Jan. 5, 2007
University of Iowa Head Women’s Basketball Coach Lisa Bluder announced Friday that forward Johanna Solverson will sit out the remainder of the 2006-07 season and apply for a sixth year of eligibility.
“I think Johanna made a very wise decision because now we’ll have Johanna for a full year rather than having her at 40-50 percent for 10 games,” said Bluder. “She wants to end her basketball career on a positive note. This decision bodes well for the future of our program.”
Solverson, a fifth-year senior, suffered a second tear of the anterior cruciate ligament on her right knee during a Game Time League contest last June in North Liberty. Solverson sustained her first ACL injury in July 2005 in a “pick-up” game in Chicago.
“I don’t think I’m physically and mentally prepared to come back at this time,” said Solverson. “I believe this is the right decision after sitting down and listening to the coaching staff and my family. I’d rather finish my collegiate career with a full season. It will be exciting coming back next season with everyone coming back. But, it will be different because I haven’t really played with anyone except the current junior class.”
Solverson played in all but one game her first three seasons. The only game she missed was vs. Kansas State on December 12, 2003 due to an ankle injury. One of Iowa’s most versatile players, she boasts a career average of 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.02 assists and 1.67 steals in 94 games.
During the 2004-05 campaign, Solverson became only the second Iowa player to amass over 350 points, 125 assists and rebounds and 70 steals in a single season (Michelle Edwards). She averaged 10.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.12 assists and 2.12 steals in 33 contests. Her 4.12 assists average ranked third in the Big Ten and led all conference juniors.
The native of Lake Zurich, IL, ranks ninth in Iowa career assists (284), 12th in steals (157), 20th in rebounding (408) and 29th in scoring (802). She has scored in double figures 34 times in her career, including 17 times her junior season.
Solverson was named to the KCRG-TV9 Hawkeye Challenge all-Tournament team her freshman and junior seasons and was recognized on the 2003 all-Big Ten Freshman Team. She tied a Carver-Hawkeye Arena record for 3-point field goal percentage when she drained all four 3-point attempts vs. Southern Illinois on Nov. 19, 2004.
During Bluder’s tenure, Iowa has had three players sustain ACL injuries, a combined six times. In addition to Solverson suffering the same injury twice, guard Lindsay Richards sustained the injury three times and center Stacy Schlapkohl suffered her first ACL injury in December 2005.