March 15, 2010

When the American women's basketball team takes the court Saturday evening in Bethlehem, Pa., for the Patriot League championship game against top-seeded Lehigh, the Eagles' most important player will be sitting on the bench and not wearing her uniform.

Senior guard Nicole Ryan hasn't made a shot, passed or dribbled a ball since she tore her Achilles' tendon in early December. But second-seeded AU wouldn't be playing for its first NCAA tournament bid without her.

"She's pretty much irreplaceable on this team," said teammate Michelle Kirk, the Patriot League player of the year. "She helps with so many different aspects on and off the court. She helps hold this team together, pulls us tighter during games when we need it, and she's always in our ears telling us what we should be doing. Honestly, I think she's the hardest working player that has been on this team."

To read the rest of the article by Kathy Orton of the Washington Post, click here.