By Brendan Kurie, The Standard Times (New Bedford)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Kailyn Aguiar can't stop thanking her parents.

That's just a little unusual for a college student.

The Bishop Stang graduate is now a junior playing basketball at Bridgewater State, and it's all because her parents convinced her to try out for the team at Plymouth State more than two years ago.

"I'm totally overjoyed my parents talked me into it," Aguiar said. "It's such a different part of me and I can't let it go now. I don't know what I'm going to do next year when it's my last game. I'm so glad my parents pushed me to try out."

It actually took not just one, but two tryouts for Aguiar to arrive as the Bears' leading rebounder. She spent her first two seasons at Plymouth State, averaging 3.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 47 games (one start).

But the distance from Plymouth to her hometown of Acushnet was just too much and she didn't feel the academic rigor was what she had hoped for.

"I wasn't at the expectation of where I should have been, so I decided to make the switch," she said.

She wasn't guaranteed a spot in the Bridgewater State program and was forced to make the team for the second time in three seasons.

"It was definitely a struggle," she said. "I was nervous to try out. You're trying out for a new team and a new coaching staff. But I'm glad I got on the team."

Early on, she struggled to adjust to her new teammates and new triangle-based style. While she was still playing in the post, where she'd been anchored — outside a season playing the point for her AAU team, the Bristol Stars — since high school.

"I had a whole new set of teammates and I had to figure out how they work and play," she said. "That was a struggle."

Her growing on-court camaraderie with her teammates has shown up in her statistics. After averaging 2.8 points and 3.8 rebounds in November and 2.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in December, she improved her averages to 6.9 points and 7.1 rebounds in January. She's been on fire so far in February, averaging 9.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in five games. Her playing time has risen from 15 minutes a game to more than 25.

"I think after a few months, I understood how they played," she said. "I really didn't think I was going to get the playing time I had at Plymouth, but I just pushed myself and worked really hard."

In 10 conference games she's averaging 8.1 points and 8.3 rebounds and has led the Bears to a 6-5 MASCAC record, which earned them the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament. She recorded three straight double-doubles from Feb. 3-10 and has snagged at least five boards in 13 of her last 14 games.

"I think it's just because the other girls who are on the court, we work together and understand how we play together," Aguiar explained her recent hot streak.

She also said the impact of her grandmother, Susan Valencia, recently being diagnosed with a health issue has inspired her play recently.

"I've been working very hard and trying my best for her," she said. "Every time I go on the court, it's for her. I do my best and hope for a good outcome.

Aguiar's season-long average of 6.4 rebounds is best on the team by a full board per game. She's grabbing a full three offensive boards per game, twice the average of any of her teammates.

"I just want the ball," she said. "That's my mentality. I'll do anything to grab that ball and put it up again or give it to the guard. It's a huge role. Most of the girls rely on me, they know I'll get the rebound. It puts a lot of pressure on me, but I have to have that mindset."

Aguiar has maintained her exercise science major since transferring from Plymouth State, but enjoys the more hands-on experience at Bridgewater State.

"I feel like it's more comfortable for me," she said. "I like having it demonstrated to me instead of sitting and listening and having a teacher tell me."

She's undecided if she wants to pursue a master's in dietary, and hopes to go on to a career as an exercise physiologist.

She's also a commuter now, driving the 35 minutes each way from home to campus. She makes a concerted effort to stay involved in the team's bonding events, however.

Her next goal is to lead the Bears to a MASCAC title, something they last captured in 2014, and an NCAA appearance, which BSU last earned in 2015.

"We've been playing our best basketball compared to the beginning of the season when we struggled to find who we are," she said. "We're figuring it out. Once it clicked, we're in the homestretch now. We have to move the ball and trust the process and success is going to come."