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FISHERSVILLE — High school seniors often talk about their last firsts as memorable experiences. A lot of times, those events, while bittersweet, are enjoyable.
For Caylee Stevens, her last first volleyball game in late August was memorable. It was not, however, enjoyable.
Already up a set, Wilson was ahead in the second set of the season opener when Caylee went up for an attack and came down on the side of her foot. She was down on the floor a long time, in obvious pain, before being helped back to the locker room.
Her mom, Julie Stevens, didn't think it was that serious of an injury watching from the stands that night, but by the time she got back to her daughter in the locker room and saw how much her foot and ankle had swollen, she realized it was not a minor injury.
"She had just signed to play in college a week before," Julie said. "I'm just seeing her entire future ... we didn't know how serious it was."
They left the school and headed straight for the emergency room. In Julie's words, Caylee "had done a lot of damage."
She injured her ankle, including tearing a tendon, and ended up missing the rest of the season. She was on crutches for a week before wearing a boot. She missed not only volleyball, but also her travel softball season.
"It definitely was hard for my mental health," Caylee said. "It took a lot for me to stay positive throughout the process."
Julie said it was a tough fall and winter for her daughter.
"It was a senior year that she didn't expect," Julie said. "And we didn't expect. I don't wish that on anybody."
Volleyball is not Caylee's main sport, but she had worked hard to earn a starting spot for the Hornets.
"I worked my butt off to earn the starting spot," she said. "Then hurt myself. That was the first thing I said when Coach (Lauren) Grove came over to me was that I just got my starting spot, I need to be able to play."
Being out of volleyball — and worrying if she would return for her main sport, softball — was so hard on her that in addition to physical therapy she started taking therapy for her mental health.
Now, though, she's back for softball season.
She was cleared to play in January. Caylee wears a brace and, for the most part, is fine, although she said the ankle does swell some after games. She pitched a seven-inning game earlier this season — and struck out 15 batters — but by the time she got home Caylee was in a lot of pain.
"But I refuse to sit out," she said. "It's my senior season."
In a scrimmage this fall, Caylee was coming off the field into the dugout and rolled her ankle. She immediately started crying, out of fear more than pain. She ended up being OK, but everything she had been through last fall and winter flashed back to her for a moment.
She did have to work on her pitching mechanics after missing six months of practice. She's worked hard to get back to where she was last spring, but even if she's not 100%, she is playing.
"Just to know this has been her dream forever, I am really proud of her," Julie said. "She's worked really hard for this."
Caylee will play softball at Louisburg College in North Carolina, a two-year junior college. Her plan is to go into nursing after her two years of college.
"Honestly, this season, I'm just preparing myself for college softball," Caylee said. "I want to have fun and I want to enjoy this then be ready for college."
More: Former Nexus execs accused in alleged $426,000 scheme have trial pushed back for 5th time
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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at [email protected] and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: After recovering from an ankle injury in the fall, Wilson's Stevens returns to softball field
Continue reading...
For Caylee Stevens, her last first volleyball game in late August was memorable. It was not, however, enjoyable.
Already up a set, Wilson was ahead in the second set of the season opener when Caylee went up for an attack and came down on the side of her foot. She was down on the floor a long time, in obvious pain, before being helped back to the locker room.
Her mom, Julie Stevens, didn't think it was that serious of an injury watching from the stands that night, but by the time she got back to her daughter in the locker room and saw how much her foot and ankle had swollen, she realized it was not a minor injury.
"She had just signed to play in college a week before," Julie said. "I'm just seeing her entire future ... we didn't know how serious it was."
They left the school and headed straight for the emergency room. In Julie's words, Caylee "had done a lot of damage."
She injured her ankle, including tearing a tendon, and ended up missing the rest of the season. She was on crutches for a week before wearing a boot. She missed not only volleyball, but also her travel softball season.
"It definitely was hard for my mental health," Caylee said. "It took a lot for me to stay positive throughout the process."
Julie said it was a tough fall and winter for her daughter.
"It was a senior year that she didn't expect," Julie said. "And we didn't expect. I don't wish that on anybody."
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Volleyball is not Caylee's main sport, but she had worked hard to earn a starting spot for the Hornets.
"I worked my butt off to earn the starting spot," she said. "Then hurt myself. That was the first thing I said when Coach (Lauren) Grove came over to me was that I just got my starting spot, I need to be able to play."
Being out of volleyball — and worrying if she would return for her main sport, softball — was so hard on her that in addition to physical therapy she started taking therapy for her mental health.
Now, though, she's back for softball season.
She was cleared to play in January. Caylee wears a brace and, for the most part, is fine, although she said the ankle does swell some after games. She pitched a seven-inning game earlier this season — and struck out 15 batters — but by the time she got home Caylee was in a lot of pain.
"But I refuse to sit out," she said. "It's my senior season."
In a scrimmage this fall, Caylee was coming off the field into the dugout and rolled her ankle. She immediately started crying, out of fear more than pain. She ended up being OK, but everything she had been through last fall and winter flashed back to her for a moment.
She did have to work on her pitching mechanics after missing six months of practice. She's worked hard to get back to where she was last spring, but even if she's not 100%, she is playing.
"Just to know this has been her dream forever, I am really proud of her," Julie said. "She's worked really hard for this."
Caylee will play softball at Louisburg College in North Carolina, a two-year junior college. Her plan is to go into nursing after her two years of college.
"Honestly, this season, I'm just preparing myself for college softball," Caylee said. "I want to have fun and I want to enjoy this then be ready for college."
More: Former Nexus execs accused in alleged $426,000 scheme have trial pushed back for 5th time
More: City Council gets update on Staunton Public Library terrace project
— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at [email protected] and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: After recovering from an ankle injury in the fall, Wilson's Stevens returns to softball field
Continue reading...
