Most athletes would crumble if they found out their season was ended prematurely by a devastating knee injury, but not LSU junior middle blocker Khourtni Fears.
After suffering an ACL tear, Fears withstood the trauma and responded by becoming an emotional leader for her team and transitioning into a player-coach on the sideline.
Fears’ leg gave out during a practice in mid-August. Originally, the junior and coach Fran Flory hoped Fears wouldn’t need surgery, but later doctors confirmed she would need a season-ending operation.
When Fears went under the knife, Flory stayed at the hospital for the full three hours. Fears said Flory’s dedication meant a lot to her and has helped her cope.
“I remember waking up and seeing Fran,” Fears said. “It’s a feeling I can’t explain because, I mean, Fran literally waited for me to get out of surgery. It showed that I do still have a place with Fran and with this team for her to miss a whole day of practice to be with me.”
Fears’ surgery was a month ago, and she is now off her crutches and working on the strength of her leg. Even though she has yet to resume volleyball activities, she found a new way to support her teammates.
After her surgery, Fears faced a decision. She could either drop her head and complain about her injury, or she could step up and become an off-court leader for the team.
Thanks to support from Flory, Fears chose the latter.
“Fran told me even though I am hurt and out this year that my role on this team is very valuable,” Fears said. “I try to help the whole team, but since I myself am a middle [blocker], I try to help the middles and show them things they aren’t seeing.”
Fears is always in the ear of the middle blockers as they come off the court during a match, ensuring the Tigers stick to their game plan and teaching them how to adjust mid-match.
Flory said Fears’ new perspective of volleyball has become an important part of the team’s success.
“She’s really transitioned into a student-coach,” Flory said. “She’s like armchair quarterbacks and everybody who thinks they can coach from the sideline. She’s beginning to understand that feeling … She’s an important part of our game plan.”
But Flory said Fears’ impact goes beyond her help on the court and the attitude she’s taken with her injury resonates with the rest of the Tigers.
“The team responded the way it did because Khourtni responded to them and didn’t make this about Khourtni,” Flory said. “She totally empowered the team and she really still believes they’ll have a great season, as do the rest of us.”
Fears said it was never hard for her to feel positive about her rehab and her role with the team because of the loving nature of LSU volleyball.
“This team is a family,” Fears said. “Just cause I’m hurt doesn’t mean, ‘Oh Khourtni isn’t a part of the family anymore.’ We keep each other together … I feel even more love now than I did before the surgery.”