Athletics can be fun, engaging and an outlet for stress. However, the rigor and hours of practice required to play at the varsity level can sometimes cause athletes to push themselves beyond their limits.
This was the fate of Varsity volleyball player Elle ’27 who tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus as a result of playing on an injured ankle during a club tournament. Through her injury, she has found a way to navigate the school campus and take care of her ankle while staying positive and remaining a dedicated member of the volleyball team.
Taking the elevator, a revered Marlborough experience, has become the norm for Elle. She has also had to use crutches to maneuver through the campus, and she struggles to make it to class on time due to her inability to walk fast or carry things. Despite this, Elle has still maintained a positive attitude towards her injury.
“It has been a bit of mental gymnastics to navigate my way through, but at least my arms are going to be super buff from using crutches and a 50-pound backpack,” Elle said.
Elle has been on the Varsity volleyball team for the past two years. She also competes in club volleyball year round, with a time commitment that can reach up to eight hours a day for tournaments. Due to her injury, there has been a large change in her schedule, as she is unable to play volleyball and has to attend physical therapy (PT) every day. She attends PT with Head Athletic Trainer Chloe Kipnis in addition to following her own PT routines at home. Elle spends 30 minutes a day at home or an hour and a half with a trainer on PT, sometimes doing eight hours a day.
“The good thing about physical therapy is that everyone comes back stronger than they were previously,” Elle said.
Despite her injury, she has been able to make a significant impact on her team by refereeing freshmen-sophomore, junior varsity and varsity games, as well as cheering on her teammates. Despite her positivity and the support she has received, Elle still longs to get back on the court.
Although her goal is to return to volleyball in six months, her recovery could take as long as 10 months. Regardless, Elle is looking forward to playing again in the last three months of her club season and on the varsity team for the 2026-27 school year.
“[When injured], give yourself a lot of support and patience,” Elle said. “It’s one thing to have resilience and drive, but another thing to give yourself grace.”
