This feature is part of an on-going question and answer series with Northern State University student-athletes to share their stories and experiences off the field of play.
Backing down is not in
Peyton Ellingson's vocabulary.
The Northern State starter has faced adversity in a variety of ways throughout her life and volleyball career, but has found a way to flip the switch. From five athletic related surgeries to a family cancer diagnosis, the Warner native along with the members of her tight knit family have been able to find the positive in even the darkest of situation.
What are the specific types of adversity you have faced?
Ellingson: Throughout my high school and college career, I have overcome a lot of adversity. Before all my injuries, I had to deal with a family sickness. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was just 15 years old. I come from a super close and supportive family, so my mom's diagnosis was very tough on all of us.
My first major injury happened during my high school sophomore basketball season. While going up for a rebound, my shoulder got dislocated and that lead to a torn labrum. I was out for about six months, and I rehabbed hard and came back super strong for volleyball season my junior year.
I was about a month into the season when my second major injury occurred. During a volleyball game, I was going up for a block and came down on someone and tore my ACL. That was heartbreaking; coming back from one major injury just to have another within about six months of each other. I rehabbed even harder this time. I just viewed tearing my ACL as more time to let my shoulder to heal and get stronger too. After my ACL surgery, my knee was never the same. I had two additional surgeries on my knee for my meniscus that set me back once again, but not too major. Once again, I came back strong.
I got to play my first college season this year as a redshirt freshman. I was having an amazing season and really beginning to come into my own. Towards the very end of the season and right before playoffs, it happened again. The thing that I dreaded the most: re-tearing my ACL. Just like the first time I tore it, I came down from a block during a game. The second I heard the pop; I knew what had happened. That was absolutely heartbreaking.
What was the most challenging during the times you mentioned above?
Ellingson: After my first injury, I had a ton of support and reassurance that I would be back on the court before I knew it. My doctors, family, and friends all knew I could come back from this setback, but after all the other injuries and tearing my ACL for the second time, people started doubting that I will make it back. They questioned why I would want to risk re-injuring it. Injuries are tough, not just physically but mentally and emotionally. Keeping a positive outlook on your recovery is so challenging. You start doubting yourself and wondering if it is all worth it.
Motivating yourself to know that you can come back from all of this is the most challenging, but at the same time it is the most rewarding knowing that you can do it. I must admit, my second ACL rehab has been extremely hard. Having four surgeries on the same knee definitely takes its toll on a person. Rebuilding the muscle in the leg is definitely a challenge, but I love a good challenge.
What was the most rewarding during the times you mentioned above?
Ellingson: Overcoming peoples' doubt is the most rewarding. Stepping back on the court and getting to play the sport that you absolutely love. Being able to play for such an amazing university like Northern has been so awesome. Having an outstanding coach and team is hard to find. Coming back from these major setbacks even stronger than before is such an amazing feeling. You know your rehab and hard work has paid off when you step back on that court and get to do what you love again and make people proud.
Who has been your biggest motivation in working to overcome those challenges?
Ellingson: Honestly, I don't know if I can single out one person as my biggest motivator because I am the type of person that truly motivates themselves. The trainers at Northern, especially
Shannon Curtin, have been a great motivation for me to get back next season. They constantly push me to get stronger in the training room. A combination of family, friends, and physical therapists have helped me push myself to continue to grow and get stronger every day. An abundance of support from so many people have helped me thrive during these hard times.
What is some of the best advice you can give to others facing similar situations?
Ellingson: Some of the best advice I can give to someone that is dealing with this type of adversity is to just not lose faith in yourself. You are always going to have bad days, but those bad days don't last forever. Even though it sounds cliché, you must believe in yourself when everyone else doesn't. Most people wonder why I continue to go back to playing sports, I think I just like to prove people wrong. I know what I am capable of and what I can accomplish, so don't let others determine what you can and cannot do.
With rehab going well this spring, what are you looking forward to most this fall?
Ellingson: My goal is to be able to compete next fall. Having torn my ACL for the second time, my recovery is much slower and very boring. I like to constantly see improvements and do new things, but I had to learn to be patient and wait till it fully healed before I got to do the "fun" part of rehab. My goal is to be 100% by fall, but it is truly up to my doctor to say yes or no to me competing. I couldn't imagine sitting out a full season, so I have been working extra hard to really regain my muscle and be back to normal. I have been working a lot with my trainer at Northern, Shannon, and my physical therapists here in town. It would be so awesome to come back from this injury and get to play this fall, but it really is in the hands of my doctor.
