Iowa head women’s basketball coach Jan Jensen confirmed that senior guard Sydney Affolter is ahead of schedule in her injury return.
Iowa announced in early October that Affolter would be sidelined until early November after undergoing a successful surgical scope of her knee.
Now, Jensen and Iowa are preparing for the opportunity that Affolter might play tonight versus Northern Illinois in the Hawkeyes’ season opener.
“We’re so thankful that she’s ahead of schedule and that’s not surprising. I don’t know if I’ve really coached anyone as tough. Certainly, she’s probably in the Megan Gustafson category, right. Kate Martin-esque. She didn’t really want to sit out, and then when she had to, it was clear before any procedure happened that she would be back earlier.
“And she is. We’re going to work her in slowly. Hopefully we can get a few more reps in practice today and a few more tomorrow. It would be wonderful if she could see some minutes on Wednesday, because then after Wednesday as you all know, we really start to tick up. Really happy with her progress and just so fit and really fit in her mind, too, which is great,” Jensen said of Affolter’s recovery on Monday.
Affolter averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 steals per game last season. The 5-foot-11 guard shot 55.2% from the floor, 41.4% from 3-point range and 83.0% from the free throw line.
Alongside senior guard Lucy Olsen and junior forward Hannah Stuelke, Affolter is expected to be one of the Hawkeyes key offensive cogs.
Affolter discussed what her journey back has been like with the Des Moines Register.
“It’s been hard sitting out,” Affolter said. “I want to be out there competing with them, but I know it’s a very long season. It’s only been about six weeks, so I’ve just got to play it by ear and see how my knee feels. But hopefully quite soon. I’ve been doing a lot of cardio outside of basketball and strength training to get my muscles back to where they were. Then finally getting back into basketball these last two weeks.
“… I’m very glad I got it done. It was definitely needed. But just working to get my muscles back up to where they were and getting back up to speed and on the floor is my main concern. It’s a very long season. There are a lot of games to be played. I don’t want to push it too early for it not to be completely 100 percent in January. Rehab has been going great, and I think just really trusting the process and really listening to myself and how my body feels.”
Iowa tips off its season on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. CT against Northern Illinois (1-0).
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