ROBINSON

Exhibition game dawns a new era for Lady Bulldogs

By: MANIK K. GUPTA

Posted: 11/5/08

Replacing a post player who averaged 16.7 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game is difficult.

Unfortunately for the Lady Dogs, this is their situation following the graduation of All-American Tasha Humphrey.

And little-used reserve Rebecca Rowsey exhausted her eligibility, leaving the door open for redshirt junior forward Angel Robinson to step into the mix in the post.

Robinson's path to today has been more difficult than she had imagined when she committed to Georgia out of Marietta High School.

Nearly two minutes after checking in to her first game as a freshman, the 6-foot-5 Robinson tore the ACL in her left knee and subsequently redshirted.

Even though sitting on the bench and watching the team participate was difficult for the helpless Robinson, she called her first year a "blessing."

"I took a year to take a look at the game, learn the plays, and by the time that I came out for my redshirt year, I knew what was going on," Robinson said.

"You can't take back the time it happened. You just have to keep going, and make sure you get stronger for the next year."

During her rehabilitation period, Robinson observed how Humphrey and other veterans carried themselves in practice and in the locker room, while patiently waiting for her opportunity to come.

Two years later, Robinson finally earned a starting spot in head coach Andy Landers' lineup and averaged 9.9 points per game to go along with 8.4 rebounds.

"I thought [Angel] made strides last year and got significantly better," Landers said. "Anytime you are coming back off injuries, it slows the process a little bit."

This year, the expectations of Robinson, a member of preseason All-SEC second team, have increased, especially after the departures of Humphrey and Rowsey.

However, Robinson refuses to let the pressure of filling a former All-American's shoes rattle her.

"My role is not to replace Tasha but to just be that presence in the post," Robinson said. "Me and Tasha are two different players. I just have to step up and be a leader on and off the court."

On the other hand, Landers has only one wish for Robinson and the rest of the post players - consistency.

"Angel has to establish herself as a consistent inside offensive player, rebounder and defender..."