After a promising freshman campaign, Holly Warlick announced in August that Mercedes Russell will redshirt the 2014-2015 basketball season as she recovers from offseason surgery on both feet.

The former No. 1 prospect and crown jewel of the Lady Vols’ 2013 signing class, averaged just over six points and five rebounds per game in her rookie season. Russell also led Tennessee in blocks (40) and field goal percentage (59.6) last season, despite playing through injuries in both legs.

“I think Mercedes has not even tapped what she can do,” Warlick said. “She came in with two pretty bad wheels, and we didn’t realize it until the season started. Mercedes never once complained about her feet, but it was obvious they were affecting her.”

While it’s possible that Russell could have returned in time to play this season, Warlick said she did not want to take half a season of eligibility away from the Springfield, Ore. native, opting instead to hold her out for the entire season.

“I don’t think she’s had the opportunity to refine her skills or refine her game, because she hasn’t done a lot of individual work,” Warlick said. “My thinking was to sit her out, and she’ll have January on to do individual work, and you will see a young lady who will have three years of college basketball. I just didn’t want to sell her short in her college career.”

While Russell hasn’t been able to practice with her team, she is using this opportunity to learn as much as she can about the game. While she can’t be out there with her teammates, she can let them know what she sees from the bench, and provide a different perspective for her team.

Missing a full season is never easy, but Russell is doing her best to look on the positive side of things. She has been able to gain a new appreciation for the game, after being forced to watch her teammates practice from the sideline.

“There’s people out there who have injuries that prevent them from playing any kind of sports,” Russell said. “I think I’ve really grown to appreciate it more and more every day. I’ll definitely come back hungry next year. I’m always hungry.”

Russell was expected to play a big role in Tennessee’s post rotation this season, and with her absence other players will have to step up to fill that void.

One option is junior Nia Moore. Moore hasn’t seen the floor much in her time at Tennessee, but has taken advantage of early opportunities, scoring 24 points and 14 rebounds in just her second career start.

Another option for the Lady Vols would be to move senior guard Cierra Burdick to the post, a spot where she has spent some time in the past, and play more four guard lineups then they originally expected.

“I’ve actually been getting more four reps than I have three reps,” Burdick said. “It won’t be a surprise. Since I’ve been here I’ve played the three and the four. I’m just trying to get the reps and get the practice so I’ll be prepared come game time.”