For the past three years, Shelby Farrer has come to understand that she has been blessed in more ways than one.

In that period of time, the former Model standout has not only been able to continue playing the game she so loves, she has done so in the comfort zone of her own backyard as a member of the successful Shorter program.

This season, however, Farrer is eagerly accepting new challenges that have taken the senior out of that comfort level.

And Farrer, who will soon take the court for Shorter for the 100th time, said she is enjoying the challenges.

“I grew up around Shorter and I knew I wanted to stay here. It’s been such a blessing,” said the 6-foot-2 Farrer about her decision to remain in Rome after high school and play for head coach Vic Mitchell and the Lady Hawks. “I never thought I’d experience the things that I’ve experienced at Shorter.”

“Each year you learn so much more about your team,” she said, “and now we’re accepting the challenge together.”

Since arriving at Shorter, Farrer has learned just how close-knit the Lady Hawks were off the court. She also learned how close they are on the floor.

The result has been three consecutive 20-win seasons and NAIA national tournament appearances.

Now comes the challenge for Farrer — one of just two seniors on this year’s roster — as she joins her new teammates in becoming the first group of Lady Hawks who are playing on the NCAA Division II level in the tough Gulf South Conference.

“Coming into the season I was a little nervous because there were a lot of new people. But honestly, it’s been great so far,” said Farrer. “The atmosphere of the team is different and it’s a different style of play we have.

“But the change is good for us,” she added. “I never expected it to be so great.”

Farrer has helped the Lady Hawks post a 4-3 overall record and a 1-1 GSC record.

Shorter head coach Vic Mitchell said Farrer wants to finish strong this season after being a par of last year’s record-setting 28-7 campaign.

“Last year, when we met after the season was over, she knew she did not want to see a letdown and especially didn’t want it to happen her senior year,” said Mitchell.

“She didn’t want to take a step back,” the coach said. “She wants to win and like every senior wants to leave on a positive note.”

That’s not to say what she’s accomplished in her first three years at Shorter were less than positive — far from it.

She entered her senior season providing an average of 8.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, and last year had single-season highs in rebounding (202) and had 37 blocks and assists.

As a freshman, Farrer was named the Southern States Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year after averaging a career-best 9.2 points a game.

As Shorter prepares to resume the season tonight against Trevecca Nazarene in the St. Leo (Fla.) Classic, Farrer is averaging 8.2 rebounds and a career-best 9.2 rebounds.

Tonight’s game will be Farrer’s 100th game.

As far as Farrer is concerned, the numbers are secondary to what she feels is important to the team.

“I always wanted to just be there for the team,” she explains. “I’ve accepted the fact that I’ll never be that ‘go-to’ player. If I can fill a role as to what the team needs, I’ll do it.”

Still, Mitchell has always recognized what Farrer means to the Lady Hawks.

“She’s been a really solid and consistent player. We know what we’ll get from here out there,” the coach points out.

“Defensively she’s gotten so much better. She’s the type of player who sacrifices herself and has taken more charges than anybody else we’ve had in the last four years.”

“Offensively, she’s always shot the ball well and she’ll take the good shots,” he said, noting that Farrer connects on nearly 50 percent of her shots. “We need her to be more aggressively offensively in scoring and on the boards, and she realizes she has to do that.”

Farrer also realizes she is important to the team’s debut in the Division II ranks and the GSC and embodies what the Lady Hawks are determined to do this season.

“We’re obviously trying to make a statement,” said Farrer. “It would be a great goal to prove ourselves – that we’re not just a new team and that we can play with anyone in the conference.”

“We know that (the GSC teams) have expectations of what we can do and we’re learning about them,” she said. “What’s good to see is that we still have great fans in the community who come out to see us.”

Farrer, however, admits that as she prepares to begin her final run of her career as a Lady Hawk, she is ready to trade the comfort-zone factor she has enjoyed in her hometown and at Shorter.

When she graduates in May with a degree in Public Relations, Farrer will be taking on new challenges that she knows is out there thanks to doing an internship in the fashion industry in New York City.

“I absolutely love Rome, but I have goals,” said Farrer, noting that she is looking at finding a job in Los Angeles or Nashville. “I’ve learned so much from playing basketball that I can now take out in the real world.”

But until that time comes when she leaves the comforts of her home nest, Farrer has her priorities as a senior in place.

“I’m excited that I can help this program prepare for the future,” said Farrer. “Honestly, I thought I’d be less motivated, but the way the team works together on and off the court, it’s hard not to be motivated.”