You could say senior forward Julie Pagel fills the shoes that keep the MSU women's basketball team on the right path.

Aside from a few embarrassing moments, such as forgetting her shoes in a past game against Miami and having her shoes stolen in Oregon, Pagel has been the guiding feet to lead the Spartans in a hopeful run for a national championship.

Pagel has started her senior season with impressive additions to her basketball résumé. She was voted MVP during the Spartan Classic Tournament Nov. 22-23, putting up 22 points and bringing down eight rebounds as MSU captured the tournament crown for the ninth time in school history. She is currently second on the team in rebounding and third in scoring with 24 and 44 points, respectively.

Head coach Joanne P. McCallie started coaching at MSU in 2000, the same year Pagel entered MSU as a freshman. McCallie said MSU was blessed to inherit Pagel as a freshman and her commitment to building a potent program has made her a natural leader.

"She has been with us through the entire process of us trying to build this program - she's been through every step," McCallie said. "She's taken no shortcut, she's been through all the pain.

"I just feel like she completely understands what we're fighting for. Although there's only one of her - it's like there are four of her."

Pagel is known for being a quality player with an all-around intensity that teammates and opposing players see, hear and feel. As the Spartans' leader in age and class ranking, Pagel drives the team with her impressive numbers in rebounding, assists and free throws.