SLIPPERY ROCK — Anna Kadlubek was unsure what she wanted to do after high school.

A talented point guard on the girls basketball team at Slippery Rock as well as an accomplished track and field athlete as a sprinter, Kadlubek didn't lack for options.

What she did lack, though, was a strong idea of her future.

“I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do in college, or even if I wanted to do a sport,” Kadlubek said. “I just kept my options open.”

Then, Indiana (Pa.) University and women's basketball coach Tom McConnell came around.

When Kadlubek visited the school and met with Coach McConnell, who is 148-38 in his six seasons with the Crimson Hawks, she was hooked.

She was all-in.

“I kind of felt a connection,” Kadlubek said. “It was just like, 'I can see myself going here.' It seemed like a good fit.”

IUP was 28-3 last season and advanced to the NCAA Division II semifinals.

Kadlubek said she is thrilled to be joining such a program.

“I'm honored to even play for Coach McConnell and learn from him and the team,” Kadlubek said. “It's just a great opportunity for me.”

Slippery Rock girls basketball coach Amber Osborn said Kadlubek found a perfect spot for herself.

“I'm beyond thrilled for her,” Osborn said. “I don't think she could go to a better Division II program in the United States and a better coach. I think they're getting a great kid with Anna and a really good athlete.”

Kadlubek has been a star for the Slippery Rock girls basketball team since her freshman season.

She averaged 12.7 points and five assists per game last season and had to be the focal point of the offense for much of the season because of injuries to Hallie Raabe and Maryann Ackerman.

She has 874 career points.

Kadlubek's main asset is her speed and explosion on the court.

Not many can match her quickness and acceleration.

“With my speed, I feel like I can do anything and I'm up for anything,” Kadlubek said. “I feel like I can really give all I got.”

Her speed was also evident on the track at Slippery Rock, where she holds the school record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.79 seconds.

Kadlubek, though, lost her junior campaign on the track this spring because of the coronavirus pandemic.

She said it hurt recruiting for track a little.

“I feel like I would have chosen basketball anyway,” Kadlubek said.

Speed sometimes gets her in trouble on the basketball court, too.

“I can be spastic and out of control at times,” Kadlubek said, chuckling. “But I'm getting better at that. Sometimes my feel move is quicker than what I can even process.”

Kadlubek said IUP sees her as a shooting guard or forward.

“I think I'll be a good fit there,” Kadlubek said.

Kadlubek is the latest Slippery Rock girls basketball player to commit or play for a PSAC school.

Emma McDermott is entering her sophomore season at Mercyhurst. Raabe committed last year to Slippery Rock University.

“We've been playing basketball together since we were so young and for I don't even know how long,” Kadlubek said. “It's going to be weird seeing them on different teams, but it's going to be cool.”

Ackerman will likely go to a prime school for track and field in the javelin.

Macy McCall, another former basketball player under Osborn, went on to play Division I softball at Wright State, which disbanded its program because of COVID-19.

McCall is now at Winthrop University playing softball.

“It's crazy to think I was able to coach them and get really good kids and great athletes,” Osborn said. “They are dedicated and put their full effort into everything. That makes it a joy.”

With this decision out of the way, Kadlubek is looking forward to her senior season with the Rockets.

She's hoping there will be one under the cloud of uncertainty COVID-19 has created.

“We never know what's going on — it always changes,” Kadlubek said. “We're hoping for the best.

“Coach Osborn has been willing to do as much as she can,” Kadlubek added. “We've been in that gym as much as we've been allowed. Coach Osborn, she's a great coach. All her hard work has brought us to success.”

Kadlubek said she and her teammates are cherishing every moment they have in the gym.

“I definitely think all of us aren't looking ahead,” Kadlubek said. “We're grateful every day that we can be in the gym and have that basketball in our hands again.”