Matich returns to competition after injury

By Lisa Porter

After encountering junior Crystal Matich's Ali G voicemail greeting, it's easy to see why best friend and teammate, junior Anna Cmaylo, likens her to a female Jim Carrey.

Matich, an All-American setter from Santa Rosa, started the entire season last year and was named an All-WCC honorable mention, after helping the Broncos to the WCC championship and to the national semifinal game of the NCAA tournament.

Matich, however, never thought that this season would be drastically different. Lucky for her, her sense of humor helped her get through her latest tribulation -- her first major injury.

Before the first home game against Sacramento State, Matich knew something was wrong.

"My foot had a sharp pain so I went to the trainers and asked what I should do," said Matich. "Next thing I know I'm getting an MRI and they told me I had a stress fracture in my foot."

Matich missed seven weeks and nine matches this season because of the stress fracture, which is typically caused from muscle fatigue and overuse. Matich had never coped with an injury before, and it hit her hard.

"When I heard the news that it would be four to six weeks from the stress fracture I actually cried. I was devastated because I didn't expect to get injured -- you never expect to get injured," said Matich.

Matich didn't sulk. Instead, she showed up to practices and games and continued to aid her teammates, even if she couldn't be on the court with them.

"She was always in the middle of the stretching circle telling ridiculous stories and making us laugh. Then she'd take a bike out on the court and watch us and participate while she conditioned," said teammate Megan Pura.

She also showed support by sharing her insight and extensive knowledge of the game to help out her teammates, especially freshman Lindsy Evans, who filled the void of setter left in Matich's absence.

Matich faced extreme frustration from sitting on the sidelines and not being able to speed up her recovery.

The frustration got to her as she waited breathlessly for the word that she could play again.

After waddling around in a boot for several weeks and letting her injury take its course, Matich got the go-ahead from her doctor.

Matich also explained that she doesn't worry about returning from a stress fracture too quickly.

"It's one of those things where I really just don't care. That's kind of a bad mentality, but I just want to play. Volleyball is something that I love to do and if my foot's gonna break, then let it. Hopefully the break happens at the end of the season," said Matich.

Matich returned to competition in the Broncos' Nov. 2 loss to Pepperdine, and has since been getting back into her routine as setter. Cmaylo and head coach Jon Wallace said that while she might not be exactly the same as she was before the injury, all she needs is a little time.

Cmaylo is glad to have her back since she's been hitting off her since their junior year in high school.

"There's that certain comfort and while Lindsy did a great job of stepping up and being great when we needed her, having Crystal back is a great familiar feeling," said Cmaylo.

Wallace also expressed how proud he has been of Evans, but experience and accolade speak volumes when making lineup decisions.

"We feel like Crystal is going to be our setter and Lindsy will move on to the outside and contribute in another way," said Wallace.

Outside of the volleyball world, Matich is a liberal studies major and she sees a possibility of playing volleyball overseas -- possibly in Spain -- followed by teaching elementary level special education. But for now, it's all about getting a laugh and a win.

Matich and Cmaylo often recall their freshman year, when they taught guys on their hall how to take a potato chip bag and miniaturize it in the microwave (a lesser known phenomenon that kept them all entertained for quite some time), and Matich even tried to show up one of the guys in a bubble gum blowing contest only to end up with gum all over her face and embedded in her eyelashes.

Cmaylo even admitted, not so proudly, that they choreographed a face-off dance to a song and proudly performed for their friends with no shame involved.

"We act like seven year old girls," said Cmaylo. "But that's why we have so much fun together."

Contact Lisa Porter at (408) 551-1918 or lporter@scu.edu.