Former Miss Maine Basketball winner Lizzy Gruber from Gardiner decided to leave the state after high school to play basketball at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.
“I wanted to see what the rest of the world had to offer,” she told the Bangor Daily News on Tuesday.
But after two years at St. Joseph’s, it was time to come home. And now she is donning the colors of the University of Maine’s team.
“I went, I saw and I was ready to come home,” said Gruber. “I went two years there without recognizing a single person on campus. Being able to walk around now and see friends from high school and be close to my parents and that kind of stuff.
“I realized that’s more important to me than I thought,” Gruber added.
Interestingly, she will make her UMaine debut against St. Joseph’s at 7 p.m. Friday on the Skip Chappelle Court in the Memorial Gym in Orono.
“It’ll definitely bring out some emotions. It’ll be nice to see my friends, at least,” Gruber said about facing her old team. “What better way to start a season than with a bang.”
During her freshman season in 2023-24, she appeared in 14 games but played a total of only 26 minutes.
A labrum tear in her hip sustained in August of 2024 kept her sidelined until December and then she decided to redshirt.
The 6-foot-4 post player said it is “definitely nerve-wracking” starting over on a new team but she is adapting well.
“I almost feel like a freshman, but I have a little experience so I know the pace,” Gruber said. “That’s the hardest part about playing college hoops — learning the pace and what people expect of you… and I already know that now.”
She said her short period of time with the Black Bears has been great. She said there’s no one better to learn from than teammate and 2022-23 America East Player of the Year Adrianna Smith along with the coaching staff.
Smith, a two-time America East first team selection, has returned this season after missing all of last season due to knee surgery.
“I love having someone to look up to,” said Gruber, who added that she’s now playing with some of her old club basketball teammates in current Black Bears Sarah Talon, Izzy Allen and Emmie Streams.
Smith has been impressed with Gruber and excited about her arrival.
“She’s doing really good. It’s nice to have someone with her size,” Smith said. “She is a great shooter. It’s good to have that. We haven‘t had someone like her in a while.”
UMAine head coach Amy Vachon said Gruber has been working really hard.
“She brings some length that we haven’t had and some versatility,” Vachon said. “Our style is a little different than the one she was playing at St. Joe’s. It takes a little bit to learn that. And she has done a nice job.”
Gruber had an exceptional high school career.
She was a three-time Bangor Daily News All-Maine Schoolgirl team selection including a first team nod her senior year.
She had 1,270 points, 1,208 rebounds and 399 blocked shots.
She averaged 21.1 points, 15.3 rebounds, 4.2 blocked shots, 2.4 assists and 2 steals per game in her time at Gardiner.
She said she wants to be a part of what is going on at UMaine.
“I’m working really hard and we’ll see where we go,” Gruber said. “I hope we win America East. That would be super nice.”
She said the team is off to a good start after building a good foundation over the summer.
Gruber also said she made some of her best friends at St. Joseph’s.
“It’s a strong program. But I’m super happy to be back in Maine now,” said Gruber. “I’m excited about Friday. It has taken forever to get here.”