MacLeod, who was recruited by then-Axewomen basketball head coach and longtime family friend Bev Greenlaw, ultimately chose Acadia, and has never regretted her decision.
MacLeod played both basketball and volleyball in high school – “I played on provincial champions in both sports in both Grade 11 and 12,” she says – but basketball proved to be her ultimate love.
MacLeod had a good rookie season, starting 15 games, averaging 6.7 points per game and grabbing 80 rebounds. Last year, she was averaging 10.7 points per game and had reached double figures four times in seven games before injuring her back.
“The bottom disc on the left side started to bulge out. I was having trouble walking,” she says. “I spent the whole second term in physio, and ended up missing the rest of the season.”
The injury was repeated over the summer on the other side of her back, but it turned out to not be as serious.
“I’m OK now,” she says. “No pain, on either side, and not much stiffness.”
Still, it was disappointing to miss out on half the season.
“I was frustrated to not have been able to play and be part of our turnaround,” she says. After an 0-11 start, Acadia went 4-5 in their final nine games.
Making up for lost time
MacLeod returned this fall committed to making up for lost time. She earned a spot in the starting lineup and had averaged a little over 12 points per game through Acadia’s first four pre-season games, with a high of 19 in a win over Bishop’s.
“None of us know, or really care, whether we start or not,” MacLeod says. “We’re all coming to terms with our roles, which might change from game to game. Some of us do things differently, or better, than others. We realize that, and it’s part of why we have a different attitude than in the past.”
As of Oct. 22, the Axewomen were 3-1 in the pre-season, with their only loss by just three points.
“None of us are surprised by our start,” MacLeod said. “We’ve worked hard, and it’s a relief more than anything to see everything starting to pay off.”
Like her teammates, MacLeod has bought into new Axewomen coach Len Harvey’s style and system.
“We’re working harder than we were last year, but it feels easier,” she said. “We’re a better team this year.”
One boon has been Paloma Anderson, she said, who joined the team last winter, but that’s not the only reason for the improvement.
“We’re probably not going to take anyone by storm, but we’ll continue to work hard. If we end up overachieving, others may be surprised, but it won’t surprise us,” she said.
After Acadia
MacLeod is now in her third year studying toward a degree in Canadian Studies.
“It’s an interdisciplinary program, with an even spread over a lot of areas of study. It’s fascinating – a really cool program,” and, in her opinion, “a hidden treasure.”
She remains unsure of what she will do after graduation, but at the same time, is committed to getting at least her first degree in four years.
She also has no regrets about choosing Acadia, either.
“Certainly not academically, and not even with all the turbulence surrounding basketball. The academics keeps it solid for me,” she says.
“I’m here to get a degree, first and foremost, but basketball has been fun and challenging, especially this year. It’s definitely an asset (to being a student) to have the athletics go well.”
Along with the academics and athletics, MacLeod has done Run for the Cure with her teammates and helped with the Junior Axewomen program and at Evangeline Middle School.
“There’s a special community here. The girls we work with are so excited and energetic about basketball,” she says.
It wasn’t like that in Fredericton, she adds, although it was similar growing up in Rothesay, where she lived from 2002-2008.
“I’m enjoying being at Acadia,” MacLeod says, “and I love Wolfville. I can look back on the last two years and see a lot of positives.”
And even with the disappointment of last season, she adds, “the positives still far outweigh the negatives.”
MacLeod, who was recruited by then-Axewomen basketball head coach and longtime family friend Bev Greenlaw, ultimately chose Acadia, and has never regretted her decision.
MacLeod played both basketball and volleyball in high school – “I played on provincial champions in both sports in both Grade 11 and 12,” she says – but basketball proved to be her ultimate love.
MacLeod had a good rookie season, starting 15 games, averaging 6.7 points per game and grabbing 80 rebounds. Last year, she was averaging 10.7 points per game and had reached double figures four times in seven games before injuring her back.
“The bottom disc on the left side started to bulge out. I was having trouble walking,” she says. “I spent the whole second term in physio, and ended up missing the rest of the season.”
The injury was repeated over the summer on the other side of her back, but it turned out to not be as serious.
“I’m OK now,” she says. “No pain, on either side, and not much stiffness.”
Still, it was disappointing to miss out on half the season.
“I was frustrated to not have been able to play and be part of our turnaround,” she says. After an 0-11 start, Acadia went 4-5 in their final nine games.
Making up for lost time
MacLeod returned this fall committed to making up for lost time. She earned a spot in the starting lineup and had averaged a little over 12 points per game through Acadia’s first four pre-season games, with a high of 19 in a win over Bishop’s.
“None of us know, or really care, whether we start or not,” MacLeod says. “We’re all coming to terms with our roles, which might change from game to game. Some of us do things differently, or better, than others. We realize that, and it’s part of why we have a different attitude than in the past.”
As of Oct. 22, the Axewomen were 3-1 in the pre-season, with their only loss by just three points.
“None of us are surprised by our start,” MacLeod said. “We’ve worked hard, and it’s a relief more than anything to see everything starting to pay off.”
Like her teammates, MacLeod has bought into new Axewomen coach Len Harvey’s style and system.
“We’re working harder than we were last year, but it feels easier,” she said. “We’re a better team this year.”
One boon has been Paloma Anderson, she said, who joined the team last winter, but that’s not the only reason for the improvement.
“We’re probably not going to take anyone by storm, but we’ll continue to work hard. If we end up overachieving, others may be surprised, but it won’t surprise us,” she said.
After Acadia
MacLeod is now in her third year studying toward a degree in Canadian Studies.
“It’s an interdisciplinary program, with an even spread over a lot of areas of study. It’s fascinating – a really cool program,” and, in her opinion, “a hidden treasure.”
She remains unsure of what she will do after graduation, but at the same time, is committed to getting at least her first degree in four years.
She also has no regrets about choosing Acadia, either.
“Certainly not academically, and not even with all the turbulence surrounding basketball. The academics keeps it solid for me,” she says.
“I’m here to get a degree, first and foremost, but basketball has been fun and challenging, especially this year. It’s definitely an asset (to being a student) to have the athletics go well.”
Along with the academics and athletics, MacLeod has done Run for the Cure with her teammates and helped with the Junior Axewomen program and at Evangeline Middle School.
“There’s a special community here. The girls we work with are so excited and energetic about basketball,” she says.
It wasn’t like that in Fredericton, she adds, although it was similar growing up in Rothesay, where she lived from 2002-2008.
“I’m enjoying being at Acadia,” MacLeod says, “and I love Wolfville. I can look back on the last two years and see a lot of positives.”
And even with the disappointment of last season, she adds, “the positives still far outweigh the negatives.”
