The scar on Courtney Hamner's right knee is a visual reminder of her recent knee injury.

But the James Madison junior says the most difficult part of returning from ACL surgery has been in her head.

"You have to want to get back. You have to push yourself, because it's just you rehabbing," said Hamner, who hurt the knee during postseason workouts last April. "So it's up to you, and your work ethic, to push yourself."

Hamner appeared in all 34 games in each of her first two seasons at JMU. As a sophomore, she averaged 6.3 points and had 73 assists.

Head coach Kenny Brooks says Hamner's rehab is "probably a little ahead of schedule.

"She's out on the floor. She's able to move around. Just not ready to react to defenses," Brooks said this week on WHSV.com Sports Xtra.

Hamner says the knee is "not 100 percent, but it's getting closer everyday."

Neither Brooks nor Hamner expect the guard to be ready for JMU's season opener with Georgetown on November 18. Hamner says her target to return is early December.

"We're not going to rush her back, because she's going to be an integral part to what we do this year," said Brooks. "We're going to need her. Even though our schedule is extremely tough in the beginning, we're going to need her when it really counts, and that's when we get to conference play."