CHICAGO — After one of the most challenging years of her career and life, Courtney Vandersloot went back to her roots.

Vandersloot made her Chicago homecoming this season after signing with the Sky as a free agent.

Her return was a welcome move on both sides. The Sky needed Vandersloot as much as she craved comfort.

Vandersloot was coming off a challenging season with the Liberty that came to a bittersweet end.