Jordan Robinson Kept the Faith Through Injury, Loss of Senior Season, and Found Her Way Back to the Court
By: Garrett Mitchell, Staff Writer
garrett@thewoodrufftimes.com
An Injury That Could Not Be Ignored
Jordan Robinson knew in her mind something was wrong, but was unwilling to let herself believe it until she had no other choice.
Starting late in the volleyball season, the pain in her lower leg persisted, and she passed it off as shin splints. She continued to play. Then, basketball season.
One of the Lady Wolverines’ senior leaders, Robinson, was held out of the season’s first game due to the discomfort, then played in the next two contests before finally conceding that the worsening pain she was feeling could no longer be ignored.
“I think I realized it was something serious when I would go into the game and start running, start going up and down the court, and there would be an immediate pain going up my leg,” Robinson explained.“I would immediately start limping. That’s when me and our trainer started figuring out it was probably more than just shin splints or anything else we thought it was.”
A Difficult Diagnosis and Emotional Setback
Robinson received daily treatment in the training room, going all the way back to volleyball season, but when the realization finally came that she needed scans to determine the exact cause of her ailment, she still was not prepared for what the answer would be.
A stress fracture with a minimum recovery time of two months. For Jordan, the news hit hard.
“It was never in my mind at all to have to sit out my senior year of basketball,” she said.“That wasn’t in my mind at all. But I knew I had to be there for my teammates and be supportive of them. I knew as much as they wanted me on the court, they needed my support just as much.”
Supporting Her Team From the Sidelines
A three-year starter, having to sit and watch was difficult for Robinson. A dynamic athlete who was used to helping her team win, she was relegated to cheering from the bench while wearing a cast on her now-healing leg. She watched as a trio of freshmen, Ella Flack, Tinsley Williams, and Hayden Belcher, took on larger roles, and she was determined to mentor her younger teammates if she could not be on the court playing with them.
“It made me happy in a difficult time,” said Jordan.“It made me more comfortable knowing that, even though I wasn’t able to play on the court with my teammates, I knew I could still have their back. It made me happy to see our younger girls step up and take on a larger role and fill those shoes and have my back.”
A Glimmer of Hope During Recovery
Jordan had been told when the stress fracture was first diagnosed to prepare not to play again during the season. It was a resignation she had accepted. Then, unexpected good news. At a follow-up check with her orthopedist in early January, Robinson was given a small glimmer of hope.
Her fracture was slowly healing, maybe not as fast as she hoped, but she was able to transition from a hard cast to a soft brace. From there, Robinson was told it would be another 3-4 weeks before she could be cleared to resume practice. Maybe just in time for the final week of the regular season.
A Return to the Court After 73 Days
On February 6 at Chapman, Jordan stepped onto the court for the first time in 73 days. She missed 16 games. But most importantly, she made it back. Robinson did not score a point that night, coming off the bench, but the moment was worth far more than anything found on the stat sheet.
“It meant so much (to be playing),” stated Robinson.“There were a lot of emotions going on. I only had one practice after being cleared, then went out there and played in a big game. There was a lot of nerves, but it meant a lot to be able to step back on the court with my team.”
A Meaningful Return and Emotional Senior Night
Three days later, Robinson was in the starting lineup at home against Mountain View. She received a loud ovation as her name was announced. Then, less than a minute into the game, she stole a pass and scored her first points in almost two and a half months. It was a breakaway layup, to a raucous reaction from the fans. She scored seven points total that night.
For her coach, Jon Jansen, seeing his senior leader back in her element was a special moment.
“We had to keep her positive and realize that she was going to get through it,” he explained.“She is a tough and resilient young lady, and when she’s on the court, we’re a better team. It’s great to have her back. It’s unfortunate she missed as much time as she did, but she’s playing great, and we’re very grateful to have her back in the lineup.”
The Virtue of Patience Rewarded
Her patience paid off. Having stayed the course, the road finally led Jordan back to the court where she belonged. They say patience is a virtue, something Robinson now fully understands and appreciates.
“A few months ago, I never believed it was possible for me to play on senior night. Seeing that support from my family, coaches, and fans, that they had my back, it meant everything.”
