Even before the season began, Delaney-Smith was calling Holsey a “superstar.” The sophomore guard spent the summer doing exercises to strengthen her shoulder and resting her body to ward off the tendonitis that nagged her knee last year.

“I didn’t do anything,” Holsey said. “I biked instead of running. I just shot, but didn’t play any pickup or anything. I kinda stayed off my knees and didn’t do that much playing.”

However, she got a chance to shake off any rust during the team’s trip to Europe before returning to Harvard, where she has done nothing but impress.

Tonight, the Crimson has the edge on Northeastern in the talent category, but the Huskies’ have a staff foundation that promises competition.

“I think they have a great coaching staff,” Delaney-Smith said. “I really respect what they do and how they prepare their teams. I remember a number of times when their game strategy was right on the money against us.”

Northeastern last played on Monday, when the Huskies lost to Providence 62-48.

But rather than flooring concern over rustiness, Harvard is eager to play someone other than itself.

“I’m excited to be playing someone,” Holsey said. “It was really tough to get all pumped up for the Lafayette game and have it be cancelled the night before.”

“I like to think that we all love practices—I’m kidding myself, I know that,” Delaney-Smith laughed.

—Staff writer Jessica T. Lee can be reached at lee45@fas.harvard.edu.