Eight pounds of plaster bind her from thigh to toes, but the cast covering her broken left leg hasnt punctured Jessie Janiks personality or diminished her drive. The Illinois State volleyball player likely wont be on the court this year but she plans to use the cast to promote the team. It already says Redbird Volleyball down the front and shes planning to have teammates help her list the teams 2002 playing schedule on the back.
Janik, the former Providence Catholic High School star who grew up in Lemont, is one of five highly-heralded freshman hitters recruited by coach Sharon Dingman. Now, shes watching her four classmates and the six other ISU players practice in preparation for the Aug. 30 season-opener against Florida State, all because of a church-league softball game a month ago in Chicago.
I was playing second base and a guy slid into me pretty hard, said Janik, who figures to redshirt this season and begin her career as a freshman in 2003. My friend who was playing centerfield said she could hear the crack.
Her tibula and fibula are both damaged. The current cast is the second for Janik, a two-time all-stater in high school where her teams were 99-18 over the past three seasons. She will wear this one until mid-September and likely another, lighter model, will follow for four more weeks. While watching practice is tough, Janik keeps herself busy, learns by observing and helps the team by keeping score for its myriad of competitive drills.
The idea for putting the schedule on the cast emerged from player discussions on how get more value out of her situation.
My teammates think the schedule on the back could be a useful thing, said Janik. With the schedule on the back, I would be like a walking billboard.
Anything to help the team ... and quell the disappointment. Redbird coach Sharon Dingman shares Janiks frustration.
Certainly, we wish Jessie were on the floor right now because we feel she would be competing for a spot in the lineup, either as an outside hitter or defensive specialist, said Dingman.
But Janik smiles as she watches practice, eyeing senior outside hitter Erin Jones to learn more about her likely position when Jones graduates in May. A self-reliant type, Janik feels self-conscious about needing help from teammates.
The hardest part is depending on other people; things like people having to carry my food tray, said Janik. The freshmen, particularly, are always there for me. The five of us really get along.
Janik just wishes all five of them were on the court.
Redbird volleyball single-match and season tickets are available at the Redbird Arena Ticket Office by calling (309) 438-8000.
