Ernst said nobody knows exactly what brought about the pain and nobody knows what is wrong with her back. Ernst suggested it is a hereditary injury that became noticeable when she stopped growing and started playing more arduous sports like volleyball.
Ernst has taken every measure to expedite a recovery, including intensive rehabilitation programs and rest. But nothing seems to work.
Surgery is an option but a last resort because doctors are not sure exactly how much it would accomplish.
Ernst’s athletic scholarship, which is supposed to be renewed each year,
is in question. According to Division I NCAA regulations, an athlete has to pass his or her physical fitness test to remain eligible for a scholarship.
But Ernst’s coach said he will not let that happen. “It would be our prerogative to take away her scholarship because she can’t pass the physical fitness test,” head coach Jojit Coronel said. “I’ll never take it away. She came to GW to play volleyball and to enjoy the experience here, and that is exactly what she is doing right now.”
Ernst is physically unable to take part in practices, but she attends every one of them. Sometimes she tries to participate, but the pain is too great for her to handle.
To keep the scholarship, she works with the team as a student-assistant coach. She travels with the team and maintains statistics. With her extensive knowledge of volleyball, she helps her young team with its skills. Ernst also works ten hours a week behind-the-scenes at the Sports Communications department.
From an outsider’s perspective, it seems as though everything has worked out for her in an unusually positive way. She maintains her scholarship, has a career-oriented job and remains an active teammate.
But for Ernst, all she wants is to play again.
“It’s frustrating sitting on the sidelines, and it’s not much fun at all,” Ernst said. “I live with the team, which is great. They all treat me like I’m on it, but I hate not being able to play.”
Though she suffers through most of her day, you can’t tell.
“I’ll keep trying therapy, and I’ll do anything I can to recover,” she said. “My goal is to come back and play my senior year.”
Ernst has taken every measure to expedite a recovery, including intensive rehabilitation programs and rest. But nothing seems to work.
Surgery is an option but a last resort because doctors are not sure exactly how much it would accomplish.
Ernst’s athletic scholarship, which is supposed to be renewed each year,
is in question. According to Division I NCAA regulations, an athlete has to pass his or her physical fitness test to remain eligible for a scholarship.
But Ernst’s coach said he will not let that happen. “It would be our prerogative to take away her scholarship because she can’t pass the physical fitness test,” head coach Jojit Coronel said. “I’ll never take it away. She came to GW to play volleyball and to enjoy the experience here, and that is exactly what she is doing right now.”
Ernst is physically unable to take part in practices, but she attends every one of them. Sometimes she tries to participate, but the pain is too great for her to handle.
To keep the scholarship, she works with the team as a student-assistant coach. She travels with the team and maintains statistics. With her extensive knowledge of volleyball, she helps her young team with its skills. Ernst also works ten hours a week behind-the-scenes at the Sports Communications department.
From an outsider’s perspective, it seems as though everything has worked out for her in an unusually positive way. She maintains her scholarship, has a career-oriented job and remains an active teammate.
But for Ernst, all she wants is to play again.
“It’s frustrating sitting on the sidelines, and it’s not much fun at all,” Ernst said. “I live with the team, which is great. They all treat me like I’m on it, but I hate not being able to play.”
Though she suffers through most of her day, you can’t tell.
“I’ll keep trying therapy, and I’ll do anything I can to recover,” she said. “My goal is to come back and play my senior year.”
