Injuries during the season are devastating for student athletes. For senior Abigail Vanden Heuvel, this became a reality when she tore her ACL and meniscus during a volleyball game before the first day of school this year. Everything then quickly changed.
Throughout her high school career, Vanden Heuvel has participated in both varsity volleyball and tennis. She was an outside hitter for volleyball and first singles on the tennis team until this year.
“I went from being able to jump and run to not being able to walk normally for several months,” Vanden Heuvel said. “It also took a toll on me mentally. The whole course of my senior year was drastically changed in just a few moments. Not being able to play tennis was one of the most difficult things for me to accept.”
Missing an extensive amount of school is challenging for all students, especially a senior athlete who is also enrolled in many higher-level courses. As a result of being hurt and undergoing two surgeries, Vanden Heuvel missed several weeks, and it was difficult for her to stay engaged and balanced mentally.
“During this time, it was difficult to stay connected with friends, and I wasn’t able to attend any school activities or sporting events. This was one of the worst things about getting hurt,” Vanden Heuvel said.
Despite being home for a long amount of time, Vanden Heuvel now enjoys helping her teammates and growing closer with them. She is even the manager for the tennis team.
“This year with [Abigail Vanden Heuvel] being injured she still has been super involved with our team and shows up to every game when she can,” senior and tennis teammate Ellie Barnes said. “She’s always there supporting us and cheering us on, she always has a positive attitude with her injury and being hurt this season.”
Vanden Heuvel is not yet medically cleared to play, however she is still making her mark on the team.
“Although I wasn’t able to physically help out a lot, I still wanted to be a positive leader for the girls and coach them through the mental aspect of the game. From personal experience, I know that the mental part of a tennis match is just as important as having the skills to beat your opponent,” Vanden Heuvel said.
Vanden Heuvel is greatly missed on the courts. She was a notoriously hardworking tennis player and is doing everything she can to get better with her injury.
“She was a leader. She raised the level of intensity at practice, which is something a coach loves to have. She made the people around her better by leading by example,” varsity tennis coach Seth Howe said.
Since her injury at the beginning of the year, Vanden Heuvel is actively working to recover. Vanden Heuvel goes to physical therapy every week and completes multiple exercises. She has seen progress, however she is not able to play again as she finishes high school.
“Just recently, eight months since the injury, I have been able to begin the progression towards running and agility,” Vanden Heuvel said.
As Vanden Heuvel makes her way to recovery, she has seen drastic changes in her life. It isn’t always easy, but Vanden Heuvel is persevering.
“For most of my life, I took being active for granted. My injury has really caused me to evaluate the things I value and put first in my life,” Vanden Heuvel said.
