Ohio State in a top-10 showdown between the two teams.

But instead of being led by All-American Danielle Robinson against the Buckeyes and former Big Ten Player of the Year, Jantel Lavendar, a new name emerged on the offensive stat sheets that made the Sooner coaching staff take notice: Aaryn Ellenberg.

“We were really looking to (Ellenberg),” Coale said. “A true freshman? Are you kidding me?”

That was Coale’s reaction to watching one of her newest recruits score a team and game-high 34 points against the then-No. 6 team in the country last year.

The only thing that stopped Ellenberg from having more points against the Ohio State defense was herself after she collected four fouls with more than 11 minutes left in the game.

“When Ellenberg got her fourth foul and had to come out, it began to unravel a bit because she had been so much a part of our offensive confidence,” Coale said.

While Ellenberg’s leadership has continued to be an integral part of the OU offense, this year the Sooners are focusing on the smaller fundamentals of the game when the team hosts the No. 18 Buckeyes this weekend in Norman.

“We have to stop Ohio State in transition,” Coale said. “We’ve got to focus on the little things like stopping the ball and protecting the basket.”

Getting the small stuff right is something the Sooners have been working on in preparation for Ohio State this week, while also using what the team learned from last year’s matchup in order to get ready for the rematch.

“Last year, it was my first true road game, so it was a different experience for me,” Ellenberg said. “They’re a really good team like everyone we’re going to play, but we’re working on doing the little things right.”

And it’s no secret Ellenberg also will need to take her usual leadership role this weekend if the Sooners want to come out on top.

The Las Vegas native has been on fire for the Sooners, averaging 21.5 points this season. Her 86 total points in the best on the team, and Ellenberg also has been the team’s leading scorer in all four of the Sooners’ games.

“That’s just what she does — she just scores,” Coale said. “She’s definitely a calm and cool head.”

Her stats say she’s the offensive backbone for the Sooners, a need this Oklahoma team had to address during the offseason when deciding how to make up for losing Robinson to graduation.

While Coale was quick to admit Ellenberg and Robinson have two unique playing styles, the coach said she is pleased to see how Ellenberg continues to display a commanding presence on offense.

“She is filling the void as far as points production,” Coale said. “But people will start to key in on her more because of Danielle’s absence.”

Another factor that will keep opposing defenses’ eyes on Ellenberg was the sophomore’s nomination to the early-season Naismith watch list this week.

Ellenberg joins junior guard Whitney Hand to represent the Sooners for the most prestigious award in women’s hoops that recognizes players this early based on their previous year’s performances.

“It’s tough to just get their name into the conversation,” Coale said. “And now they just need to keep themselves in it. It’s hard to get mentioned, but once you can get in, people pay attention to you.

“This award is suppose to be a reflection of consistency, and hopefully they can do that for our team.”