Expectations are high for the upcoming Creighton women’s basketball season, but as the Jays took the floor for their first official practice of the year, they were missing a huge part of the team as senior guard Carli Tritz sat out. Tritz not practicing was a common occurrence last season as she dealt with knee injuries all year long.
Unfortunately, that is going to be the case from this point forward as Tritz announced Monday that the pain in her knee was forcing her to retire before her senior season even got underway.
Tritz first injured her knee before her sophomore season when she tore her meniscus, and despite having having arthroscopic surgery, the knee got progressively worse over the course of the last two years. Now, even with the aid of a cortisone shot to dull the pain, Tritz can’t make it through an individual work-out without feeling the pain for days afterward.
“My positives and negatives don’t even out, what I can bring and what I’m taking away from the game,” Tritz said. “I feel like it’s best for me, and the team also, to just call it like it is. You know when you know.”
Head coach Jim Flanery said losing Tritz, while not a surprise, is difficult, not only because of her talent but because of the way she played the game.”
“When you think of Carli, you think of the joy she played with,” Flanery said. “I know she’s always been a favorite of the media because she’s a fun, funny young woman and played kind of with a spirit and a joy that you don’t always see, and I think that makes it even tougher as a coach to see that because that’s what you like to see.”
Tritz wraps up her three-year career with 1,041 points, 311 assists and 188 steals. Tritz helped lead the Jays to the NCAA Tournament in both the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, including a first round upset win against the Syracuse Orange last year. Tritz was honored MVC Newcomer of the Year as a freshman. She was named to the All-MVC First Team and earned the MVC Tournament MVP after the Jays captured their first conference tournament title in almost a decade during her sophomore season. She was named MVC Preseason Player of the Year last season.
“I’m glad I had my time, my prime so to say, I didn’t miss anything,” Tritz said. “I feel like I experienced a lot, individually and as a team. I think our team success last year, not like made this decision easy, but it’s helped me be more at peace with it and be more comfortable … I feel like I’ve done a lot for this program, and my class too and I just feel like I’m leaving on a good note.”
Last season was a struggle for Tritz. Her athleticism was part of what made her such a special player as a freshman and sophomore, but the injuries slowed her down and forced her to adjust her game. But despite the pain that plagued her every day, Tritz pushed through.
“I still see things. That’s why I think I was still able to contribute last year. That was the thing that got me, the passing and the little things I brought, and obviously the leadership, but to see my body literally deteriorate for something I love, though I knew it was worth it at the time.”
Tritz may have announced her retirement from the court, but that doesn’t mean she won’t continue to play a role on this team. Her experience and knowledge of the game will allow her to continue to support her teammates and help the team win.
“I think she’ll still play a great role … I really think she’ll be good for both our older players and our younger players,” Flanery said.
Tritz joins Riley Norman and Taylor Johnson in the “Bench Mob,” the team’s on-the-bench cheering squad made up of injured players.
Tritz said the outreach she has received from well-wishers and supporters is “the most it’s ever been” and has helped her as she prepares to transition to the next stage of her life.
“A lot of people have reached out to me and they all say the same thing: ‘You’re a great person and the next chapter will come.’ One door closes, one door opens kind of thing,” Tritz said. “I think that’s what’s getting me through it.”