Senior's dreams gone in a flash

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Kylie Hawks’ senior year of high school was all going according to plan.

On Sept. 4, one instant changed it all for the Harrison libero.

Logansport’s Alaina Page smacked a volleyball that quickly crashed into Hawks’ face.

“I just didn’t get my hands up fast enough and it hit me in my right cheekbone and messed with my balance,” Hawks recalls.

The blow left Hawks concussed and ended her volleyball career.

“The past two years she’s gone down to Circle (City volleyball club in Indianapolis) and she’s been preparing for this moment,” Harrison senior setter Kayla Ostrom said. “Senior year, being libero, being that person on the court everyone can count on. Up until that point, she was that person.”

Hawks averaged 2.4 digs per set this season.

She can laugh about it now, but you can sense she’s still extremely uncomfortable with her situation.

This was supposed to be the Harrison libero’s year.

“This has been my first year that I have felt extremely confident in my abilities and my play,” Hawks said.

She’ll root her teammates on this week in hopes they can win Harrison’s fifth sectional title in six years.

Hawks finished the match against Logansport and recalls the night, but also remembers how difficult it was for her to drive home. She remembers her mother telling her she didn’t look right. And she remembers the doctor the following morning delivering the bad news that her symptoms meant she wasn’t going to be on the court for the Raiders.

The loud noises in the gym caused additional setbacks. It’s not uncommon for Hawks to exit May Gymnasium during a match because the decibel level gets too high. She had yet another setback on Monday, when she started suffering an aggravating headache.

“It really stinks,” said senior classmate Hayley Sinnott, who assumed the libero role. “I would hate to sit out my senior year.”