If bad things come in threes, the Xavier women's basketball team has had its fill.

        The Musketeers, who returned all five starters from a 26-5 team, have lost three players to season- ending injuries in three weeks.

        Sophomore point guard Amy Waugh, the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, ruptured the Achilles' tendon in her right foot Monday while running in a conditioning drill and underwent reconstructive surgery Tuesday.

        Last week, fellow starter Katie Griggs, a junior guard/forward, quit the sport because of a degenerative disk condition in her back. And junior point guard Charlyn Hawkins, a transfer from Butler County (Kan.) Community College, underwent surgery Sept. 29 on a torn ACL in her left knee.

        “It's a devastating loss, another one,” coach Melanie Balcomb said of Waugh's injury. “Now it depends on how our players react and rally together.”

        An emotional team meeting Monday afternoon strengthened the Musketeers' resolve.

        “We had to decide whether this would tear us apart or bring us together,” senior co-captain Jennifer Phillips said. “We decided we're not going to lose sight of our goals because of losing three players.”

        The void being cited most is Waugh's leadership. Though just a freshman last year, she commanded instant respect and started every game, averaging 10.8 points and 5.8 assists. She led the A-10 in 3-point shooting (.472), ranking sixth nationally.

        “She showed us from the beginning that she would be our leader,” Phillips said. “We'll see who'll take on that leadership role.”

        XU, ranked in nearly every preseason magazine — with a high of 15th by womenscollegehoops.com — still has a great core. Seniors Taru Tuukkanen (14.5 ppg), Nicole Levandusky (13.5) and Phillips (13.3) are all 1,000-point scorers, and its depth is better than ever. Sophomore guard Reeta Piipari (6.7) will likely man the point.

        “We believe in being balanced, so when you lose players you have others who can step up,” Balcomb said. “This is hopefully just another obstacle we can overcome.”

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