VALDOSTA – The Valdosta State Lady Blazers (12-4, 3-1) have had a lot of success so far this season thanks to a talented group of athletes from all over the world.

There are eight players on the team from Georgia (one from Valdosta), two players from Florida, one from Mississippi, and two from Europe.

Europe, you ask? That’s right, sophomore forwards Nina Risto and Ewelina Gad have come here to Valdosta, through community colleges, from Europe.

“I like it here a lot,” said Risto. “I like the teams, coaches, the city is very nice, everything.”

Risto is a 6-foot-2 forward from Stockholm, Sweden. In August, she transferred in to VSU from Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla. Since she has been here, she has been dominant.

Risto has started 10 out of 16 games and has been averaging 24.8 minutes per game. Her 7.3 points per game and 48.6 shooting percentage from the field are both third on the team. She leads the team in blocks, with 10 this year, and her five rebounds per game is second on the team only to Candice Ferrell. Her play has been impressive, and the fans have taken notice.

“I really like it when we go into the stands to thank the fans for coming. They really appreciate us, too,” Risto said. “I am grateful for them being such a part of the program.”

Risto is putting up good numbers, but looks to get better through this season and the ones to come.

“I just want to be more consistent. Some games I am on, some I feel like I don’t show up,” said Risto. “I just want to go out and play my game, and I am glad that Coach (Kiley) Hill believes in me.”

Ewelina Gad, also a 6-foot-2 forward, transferred in from Seward Community College in Kansas, but she is originally from Lubin, Poland. Gad has gone through more of a learning process this year, but is now turning into a quality player off the bench, thanks to some good team unity.

“I feel we are very supportive of each other. We are together,” said Gad on Thursday. “Coming in here, I had to learn a new system, but the seniors and juniors on the team are always there for help.”

Gad is averaging 10.4 minutes a game, 2.1 points per game and 1.6 rebounds per game. The numbers may not look impressive, but every time she is in the game, the other team seems to take notice, both offensively and defensively.

The Lady Blazers, ranked No. 22 in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) poll, have come together as a team and are on pace for a good season. Just ask Risto and Gad.

“I think we are doing great. We wanted the West Georgia game, but we just have to move on,” Gad said.

Risto felt the same way, saying, “It (the season) feels good. The way the West Georgia game went was unfortunate, but the season looks good for us.”

Luckily for Gad, Risto and the rest of the Lady Blazers, they get another shot at West Georgia on Feb. 11, at The Complex, a game that should have major Gulf South Conference implications.

And luckily for VSU, both players plan to remain Lady Blazers for the rest of their college experience, meaning they will be around for two more years after this season.

The Valdosta State women’s and men’s teams host West Alabama this Saturday at The Complex. The Lady Blazers are set to tip-off at 6 p.m.