This fall, the Galena High School volleyball team is missing one of its standout juniors. Leah Heller tore three complete ligaments in her foot—the ATFL, CFL, and Deltoid—an injury that has forced her to sit out the entire volleyball season. While the news was heartbreaking for Leah and her teammates, there is a silver lining: doctors expect her to return in time for the second half of the basketball season.
For Leah, the setback came at a tough time. As a junior, she was looking forward to building on her role with the team and competing alongside her classmates. Instead, she has had to adjust to life on the sidelines, cheering from the bench while focusing on recovery. “I was really sad, but I still wanted to be a part of the team,” she said.
Leah has been an important part of the volleyball program since she was a freshman. Just two years ago, she was the team’s libero and played a huge role in helping Galena make its state run. Her hustle, leadership, and ability to stay composed in big moments made her a player her teammates could rely on, even as an underclassman. Varsity volleyball coach Dennis Wills said, “The loss of Leah is a tremendous loss to our team. Leah is an all-around solid player, and that is tough to replace. Her leadership skills, along with a competitive demeanor, are sometimes hard to find in a player. To her credit, Leah has stayed highly involved with the team, whether it be cheering them on or pointing out little things to help a player; her influence is like having another coach on the bench!”
Even though she can’t play this fall, Leah hasn’t stepped away from her team. She’s continued to show up for practices and games, encouraging teammates and keeping the energy high from the bench. Her presence is a reminder that leadership isn’t just about playing—it’s also about how you support those around you. Teammate Kendra Bauer ‘27 said, “Leah still has a huge impact on our team. She’s impacted our team by cheering us on and giving us great feedback.”
While missing an entire season is tough, Leah is focused on the positives. With basketball season around the corner and her senior year still ahead, she’s determined to come back stronger than ever. Her journey is already showing others that setbacks don’t last forever—and that resilience is just as important as skill when it comes to being an athlete.
