Sept. 27, 2002
WACO, Texas - Junior all-America candidate Stevie Nicholas will miss an undetermined amount of time due to a knee injury, head coach Brian Hosfeld announced here Friday.
Nicholas, a two-time first-team all-Big 12 selection from Fullerton, Calif., has a torn medial-meniscus in her right knee. She sustained the injury Sept. 19 in Baylor's match against Colorado.
"This is unfortunate for Stevie," Hosfeld said. "No one is more disappointed than she is, and it is really difficult for her to not be on the court. Stevie is a tough person and we have no doubt that she will overcome this injury."
Nicholas leads the Big 12 Conference with 5.45 kills, 0.95 service aces and 6.81 points per game. She also ranks fifth nationally in service aces and 11th nationally in kills. Nicholas has been the Big 12 kills leader in 34 of 35 weeks during her career.
In other news, junior libero Sarah Braga underwent surgery Friday for a torn labrum in her right shoulder. Braga, who missed the majority of her freshman season with a knee injury, is out for the remainder of the season. Junior outside hitter Lisa Smith has also left the team for personal reasons. Smith missed the entire 2001 season with a torn ACL.
"Sarah is familiar with the process of coming back from an injury and the stresses of not being able to play," Hosfeld said. "Sarah has made great strides as a player and was definitely going to contribute for us this season. It's unfortunate that she's had yet another set back at this point in her career."
Baylor also added middle blocker Lindsey Long to the roster Thursday. A 6-1 middle blocker from Dallas, Texas, Long joins the Bears after spending two years with Baylor's club team.
"What we must do now is focus on who we have here," Hosfeld said. "We're asking people to play out of position and do things they have not been comfortable with. But we're looking forward to seeing them step up to the challenge and find a way to be successful."
Baylor returns to Big 12 Conference action Saturday, traveling to Norman, Okla., for a 2 p.m. CDT match against Oklahoma. The Bears swept the season series with the Sooners last year, winning in three games both in Waco and at Norman.
