Feb. 23, 2007

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest sophomore Corinne Groves was released from the hospital on Friday morning and is expected to make a full recovery from a lower back injury suffered in the Demon Deacons' Feb. 18 game against Boston College.

"Corinne is recovering nicely from a spinal cord contusion," said Dr. David Martin, Director of Wake Forest Sports Medicine. "We are happy with her progress. She will now continue to advanced physical therapy with Wake Forest Sports Medicine."

Groves suffered the injury after colliding with the Eagles' Kathrin Ress late in the second half. Groves was leaping to catch a pass when the collision knocked her to the floor.

After being attended to by team physician Dr. Doug Comeau and athletic trainer Scott Spernoga, Groves was immediately taken to the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

She spent the past five days in the hospital before being released Friday morning. All tests came back negative.

Despite temporarily losing feeling from the waist down, Groves is expected to make a full recovery. The Black Mountain, N.C., native has been ruled out of action indefinitely by the team's medical staff.

"Our main concern right now is that Corinne has a full recovery," said head coach Mike Petersen on Monday. "The doctors have been outstanding, and we're doing whatever they say."

The injury is the third significant setback for the Demon Deacons' leading rebounder this season. Groves broke a bone in her right foot during the preseason and has been playing on it all season. On Jan. 14 at NC State, Groves had her left knee buckled by a diving Wolfpack player in a loose ball situation. The knee injury was determined to be a grade one MCL sprain, and Groves returned to action just four days later.

Groves started 26 games this season before missing the first game of her career Thursday at North Carolina. She recently made the 50th start of her career against Duke on Feb. 11. Groves is averaging 10.4 points per game and 9.2 rebounds per game.