NASHVILLE, TENN.-Coming into the 2008-09 season, junior Lindsay Smithberger was projected as a versatile weapon that could play multiple positions, threatening opposition whether spotting up or with the dribble, but just before the season began, the Pickerington, Ohio native suffered an injury to her shooting hand, making it difficult to even play the game she loves so dearly.

The junior considered a medical red-shirt, but when the decision was made, Smithberger did what those who know the energetic, almost endlessly positive, prototypical "team-player" expected her to do: suit up. Through the pain and the discomfort, having to wear a brace on the injured hand, Smithberger embraced the hurdle, seeing it as an opportunity to make other aspects of her game stronger while her hand was weak.

Hurdles are nothing out of the ordinary the 5-foot-10 small forward. Last season, Smithberger was forced to handle point guard duties due to various injuries at the position, including starter Lauren Arthur, who missed time.

What did Smithberger do last year?

She thrived, registering as many as six assists twice and averaging nearly two and a half for the year, while draining 20 three point baskets.

It happened then, and she seems to be thriving again. After collecting just 12 points in her first 12 games of 2008-09, Smithberger has notched eight and a season-high 11 points in the Lady Camels' last two wins.

We caught up with Lindsay as her and the sixth seeded Lady Camels ready for No. 2 Belmont and the General Shale Brick Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.

You have played really well of late, sparking your team, especially in that last win over Stetson. What has been the key for you over the last couple of weeks?

Our team has just been focusing on playing as hard as we can and putting our whole heart into every second of the game. So basically, my mindset has just been, "play as hard as you can for as long as you can, and when you get tired, then Coach will put someone else in who will play as hard as they can, for as long as they can, and it will just continue down the line."

This is your third A-Sun Tournament, what does the team have to do to advance, and maybe take it all the way this week?

Well the last three years we have had to play Gardner-Webb in the first round of the tournament and lost every year and this year since they are no longer in our conference, it is our joke around the team to say that, "well we won't lose in the first round to G-Webb". In our conference, any team can beat any other team on any given day. I really think the team that plays with the most heart, hustle and determination, basically whichever team wants it most, is most prepared for their opponent defensively, plus scores more points than the other teams, will win.

You draw Belmont in the first round of the A-Sun Tournament, what do the Bruins bring to the table? They are a team you played very close in Nashville last time.

Belmont is good but they are beatable. They have a few guards that can shoot, a few that can drive, and a few big post players. They play together well and within their system. But we've played them close both times and maybe a third time is the charm. We will be ready for them and we will be able to get the stops we need on defense. It'll just be a matter of us being consistent on the offensive end.

You suffered a pretty serious injury for a basketball player before the season began, damaging your shooting hand. What went through your mind at the time?

Honestly, at that point in time I was so upset because I have had to sit out two seasons before (prior to college) and I was just so ready to start playing. I was ready for all the hard work me and my team put in during the preseason to pay off and it was just another setback and another challenge. I had to be in a cast the week before the first game and I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to play. I was really crushed. It's just one of those things that comes with the game, though.

How did you push through that injury?

This season has been rough and painful but it has helped me grow and develop other aspects of my game because I had to put in a lot of extra time shooting to get my shot right while wearing a hand brace. I had to slightly alter some of the passes that I would normally make because my hand wasn't strong enough, and my layups were absolutely awful on that side. I'm still working and getting my touch back. Just practice, practice, practice with my lil' gimp hand intact and a passion for the game got me through.

What would you say is your greatest strength on the court?

I would say my passion for the game is my greatest strength. I love playing so much, so when I get out there, I just go hard all the time and try to keep the energy up so whether we're winning or losing, me, nor any of my teammates aren't hanging our heads and focusing on the negative, but simply playing with everything we have for the love of the game.

How have you grown as a player over the season?

Playing through this injury is what has really made me grow the most. Trying to be whatever my team needed, which were different things at different points throughout the year: passer, rebounder, energy boost, scorer, etc. This has tested my basketball and mental game. It's only made me better.