Eckerd's Angela White and Andrea Krzystan haven't let freak accidents deter them.
By RODNEY PAGE, Times Staff Writer
Published August 30, 2005
Eckerd College freshman Angela White never will forget Aug.27, 2004. Senior teammate Andrea Krzystan never will play third base again.
Two players, two freak injuries, two dedicated comebacks.
For White, her injury last August put an end to a true freshman season before it began. It was the first official volleyball match at Eckerd for the native of Virginia Beach, Va., and she wanted to make a good impression.
During warmups, White went up for a spike. She never saw the ball rolling toward her. Her right foot came down on the ball, causing a compound fracture of her lower leg so severe that doctors said it would require six months of rehabilitation.
"We were counting on her because she was one of our strongest hitters," said Courtney Draper, who was coaching her first game at the school when White got hurt. "Then when she got injured, we were like, "Okay, who's going to take over?' It was a big loss."
The fracture caused nerve damage in White's foot. She has no feeling on the top and back bottom of her right foot, and never will. But there is one advantage to the injury.
"You always know when it's going to rain now," White said. "The pressure makes it hurt."
White, an outside hitter, was forced to take a medical redshirt last season. She still went to practice most every day and always was on the end of the bench during matches. This was the first time White had to miss a match, let alone a whole season. But she maintained a positive attitude.
"I didn't even want to believe it happened for the first week," White said. "But then you look down and see the cast and realize it hasn't gone away. But I think it might have been a good thing that it happened in my freshman year. I got to watch the games, and I learned a lot by watching. I got used to the college level by watching first."
Through extensive rehab, White was able to get back to working out after eight weeks. She slowly worked her way to participating in spring drills. After playing well in the spring, White said she's back to full strength and is a starter again.
"When I first came back, it was hard to get used to," White said. "But now I don't think about (the injury). I'd say I'm 100 percent. No one saw me really play last year. So you have to prove to yourself and everybody else that you can come back and still be the player you were before."
At least Krzystan waited until volleyball season was over before getting injured.
Krzystan played third base for a coed intramural softball team last spring. She is left-handed, but doesn't have her own glove. When a left-handed teammate couldn't show for a game, Krzystan was forced to use a right-hander's glove.
A male player on the other team hit a line drive to third. Krzystan couldn't get her wrong-handed glove up in time, and the ball hit her in the jaw. She had to have it wired shut for six weeks.
"I had to be on a liquid diet," Krzystan said. "All I could drink was Ensure and milkshakes and water. I got pretty good at experimenting with different things in the blender."
Krzystan missed the last part of spring practice but returned in time to start the preseason. After playing in all 26 matches last year, she will be counted on as a right-side hitter.
"Actually, Andrea got more playing time last year because of Angela's injury," Draper said. "Being left-handed, we were able to move Andrea over to the right side and she did a great job."
Krzystan stays on that side this season, and White has moved to outside hitter. So far, the combination has worked. The Tritons are off to a 2-0 start after weekend victories. Krzystan led the team with 10 blocks in a four-game win over C.W. Post.
"The experience level has jumped in just one year," White said. "We've all really come together. I think everyone is pretty excited about the season."
And Krzystan has not ruled out playing softball again.
"I think if I do, it will be way far away from home plate," she said.
