CLAIRE C. LAURENCE/Arizona Daily Wildcat Sophomore guard Katrina Lindner has recovered from two devastating knee injuries to average close to 10 minutes of playing time per game this season.

Australian Lindner returns from second ACL injury

Nothing has come easily in America for Katrina Lindner. A 5-foot-6 redshirt sophomore from Glengowrie, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia, Katrina came to the UA in 2001 as the first Aussie to play women's basketball under head coach Joan Bonvicini.

Lindner, whom her coach describes as a student-athlete who excels in the classroom and possesses tremendous leadership ability, has been an asset to the team, whether or not she's been able to contribute on the court.

"I think she's a good kid and someone who's unselfish, and someone who appreciates her opportunity here,"

Bonvicini said of Katrina. "The team really likes her a lot and respects her a lot."

In a country that doesn't place a high priority on basketball - Katrina says it's simply a "social," club-like sport Down Under - Katrina said she was attracted to the opportunity and fanfare that college hoops in the States has to offer.

"It was really hard to leave my family. We're very close," Katrina said. "But I needed to do it. I've had a great experience while I've been here and I still have more to go. In the end, it was the right choice, and my family knew that as well."

"I'd seen it on TV and things," Katrina added with a big smile. "It's pretty cool."

But America was cruel to Katrina upon arrival.

In her first on-court action as a Wildcat, Katrina suffered an injury that ended her 2001-02 season before it began. She tore the ACL in her right knee during the team's annual Red/Blue game - an injury that forced her to redshirt her first season at Arizona.

It would take Katrina six long, painful months to recover. But she was ready to go as 2002-03 came around. Though she saw limited playing time, she was playing. She saw action in the point guard role - her natural position, according to Bonvicini. And she was having fun.

Best of all: For the first time in a Wildcat uniform, Katrina was beginning to contribute like she, her teammates and her coach knew she could. And then it happened again. This time, her left ACL gave out - on the last play of practice. Immediately, Katrina had a feeling. And she was in a state of disbelief.

"I kind of knew, and I didn't know, but I jumped to the conclusion that that's what it was, and that's what it ended up being," Katrina said. "It was really frustrating and really hard."

Katrina's second injury would cause her to miss the final 10 games of the 2002-03 season, including the Pac-10 and NCAA Tournament. Bonvicini said the toughest part for Katrina during her second rehab stint was knowing she was 12,000 miles away from her family.

This time, Katrina's mother flew out to Tucson to be with her daughter. And with the support of her mum, teammates and coaching staff, Katrina would once again bite the bullet and endure another six painful months of rehab to rejoin her teammates on the court.

"She had a great attitude. She worked hard in rehab," Bonvicini said. "I've never coached someone who's so selfless and put the team before herself."

"She's a great person. I just felt bad that that happened to her," said junior forward Danielle Adefeso, Katrina's teammate and roommate. "We just tried to keep her involved as much as possible. She was away from home - we just wanted to help any way we could."

'The people here are great," Katrina said. "The support was awesome from the coaches (and) players. Everyone kept me involved and I tried to keep involved any way that I could."

Adefeso said the team wanted to make sure Katrina remained an integral part of the team.

"She still helped out in practice, like in drills," Adefeso said. "The coach tried to keep her involved by keeping her in front of the bench."

Quitting was never an option to Katrina. She said she belongs in Tucson.

"I like it here. I'm having fun here," she said.

But Katrina said her comeback isn't complete. Not until she begins to play at the level that she and Bonvicini know she can. Katrina has definitely shown flashes of her ability. A long-distance specialist, she hit back-toback 3-point baskets in this season's final exhibition game.

The regular season has been a different story, however, as Katrina has made just two treys in the Wildcats' first 16 games.

"I'm glad to be back and I'm glad to be playing, (but) I know I can play better than what I am right now," Katrina said. "That's frustrating, but it'll come. It'll come with playing. I mean, I basically haven't played for two years."

Katrina says her shooting struggles have become somewhat psychological.

"You second-guess yourself to a degree," Katrina said. "But it's just a matter of getting (practice) and shooting everyday."

Regardless of her struggles, Bonvicini has no doubt that Katrina will reveal her talent in total before her time at the UA is done.

"I definitely believe that," Bonvicini said. "I think so much is confidence and getting back in the groove." "When you start believing in yourself and others around you believe in you, good things will happen," Bonvicini added. "It'll happen."