Even after such a memorable comeback in such a distinguished season, Kevin Meder kept going back to one thing when thinking about Katie Rigby.
The image that seems ingrained in the Lenape girls' soccer coach's mind is that of an injured Rigby standing on the sidelines throughout her junior year in 2010, every bit a part of the team, every bit enthusiastic, and every bit the leader she would have been had she not torn an anterior cruciate ligament before the season.
"It just speaks volumes about her character and about what this team means to her," Meder said. "Even when she wasn't on the field, she was such a tremendous leader and a tremendously positive influence. She would be with the team every chance she could - she would come to practice after rehab just to be part of the after-practice cheer.
"After watching how she handled herself that year, it's really hard to be shocked by any of the great things that she did this year. She's just that type of kid."
Therein lies perhaps the greatest testament to Rigby's poise and talent - that no one seemed the least bit surprised to see the forward seamlessly reestablish herself as the area's top player after missing her entire junior season.
For Rigby, this year's Inquirer South Jersey Player of the Year in girls' soccer, the fruits of a year of rehab were a comeback season in which she collected 21 goals and 15 assists and led the Indians to unprecedented fifth consecutive titles in both the Coaches and state Group 4 tournaments.
"One thing I learned from being injured is that every second counts and you never get a moment back. You have to work hard every moment that you can," Rigby said. "So I tried to cherish every moment I had with this team.
"Since freshman year, I've basically grown up with these girls, and it's been an unbelievable experience. To win a state championship every year of my high school career, you couldn't ask for anything more."
On the field, Rigby combined sharp technical ability with as calm a demeanor as you will see on a high school soccer field.
Rigby said she learned to read the game differently during her season watching from the sidelines - she said she saw more players open, more opportunities, different ways to score.
She said all of it helped her this season and, indeed, many times this year, it looked as if the game was moving at a slower pace for Rigby than it was for other players, as if she saw things other players simply were not seeing.
