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Unfinished Business

Part 2: Overcoming The Pain

Churchill’s Morgan Spencer and Clark’s Krystle Brydon (above) are rivals on the court, but they share a common experience. Both were key members of San Antonio teams with legitimate state championship hopes. Both went down with injuries in the playoffs. Now both are back on the court as senior leaders on teams among the state’s best. And once again they have their eyes focused on San Marcos. This is the second of three articles looking at the unique stories of some of the seniors leading their teams into the playoffs and why this final run at a state title has special meaning for them.

"I don't dwell on the fact that I got hurt in a major playoff game. It was in the past, and I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason," says Morgan.

Nov. 6 — Morgan Spencer remembers the play vividly. It was the Region IV finals. Churchill was up a game on Westlake and a berth in the state tournament was within grasp.

“I came down on the right side blocker’s foot and to avoid rolling my ankle I hyper-extended my knee. I landed and heard a pop,” Spencer remembers. “I collapsed to the ground and out of instinct I got back up. Ryan (Maspero) was behind me asking me if I was okay. I said ‘No. No. I'm not.’ "

Spencer and Maspero both yelled "Don't set outside. No outside!" but with the crowd noise at a fever pitch, Jen Baerwald never heard their screams and set the outside. Maspero pushed Spencer out of the way and tried to put the ball down. Westlake tipped it back to left front where Morgan normally would have been waiting, and that is where the play ended.

“I knew that I was badly hurt, but I didn't want to accept it,” Morgan remembers. “The hardest part was when my trainer was testing my ligaments. I just wanted him to tape me up and let me go finish the game.”

Morgan, a 5’8” OH, was not able to finish. It takes more than tape to recover from a torn ACL. Westlake rallied to win the match and eventually the state title. For Morgan, however, it’s all in the past.

“I don't dwell on the fact that I got hurt in a major playoff game,” she says. “It was in the past, and I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. From this injury and experience I realized how much better and stronger I can be, and what it takes to get there. It also makes me appreciate the game so much more, and not to take it for granted when you have something awesome!”

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Photo by John Albright

"I didn’t want to say anything.I knew that if I did, my season was over,” Krystle remembers thinking when the pain returned.

Krystle Brydon can relate.

“I know how easily it can all be taken away,” she says, “so I have made an effort to enjoy every second this year and so far it has been a blast!”

Ironically, Brydon’s injury came in the playoffs against Churchill. It was actually a re-injury.

During the summer prior to the start of her junior season, Krystle attended a strength and conditioning camp every morning. She started to have lower back pain and when she participated in her team’s volleyball camp in July the pain reached the point where it was difficult to play. She started having back spasms. After a series of tests, her doctor told her she had a stress fracture.

“He told me I would have to wear a back brace for two months and that I could start playing again after that,” Krystle remembers.

Krystle missed much of the regular season, wearing a brace that covered most of her body. As soon as she was able to remove the brace she was back on the court practicing.

“I didn’t want to miss any more of the season,” she explains.

Krystle, a 5’10” OH, played the final nine district matches and Clark headed into the playoffs as one of the state’s top teams with Krystle a primary reason. Then the pain returned.

“As soon as playoffs started my back started hurting again,” Krystle remembers.

With each the game the pain increased, “but I was so excited to play again that I didn’t want to say anything,” she admits. “I knew that if I did, my season was over.”

Finally, in the playoff match with Churchill, the pain became too intense, the spasms returned and Krystle collapsed to the floor. She was not able to get out of bed for four days and her doctor discovered that she now had two stress fractures and that the original one had not healed completely. He also warned her that some stress fractures never heal.

Photo by John Albright

Morgan told her coach: "it’s my knee and I’m scared."

Krystle was not about to return to the body brace so she and her dad took matters into their own hands. They searched for a physical therapist. They found Steve Stratton, who had worked on the San Antonio Spurs' David Robinson. She worked with Stratton three times a week for six months.

“He’s amazing,” Krystle says. “my back is as good as new.”

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In addition to the injuries and playing key roles on two of the state’s top teams, the cross-town rivals apparently share another common trait – a strong character that was vital in their ability to overcome their injuries and work their way back onto the court.

“She’s one of the most competitive athletes I have ever dealt with,” Clark coach Kirby Jameson says of Krystle. “She’s been through a lot of adversity and she’s a tough cookie.”

“I don’t know that I’ve coached a more loyal and dedicated player ever,” Churchill coach Robin Gerlich says of Morgan. “Deep, deep within her she has such strong character and she has been able to build on that character and come back.”

The coaches both admit that as much as they wanted to be able to offer words of wisdom, there was little they could do to ease their athletes' pain.

“I’ll be honest, there wasn’t a lot I could say,” Jameson remembers. “Krystle is so competitive it hurt her to watch. She had a plastic cast molded to her body and I remember once when she went to the doctor so excited thinking she was going to be released and the doctors didn’t release her. You could tell how much it hurt and there really isn’t anything you can say that helps.”

"It was heartbreaking,” Gerlich says of watching Morgan crumple to the floor. “She said ‘coach, it’s my knee and I’m scared.’ I remember her asking me ‘why did it have to happen to me in the regional finals?’ All I could tell her was that things happen for a reason and I can’t answer why, but it’s how you deal with those setbacks that matter.”

Krystle and Morgan impressed their coaches with how they dealt with their setbacks. By the start of this season both were at full speed and were named All-Tournament at the prestigious Duncanville Tournament of Champions.

Photo by John Albright

"To have her back 100 percent is wonderful," Clark coach Kirby Jameson says of Krystle's return.

“She had every reason to make excuses, but she has really come back strong,” Gerlich says of Morgan. “At her first game back, you could see she struggled a little and it was a little scary for her. I think she had a few doubts. But once we got past that game she has really turned it on. She has really been a leader on this team and it has been a tremendous year for her.”

“To have her back 100 percent is wonderful,” Jameson says of Krystle. “She was a starter as a sophomore on a team of seniors and was never real showy. She just did her job. But now she’s really become a leader and she realizes ‘I need you and you need me.’ She has really matured.”

For Morgan and Krystle, who both began playing volleyball in the fourth grade and would like to play in college, this will be the final chance to win that elusive state championship. Each player's team is certainly capable and both have been near the top of the LoneStarVolleyball and Coaches Association rankings all season. They will likely face each other again in the playoffs next week.

Morgan and Krystle took some time out before the start of the playoffs to share their thoughts on the pain and frustration of having their hopes dashed in an instant, the agony of rehab and why it all makes this year that much more special.

How frustrating was it to be injured in the playoffs?

Morgan: It wasn't so much frustrating as it was disappointing. Just knowing things might have been different, made it that much more disappointing. One thing that was frustrating was definitely losing my junior year club season. Missing out on all of the college exposure just made me want to come back sooner and be that much better.

Krystle: Next to my mom dying (her sophomore year), being injured is the hardest thing I have ever been through. It is so hard to sit through every practice and game not able to do anything.

What was the worst part about the rehab process? How did you handle the mental part?

Morgan: The Box was the worst part. It’s a foam square about a foot high that you rest your foot on to straighten out your knee while you lie on a table. The mental part was good. I realized exactly how much I loved the game and what it was going to take to come back. I was very determined to achieve my personal goals, and come back and help my team achieve theirs too. With all the support and encouragement that I received from everybody, I was really excited to get back and show myself, and everyone else that I was just fine. This being the case, the only frustrating thing was not being able to play.

Krystle: The worst part about the rehab process was that while I was trying to get back to where I was originally I knew other people were improving. But knowing this also made me push harder.

"It felt awesome to get back on the court," says Morgan.

How did you feel getting back on the court for the first time? We're you worried?

Morgan: It felt awesome to be back on the court!! Yes, I was worried. I had my knee brace and a brand new ACL, but there was still that thought in the back of my mind. I was released to play back row for my club team four months post operation, but I didn't get a real taste of being back until the first scrimmage of high school. During this scrimmage my knee popped and it felt exactly like I remembered it feeling when I ihurt myself. I came out and my trainer tested it and it was fine. It did it one more time in the New Braunfels game, and after that I wanted to know exactly what was making the pop. I went in that week for a second MRI and my doctor reassured me that everything was great and it was probably just scar tissue. Since then, I have had no problems and I have gained back 100% confidence in my knee!

Krystle: The first time I felt back to normal was against O’Connor. My love for volleyball had increased so much during the time I was out and it felt amazing to be able to play again.

How satisfying has this season been, having been through that experience?

Morgan: It feels incredible to be back where I left off and knowing what the team has accomplished as a whole. It is awesome knowing that our coaches don't expect any less from us. With two seniors, three returning starters and two transfers, it is extremely satisfying to be considered in the top five high school teams in the state of Texas.

Krystle: So far this season has been incredible. I know how easily it can all be taken away so I have made an effort to enjoy every second and so far it has been a blast!

All good teams start the season talking about winning a state title. Has there been a turning point in the season when you realized that you had a team capable of winning it all, or did you think that coming into the season?

Morgan: I was unsure at first and I didn't know what to expect from myself much less the team. I knew we had good players individually, I just didn't know how good we could be as a team. We jelled as not only friends, but as a team. After seeing how we reacted in the second round of district, I think we all realized that something special was in this team if we wanted it. Since Texas has so many good teams, I think it all depends on who shows up to play. Everyone is still working hard and improving. I think with the right attitude towards things, staying healthy and injury free, and a little bit of luck, there could be a good chance that we can get there.

"I know how easily it can all be taken away so I have made an effort to enjoy every second," says Krystle.

Krystle: Coming into the season I knew our team was capable of winning it all, but when we defeated Westlake suddenly the whole team knew we were capable and now we have a whole new level of confidence. Since volleyball is so mental confidence is very important.

Did you play other sports growing up?

Morgan: Yes, I played basketball, but by the time I was in eighth grade I got tired of it. My parents always told me "when something isn't fun anymore don't do it," so I decided that I didn't want to play.

Krystle: Yes, I was also pretty good at basketball and track but I quit track after middle school and I quit basketball after playing on varsity my sophomore year.

When did you begin to focus on volleyball and what attracted you to the sport?

Morgan: I started focusing only on volleyball my eighth grade year, since I didn't have to worry about basketball anymore. Volleyball is always changing and I knew that I would never get bored with it. It's also a team game, it isn't like just one person can win. That is why I was so attracted to the sport.

Krystle: I realized volleyball was my favorite sport during my first year of club, which was in the eighth grade.

How many colleges are you considering?

Morgan: As many as I can! I am very open and willing to look at anything. Any school that is in need of a libero/defensive specialist with nine years of outside experience is a great choice for me. I am planning on majoring in veterinary sciences, and a school with that option would help tremendously. But, like I said before, I am totally open to anyone.

Krystle: I am talking to a few schools but I am also starting to consider walking on somewhere.

What is the recruiting process like coming off an injury?

Morgan: I lost the bulk of my junior year club season, which is the most important year for college exposure. At first, I really was just taking one thing at a time. Trying to get back to play the end of my junior year club season and starting my senior year off strong, was my first priority. After I accomplished that, then I would start back up with my recruiting process. It is a little frustrating knowing that most schools have their scholarships committed for the libero/defensive specialist position. Even though I am not committed, I am still in good hopes and all of my options are open!

Krystle: The recruiting process has been very difficult and stressful although every coach I have talked to has been extremely nice and helpful. The reason it has been so difficult for me is because the most important year for recruiting is your junior year and my whole junior year I was injured or still recovering.

Do you have a nickname?

Morgan: I have many! The best one would have to be "Matthew". I got it back when I was a sophomore. Ryan Maspero found a "Hello, my name is" sticker with "Matthew" written on it. They stuck it on my back without me knowing and started calling me Matthew. I didn't know what they were talking about, but I answered to it anyway. When I finally figured it out everyone was cracking up. So that was that, and the name just sorta stuck.

Krystle: Red Bull and Comanche. My teammates started calling me Red Bull during my first year of club and it kind of stuck. Comanche is a new nickname that was given to me by one of the middles on Clark. We play this “Indian attack game” and her name is Apache. If you ever see us hit each other on the court that is what we are doing. It’s a ridiculous game but we love it.

What are your favorite memories from your high school career?

Morgan: One of my favorite memories from my high school career had to be doing our Sister Act II skit. Before every game last year, we would all sing and dance to the movie Sister Act II. If we didn't do Sister Act...we didn't play. We all had certain parts we acted out and it was so much fun!

Krystle: This year has been my favorite year. The best memories consist of preseason tourneys, rope course bonding, training room parties, cutting and dyeing teammate’s hair in the hotel room, Coach Jameson’s brownies and “sing along” tapes, and defeating high caliber teams such as Westlake and Churchill.

Disappointments?

Morgan: As for disappointments, my ACL injury was the biggest. Knowing things could have been different, and then losing all of my club season and a lot of college exposure was definitely disappointing at first.

Krystle: The last two years playoffs have been disappointing but I am hoping this is the year we go far.

Finally, what advice would you give to other girls who have injuries and are facing a rehab process coming up?

Morgan: Work hard! Be patient with yourself, things happen for a reason. Even if you aren't quite sure what that reason is right now, one day it will show. Keep a good attitude and move on. This too will pass. Don't give up on your dreams and hopes, if you want them bad enough there is nothing stopping you from reaching them. And don't get discouraged. You will come out even stronger than you were before. It just takes a little time, that's all.

Krystle: The advice that helped me the most was that everything happens for a reason and you will become a stronger person because of it. It is also important to remember that anything is possible, never give up and set high goals.

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Coming

Part 1 — Michelle Moriarty Still Wants More

Friday: Part 3 - Fourth time a charm?