The adversity, the first real test, hit early.
UNLV point guard Nikki Wheatley went down for the basketball season Dec. 19 against Oregon State with a torn meniscus.
The Lady Rebels had been rolling up to that point, going 8-1 with victories over Southern California and Mississippi. Including that Oregon State game, they then lost four of five, but got back on track and made a push all the way to the postseason.
“This team has been tough throughout the year,” coach Kathy Olivier said. “We fought through adversity many times. They’re a very competitive group, and they know if something goes wrong, we can’t let that affect us.