After a freshman season that consisted of ranking in the Top 10 in the Ohio Valley Conference in assists, scoring 10.5 points per game, winning the OVC Freshman of the Week award three consecutive times and breaking the EIU freshman record for free throw percentage (.852) and 3-pointers made in a season (36), Eastern Illinois guard Megan Edwards hit a bump in the road. 

Last November, she suffered a knee injury that required season ending surgery and was forced to sit out the entire 2006-07 regular season. Despite suffering the devastating knee injury Edwards worked hard getting her fitness back, rehabbing her knee and has now returned the Panthers starting lineup.

Edwards was cleared to play June 14, which was the six-month mark from the time of her surgery. Like any competitive athlete Edwards wanted to be back on the floor as soon as possible but realized that she had to wait the entire six-month duration after having surgery.

"It was tough having to sit and watch on the sidelines," Edwards said. "There were times were I felt like I could definitely play, but I really couldn’t."

This was the first major injury of Edwards’ career. She said the toughest part of the rehab process was not healing the knee but regaining the strength in her leg muscles. Edwards took her rehab day by day and worked hard in the weight room to gain back what she had lost.

Edwards said her teammates helped her through having to sit and watch the entire season. Current teammate Maggie Kloak and former teammate Megan Scaggs both suffered the same type of knee injury that Edwards did and helped her realize that hope was not lost and that she could recover and come back at full strength.

"My teammates and family members were telling me it was ok. They were there for me," added Edwards.

She also credits the EIU training staff for working with her every day, and keeping her focused on getting healthy, strong and back on the floor.

Despite having to sit out the entire season, there were some positives that came from being injured. Edwards was able to redshirt and salvage an extra season since the injury came during the preseason. She also was able to see that the coach has a clear perspective of the game and the adjustments that coaches make during the game are accurate, even if the players do not agree.

"Sitting on the sidelines made me realize that the coaches can see where mistakes are happening and how to change them," Edwards said. "It was an interesting year and I was able to learn a lot."

Now that Edwards is back on the floor for the Panthers, she and her teammates have set high goals for this season. The team has set stepping stones for themselves. First, they want to be a top seed in the conference and host a first round OVC tournament game and eventually play themselves into the NCAA tournament.

Since the team returns all but one player from last season’s roster, their future looks bright. However, Edwards and the rest of the Panther women are not looking too far ahead.

"It helps to have everyone come back and we know that we are a young team with everyone coming back," Edwards said. "We have to try and focus on the present more than the future and take games one at a time."

Edwards’ personal goals for this season include doing anything to help the team win and have a solid assist/turnover ratio. She hopes she can be even better than she was her freshman season and is looking forward to conference play and competing in the OVC.

Story by Eric Saxton - EIU Sports Information Intern