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The Daily OrangeWLAX | After 3rd ACL tear, Bissett still helping SU
By Christopher James
Posted: 5/7/08, 7:56 PM EST Section: Sports
"A lot of times when you have an injury, you over-compensate, and other things come up," Gait said. "Most people would've packed it in a long time ago."
Bissett has refused to quit, and is doing whatever she can to help the Orange. Scott Robinson, Bissett's basketball and lacrosse coach at Mt. Hebron (Md.) High School, said the senior has a tremendous lacrosse I.Q. that she was used as an assistant coach on his AAU team in 2005. Bissett's roommate and starting defender Christina Gibson said her friend is invaluable even if she can't make the field.
"She helps me see cutters, like if I don't see someone open," Gibson said. "It's like having another set of eyes out there with me, another voice out there with me."
Bissett's been able to pass her knowledge along to the younger players, Gait said. The coach added it's been great to have an experienced and successful player on the sideline to help out.
"She's helping us on the sidelines," Gait said. "She's working with the younger players. She's really a key part of the team even if she may not be on the field."
In a way, it is the role Miller envisioned for the senior when she recruited her. As a back defender, Miller said she wanted Bissett to direct traffic and see the entire field.
"She has a coach's brain," Miller said. "She's a field general. That's why I recruited her."
Last season, the defensive unit suffered through a number of injuries, making Bissett's help critical as young faces were thrust into the lineup. With the team scrambling to fill holes, Bissett took players aside and even noticed things Miller missed.
Now, Bissett is trying to do the same with Gait. With her latest injury, Gait is encouraging her to take it easy and work with the young players to improve the defense. Miller said her heart goes out to Bissett.
"If you're a competitive personality, initially (an injury) doesn't all sink in," Miller said. "Depression isn't the right word, but you have to realign your role on the team. First there was disbelief, then there was anger, and then, 'This is awful'. (Finally), she settled into a teaching role."
chjames@syr.edu
Bissett has refused to quit, and is doing whatever she can to help the Orange. Scott Robinson, Bissett's basketball and lacrosse coach at Mt. Hebron (Md.) High School, said the senior has a tremendous lacrosse I.Q. that she was used as an assistant coach on his AAU team in 2005. Bissett's roommate and starting defender Christina Gibson said her friend is invaluable even if she can't make the field.
"She helps me see cutters, like if I don't see someone open," Gibson said. "It's like having another set of eyes out there with me, another voice out there with me."
Bissett's been able to pass her knowledge along to the younger players, Gait said. The coach added it's been great to have an experienced and successful player on the sideline to help out.
"She's helping us on the sidelines," Gait said. "She's working with the younger players. She's really a key part of the team even if she may not be on the field."
In a way, it is the role Miller envisioned for the senior when she recruited her. As a back defender, Miller said she wanted Bissett to direct traffic and see the entire field.
"She has a coach's brain," Miller said. "She's a field general. That's why I recruited her."
Last season, the defensive unit suffered through a number of injuries, making Bissett's help critical as young faces were thrust into the lineup. With the team scrambling to fill holes, Bissett took players aside and even noticed things Miller missed.
Now, Bissett is trying to do the same with Gait. With her latest injury, Gait is encouraging her to take it easy and work with the young players to improve the defense. Miller said her heart goes out to Bissett.
"If you're a competitive personality, initially (an injury) doesn't all sink in," Miller said. "Depression isn't the right word, but you have to realign your role on the team. First there was disbelief, then there was anger, and then, 'This is awful'. (Finally), she settled into a teaching role."
chjames@syr.edu
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