Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, Eliza got here to Gonzaga with a very good pedigree as she performed for her regional metro staff that received the nation’s nationwide championships in 2016 and 2018 whereas additionally representing her nation within the u16 FIBA Asian Championships, a contest they took house the gold, and the u17 FIBA World Championships the place she earned a gold medal whereas averaging practically a double-double.
Regardless of these accomplishments, she wasn’t essentially anticipated to step-in instantly as her freshman 12 months correlated with Jenn and LeeAnne Wirth’s senior season, however hopes have been excessive for the subsequent Aussie native to hitch the Bulldogs. As an alternative what occurred was a collection of accidents that principally derailed any alternative for normal taking part in time.
Pressured right into a redshirt her first season attributable to accidents, Eliza was then compelled to overlook the primary half of her second season and solely appeared in 10 video games off the bench for a grand complete of 36 minutes. In her third season, Hollingsworth’s rehabilitation paid off as she featured in all 32 video games, averaging 11.6 minutes per sport, however nonetheless couldn’t crack the beginning rotation witnessing the event of a sure sophomore from Canada and senior ahead Melody Kempton. Issues actually began to kick off in her redshirt junior 12 months with Kempton graduating as she began all accessible video games, 26, performed over 26 minutes per sport whereas averaging 8.9 factors, 5.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.7 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.4 turnovers on 42.3% taking pictures contained in the arc and 38.8% from deep.
With the additional 12 months granted by the NCAA for athletes enrolled in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, Hollingsworth took her alternative and ran with it. Throughout 36 video games, Eliza once more began each sport and confirmed an enchancment upon her breakout redshirt junior 12 months by averaging 10.3 factors, certainly one of 5 gamers on the Zags to common ten or extra, 7.1 rebounds, second on the staff, and improved her distribution as proof by her 2.2 assists and 1.2 turnovers. She won’t have shot as effectively from deep with the elevated quantity, 37.3%, however she shot significantly better from contained in the arc with a 48.7% clip.
The redshirt senior scored 15 or extra factors on six events and 10 or extra factors on nineteen events. She set a profession excessive in factors towards Liberty (the place have we heard this earlier than?) with 22 as she knocked down 7 of her 13 pictures together with 4 threes whereas additionally contributing 7 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and a block. She recorded 6 double-doubles this 12 months, together with three straight close to the top of the 12 months, and practically had 3 extra as she missed by only one level or rebound. Within the common season finale towards Portland, Eliza confirmed her all-around talent with 10 factors, 10 rebounds, and a profession excessive 5 assists together with a steal, block, and single turnover
Whereas she was by no means the first point of interest of the Bulldogs’ offense, she did as a lot as anyone to propel the staff’s offense to all-time highs. Her skill to knock down the three ball created oodles of house for Ejim to cook dinner opponents and in addition offered an outlet for the drivers if the center closed up. Maud confirmed highlights of that skill this 12 months, however I feel this staff goes to overlook having Eliza’s regular presence on and off the courtroom.
Keep tuned for extra season overview materials in addition to updates on the approaching season!
