Navigating an injury comes with a whirlwind of emotions. Especially when an injury comes at the final stretch of my senior volleyball career. During a typical Saturday morning practice, I lost my footing and hit the floor with a crunching sound coming from my foot. I immediately went to the ER, where I was informed that I broke 3 bones in my left foot and would be in a boot for the next 6 – 8 weeks. Hearing this news came as a devastation to me. I was beyond ready to go into the postseason with my amazing teammates and now I would no longer be able. We were all determined to earn our spot in the state tournament and this journey had to continue with me watching from the sidelines.
At the beginning of our season, our team set a goal for ourselves to reach 30 wins in the season. We achieved this goal, ending with a 31 – 5 record. This is a testament to our dedication as players and how we as a team were able to come together to reach our goal. Even though we didn’t make it into the state tournament, we still accomplished so much as teams, made unforgettable memories, and inspired the youth. I am able to walk away from this program with a strong sense of pride knowing that our efforts had a genuine impact. My injury has taught me to not take anything for granted, as something so simple as walking can be taken away at an instant. The support I have received from teammates has meant everything to me and is a tribute to our connection as a team and proves how we never stop holding each other up.
When we entered the regional, we were prepared to dominate our competitors and advance to the sectional. After clinching the regional win, we were all committed to keep this momentum going into our sectional matches. Moving into the sectional championship, we were ready to play Stockon after analyzing their tactics so we could anticipate anything that would come our way. The night of the matchup the student section was roaring with support and everyone brought their Pirate Pride. Our team played with everything they had in them but unfortunately, the Blackhawks took the win, This loss was devastating to everyone on the team. We knew we had the ability to come out on top but the night just wasn’t in our favor.
Despite it all, we all had to recognize the amazing work we have put in to make it where we did and that is not something that should go unappreciated. Even though my injury prevented me from spending my last moments out on the court, I was able to gain a new perspective on the connection of our team. I realized that our team was able to put their heart and soul into the game, and grow with each other along the way. Being a part of the volleyball program throughout the years, enriched me in the unwavering support shown by the community. There were many times where we as players played for a cause bigger than just the game to support those in need. Being able to have an impact on a greater cause was heartwarming to be a part of and has furthered my gratitude for this phenomenal program.
