Utah State spiker Seedall returns to sport despite knee injury
Pain is nothing new for Hailey Seedall.
The senior right-side hitter for the Utah State University women’s volleyball team has been dealing with pain her entire collegiate career.
Seedall has chronic tendonitous in both of her knees. She said she has tried surgery, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs and cortisone shots, but rest is the only thing that helps.
Instead, she just plays when she can and deals with the pain.
“She’s got horrible knees, and we all know it, but she goes out and she works her butt off and has a really good time,” said assistant coach Amy Crosbie.
After last season, Seedall said she planned on retiring from volleyball and working with this year’s team as a student assistant. Instead, near the end of the summer she was invited back by the Aggie coaching staff.
“I had to think about it for awhile because at that point my knees felt great because I hadn’t played volleyball or done any running,” she said. “It wasn’t that hard of a decision but I didn’t want to aggravate my injury.”
Hailey’s husband Nick Seedall said, “She had mixed feelings but just wanted to finish out her senior year and go out in a blaze of glory.”
Crosbie, who played with Hailey two seasons ago, said the coaching staff took all possible factors into consideration in asking Hailey to return. With nine newcomers on the team, Crosbie said the Aggies needed someone who knew the system and could lead by example.
The Aggie players said they are happy to have Hailey back on the team.
Outside hitter Shauni Fluckiger said, “We were all way excited to have her back. She has a positive attitude and tries really hard for everything. Everyone loves being on the court with her.”
Now that she is back, Hailey said she is trying to take advantage of her playing time. This season she has played in nine of Utah State’s 17 matches. Over the last three matches Hailey has totaled 26 kills and five blocks.
“I think this is by far her best year,” Nick said. “I think in the years past she’s been a little timid, held back a little, but I think this year she knows it’s her senior year and she’s just opened it up. There’s no holding back now.”
Although she does sit out to rest her knees, Hailey said she still experiences pain during matches.
“The most frustrating part is some games I’ll be slower because my knees hurt a lot so I can’t get to the balls as much,” she said.
Even though she doesn’t like missing matches, Hailey said she still tries to contribute to the team.
“If I can’t help on the court I try to be positive on the bench and positive in every way I can to help in other ways through not playing,” she said.
Middle blocker Ingrid Roth said, “She’s always willing to help me as a freshman and talk to me and make sure I’m doing what’s right. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to make our team better so we can win more matches.”
Volleyball isn’t something Hailey has been a part of her whole life, though. She said she didn’t start playing until ninth grade, but she became a three-year letter-winner at Bountiful High School in her hometown of Bountiful.
Hailey played a year at Salt Lake Community College before transferring to Utah State. She said she was friends with then Aggie Head Coach Tom Peterson and wanted to play at a Division I school.
From her time as an Aggie, Hailey said she will remember her teammates the most and beating BYU.
“The relationships I’ve made with people, the friendships you make on the team, there’s nothing that can replace them,” she said.
Last season, Hailey was chosen as an academic all-Big West selection.
Majoring in secondary and physical education, Hailey said she plans to graduate in the spring and then wants to attend nursing school at the University of Utah.
Ultimately, she said she wants to end up in California.
In the meantime though, Hailey said she is going to go out and give the game her all.
Crosbie said, “I can’t say enough how excited I am to have her out here on our team. Maybe it is a little different because we were teammates and I knew her as a player, but I’m even more honored to be able to be with her and coach with her because she just has all the qualities you need in a kid and she’s just fighting so hard for her senior year.”
-slbk5@cc.usu.edu