SLIPPERY ROCK — Lyndsy Day wants to regain her old form.

Haley Geyer wants to play again after a two-year hiatus.

Both had different reasons for joining the Slippery Rock University women's basketball team as walk-ons and both are dealing with the reality of their situation: all work and little play.

Day, a 2008 Butler High graduate, took a year off to recover from a knee injury.

Geyer, a 2007 graduate of Mars High, transferred to SRU from Robert Morris, where she didn't play basketball, but missed it dearly.

They are seeing little playing time at the end of The Rock bench — Day has played in one game and logged one minute while Geyer has played 14 minutes in three contests.

But both are finding ways to help struggling SRU.

"They are just as responsible for our wins and losses as the starters — whether they get in the game or not," said Slippery Rock University women's basketball coach Laurel Heilman.

Day admits her play isn't what it was during her days as a guard for the Golden Tornado, who she helped to the state playoffs as a senior before her ACL gave out.

"I know I'm not where I used to be," said Day the a 5-foot-2 freshman. "I took a year off because I wasn't ready yet."

This fall, Day finally felt ready. Already enrolled at The Rock, she decided to walk on to the team. She said she knew her path to the court would be riddled with obstacles.

"I just decided I couldn't just sit around. I wanted to play basketball," Day said. "I just come every day to prove myself."

Geyer found herself in the same situation.

The 5-foot-10 sophomore put her basketball career on hold at Robert Morris while she focused on her studies.

But the itch to play again became too strong to ignore.

A change in majors paved the way for her transfer to Slippery Rock, where she was determined to play again.

"I had missed basketball," Geyer said. "It was hard, and then trying to get back into it, back into the groove, it has been difficult."

Day and Geyer said they realized when they joined the team that playing time was going to be scarce.

"It is difficult, but it pays off at the same time," Geyer said. "I'm glad I'm on the team to begin with. My goal here is to also make the girls better. I'm going to do everything I can."

Day and Geyer have found ways to contribute in practice, which has become their game days.

They work on the scout teams and try to emulate some of the characteristics of The Rock's upcoming opponents.

Both are hoping to get more playing time in the future.

"It just pushes me to get better and work harder so I can get onto the court," Geyer said. "That's all I can do."