15 year old ACL injury story

by Susan
(Kansas)

It was the greatest time of my life. I was at my favorite volleyball camp in the world, and that day seemed to be perfect. My roommate and I were having the time of our lives, the coaches could not stop watching me, and I was on top of the world.

July 6, 2011 changed my life forever. I was playing in a tournament at camp when they put random people on teams for a day, and I was the only setter. My team was doing great, and we were going to win the tournament. I was in the back row, and someone dug the ball tight to the net. So I ran up, jumped, set the ball to my hitter, and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground. I was rolling around screaming in fear and in pain. I had never felt this before. I was scared.

It felt like a growing pain, only 100 times worse, and magnified in my knee. My dad, one of the coaches, and the athletic trainer came rushing over. My dad gave me a wet towel to put over my head because it was extremely hot. I just took it in my hand and squeezed as hard as I could. I felt like I was laying there, struggling to breathe, about to die. I was so scared.

When I flew back home, I had an MRI and it confirmed my worst fear. I had ACL surgery 2 weeks later, and it was hard. Now, I am almost 5 months out of surgery and doing great. Exactly 6 months from surgery will be January 21st and my first club volleyball tournament is the 22nd, and I am so nervous!!