Points, rebounds and assists are all recorded, but what NIU women’s basketball guard Rachel Sillar does for the Huskies doesn’t show up on any statistical sheet.

Sillar brings hustle and effort to the table for the Huskies. The proof of it is visible on her elbows and knees, as bruises and floorburns cover this Huskie.

The 5-foot-8 guard doesn’t complain or think twice about lunging toward that loose ball early in a game; she knows that her hustle is a key component to the Huskies’ success.

“I come home sore very often,” Sillar said. “But, I kind of thrive off the hustle plays to try and get me into the game. I try to contribute in any way possible.”

In Tuesday’s loss to Western Michigan, Sillar had a team-high five assists and three steals. She lunged out of bounds to try to save a first-half possession off a Lindsay Secrest air ball. She also dove to the floor on countless occasions and wrestled with a WMU player to earn a jump ball.

Ever since Sillar has played basketball, she’s used effort and hustle to improve her game, which she said comes from her dad.

“I would always tell my parents that I was nervous before a game,” Sillar said. “My dad would tell me to hustle and get a loose ball, and that would get me into the game and get rid of my nerves. I listened to him, and I’ve always done that to help get rid of that nervousness.”

After a loss against Bowling Green at home on Jan. 10, NIU coach Carol Hammerle wasn’t pleased with the effort her team was putting on the floor and decided to make some changes. Hammerle chose to give the starting positions to the players who worked the hardest in practice. Sillar was one of those players, and she has started all seven games for the Huskies since.

“I think what she does on the floor is contagious, her hustle and tenacity,” Hammerle said. “I like seeing her out there. Against Kent State (a 56-55 win on Jan. 24), she had a lot to do with our comeback, and she played an almost perfect game.”

The junior guard finished with seven points, six steals, four rebounds and three assists in the game to accompany her all-out aggressiveness.

The Plainfield native hasn’t been able to consistently light up the statistical sheet in her days at NIU, but she does bring a lot of intangibles to the court, said her new backcourt mate, freshman point guard Stephanie Raymond.

“Rachel is very quick and plays great defense,” Raymond said. “Her hustle is tremendous, and she has great court vision.”

Sillar came into the press room after Tuesday’s loss looking exhausted and claiming she was very sore. But once it’s time to get back on the court, the pain won’t matter, Sillar said. She will continue to live by her motto, and leave it all on the floor.