I've been very interested to learn more about the injury that has kept our latest Top 100 recruit out of action. Having too much time on my hands recently I looked for info hi and lo on the internet. Based on my web search and nothing else, I can tell you...

Carley reportedly suffered a broken bone in her foot (which one, I don't know) about 6 months ago...

She has been healing and rehabbing since...

Carley was cleared to begin limited practice activities early this week...

All this leads to a discussion about redshirts. I have no idea whether Carley will play this year or not. I would suppose there's a more than a small possibility, with the team doing so well and no other key personnel missing time, that her talents aren't needed.

However, we are seeing more and more ladies who use a redshirt year, for whatever reason, go 3 years and out. Most of our girls appear highly motivated in the classroom, and get their degrees in 4 years. If they've redshirted, that still leaves a season of eligibility.

Last year, Chelsea Bilger decided to end her career with a year of eligibilty left. Two years ago, Liis Kullerkann left for Duquesne. Since Aubree Hoard has had her picture taken with the seniors, I'll go out on a limb and predict that she expects to graduate this year. If she's honored on senior day, I will assume she won't be back.

It all leads to an interesting dilemma for coaches. Redshirting a player, no matter why, means in a great many instances that you will have her play for you just 3 years. Now, if that player wasn't going to play anyway during the redshirt year because of injury or need of development, I guess you really haven't lost anything. But in Carley's case, despite our excellent record without her, I think she'd have seen action.

For her (if she's held out this year) and Katie Nelson, it will be interesting to see how long we have to enjoy their talents...

It wasn't a broken foot she has two bulging disks in her lower back.

I noticed at the Toledo game she was dressed like she was ready to play. It was the first time this year I have seen her not in warm ups on the sideline.

For what it's worth, Deane has even stated that Carley is recovering well from her lower back injury. Carley made it public on Twitter that she's allowed to serve and pass. She's a great asset to this program and I can't wait to watch her play. This team will be a lot of fun to watch when she's recovered!