Despite an injury ridden career, patience has finally rewarded Tracy Holscher with a starting role on the 1995 SIUC women’s basketball team.

The five-foot-eight-inch senior guard from Fowler, Ind. recently answered Saluki coach Cindy Scott’s call, starting in SIUC’s last two games against Murray State University and Tennessee Tech University.

Though happy to answer coach Cindy Scott’s request for senior leadership, Holscher said she was somewhat surprised at how suddenly she was thrust into a starting role.

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I was a bit surprised that I was going to start against Murray State, Holscher said. I’m very excited and very happy to have the chance.

Hampered by a series of injuries throughout her career at SIUC, the Murray State game marks Holscher’s first start in her career as a Saluki.

Holscher said she first learned she was starting while in the locker room prior to the game against Murray State.

Coach Scott didn’t mention too much about it, she said. She just posted the lineup in the locker room before the game and put the initials T.H. on the board. I assumed they stood for Theia Hudson.

Scott said the entire team has the utmost respect for Holscher and her ability to keep coming back after her injuries.

Tracy has always been a quiet leader and this team has a lot of admiration for Tracy, Scott said. She has overcome major back surgery and two knee injuries. She could have just gave up, but she didn’t.

The entire team has a lot of respect for her courage and ability to bounce back.

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Against Murray State, Holscher logged 14 minutes of playing time and hit two three-pointers to help pace the Salukis to their first win of the season. Holscher, however, struggled offensively against Tennessee Tech, hitting only one of three from the field.

Scott said she feels confident in Holscher’s ability as a player and said Holscher’s full potential has yet to come out.

It’s probably a little to early to evaluate Tracy right now, Scott said. She is very consistent as a shooter and I think Tracy has yet to show us her full potential.

Holscher said the Salukis need to get their offensive game back on track in order to win games.

So far this season has been disappointing, she said. We need to put everything together and smooth out our offense.

We need to have more confidence in each other and get used to playing with one another.

Since she is in her last season as a Saluki, Holscher said this year is perhaps the most crucial for her and her teammates.

This season is very important for us five seniors, she said. We have had some difficulties since we have been here and we want to get to the NCAA tournament this season.

We can get there, but we have a lot of work to do and a lot of people need to step up.

Holscher said while the Salukis’ defense remains solid, the offense needs work.

Our defense is improving a lot, but we need scoring, she said. We need people to step up offensively.

What is next for Holscher after the season has ended?

I can’t live without basketball, she said. Hopefully, I will be able to coach someday. I would really like to coach at the college level.