Change is never easy.

A move to Texas Christian for star Hailey Van Lith was more than just a change of scenery, it provided a journey of self-discovery for the Washington native.

She remembers a main battle of letting down her guard to TCU coach Mark Campbell and the rest of the staff.

“When your past is different than your current situation, you have certain reservations and preconceived notions about how things should be,” she said. “It did, it took me a while to let coach Campbell in.”

While she expressed pride in her renewed confidence, the numbers Van Lith put together tell a part of the story.

The Big 12 Player of the Year has shined for TCU this season, averaging 17.7 points per game on offense and shooting 45.9% from the field.

During the Horned Frogs’ runs in the Big 12 and NCAA tournament, she’s averaging 18.4 points and shooting 29-for-58 (50%) from the field.

She credits her success to Campbell and the coaching staff’s plan to help her find her stride at a new place.

“Even though I put certain numbers up at the beginning of the year, I still didn’t really feel like myself, and I was trying to find who Hailey was or who I thought that I was,” Van Lith said. “He was very patient with me. We had a ton of film sessions, personal conversations, and I think what really helped me was he also would share with me, like, his coaching journey and how he processes it and how he can relate to me in certain ways.

“I’m very grateful for that relationship. There definitely was some tough times where we weren’t understanding each other, but couldn’t be more grateful for who he is as a person to work through that with me.”

Campbell, who has been at TCU for two seasons and has the program in its first Sweet 16, said it’s been a privilege to watch the full evolution of Van Lith throughout her time at TCU following a transfer from LSU.

“Her evolution, I think there was, for good reason, was kind of a wall up when she first got here,” the TCU coach said. “I can’t speak for her. My guess was probably there was a little bit of a protection wall that was up. To see that come down and to see her pour into her teammates and her teammates pour into her, Hailey has just allowed me to really get to know her and coach her.

“She’s been vulnerable with all of us. Once she realized there was a real safe space for her, it’s been so neat to watch her blossom.”

Campbell spoke to the basketball player of Van Lith, who has thrived in Campbell’s system at guard as she broke the single-season assists record and is nearing the single-season scoring record as well for the Horned Frogs.

The Big 12 Newcomer of the Year is ranked ninth in the nation with 198 assists, which also leads the Big 12.

Afterward, he was quick to talk about what it’s like to watch her in practice, at games and even off the basketball court as she interacts with people.

“There’s the Hailey as a leader, as a fun-loving kid, as an incredible competitor,” Campbell said. “To watch that Hailey emerge and be herself. This nine-month process and getting to do it with her and for it to work, you’ve got to be attached at the hip with these portal kids because it happens so quick. This nine-month process, to have trust and a true relationship, if you can get those right, the basketball piece will take care of itself.

“I am so proud of her and happy for her.”

Seeded No. 2, TCU will face off against No. 3-seeded Notre Dame on Saturday in the Sweet 16; tipoff at Legacy Arena in Birmingham is set for noon and the game will be broadcast on ABC.

With the biggest stage the program has ever been at looming for Van Lith and the Horned Frogs, her experiences in college basketball, the Olympics and more give her confidence in herself and the team.

“I think I do a pretty good job of helping my team get wins, and that’s the name of the game,” she said. “That’s what you’re employed to do at the next level is to help your team win. So I think that in my DNA that’s what I do.

“Whatever form I have to take to make that happen, at this point in my career I’m willing to take that form.”