As Maryland women’s basketball prepares for the upcoming season, a few familiar faces are set to return.

For Lea Bartelme, Bri McDaniel and Ava McKennie, preparing for the upcoming season has looked a little different than their teammates. 

All three spent significant time away last year due to injuries and now work toward the same goal: getting back to the game they missed.

The road back, however, has looked different for each player. 

A unique pathway for Lea Bartelme

Before her injury, Bartelme was finding her place in the lineup. She started the first four games of her freshman season and was impactful.  

Then, her season was abruptly cut short when she tore her ACL on Nov. 13 against Towson. 

After her injury, Bartelme was tasked with months of rehabilitation, where she had to relearn movement that used to feel automatic. 

“There are some days that are like some simple things that you can do. When I started walking, how do I walk again normal?” Bartelme said. “Like those small things that can frustrate you fast.”

Bartelme said she focused on taking rehab one day at a time, even when progress meant something as simple as learning how to walk normally again. 

Those around her served an important role in her recovery.  

“The people that were around me … They are there to support you,” Bartelme said. “At that time, I was just grateful that I have them.”

On top of relearning her body, Bartelme had to learn an entirely new way of life. 

Originally from Slovenia, adjusting to a whole new culture while navigating an injury was a challenge. 

“When I came here, I instantly said that that’s like just a family, like it’s a family feeling,” Bartelme said. “I really feel at home.”

As she gears up for this season, Bartelme remains confident.

“I feel ready and that I feel good in my body and that I don’t need to be scared,” Bartelme said.  “I’m just excited that I can play and I don’t need to think about it.”

Bartelme wasn’t alone in the recovery process; she had McKennie by her side. 

Ava McKennie isn’t fully cleared, but looks to get back on the fast break

McKennie tore her ACL last November after several productive performances. 

“It’s been a lot of strengthening for me after my injury,” McKennie said. “I tore my meniscus pretty bad and so we were a lot more focused on strengthening my quads.”

During her recovery process, she devoted a lot of time to her academics and giving back to the community. 

Job shadowing in New York allowed McKennie to explore potential career paths and working with companies like Maryland Made and serving as vice president of the Maryland Student-Athlete Advisory Committee improved her leadership skills.

“I’m hoping to get interested in consulting or wealth management, and I’ve made connections in that industry that I would not have made without getting involved with Maryland Made staff,” McKennie said. “I found a little bit more direction in my path for after college through this injury.” 

McKennie said these experiences not only made her a better person, but a better teammate. 

She has taken a larger role in helping her freshmen teammates adjust to college and be part of the team.

“It can be hard when you first get here,” McKennie said. “You’re not used to living on your own or things like that, so I really want to work hard to help them to adapt to being in college.”

As the season grows closer, McKennie is still working toward being fully cleared. Even so, she remains eager to return. 

“I’m most excited just to fast break. Oh my gosh, I missed a good fast break,” McKennie said.  “The feeling you get of being able all by yourself for some reason and just running full speed… fast breaks are like my love of basketball.” 

Bri McDaniel missed a season and a half, but now she’s finally back

For McDaniel, the wait has been even longer. 

The graduate student suffered a torn ACL on Jan. 14, 2025, against Minnesota. Before her injury, McDaniel had established herself as a star player. 

The injury kept McDaniel from playing for roughly a year and a half. 

“It was not a normal thing that I would go through,” McDaniel said. “I thought I’d be back in like the up-and-coming season.” 

Instead of dwelling, McDaniel said she tried to focus on smaller victories during her rehab. 

“It was a little hard, but it’s nothing that I couldn’t handle,” McDaniel said. “Just finding myself in those moments and not sticking in the sad moments, honestly.”

McDaniel has only played with McKennie out of all of the players on Maryland’s roster, making her return a little different. She isn’t just returning to the court; she is getting to know an entirely new group of teammates. 

“Just getting to know them and understanding them as a player has been good,” McDaniel said. “But just overall, super excited with this group. Like [we’re] just ready at home season.”

McDaniel admitted it could be nerve-wracking stepping back onto the court, but she remains confident. 

“It’s just been a long time and just trying to get the nerves and jitters out. That’s really where I’m at right now,” McDaniel said. “I’m super excited, especially with this team. Super excited just to get back out there and just showcase myself again.” 

Returning to the court has been a long process. 

Their paths have not been identical, but they still had each other to lean on. Bartelme recalls how it was nice knowing she had McKennie and McDaniel to relate to. 

“You know that sometimes you just need a hug, ’cause you were the same, like you went through the same thing,” Bartelme said.

The road back to the court has been difficult for Bartelme, McKennie and McDaniel, but their shared experiences have brought them closer. As they enter the upcoming season, they are ready to return to the game they love together.