but every time you get back up.
The senior outside hitter admits it's a corny philosophy, but for someone who's had a laundry list of injuries, the attitude is essential when coming back to form on the floor.
Every time Mandy Nichols steps on the floor, she plays with the mentality that, it's not every time you fall but every time you get back up.
The senior outside hitter admits it's a corny philosophy, but for someone who's had a laundry list of injuries, the attitude is essential when coming back to form on the floor.
I think I say I'm used to being injured just because it kind of keeps me in a mind-frame that now I am able to play which is kind of comforting
Nichols said. I try to put all those things behind me.
With Sue Jacobi and Katie Post struggling early at Central Michigan, the Bobcats needed another player to carry the load offensively. Nichols was the one who stepped up.
Nichols recorded seven of the 13 kills in the first two sets during the team's 3-2 victory Sept. 25, signaling resurgence by the often-injured senior outside hitter.
I feel like I've learned to deal with my frustrations and all of my injuries very well
she said.
Nichols has an extended history of injuries. She shattered her kneecap in practice at Purdue before transferring to Ohio. This past spring, she broke her left foot, then her right wrist.
During her junior and senior years of high school, she shattered lateral sesamoid bones in both feet, one at a time. She had foot surgeries to fix the bones before going to Purdue, but one didn't go as planned.
This past spring, she had another surgery to clean up scar tissue.
I don't want to say it's completely better
but I'm being optimistic
Nichols said.
With all the injuries, Nichols said it's been difficult to meet her potential.
The Greenwood, Ind., native was named in the PrepVolleyball.com Super Sophomore 79 and Top 50 junior recruits lists. She was also rated the 38th recruit as a senior in 2006 by the website.
Nichols led her club team, Circle City Volleyball Club, to a fifth-place finish in the nation while competing at the 17-1 level.
Senior libero Meryl Bender, who lives about 1.5 hours away in Yorktown, Ind., remembers the hype that surrounded Nichols at that time.
I remember when we were really young
when she played for Circle City and I played for Munciana
and she was the top player
Bender said. We all used to flock to her court to watch her play
and we were like
