Laura Seeger '22
Volleyball

My biggest challenges/inspirations:
"My past year at Fairfield has been full of unexpected challenges that have really pushed me as a student-athlete. Unfortunately, during the final set of the MAAC Volleyball Championship in November 2019, I landed and tore my ACL and my menisci. I tried my best to enjoy the accomplishment of being a MAAC champion, but the joy was tainted by the overwhelming emotions that flooded in as I thought about the road ahead of me. Little did I know, my recovery would be harder than I ever imagined. Six months after my initial ACL reconstruction, I needed a second surgery on my menisci. Even with that and with all the PT sessions, I was still in pain and unable to run and jump. The projected fall season was approaching, and I was in no way going to be ready to play. As the season was pushed to the spring, it seemed time was on my side. After a few more doctor's visits and an experimental treatment, I started seeing progress. After 15 long months, I was ready to start playing again."

My positive experiences this year:
"Despite the obstacles I faced, both as a result of my injury and Covid, I can look back and identify numerous positive experiences. To start, I was able to spend a great deal of time with my family who were a crucial part for me to overcome my injury. Second, as a student-athlete, I have spent every day for years running around to practice, appointments, and workouts, so being able to step back from the craziness and take time for myself was a blessing. Finally, I was able to develop the incredible skill of perseverance, which I know will serve me well in the future. 
I am extremely grateful that Fairfield was able to bring us to campus for school this year. Knowing that I would be able to return to school, despite the changes we faced, was a relief. I missed my friends and teammates and needed some sense of normalcy again. In regard to my knee, my experience fostered an even stronger love for volleyball. Spending so many months without it made me remember what a privilege it is to play and how boring life is without it. Now, when I am on the court, I find myself enjoying it more than ever."

What inspired me to keep moving forward:  
"This past year has certainly been a journey that required outside sources to keep me pushing forward. My friends and family, both at home and at school, were a strong support system that consoled me when needed and reminded me of how strong I really am. My teammates and coaches constantly were checking in on me even when I was away from Fairfield, which reminded me of how many people I had rooting for my success. Finally, my simple love for the game inspired me. My ultimate goal was to be able to step onto the court again, and whenever I felt overwhelmed or exhausted from the whole process, I would remind myself of what I had waiting for me when all was said and done."