Fisher Makes The Most Of Second Chance
1/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 16, 2002
After spending her freshman year at Southwest Missouri State, Melanie Fisher did not think she made the right college decision. Despite falling short in her initial college plans, the University of Missouri kept looking like a viable option for Fisher.
"I was really attracted to everything about Missouri," said Fisher, who plays on the women's basketball and softball teams at MU.
Actually, one could say Fisher does more than just "play" as she earned All-American honors last season in softball and is a starter for head coach Cindy Stein's Tigers this season.
"I had taken an official visit to Missouri when I was a senior in high school and it was just really a toss-up for me between Missouri, SMS and another school when it came down to it," said Fisher. "I chose SMS and, naturally, when that didn't work out, I wanted to go to my other top choice.
"I talked to Coach Stein and she said it still would be all right to come here. I was really excited and thrilled to get a second chance to come here and be successful," she continued. "I had gone through a really difficult experience my first year of college. I grew and I learned a lot and saw things I hadn't seen before. It was just that, at the time, SMS was the right place but, after being there, it was really evident to me that it wasn't. I was really excited to come to Missouri and it's evident to me that Missouri was the right place for me all along."
The Tigers are glad the 6-foot-2 Fisher made the choice to come to MU as she ranks among the team's leaders in points and rebounds. She has provided an inside presence on a team which has been fairly perimeter oriented due to the play of Kerensa Barr, Natalie Bright and Evan Unrau.
But it was not easy for Fisher, who had to learn a new system, new opponents, new teammates and a new style of play.
"It was difficult to come back after a year," said Fisher, who did not show it by scoring 14 points in the Tigers' season-opening win over UMKC. "It was a mental challenge. I was in a totally different situation, but I knew that, and that's why I transferred because I wanted that and I needed that. I think I might have had some adjustments to make but I'm working through that. I feel confident in what I've done here. I've never looked back and thought, 'what if?' I've just gone straight forward and I'm happy to be here."
While spending last season on the sidelines in basketball, Fisher excelled in softball. She hit .379 on the season and led the team with 10 doubles, 33 runs batted in and a .506 slugging percentage.
"I've always played two sports, two or more. Since about second grade, I've been playing both softball and basketball. I just never could choose," said Fisher. "People would always try to make me go one way with a sport but my parents (Edward and Laura) were always supportive. They stood by me and really helped out in the summertime.
"They made it possible to play both sports. They took me to ASA tournaments and AAU tournaments," she continued. "It didn't make sense to me to quit playing two when I got to college, especially when I could. I love them both and I have a good balance between the two. I'm excited to keep playing both sports at both of the colleges I've been at, but particularly at Missouri."
For the most part, the thought of giving up one sport to further concentrate on the other sport has not entered Fisher's mind.
"Everybody has his or her second guesses about how much time you devote to your sport," she said. "I'm confident that there's a balance in my life between the two of them. Yes, I don't get any breaks from doing it, but it's just a part of me and what I love to do. I learn a lot about life through athletics and I'm just grateful that I have the opportunity to do it.
"When I was looking at schools, I checked with the coaches about the possibility of playing both," said Fisher. "I knew I was going to play both sports in college. It's always been a life-long goal and dream. It's something I've worked hard for ever since elementary school. I think if I didn't play both, it would be really hard for me."
While the busy schedule might not allow it, Fisher does have other interests.
"I like to be athletic. I like to ride bikes and swim and I love music and art," she said. "I like to do art but I'm not very good at it. I have a great appreciation for the arts."
And Tiger fans are getting a great appreciation for Fisher and her abilities on both the basketball court and on the softball diamond.
