The expected return of Caroline Doty to practice on Friday was a popular topic after Wednesday's exhibition game against Pace.

UConn coach Geno Auriemma believes Doty is the only true point guard on his team and believes her return will pay dividends for the players around her.

"Caroline is going to practice for sure and she is set to play on Sunday, thank God," Auriemma said. "That will help us an awful lot. "

When the team emerged from the locker room after halftime, Doty was taking part in warmups. Unlike freshman Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, who was not in uniform since she was forced to miss the game with a strained calf, Doty was in uniform for the game giving off the aura that she has waited long enough to get back in action.
"Caroline stepped on somebody's foot, turned her ankle and it was (black), they told her it could be two weeks, three weeks, six weeks. She is back in two weeks. Somebody stepped on Brianna Banks' toe and it was eight days so Caroline wants to play - desperately wants to play and she will do whatever she has to do to play. My job is to rein her in a little bit. I am anxious for Sunday myself, I want to see her out there, I want to see what she can do. You really need a player out on the floor kind of brings it all together, that can take different pieces that are out there and pull them all into one whole thing. Somebody like Maya (Moore) could do it or Renee could do it, you need a guard that can do it. Bria is not that yet but Caroline is. Tiffany's not that but Caroline is, those other guys who are more of scorers and Caroline is more of an organizer.

"I was talking to Diana (Taurasi) and said I am kind of getting sick of people asking who is better Diana or Maya. She said we are two different players, Maya is an impact player and I am a facilitator which I think is a great way to describe herself, she made it possible for everybody to do what they did. Caroline is like that, Caroline is a facilitator. Right now we don't have one of those. The team will look much better when we do."

Her teammates are anxiously awaiting the return of Doty, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.

"Caroline brings everything, she brings intensity, hard work and leadership," UConn sophomore center Stefanie Dolson said, "She is always in our huddles saying something. She knows the game so well, she knows what to say in the huddle. She knows what we are doing wrong, what we need to work on. We all look up to her because of how hard she's worked on the court when she has a chance to be on the court. I am really excited for her to be back on the court.

"When you don't play for that long and you have the heart that she has, you are going to go a little crazy."