IOWA CITY - When the 23rd-ranked Iowa women's basketball team takes on the University of Wisconsin on Wednesday in Madison, sophomore Carly Mohns won't be on the court with the Hawkeyes.
Mohns, a 6-foot-1 forward for Iowa, suffered a torn meniscus in her knee in practice three weeks ago and had surgery. Mohns, a 2014 Brodhead High School graduate, said she will meet with Iowa coaches later this year to determine whether she will apply for a medical redshirt with the NCAA due to her injury.
"It's definitely a bummer," Mohns said of her season-ending injury. "I wanted to be able to play in that game. There is nothing I can do about it. Hopefully, fans can come to the game next year in Iowa to watch me play."
Mohns averaged 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in the nine games she played this season for the Hawkeyes, who are off to a 12-4 overall start and are 2-2 in the Big Ten. She was shooting 52 percent and was 2 of 9 (22.2 percent) on 3-pointers.
As a freshman, Mohns played in 14 games, averaging 4.6 minutes a game. This season, she was averaging almost 14 minutes a game.
Since sustaining her injury, Mohns has still been attending practice and shootarounds to work on her rehabilitation.
"It's tough," she said. "Being able to play more was special and fun. I hope to develop my strength and come back stronger."
Mohns is working on pool exercises, cardio and weight training during practices. She is wearing a brace now that limits her mobility. She can only bend her knee so far, but she knows it comes with the territory after suffering the injury.
She isn't a stranger to injuries. Mohns suffered a torn ACL late in her sophomore basketball season at Brodhead.
"I was thankful it wasn't an ACL," she said of her most recent injury. "The recovery time with the torn meniscus is less, and you can do more exercises. I'm working on strengthening my quads and my hip flexor."
The recovery time for her torn meniscus is four months compared to six months to a year for a torn ACL.
Mohns scored a career-high 11 points against Houston on Nov. 28 in the Hawkeyes' 64-50 win. Against Robert Morris on Dec. 6, Mohns had a career-high six rebounds.
Mohns, who is majoring in sports management, said the biggest adjustment going from high school to college basketball was the speed and physical play.
"You go up against a lot of big and strong girls at the Big Ten level," she said. "You have to match their strength, and the tempo of the game is a faster pace."
She continues to adapt and work on honing her skills at the college level.
"I have really been working on my outside shot and knocking down the 3-pointer," Mohns said.
Mohns is looking forward to a fresh start next season. With three seniors on this year's team, she understands there will be a chance to compete for an even bigger role.
"Next year, I'm hoping to get a starting spot," Mohns said. "I know there will be an open spot for me. I just have to come back strong from this injury and be ready to go next year."
Mohns, a 6-foot-1 forward for Iowa, suffered a torn meniscus in her knee in practice three weeks ago and had surgery. Mohns, a 2014 Brodhead High School graduate, said she will meet with Iowa coaches later this year to determine whether she will apply for a medical redshirt with the NCAA due to her injury.
"It's definitely a bummer," Mohns said of her season-ending injury. "I wanted to be able to play in that game. There is nothing I can do about it. Hopefully, fans can come to the game next year in Iowa to watch me play."
Mohns averaged 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in the nine games she played this season for the Hawkeyes, who are off to a 12-4 overall start and are 2-2 in the Big Ten. She was shooting 52 percent and was 2 of 9 (22.2 percent) on 3-pointers.
As a freshman, Mohns played in 14 games, averaging 4.6 minutes a game. This season, she was averaging almost 14 minutes a game.
Since sustaining her injury, Mohns has still been attending practice and shootarounds to work on her rehabilitation.
"It's tough," she said. "Being able to play more was special and fun. I hope to develop my strength and come back stronger."
Mohns is working on pool exercises, cardio and weight training during practices. She is wearing a brace now that limits her mobility. She can only bend her knee so far, but she knows it comes with the territory after suffering the injury.
She isn't a stranger to injuries. Mohns suffered a torn ACL late in her sophomore basketball season at Brodhead.
"I was thankful it wasn't an ACL," she said of her most recent injury. "The recovery time with the torn meniscus is less, and you can do more exercises. I'm working on strengthening my quads and my hip flexor."
The recovery time for her torn meniscus is four months compared to six months to a year for a torn ACL.
Mohns scored a career-high 11 points against Houston on Nov. 28 in the Hawkeyes' 64-50 win. Against Robert Morris on Dec. 6, Mohns had a career-high six rebounds.
Mohns, who is majoring in sports management, said the biggest adjustment going from high school to college basketball was the speed and physical play.
"You go up against a lot of big and strong girls at the Big Ten level," she said. "You have to match their strength, and the tempo of the game is a faster pace."
She continues to adapt and work on honing her skills at the college level.
"I have really been working on my outside shot and knocking down the 3-pointer," Mohns said.
Mohns is looking forward to a fresh start next season. With three seniors on this year's team, she understands there will be a chance to compete for an even bigger role.
"Next year, I'm hoping to get a starting spot," Mohns said. "I know there will be an open spot for me. I just have to come back strong from this injury and be ready to go next year."
