Navigating Through Injury During Unprecedented Times

Coming back from an injury requires a lot patience and resilience. Coming back from an injury during a national pandemic has become much more complex. That's become the case for senior Maggie Robinson and freshman Mackenzie Smith, who both suffered ACL injuries prior to the 2019-20 season, sidelining the two for one of the best women's hoops season in years.
 
Robinson, a relentless worker in all aspects of life just completed her undergraduate biology degree and will compete for the Monarchs in 2020-21 as she earns her MBA. If you've seen the ODU bench during a women's hoops game, Robinson is known to be one of the most rambunctious on the sideline. Alongside the senior on the bench, Smith suffered her knee injury not long after Robinson, embarking on a similar journey. Not having played one minute of collegiate hoops, Smith faced unchartered territory, one she took on with determination.
 
Throughout the season, the two players spent countless hours working on their eventual return to the hardwood. Women's basketball athletic trainer, Andilynn Beadles and strength and conditioning coach, Kelsey Wolfe were key pieces in the rehabilitation process, working day in and day out with Robinson and Smith.
 
Once CoVID-19 started making headlines across the globe, the Monarchs season and more importantly, the nation's everyday life came to a screeching halt. Both student-athletes returned to their homes from Frisco, Texas, where the 2020 Conference USA Tournament was being held. The next steps for the two was continuing their rehabilitation safely and productively. While Robinson opted to return to Norfolk to continue rehab, Smith remained in upstate New York, where she began to work virtually with Beadles. Regardless of where it would be done, the continuation of rehab would most certainly be necessary during the pandemic.
 
"To stop rehab before the athlete is cleared would hinder the athletes ability to recover from the injury and ability to return back to the sport in a safe manner," explained athletic trainer Beadles. "It's been important to continue on our goal of getting them healthy and strong enough to return for next season. We all have a goal to continue on the success of the past season and both of these players contribute to that."
 
Despite the obstacles through a rehab session via Facetime, Smith, the Syracuse, N.Y., native has continued to make strides in her recovery process.
 
"I've started running, jumping, and slowly getting back on the court. I've taken the time at home to focus on my rehab and getting stronger, overall," explained Smith. "The hardest thing for me is not being able to learn or correct things in person. One example is my form when I'm jumping. Andi sees all the exercises I do and tells me what I did good and what I need to work on. She also gives me new exercises based on what I have at home. A skateboard is used as an alternative in one of my activities."
 
On the flip side, Robinson returned to Norfolk, where she remains one of the few students living on campus during the pandemic, an enforced rule by Old Dominion. Following health and safety guidelines, the Mobile, Ala., native picked up where she left off with Beadles, closing in on her return to the court.
 
"Andilynn is very helpful with the safety aspect. Every day I have my temperature taken and wash my hands before touching anything," said Robinson. "She also asks me questions about how I'm feeling and sanitizes any and everything I touch. With these measures being taken, along with the fact that I am her only athlete on campus right now, I definitely feel I am in the safest and best environment for my rehab."
 
Robinson arrived at ODU in 2018 after two years at Shelton State, a junior college in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where she helped guide the team to back-to-back NJCAA Final Four appearances and ACCC Championships. Before receiving a medical redshirt this past season due to her preseason injury, Robinson was expected to be one of the Monarchs key players on the court. Appearing in all 32 games and starting in 31 as a junior at ODU in 2018-19, she averaged 7.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game.
 
"I think my biggest progression has just been getting my feel for the game back and learning my body. What things may feel the same or what may feel different than I once remembered. I'm really focusing on listening to my body, learning it, and taking care of it. I've done a lot of workouts and strengthening without a ball in my hand, but now I'm in the phase of my rehab where I can do more ball workouts. So, that's fun and I'm starting to feel like my 'old self' again I guess you could say… but a new version."
 
Robinson's time rehabbing at ODU has been well-worth the 13-hour trip from Mobile, Ala., where her family lives. At this point in her recovery process, the resources at ODU are invaluable. 
 
"The biggest benefit is having access to things that I don't have at home, such as loading heavy weight and the Biodex. This is a critical time to strengthen my quad and knee, and with the equipment on campus, I am able to really focus on and isolate that part of my body, while strengthening the rest of my body as well," Robinson described. "Being on campus for rehab has taken a weight off my shoulders because I know that I am in a safe place and the best place for myself and my growth right now. I am extremely grateful to be here and have the safety measures being taken to allow for it."
 
Despite their intense participation on the bench this past season, Robinson and Smith have their eyes on the foreseeable future, which is throwing on their ODU jersey and reconnecting with their teammates on and off the court.
 
"Motivation hasn't been an issue, both players are incredibly focused on returning back to playing and bringing ODU a championship," said Beadles. "I do think seeing them so much during the week has kept them on track with our ultimate goal of getting ready for this season."