Paige Meyer is currently finishing up her junior season as a guard for the Jackrabbits women’s basketball team. This season alone, Meyer has racked up a total of 444 points with 119 assists and 853 minutes played.
“This has been a special team,” Meyer said. “Winning the conference is exciting and shows all the hard work we have been through this season.”
The Jacks won the Summit League tournament and will now be moving onto the NCAA Tournament where in the first game they will be playing against Utah.
“I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity to continue our season,” Meyer said. “And to be able to continue to play with this group of girls.”
Toward the end of her freshman season, Meyer suffered an ACL injury which put her out for the rest of the season. With this injury, she wasn’t able to play in the Summit League Tournament.
“Injuries are a part of the game,” Meyer said. “There have been players before me that have gone through these things, although it was hard at the time and a process to get back, I was fortunate enough to have them help me get through the injury.”
Meyer spent that summer and half of her sophomore year doing rehab to try and recover so that she could return back to the court.
“Once my knee was ready to go it was about getting the basketball fundamentals back,” Meyer said. “As well as trying to find that confidence to play again.”
Meyer’s first game back after her ACL injury was against Oral Roberts last season, where the Jackrabbits won 83-80.
“Going into it at first I was a little nervous, because having had an injury, it was a mindset thing,” Meyer said. “But once I got up and down the court a few times I was more comfortable.”
Meyer has been a standout player this season starting in 26 games and sitting out three because of a stress fracture in her foot.
“I thought the best route would be to take a couple games off to let it rest,” Meyer said. “While it was only three games, having sat out half a season last year, I want to play in as many games as I can.”
Meyer was able to find a new perspective with having to sit out on games due to injury.
“You are able to see the game from a different side, especially sitting out my freshman year,” Meyer said. “I definitely learned a lot. It makes you appreciate the game a little more and not take those days for granted because you never really know when stuff like that is going to happen.”
Meyer’s injuries have also inspired her teammates to persevere when times get hard.
Senior teammate Tori Nelson said, seeing Meyer overcome her injuries has provided some extra motivation for the team to work hard and finish the season well.
“We have all witnessed Meyer’s strength and resilience she has displayed while dealing with her injuries,” Nelson said. “This has inspired us to play with a competitive edge and determination.”
The team when playing non conference games also likes to have a tough schedule to get them ready for what lies ahead in season.
“As a team we like to play a tough non-conference schedule,” Meyer said. “When conference season comes around, we like to set that goal of competing for a championship each year.”
The Jacks played against South Carolina during their non conference games where they lost 78-38. “They were definitely a very tough opponent for us,” Meyer said.