Copyright Boulder Daily Camera
Although Wednesday’s exhibition game didn’t count as an official game, it certainly mattered to Maeve McErlane. A junior guard for the Colorado women’s basketball team, McErlane suited up and played minutes under the lights for the first time in about 20 months during the matchup against Colorado School of Mines. “It was just surreal,” she said. “Being able to play with girls who believe in you and just a coaching staff that, really, they let you go out there and they let you be the player that you are, it’s just like a breath of fresh air.” One of 10 newcomers for the Buffs, McErlane spent the past three seasons at DePaul, but missed the entire 2024-25 season with a torn labrum in her hip. Her last official game was March 8, 2024, against Seton Hall in the Big East Tournament. “Anytime someone’s been out, it’s wonderful to see them back on the floor, especially a kid like Maeve because she’s such a great teammate and she works so hard and she’s always positive and upbeat,” CU head coach JR Payne said. “She’s very easy to root for, just as a human being. So it’s great to see her out there.” McErlane, who is from Philadelphia, has been healthy and participating throughout the offseason for the Buffs. She averaged 4.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists as a starter for DePaul in 2023-24. Against Mines, McErlane scored two points and was unofficially just 1-for-8 from the floor (0-for-6 from 3-point range), but she wasn’t too concerned about the missed shots. “I was missing some shots, but the bench and the coaches, they were lifting me up,” she said. “Just being a part of an environment like that is truly something special. “I’m just really excited to see what this team can do this year and just to be a part of that is awesome. Just to be back, it’s surreal and I’m so glad that I’m healthy and able to able to be in there.” The Buffs have a talented group of guards, including Kennedy Sanders, Desiree Wooten and Anna Gooden at the point. Zyanna Walker, Claire O’Connor and Isa Hamalainen will also be factors in the backcourt. How Payne uses those players in the rotation remains to be seen, but McErlane brings a steady, veteran presence and she’s enjoying the start of her time with the Buffs. “It’s been great,” she said. “The offense that we run is just literally for everyone. There’s always opportunities for each and every player. So when you get your open shot, the coaches, they want you to take it.” McErlane wasn’t hesitant with her shot against Mines and said she never really thought about her past injury, thanks in part to trainers Chris Miller and Adam Ringler. “Before I came here, I did a lot to come back, and Chris our trainer, Adam our strength trainer and the coaches have done so much to be able to put my body in a position to be out there and not have to think about the injury,” she said. “What I think of is that I’m a healthy basketball player and I need to go out there and I need to do my job and execute for this team.” McErlane did admit there were nerves before the game against Mines, but those stemmed mainly from the 20-month wait to get back on the court. “There was some good pre-game jitters, but I would say that they were some good excited nerves,” she said. “Going into games you want to have those nerves. It helps get your adrenaline going and helps get you focused. I would say they were happy nerves and just happy to be out there, but we went out there and we did our job.”
