Injuries play a big role in sports, and the University of Charleston women's basketball team knows all about that.
The Golden Eagles lost their top player, Chyress Lockhart, to a season-ending knee injury prior to last season, and despite the big blow, UC still finished with a share of the Mountain East Conference regular-season title.
Lockhart has returned for the Golden Eagles, which gives them a big boost as they open the season Friday against Edinboro in the MEC-PSAC Challenge hosted by West Virginia State.
UC was voted second in the MEC preseason coaches poll, giving Golden Eagle fourth-year coach Adam Collins high aspirations for the upcoming season.
"I understand a lot of people put a lot of weight on Chyress coming back," Collins said. "We knew there would be expectations. And we have high expectations, too. They are warranted. I think we will be very good at some point and play at a high level."
Lockhart was a first-team All-MEC selection two years ago before her injury forced her to miss the entire 2014-15 season, and Collins is ecstatic to have her back.
"She will be a major factor for us," Collins said. "Having her back is a huge deal. She is a very strong-minded player and her past injury doesn't seem to be bothering her. She is playing even better than I think she thought she would at this point."
Collins believes taking the year off has made Lockhart an even bigger leader than she already was for the Golden Eagles.
"I think there is truth in learning by sitting and paying more attention and seeing things from a different prospective," Collins said. "I think she really learned about being more of a leader in her year off. Game by game, she will become even more comfortable now that she is back."
While Lockhart is back, Collins and the Golden Eagles have been dealt another blow. Chelsea Chambers, a starter, has been lost for the season with a knee injury.
"The key for us is health," Collins said. "Unfortunately, Chelsea suffered her second knee injury and will never probably step foot on the court again. Through her hard work, she went from a walk-on to what I think could have been an all-conference player."
In Chambers' absence, UC will turn to freshman Abby Watson, a former Hurricane standout. Collins expects the former Kanawha Valley Player of the Year to step right in and play even more than what was previously anticipated.
"We were hoping to maybe ease Abby into it a little bit and not necessarily throw her right out there right off the bat," Collins said. "But with the current situation of Chelsea's injury, it is going to put her out there."
Collins likes what Watson brings to the table.
"She is a very strong, physical player," he said. "She has shown she is a more rounded player than what people saw at Hurricane. She was known for her scoring and shooting, but she is a lot better passer and team player, too. That's what I'm most impressed by with her.
"Abby is going to be a great player. All the ability is there. In my mind, she will definitely be one of, if not the most talented freshmen in the league. As long as her confidence stays, she will be in the running for the Mountain East freshman of the year. Also being in the top five scorers and all those records at UC is attainable to her."
Rounding out the starting lineup for UC expects to be post players Monet Saunders and Kiara Johnson, along with Marissa Koob.
"You can't feel too bad when you have three girls who in their own right could be first-team all-conference or even conference player of the year players," Collins said. "I think all three in Chyress, Monet, and KJ have the ability to do that."
"I think we are definitely more top heavy and have more star power than we have had in the past. I like what I see. We aren't going to be deep. We can't afford any more injuries."
Collins expects the post to be the team's biggest strength, and is looking forward to what his slew of players at that position will bring to the team.
"We will have five post players who can go out and win games for us," Collins said. "In a day and age where most only play one post player, we could actually play three at a time, and may have to at times. We will figure it out but we are excited. The post isn't a problem."