Nikki Kremer, Xavier's point guard, is second in the nation in assists. (Enquirer photo)
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There is no place Nikki Kremer would rather be.

She's the lone senior starter on a team that's headed to the NCAA Tournament. A graduate of Mother of Mercy High School, she's been able to play in her hometown at Xavier for her college career.

It is Kremer, the point guard and second-year captain, who has been the leader on and off the court this season for the Musketeers.

"I really couldn't ask for anything else," she said. "But I'd like to win an NCAA game because it's something nobody's done in school history."

Kremer and the Musketeers will get that chance when they open in the NCAA Tournament Friday against Florida International. In the eyes of Xavier coach Melanie Balcomb, that postseason trip is only possible because of Kremer.

"We go as Kremer goes," Balcomb said.

	XU AT A GLANCE
	• Record: 23-8 • Seed: No. 8 Mideast • Bid: At-large • Coach: Melanie Balcomb (fourth year, 65-50) • NCAA history: Second appearance (lost to Clemson in first round in 1993) • Opponent: Florida International (23-6, No. 9 seed) • When/where: Approximately 8:30 p.m. Friday at Storrs, Conn.

As point guard, Kremer is the catalyst for the Xavier offense, setting up her teammates for scores an average of 8.7 times per game. As a result of her distribution, Xavier is third in the nation behind superpowers Tennessee and Connecticut in field-goal shooting at 50.5 percent.

"We're shooting very well, and a lot of that has to do with Kremer getting the ball to the right people at the right time," Balcomb said. "When people are coming off screens and they're open, she's getting it to them right in their shooting pocket."

Kremer doesn't mind her reputation as an assist leader. "I just like to have fun. I guess that's why I like passing so much," she said. "Everybody shoots, and everybody can dribble and do that. I think it's some of my passes that make the games fun."

In addition to placing her among the nation's leaders, Kremer's assists have etched her a place in the Xavier record book. She is the career assist leader with 532, and shattered the single-season mark with 262 this year.

Although creating scoring chances for her teammates is her specialty, she can also score. Kremer averages 9.7 points per game, and has recorded eight points/assists double-doubles this season.

"It's important that she can hit an open jumper or drive to the basket because it keeps the defenders honest," Balcomb said. "She has to beat her defender to create for everybody else."

Balcomb lets Kremer run the show both on and off the floor. "She's like a fourth assistant, especially in the offseason. She's the motivator when no one is looking, and that's made her an important part in the development of this program," Balcomb said.

Kremer credits her coach for pushing her to make the most of the opportunities she's had. "She's never let me be complacent," Kremer said. "She's challenged me so many times since I've been here. She's always expected more than I even thought I had in me."

The game against Florida International will be a big test for Kremer -- it pits her against the point guard she's been trailing on the national assist chart all season, Dalma Ivanyi. But she isn't worried about the challenge.

	"I just like to have fun. I guess that's why I like passing so much."
	--Nikki Kremer, Xavier point guard

"I think I'll have the advantage because I have four great teammates out there," she said.

Balcomb feels Kremer's competitive nature will help her rise to the occasion. "Every player who's that competitive loves that kind of a challenge," she said.

Kremer appears to be ready to elevate her game for the postseason. At the Atlantic 10 tournament in Philadelphia, she averaged 11.3 points and 10.3 assists in Xavier's four games, and was named to the all-tournament team. Her best game of the weekend came against No. 9 Virginia Tech when she scored 17 points and dished out 12 assists.

Kremer has enjoyed the success she's achieved this season, but it is really special for her because she has been able to do it close to home.

"Seeing my family enjoy this with me has been great," she said. "My father called me Selection Sunday night five times just to tell me congratulations and how excited he was. That's the kind of thing I'll remember for the rest of my life."