Despite her unmatched abilities to drill the ball and seemingly dent the

opponents’ floor, Kelly Hanlon opts for the placement shot.

Sacrificing the potential crush and inevitable roar of approval from the

fans, she sees a hole and strategically attacks. Disciplined and

intelligent, she approaches the ball as if to nail it but instead tips just

over the left shoulder of the hungry blocker, finding the line and gaining

a point for her team.

Hanlon, a 6-foot junior outside hitter for the Lady Vols volleyball team,

has overcome extensive injury, surgery and a rocky recovery to rejoin her

team on the court this season.

Suffering from knee problems for nearly two years, surgery was the only

option to keep Hanlon on the court. The surgery, performed early last

spring, was a success, but led to a recovery that has redefined commitment

to the athlete. Hanlon was forced to spend the entire summer at the

University of Tennessee, attending rehab five hours daily.

“That was my summer — a bunch of leg lifts,” she said.

Hanlon, who lost speed, overall confidence and nine inches off her

vertical, does not regret the painful process she endured, because she

knows it will prove beneficial in the near future. Still, while those

around her were enjoying the lazy days of summer, Hanlon was limping around

campus on crutches.

Although the surgery was a painful process for Hanlon both physically and

mentally, she has maintained a positive attitude and credits the experience

with improving her mental game.

“Having the opportunity to watch my team from the sidelines last spring has

increased my understanding of the game,” she said.

Despite the substantial decrease in her vertical, Hanlon can still hit the

ball with astonishing speed and power. Lately, however, she is trying to

score points by utilizing her vast knowledge of the game and her ability to

truly “see” the opposite court.

Her new technique has certainly proved successful as Hanlon led the team

with 20 kills and 16 digs in the SEC opening match against Mississippi

State on Sept. 26.

Now, with the conference season underway, Hanlon must endure the recurring

pain so that she may help the team succeed. The Lady Vols struggled in

their preseason, posting a record of 5-9, but have gone on to win the first

two of their SEC matches.

In addition to acquiring discipline as a player, Hanlon also realized

through her experience that while athletics are important, they are not the

most vital aspect of college life.

“Volleyball is not everything,” she said. “I cherish the relationships I

have made and the ability to really touch those people.”

Hanlon says she is fortunate to have such wonderful, talented girls as

teammates.

“The girls are extremely diverse all in very enjoyable ways,” she

said.

While Hanlon has a balanced collegiate life, she remains focused and is

thankful for the privilege of working hard. Once the whistle blows, her

intensity level grows exponentially, and she thinks only of defending her

court and attacking the opponents.

For those who have always viewed volleyball as a recreational sport or as a

pastime for beach bums, Hanlon will open your eyes. The amount of strategy

required and various methods of play needed are extremely complex. It is

Hanlon’s ability to comprehend and apply these tools that take her to the

record books.

Hanlon has led the team in kills, digs and total attacks for the past two

seasons at UT. After just two years as a Lady Vol, Hanlon ranks ninth in

kills for all of Tennessee volleyball. The Aurora, Colo., native received

second-team All-SEC honors for both seasons she has played.

Prior to her unprecedented success as a Lady Vol, Hanlon was voted

Colorado’s Player of the Year and led her high school team to two state

championships.

Hanlon and the Lady Vols are on the road this weekend but will return to

Knoxville to play Georgia at Alumni Gym on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m.

Hanlon, who came to Tennessee with hopes for a national title, continues to

strive for the best. With the increasing success of the team and the

direction from new head coach Robert Patrick, Hanlon and the Lady Vols look

to quicken the journey to that title.