Tara has a mixed track record when it comes to 5th "extra eligibility" years.
Rosalyn Gold Onwude was not cleared for a 5th year until after Skylar Diggins signed with Notre Dame (there was not room for Skylar otherwise).
After the 2010 NCAA Championship, Tara made statements that had oddly implied she had not yet given Mel Murphy the green light for a 5th year, even though, by then, there were 2 spots open for next year's team. Ultimately Mel did return for a 5th.
Also late in that 2010 season, Tara made comments about not wanting to "burn a redshirt year for Sara Boothe" that implied Boothe was recovered enough (from off season surgery) to try and play some relief minutes for a Jayne Appel who was clearly hobbled by injury (and a progressively worsening injury), but Tara wanted to save the option of having Boothe for the 12-13 season down the road. Ironically, it was Boothe who ultimately announced wanting to move on and forgo the 5th year.
Mikaela Ruef was not held a scholly for a 5th year and was set on paying for her final 2 quarters to get a master's and finish her playing eligibility, but then a scholly opened up when Alyson Beebe had to medically retire.
Fast forward to 2021, Tara very openly encouraged Anna Wilson and Alyssa Jerome to return for 6th and 5th "COVID" years.
If history is the best predictor of the future, we will just have to wait and see!
Rosalyn Gold Onwude was not cleared for a 5th year until after Skylar Diggins signed with Notre Dame (there was not room for Skylar otherwise).
After the 2010 NCAA Championship, Tara made statements that had oddly implied she had not yet given Mel Murphy the green light for a 5th year, even though, by then, there were 2 spots open for next year's team. Ultimately Mel did return for a 5th.
Also late in that 2010 season, Tara made comments about not wanting to "burn a redshirt year for Sara Boothe" that implied Boothe was recovered enough (from off season surgery) to try and play some relief minutes for a Jayne Appel who was clearly hobbled by injury (and a progressively worsening injury), but Tara wanted to save the option of having Boothe for the 12-13 season down the road. Ironically, it was Boothe who ultimately announced wanting to move on and forgo the 5th year.
Mikaela Ruef was not held a scholly for a 5th year and was set on paying for her final 2 quarters to get a master's and finish her playing eligibility, but then a scholly opened up when Alyson Beebe had to medically retire.
Fast forward to 2021, Tara very openly encouraged Anna Wilson and Alyssa Jerome to return for 6th and 5th "COVID" years.
If history is the best predictor of the future, we will just have to wait and see!