The freshman once again hit double figures in both scoring and rebounds on Sunday morning (AEDST) but couldn’t prevent her team from going down to Lenoir-Rhyne 71-60 in a hard fought encounter.

It means that the Wolves now have 12 wins and eight losses for the overall season and a seven-five record in the South Atlantic Conference but while their season has been up and down, it has been nothing but success for Lepaio.

She has quickly established herself as one of the most dominant players in the side despite being one of the youngest.

Lepaio has topscored for her team in 12 of their 20 games and been the top rebounder in 17.

Her former coach at the Goldminers Paul Masters said he’s not surprised that she has made the most of her opportunity at the South Carolina-based school.

“She definitely did the work before she went over there and with that culture where you train everyday, it seems to really suit her. That kind of environment can make or break people but Haylee is really making the most of her opportunity,” he said.

“Haylee had offers to go to division one colleges where you can go and sit on the bench for three years before you get a go so she elected to go somewhere and play straight away. She has other Australian girls there, she is working under an Australian coach, so all of that helps.”

After winning five of their first six conference games, the Wolves have won just two of their last six. They are coming off back-to-back losses against Lenoir-Rhyne and prior to that, 60-52 defeat against Mars Hill.

Lepaio’s form though has been constant through out the season regardless of the form of her team and Masters said that is good to see, although he said it could earn her extra attention from rival teams. He added that success this year might not be the big goal for the Wolves.

“It puts a bit of pressure on her because the opposition will be looking to shut her down but it’s a good challenge for her,” the Goldminers mentor said.

“Newberry are a new side, they have brought in a lot of Australian girls who are in their first year so they are looking a bit further down the track [than this season].”

Newberry were on the court again overnight, where they were away to Anderson as they looked to break their two-match losing streak.