Many doctors told her she would never play volleyball again. However, junior Lindsay Kostrzewa went from a student-coach at the start of the season to dressing for the games.
Homecoming weekend, Kostrzewa dressed to play her first home game of the season against Lake Superior State University. The previous weekend, Kostrzewa was able to play her first game of the season against Lake Erie College.
“She really wanted to work hard to get back on the court,” junior Caitlin Kopmeyer said. “When she was able to start playing in practice it brought some great positive energy back to the team. It has been so awesome to see her go from absolutely nothing and not having the possibility of ever playing again, to being on the court.”
Kostrzewa will take the court tonight at the University of Indianapolis for the first round of the division II regional tournament, where the Chargers will face Grand Valley State for the third time in a row, following two losses. Kopmeyer said Kostrzewa will act as a “secret weapon” in the tournament, as not many teams have seen her play.
Kostrzewa’s journey back to the court was not an easy one, as she has faced knee problems since high school.
“It all started my junior year of high school,” Kostrzewa said. “I tore my ACL that year and then a few months later re-injured my knee, requiring a second surgery.”
Kostrzewa joined the Hillsdale College women’s volleyball team in the fall of 2010. She said head coach Chris Gravel took a gamble by letting her join the team since he did not know a whole lot about her. She also said Gravel not only bases his recruiting on the talent of a girl, but how the girl will fit into the program.
“He gave me a call to tell me the team had an extra spot,” Kostrzewa said. “I knew I was supposed to be at Hillsdale after that call. This has been the best place for me to recover, test, and see how I respond to playing at the collegiate level.”
Kostrzewa medical-red-shirted her freshman year and began to suit up during the spring season that year. Nevertheless, she inflamed the muscle the following spring and doctors began to tell her she would not be able to play again.
“It was a matter of finding the one doctor who would have enough faith in Lindsay,” junior Sydney Lenhart said.
Kostrzewa said she was able to find a doctor who saw her injury from the athlete’s point of view. Becoming healthy and playing again was also an opportunity for her to prove the other doctors wrong.
Gravel and the entire team have continually encouraged Kostrzewa as she recovers. Juniors Caitlin Kopmeyer and Lenhart said Kostrzewa brings awesome, positive energy to the team and has continually gone above and beyond to be able to play again.
“She is a good reminder of how lucky we are,” Lenhart said. “As hard as our schedule is we still get to play, while Lindsay is giving all the time and is enduring through the pain even though at times she cannot always play.”
Gravel and assistant trainer Amy Evans work with Kostrzewa daily with a plan that fluctuates based on how she is feeling. Kostrzewa said she does a lot of swimming, biking, and weight-lifting. Also, every six months, Kostrzewa said she receives an osteoarthritis injection meant for older people, which has worked wonders for her.
“I became aware at the last home game of how many people I have supporting me,” Kostrzewa said. “Tons of people came up to me letting me know how proud they were of me. I feel so blessed to have this awesome support group, and I am grateful for all them helping me push through the hard times.”
