Cathrine Kraayeveld, out since late December due to a staph infection in her right knee, may not have to sit out the rest of the season, as was originally reported.
The 6-foot-4-inch forward returned to the court recently, and said she has felt less pain in the knee while working out with the team.
“It’s pretty good,” she said of the knee. “It may get a little bit sore, but it’s been feeling pretty good. It’s mostly my endurance, being able to do everything and not have to come out. But I think I’ve been doing pretty well, considering I haven’t done very much.”
It had been reported in early January that it would be unlikely Kraayeveld would be able to return to the court in a game this season, whether it came during the Pacific-10 Conference’s regular season or tournament.
But because Oregon doctors have never had to rehabilitate an athlete with Kraayeveld’s type of injury — according to head coach Bev Smith — the team is unaware of whether she is behind or on schedule in her recovery.
“We think that she’s doing very well, and based on what she’s showing us, we’re quite happy with her progress,” Smith said.
The Ducks have just three games remaining at McArthur Court this season, including Saturday’s Civil War contest against Oregon State.
Oregon has a 5-4 record at the venue this season, including a 3-3 ledger in Pac-10 games.
Kraayeveld said she would love to return and play at Mac Court this season, even if it is just for a few minutes per game.
“I would hope so,” she said. “I think I’m doing pretty good. I’d love that, to see a few minutes here and there.”
“That could be a possibility, and I think it’s just playing it by ear,” Smith said. “Certainly, we don’t want to accelerate things and rush things, and put her in a position where she’s going to be vulnerable, like an injury. We’ll base it on her and our medical staff’s opinion.”
With the Pac-10 Tournament looming large — scheduled for March 7 through 10 in San Jose, Calif. — Kraayeveld’s possible return to the Ducks (5-8 Pac-10) could be important to the team.
“For what she’s been through, I think she looks great,” Smith said. “She’s a great athlete, an athlete that’s kind of like poetry in motion. So when you see her out there, I think she’s given us all a big lift because of the fact she’s been out there and able to contribute.”