By: Media Services Intern Jorgan Staker
Not many collegiate athletes can say that they had a second shot at their senior season. But for women's basketball player, Megan Cherry, this is the case. Last year, at the beginning of what would have been her final season, Cherry broke her arm, forcing her to take a medical redshirt. This event extended her basketball career at Nevada and the 5'9 shooting guard from Durango, Colorado is back to aid the Pack in what promises to be a very successful season.
"Breaking my arm was really hard for me," Cherry said. "It was probably one of the worst times that I have had here. It's hard enough not having an arm but even worse to have to watch what should have been your senior season. But in hindsight, I think it happened for the best because I get to play now, when we have some of the best opportunities."
Indeed this Nevada team seems to be very deep, led by six seniors and several returning players. Cherry is a very influential part of this talented squad, providing talent for the team not only on the floor but emotionally as well.
"When Megan broke her arm last year she was devastated," head coach Jane Albright said. "But this has made her one of the hungry seniors. She loves basketball, is a pure shooter, and really committed to this team and making them better."
Cherry says that while she does not expect to be a starter or the "go-to player" on this team, she is ready and willing to do anything in her power to help the team win or make the team better.
"I am here to do whatever my team needs me to do, whether it be through my role in shooting or my positive attitude," Cherry said.
Cherry has fulfilled both of these roles at Nevada, providing consistent shooting from all areas of the court, including from the free-throw line. Cherry hopes to continue to build on consistency that she established from her junior year, where she shot 35.6 percent from the floor, 31.7 percent from the three-point range and 82.8 percent from the free throw line.
Shooting is not the only area that Cherry provides consistency. The team considers the senior one of the emotional centers of the team with her bubbly, positive attitude. This is especially evident when she talks of her teammates and basketball.
"I'm just so excited for this season," Cherry said. "We have gotten better in every aspect of the game. We are stronger, faster and our mindset is different. We are more confident. Every person on the team knows how much potential we have and are determined to get there."
Once the basketball season is over, Cherry will work towards a dual degree in Spanish and business management. Cherry was originally just a Spanish major, but after breaking her arm, decided to pursue an additional major in order to play one more year. She plans on graduating in December of 2011 and hopes to have a career where she gets to travel a lot, possibly in a field like international business. She would also like to return to school and get a master's degree in sports administration.
Until then, she is enjoying her time at Nevada. She says that while playing basketball has made Nevada an awesome place to live, she says the best part of her experience has been all the relationships that she has formed with people.
"My favorite thing about this place is the people that I've met," Cherry said. "People definitely make the place. I have made some really good friends and had really good teammates and my experience just wouldn't be the same without them."
