The Xavier women's basketball team has talent unmatched in its history. Now it has a cause.

        Junior guard/forward Katie Griggs has called an end to her basketball career because of a degenerative disk disease in her back. Surgery in April couldn't improve her condition to a point where her future health wouldn't be jeopardized by playing.

        “It was a tough decision, a pretty emotional week,” she said. “I handled it pretty well until I had to talk to the team. I couldn't get anything out.”

        Griggs, a starter last season and half her freshman year, averaged 5.8 points as a freshman. She was named to the Atlantic-10 All-Rookie Team and closed the season strong, scoring 14 points against Connecticut.

        But the Wauseon, Ohio, native struggled last year as her back pain worsened, averaging just 3.8 points. Surgery on a herniated disk didn't relieve the pain.

        “Katie's health for the future is the most important thing,” coach Melanie Balcomb said. “We're really going to miss her.

        “Our team is really close. Sometimes things like this help them appreciate what they have and play harder, knowing Katie wishes she could be out there.”

        Griggs is the only starter who won't return from last year's 26-5 team. The Musketeers have been nationally ranked in several preseason magazines. Sophomore Reetta Piipari (6.7 ppg) probably will inherit Griggs' starting spot.

        “I'll still be around them a lot,” Griggs said. “I'd love for them to be extremely successful this year.”

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