Hawkeyes host Northwestern on Sunday
KCJJ Staff
03/02/19
Three players, three different paths, one final celebration.
While everyone knows Megan Gustafson’s story at this point, two other seniors will also have their careers celebrated when 12th-ranked Iowa takes the court for the regular season-ending game on Sunday. Tania Davis has been a four-year starter, though it may not feel like it after she had two seasons cut short due to knee injuries.
“Coming into my senior year it was a goal of mine to be out there and actually playing on Senior Day,” Davis said of her doubts at the time of the second injury of that happening. “I set a bunch of goals at the beginning of the year and that was my number one goal: to stay healthy throughout my senior season. So, I’ve definitely accomplished that one. Got a few of games to go – knock on wood. But, just being out there on Senior Day has definitely been something that I’ve been looking forward to since the last injury.”
Meanwhile, Hannah Stewart has faced her own trials. While she’s avoided injury, she’s had to fight to see the court, sitting behind Gustafson and Chase Coley before getting into the starting lineup this season and ranking third in points per game and second in rebounds.
She says despite their different paths, this senior group has created a bond.
“Just kind of the fight that we’ve all had in different ways: you know, Megan making her way up to the status that she is, me maybe gaining more of a role on the team, and then Tania going through two surgeries, we’ve just always been there for each other,” Stewart said. “I don’t know if I have two greater confidants on the team than them. They are also texting me and encouraging me when I need it and vice versa when we need it. That’s just such a cool relationship to have.”
Head coach Lisa Bluder says that bond has become evident, not just with each other but with the place they’ve formed it, as well.
“I think they love Iowa,” Bluder said. “I mean, all three of those women are out of state. All three of them would be considered Iowans right now. They consider themselves Iowans. They believe in the University of Iowa, they believe in this team so much. And when you are invested that much, it makes it harder to bail when things go south. It makes it harder to bail when you’re not getting your playing time or when you get injured.
“When you’re that invested, when you love something that much, it’s just easier to go through the grind.”
More time on the court will most likely be in Gustafson’s future, while Davis says “if she’s not too old and my knees allow me” she would like to continue her playing career, as well. Otherwise she plans to get into coaching in some capacity.
The Hawkeyes host Northwestern Sunday for Senior Day, with tipoff at 3 p.m. and the game being aired on BTN.