Abby- Working Her Way Back

Abby & family finishing a mile run at Lake Storey.

Abby had a heartbreaking year of basketball. She hurt her knee in the third practice of the season. It is tough to have worked hard and feel like you are ready go for some of your basketball goals, and then have to put the goals on the backburner while you develop a whole new set of goals about rehab.

It is probably easy for some to look at Abby, and figure she is good because she is tall. This summer Abby was one of our best players, and in some games she was our best player. Just going into her sophomore year, and having success already could be pretty heady stuff for some players. But this summer, it became clear to me that Abby has been successful because of her inner drive.

We had planned games at Breese. We were really challenged as a team, it turns out we played  4 of 5 games vs. teams who were state ranked. And we played vs. some really good post players. After the last game, I was standing next to Abby in the lobby outside the gym. She turned to me and said, “This weekend I showed me that I have to get stronger. I have to get into the weight room, I don’t want to be pushed around.” Clearly Abby wasn't just happy to be on the varsity, she wanted to get better!

Successful athletes have to be willing to do self-examination and be willing to challenge themselves. Abby isn’t afraid to challenge herself. And because of that attitude, she is successful as she does her knee rebab.

Before you hurt your knee this winter, had you ever had an injury/illness that forced you to ever sit out?

Not really, I only had shin splints over the summer when I was playing lots of Summer league and AAU. I had to sit out one game and even that was too much sitting out!

As you look back on the incident, did you feel anything in particular that made you feel right away that it was serious? 

Actually, not really, I thought it was fine. Because you always think it could never possibly happen to you until it does!

After you had the surgery, when did you get to be released? And when were you able to go back to school?

After surgery, I went home that same day and stayed home for about a week. But then I had to get back because I had finals!

I know when you start rehab, there seems to be a progression of what they try to achieve from from flexibility to then strength. Could you explain what you have gone thru? How many days a week and how long each day?

I had rehab 3 days a week for about an hour each time, along with exercises I had to do on my own every day too. For me, the flexibility was the easiest part, but the strength was harder. My knee is definitely strong now, but I’ve been working the most on hip strength because it’s an important thing so I don’t get hurt again. 

Where are you right now in your rehab? What are you able to do now? What are you hoping to be able to do in a month that you aren't able to do right now?

Right now, in rehab I’m working on return to sport stuff. I’m doing a lot of lateral shuffling, jumping, and reactive stuff. In a month I hope to be able to do more intense basketball workouts with quickness and sprinting. 

Surgery and rehab are obviously tough. What have you learned about yourself in this process?

I learned not to take anything for granted. One of the best moments I’ve had so far was when I was allowed to walk for the first time. Since I had a full meniscus repair, I wasn’t allowed to walk for over a month at all and it was the best feeling in the world to finally do things for myself. I remember throwing the crutches in my closet and I never have looked at them again. Sometimes I’ll just be walking and feel so grateful for that in itself! 

Lauren and Lily went thru this- how was she able to help you?

Lauren and Lily went through this too and it helped so much to know I wasn’t alone. Lily came over the day before my surgery and helped me pack which was such a big thing, because I remember being terrified and she’s such a mom friend to me. Lauren was also there for me so much. When I couldn’t really walk, and just thinking about basketball got me frustrated, she would just come over to my house and we would just paint together or get ice cream and not think about it. It helped me a lot. Also, when it happened to Kaylee I was so sad for her. I think the way that Lily and Lauren helped me made me want to be there for her even more. We had to help each other out. 

What are your goals for yourself for next season? In what ways do you hope to be a better player when you get back- do you have any particular goals for yourself?

I just want to be better than I was before. When things go wrong I don’t want my knee to ever be a factor of it. I don’t want it to affect me anymore. 

What has been your favorite class in high school? What about it made it a favorite?

Definitely art or PE class. I like art because you don’t have to worry about a bad grade, and I like PE because we usually get to play basketball so of course!

What is your favorite basketball memory so far?

My favorite basketball memory was when me, Grace, and Abby Endthoff had our first varsity basket at the same game. I was so proud of them!

We have only been in a "closed up" mode for about a week, have you found anything that you enjoy doing that helps you get thru the days? 

Probably going outside for sure. It helps feel a little more normal. 

Are there any basketball things you plan to be doing during this time?

I plan on going on runs, doing workouts, lots of ball handling, and once it gets a little warmer I want to go play outside with a hoop.  

Any words of encouragement to your teammates about getting thru this, or about next season?

I think we got this! It’s not easy at all but it will fly by before we know it and soon we will back on the court together!

If you could invite anyone- living or dead- who are three guests you would invite to have dinner with?

I don’t really know who I’d invite for dinner but I just wish we could have another team dinner right now! I miss the team! :))