MADISON TOWNSHIP — The pain is like nothing Chase Carper has ever experienced but it can’t compare with the joy Madison’s libero felt when she got back to doing what she loves.
Carper, who partially tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee early this season, quietly returned to action a few weeks ago. The senior has slowly worked her way back in time for what the Rams hope will be an extended postseason run, which began with Wednesday’s 25-4, 25-3, 25-8 win over Ontario in the opening round of the Division II sectional tournament at Madison Middle School.
“I’ve never had pain like this. When I dive or move the wrong way it feels like it is tearing even more,” Carper said. “It usually hurts after I get done playing but I take ibuprofen and ice it and it’s ready to go by the next game.
“My mobility is limited, but I’m just glad to be back.”
She wasn’t so sure she would get back on the floor after injuring the knee against Galion in late August. An MRI the following week revealed the partial tear, which will not require surgery.
“I didn’t think I was going to be able to come back. Every time I went to the see the doctor I cried because I thought I had lost my senior year,” Carper said. “When I was cleared to play, I was so excited I almost screamed.”
The return of their catalyst has pumped life into the Rams. Madison improved to 18-5 with Wednesday’s win and finished ninth in Division II in the final Ohio Volleyball Coaches Association state poll, released earlier this week. The Rams and Lexington tied for second in the Ohio Cardinal Conference at 11-3, behind league champ (14-0). The Rams and Red Riders shared the OCC title last year.
“We can all tell how much she missed being out there. It feels amazing to have Chase back,” said senior All-Ohioan Ali Brown, who filled in at libero during Carper’s leave. “She gives the team more spark. When we’re down, she’s the one who gets us going. Her attitude helps us a whole lot.”
Carper’s absence had a surprising effect on the Rams.
“It made us a lot more mentally tough. We had to learn to push through situations when we were down and she wasn’t out there,” Brown said. “That should help us down the road.”
By her own admission, Carper is still a little rusty from the nearly two-month layoff. The custom made brace limits her mobility.
“Her serve receive is solid and her movement left to right is good,” Madison coach Brian Votaw said. “She really struggles with her short movements.”
Votaw was initially reluctant to put Carper on the floor. He still has reservations.
“I’m still concerned about it,” Votaw said. “I was worried about playing her in tonight’s game, but we think she probably needs to be in there to keep her loose.
“To be honest she is probably about 70 percent of what she was, but her 70 percent is still better than 90 percent of the people in the state.”
“She gives the team more spark. When we’re down, she’s the one who gets us going. Her attitude helps us a whole lot.” – teammate Ali Brown
