Back from her second ACL injury in three years, Notre Dame senior point guard Niele Ivey was a key player for the 27-5 Fighting Irish.

When people talk about this year's fantastic Notre Dame women's basketball team, the first two names they mention are freshman phenom Alicia Ratay, who was named Big East Rookie of the Year, and All-American junior center Ruth Riley.

But the woman who is at the top of the key leading the team every game is not always talked about. Her name is Niele Ivey, and she is a major reason the Fighting Irish had a great season. After topping Seton Hall on January 11, Notre Dame Head Coach Muffett McGraw said, "Niele is playing like an All-American right now. She is the best point guard in the league if not in the country."

During her senior season, the 5'8" Ivey averaged 11.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while racking up 194 assists. She earned second-team all-Big East honors and helped the Fighting Irish to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, where they fell to Texas Tech.

A graduate of CorJesu High School in St. Louis, Mo., Ivey talked to Gball about how it feels to wear the blue and gold of Notre Dame, what it's like having a WNBA player as an assistant coach, and what young players should know about college ball.

Gball: You suffered your first ACL injury five games into your collegiate career and a second ACL tear two years later. What was it like having to come back from those and was one rehab more difficult than the other?
Ivey: The first one [in her right knee] was kind of a slap in the face and was really hard to come back from because I didn't really know what to expect during the whole rehabilitation process. I had heard about ACL injuries from other athletes and fellow teammates, but I never thought it could happen to me. And that was my first-ever big injury. So that was pretty hard to handle. It was also my freshman year, and coming in and having to sit out and only watch was kind of difficult for me to cope with. Plus, that was the year we went to the Final Four, so I feel like I missed out on a lot of things because of that injury. But I think I bounced back from it and I started playing even better than I'd played before.

The second one [in her left knee] happened in my junior year, and a repeat injury was something I had worried about once I was back. Would it happen to me again and would I have to go through it all again? That was always haunting me in the back of my mind. And when it happened I couldn't believe it. When I went down I was screaming because I knew that it was another ACL tear. It was the same type of feeling, but I was hoping for the best. I was hoping it was just a sprained knee or something. The second comeback was easier in some ways and harder in others. It was easier for me because the second time around I came back a lot quicker and I knew what to expect from the rehab. But it was more difficult because I knew how it was going to feel and that was discouraging at times. It was reassuring to know that I could come back from it, but it's hard to deal with having to go through that type of surgery twice. I knew, though, that through a lot of hard work, rehab and hours put in on my knee that I would get back to where I was, because I did it the first time.

It's rough to go through, but I think I've learned a lot from these experiences and they've made me into a much stronger person.

Now that you have rehabbed off your injury, what parts of your game are you working on this season?
I'm trying to step up every aspect of my game and, actually, I want to be more of a scorer this year. Plus, I'm a captain this year, so I want to lead us into doing well this season and be a leader for our team in any way that I can.

Last year you were named as the team's Co-MVP and were named to the University's Monogram Club. How did that make you feel?
I was so excited about that last year, because that was the point that I went down with my knee. Just to realize that I have had an impact on our team, for them to tell me that, and to achieve that goal was just so great for me. I'm always working to do something for our team and it was like they were very appreciative of my efforts. I was just thankful that I have so much support here.

What is the best part about playing college ball?
I think the best part is all the traveling. That's one thing I always wanted to do. I wanted to travel and become a well-rounded person, and I think I've gotten that opportunity by coming here. And then there's all the people I've met along the way--the people I've played with and against, like Beth Morgan (ND '97) and Catrina Gaither (ND '97). I also work with Coquese Washington. She's from the WNBA and she's one of our coaches. So it's provided me with so many opportunities all around.

What has it been like working with Coquese Washington?
(New York Liberty player recently traded to the new Portland franchise) She's a very intense coach and player. She'll get out there and practice against us and just tears us apart. She's so good and she knows the game so well. Having her as a coach gives us such an advantage, I think, because she can tell you exactly what you did and why you did it. Also, playing against her lets you realize how much you need to work on your game to get to the next level, because she's the perfect example for you. If we do anything good against Coquese it's like a party because you feel like, "Wow, she's in the WNBA and I just took her to the basket!"

Is being a student-athlete in college different than being a student-athlete in high school?
The levels are so different. First of all, I think there's a lot more time spent in your sport. Also, responsibility is a big thing and there's a lot more self-discipline involved. For example, you have a lot more freedom in college than you do in high school and you have to learn how to manage your time. You're working out more hours of the day, like 6 a.m. workouts, or you might stay in the gym until eight or nine o'clock at night, and you have to be responsible and accountable for everything you do. You don't have your parents there telling you need to do your homework anymore. That's something that you have to set aside for yourself and do for yourself.

As a captain, your team relies on you to lead them. What's your philosophy on leadership?
The way that I've gotten to this point is by working hard. And I think that if kids out there realize that it's all about working hard and having a great work ethic, then you can go out there, and play, and not say a word, and just lead by example. You have to realize that in order to be successful you have to put in the work and work extremely hard to get to whatever your goals are.

Do you have any aspirations to play in the WNBA?
Yes, I do. I am hoping to play another year here, though. I red-shirted my first year, so I have to petition and do a lot of paper work in order to come back. In high school, it was always a dream of mine to play collegiate basketball. And now that there is another level to go to, I would love to be a part of that. So I think that's what I'm really striving towards.

And if you don't make one of the WNBA teams, would you consider playing in Europe?
I would love to. I love the game so much that my feeling is if I'm healthy, I'd love to keep playing.

Aside from basketball, what are your career goals?
I'm an education and history major, so I think I'd like to go back and help children‹either as an elementary education teacher, or maybe as a coach‹ to show people what I've been through and help people along, the way others have helped me.

Why did you decide to go to Notre Dame?
Out of the choices that I had, I thought Notre Dame was the most well-rounded program regarding athletics and academics. I came from an all-girls Catholic school, so this environment is kind of like the continuation of my high school experience. Everything was here at Notre Dame‹the fan support, the tradition. And when I came here for a visit it felt like home. Everybody was very welcoming and very cordial to me, and I thought it was the perfect place for me to be. Plus, I'm from St. Louis, which is only five hours away, so it wasn't too far from home. I knew that if my parents wanted to make that trip up here they could.

What's it like to play for a school with such a huge athletic tradition?
I think it's awesome. There are so many good teams and great athletes that attend here. Our women's soccer team was in the NCAA Final Four in December. And our football team is always good. Everyone contributes to the tradition here, and I'm just glad to be a part of it.

Do you follow the women's soccer team?
Yes, I have a lot of friends on that team. Kelly Lindsey (junior defender and captain) went through a couple of knee surgeries too, and I really got to know her while working out in the training room last year and during this past summer. I'm just happy see them go far. As a woman athlete, it's like we're all contributing to the same goal.

Has the football team's first losing season since 1986 had any effect on the student-athletes' morale?
I think you're always disappointed if a team doesn't do as well as they're expected to do, but I think for us (the women's basketball team) we felt like, "You know, we'll step it up for Notre Dame and put us back on the map in athletics." So it just created a challenge for every team to do well. We all support each other and I think that's great to do regardless of the season.

Lots of teams are superstitious about winning. Are there any little rituals that you do for good luck before games?
Of course we pray before every game, but as a team we all get down and have imagery sessions. It's like quiet time. We all hold each other's hands and we just imagine what we want to do on the court. And we always sing "Lean On Me." It's just a kind of fun thing to do.

What advice would you give young girls hoping to play college hoops?
My mom told me once that academics are so important and basketball is your escape. So you have to put things into perspective. Besides working hard on your game, you have to work hard in all aspects of your life. That means school first, and then basketball should be your escape, something you can relax and do.

Tell us your picks for this year's women's Final Four?
Notre Dame, and UConn, North Carolina, and NC State.

Any parting words of wisdom?
Never take anything for granted and to seize every opportunity you have.

Interview conducted December, 1999, by Gball Assistant Editor Shelly Wilson