When Francesca Schiro arrived at Siena a year ago, expectations were modest.

By the end of her freshman season, they were anything but.

Schiro authored one of the most decorated rookie campaigns in program history, earning unanimous MAAC (now Metro) Rookie of the Year honors, ECAC Rookie of the Year recognition, Second Team All-MAAC accolades, and seven MAAC Rookie of the Week awards after averaging a team-best 17.1 points per game. She helped lead the Saints to a fifth consecutive top-five conference finish while quickly establishing herself as one of the league's premier players.

Then, just as Siena was preparing for the stretch run, everything stopped.

A wrist injury sidelined Schiro for the final six games of the season, forcing her to watch from the bench instead of finishing the year on the court.

Now healthy and preparing for her sophomore season, Schiro says the experience reshaped far more than just her recovery.

"My main focus this offseason was getting my wrist back to 100% healthy," she said. "The ways I challenged myself were getting back into my normal routine, feeling comfortable using it again, and coming back stronger."

The rehabilitation process required patience, but it also reinforced a lesson she'll carry throughout her career.

"Doing the work while no one is watching really pays off."

That mindset has carried into a new role within Siena's program.

After bursting onto the scene as a freshman scorer, Schiro now finds herself among the team's veteran leaders, helping welcome a talented group of newcomers while continuing to set the standard through her own work ethic.

"My role changed to a more leadership-focused one," Schiro said. "That means helping and guiding our new players while still holding myself accountable and setting a good example."

Her growth extends beyond the stat sheet.

"As a player, my game has developed in many different ways," she said. "As a person, I've grown in leadership."

That development fits naturally into head coach Terry Primm's up-tempo system, one Schiro believes allows her to play to her strengths.

"My favorite aspect of Coach Primm's system is how fast we play," she said. "I've always liked to get it and go, so it plays to my strengths."

While the Saints return one of the conference's brightest stars, Schiro believes the biggest reason for optimism lies in the team's collective mindset.

"This year's team has great energy and a great mindset," she said. "We're ready to put the work in right now to be the best we can for the season."

Away from the court, Schiro credits one person above everyone else for helping shape the player she's become.

"My brother has had the biggest influence on my development," she said. "He is honest about my games, always lets me know what I need to improve on, and gives me confidence going into every game."

And when motivation is hard to find during long offseason workouts?

Schiro keeps a simple reminder in mind.

"The days you don't feel like it are the days that count the most."

It's an approach that helped her become one of the nation's top freshmen.

It's the same approach that's fueling her return.

As Siena looks ahead to a new season, Schiro isn't focused on repeating what she accomplished as a freshman.

She's focused on building what comes next.