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Dionne Marsh can barely remember a time when she wasn't in pain.

For more than a year, she struggled to sleep at night with her back constantly throbbing.

Marsh, the star of the University of New Mexico women's basketball team, said she is finally on the path to recovery. She had surgery in late May to repair two dislocated discs in her back.

"It was really scary when the doctors first told me I needed surgery, and I was a little upset because I wasn't sure I was going to be able to play again," Marsh said. "Then the doctors told me I would make a 100 percent recovery, and I was relieved. My pain was finally going to go away."

Marsh has worked her way up to walking. Doctors told her she will be able to begin heavier workouts in August.

"I believe that I'll be back at full strength next season," said Marsh, who will be a senior and is the Lobos' top returning scorer. She averaged 14.7 points per game last season.

Marsh has always carried a heavy load for the Lobos, with the offense often centered on her leaping and scoring abilities. She is more valuable to UNM next season as one of two returning seniors on a team that features six sophomores and five freshmen.

UNM coach Don Flanagan said Marsh's injury hasn't affected the way he is approaching next season.

"We're optimistic that she'll make a full recovery, but we'll make adjustments later if she needs more time to get back to full strength. We're not pushing her," Flanagan said. "This isn't going to change how we spend our off-season. We are preparing all of our players to be major contributors and expect them all to be ready to step into significant roles on our team."

Marsh said she can't remember exactly when the back pain began, but it was problem during all of the 2006-07 season. She said it likely played a role in the sprained ankles that limited her mobility during the season.

"I think I was trying to compensate when the pain would get worse, and I ended up with other problems," she said.

For months, Marsh had trouble sitting in chairs for long periods of time. Walking across campus to classes and running during basketball practice were big challenges. And enduring a steady stream of elbows from beefier post players didn't help either.

"I thought it was just pain I was going to have to deal with because no one could really tell me what was wrong," she said. "During games, adrenaline just kicked in and I was fine. It was after the game that really was a problem. That's when it really hurt."

Marsh managed to turn in some tremendous performances despite the back injury.

She took over the Lobos' game against BYU in the Mountain West Conference Tournament championship, scoring 20 points to help UNM win the title and to earn Most Valuable Player honors.

Marsh, along with then-seniors Katie Montgomery and Julie Briody, played an integral role in the championship run. All three players had surgery to repair major problems after the season ended.

"I think Dionne did a great job dealing with a chronic condition and never allowing it to stand in the way of her goals," Flanagan said. "I think winning a conference tournament championship with three players who needed surgery is really remarkable and says an awful lot about them."

Marsh's road to a pain-free life has been far from smooth.

She had surgery in Albuquerque in May with her aunt and coaches by her side. She then spent the month of June with her family in Alabama.

"It was hard going through the surgery, but I knew it was going to help me," she said.

Marsh is back at UNM this month, taking summer classes and going through the slow, steady and sometimes painful rehabilitation process.

"I'm getting stronger, but I'm still a long way from where I want to be," Marsh said. "I can walk now and get around campus, but I can't really do anything for more than an hour. I'm not really comfortable going to the mall and walking around like that."

She spends a lot of time alone in the training room, walking on a treadmill and doing exercises in a whirlpool.

Flanagan said he will watch her progress carefully, making sure she doesn't try to do too much before she is back at full strength.

"I'm sure she'll have some sort of brace she will wear all next season during practices and games," he said. "We're going to do everything we can to protect her."

Marsh said her toughest test will be taking her first hard hit on the basketball court.

"The biggest challenge definitely will be mental," she said. "I have to make sure I trust myself and don't let this get in my way of having a great senior season."