Jan. 31, 2006
Gonzaga University women's basketball senior Ashley Anderson was hit with one of the worst cases of bad luck last year as she suffered two hardships and had to watch from the bench as the Bulldogs completed their best season in school history. Anderson was off to another All-West Coast Conference type season with 8.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest. The first hardship came in the most unlikely of situations as Anderson tore her anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during starting introductions prior to the Dec. 18 game against the University of Idaho. The 6-0 forward from Enterprise, Ore., then had to watch as Gonzaga ran off 23-straight wins and earned the school's first national ranking.
Anderson's second hardship came as a spectator for the Zags during their second round Women's NIT contest in Springfield, Mo. Following the team flight to St. Louis, Anderson had to be hospitalized to have her appendix removed, missing the Bulldogs tour of the Midwest.
This season Anderson has put all of that behind her and has been instrumental in leading Gonzaga to some early season success in the WCC race. She is averaging 17.1 points and 9.9 rebounds through the Zags first seven WCC games with five double-doubles to her credit. An honorable mention All-WCC honoree as a sophomore, Anderson appears headed towards another spot on the All-WCC list as she winds up her roller coaster career at Gonzaga.
Anderson took a few moments to sit down for a question and answer session to talk about her experiences as a Zag.
How did it feel to have to battle back from such a devastating injury?
Anderson: "At first it was tough not just physically, but mentally also. Now I am dealing with the injury much better. It just takes time."
What do you expect out of the rest of the season?
Anderson: "We had a rough pre-season, which I think helped us a lot. I think that as the season goes on we will peak at the right time and be successful for the rest of the season."
Do you have any special routines that you do to prepare yourself for games?
Anderson: "Yes, I take a nap before every game, and during the coaches talk I always eat a snickers bar. I also wear the same pair of spandex for every game."
Were you a highly recruited athlete in high school? What made you decided to pick GU?
Anderson: "Yes, I was recruited by most of the teams in the conference and some teams outside the conference, like Oregon State and Colorado. I picked GU because it was close to home and I have been interested in coming here for a long time. I also really got along with the coaching staff that recruited me."
How did it feel not to be physically part of the teams' success last year?
Anderson: "It was really hard not to be part of what happened. I am a very competitive person. I tried my best to keep myself involved in the team as much as possible. I always cheered them on from the bench and made sure that I was in every huddle. It is easy to let yourself feel left out if you allow it."
What actions did you take to prepare yourself to come back and be successful this year?
Anderson: "I stayed here all summer so that I could continue with my rehab and treatment. All fall I worked with the trainers to strengthen my knee. At the beginning of the season I was still not ready to do the team stuff, so I would come in on my own to practice on top of the team practices."
Your level of play had increased since the start of conference play, what made you make the change?
Anderson: "When Bailey (Anne) got sick the whole team had to step it up, but I felt I was going to have to pick up a lot of the slack. I think I just finally reached my full potential, also it is my senior year and I won't have this opportunity again."
Where is your favorite place that the team has traveled to since your freshman year?
Anderson: "Virgin Islands."
Story by Jessica Murray
