BIRD'S B-DAY BASH: A WIN; INJURED HITTER STEVENS LEADS BULLDOGS OVER LEAGUE RIVAL.Byline: Chris Cocoles Daily News Staff Writer Rallying from two games down to win a Golden League girls' volleyball opener Tuesday against a championship contender was a pretty good birthday present for Highland High coach Mike Bird. ``(Bulldogs senior) Betsy Bartholet asked me if it was a good present,'' Bird said. ``And I said I'd like to have a new car.'' Bird, who spent much of his birthday nursing a sore throat Sore Throat Definition Sore throat, also called pharyngitis, is a painful inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the pharynx. It is a symptom of many conditions, but most often is associated with colds or influenza. and cold, got even more of a gift from the athletic abilities of senior Amber Stevens  Amber Dawn Stevens (born 1987) is an American actress. , whose 10 kills, 17 digs and six service aces in the final four games fueled Highland's comeback over Littlerock. Actually, the outside hitter shouldn't have been on the court at all. Stevens' right shoulder has bothered her throughout the season. She was (incorrectly) diagnosed with tendinitis but returned to Highland's lineup before the pain returned last week in the Valencia match. ``I went to another doctor and now I might have a torn rotator cuff rotator cuff n. A set of muscles and tendons that secures the arm to the shoulder joint and permits rotation of the arm. Also called musculotendinous cuff. . I also have Impingement Syndrome im·pinge·ment syndrome n. A group of symptoms in the shoulder including progressive pain and impaired function, resulting from injury to the rotator cuff caused by encroachment of surrounding bony structures and ligaments. (muscle spasms muscle spasm n. Persistent increased tension and shortness in a muscle or group of muscles that cannot be released voluntarily. muscle spasm, n in the shoulder),'' Stevens said. The results of an MRI 1. (application) MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2. MRI - Measurement Requirements and Interface. were not yet known, so Stevens begged Bird to play on Tuesday night. ``I knew she wanted to play,'' Bird said. ``I told her I wasn't going to let her play unless her mom says it's OK.'' Stevens' mother Tracy was a late arrival, and after Highland lost the first game 15-8 to the Lobos, Bird was given the green light to insert Stevens into the match. ``Yeah, I was kind of surprised she played,'' said Stevens' teammate Melissa Rawson, who also had to sit out the first game because she was late showing up to the gym. ``Amber did a really good job.'' Stevens said she couldn't feel any pain during the emotionally draining match, which lasted approximately 2-1/2 hours. But she admitted to being sore afterward. ``This might be my last match (of the season),'' Stevens said. She was to visit another doctor on Wednesday, and is waiting for the MRI results. It's possible she would need surgery, if the rotator cuff is indeed torn. Bartholet, Highland's co-captain along with Stevens, is expected to return for tonight's match at Lancaster. Losing Stevens for the season would be a major blow for the two-time defending Golden League champion Bulldogs. ``It would be very tough to lose her. Amber's an excellent player,'' Bird said. ``We're obviously a different team without her.'' Fanatics: Highland volleyball matches seem to bring out the crazy side of Bulldogs fans. Tuesday was a typically colorful turnout, with members of the Bulldogs' boys volleyball team (also coached by Bird) and some freshmen girls' team players dressed for the occasion. Costumes included capes, Hawaiian shirts Hawaiian shirt n. A colorfully patterned short-sleeved sport shirt. [From the fact that the style originated in Hawaii.] , bicycle helmets A bicycle helmet is a helmet intended to be worn while riding a bicycle. They are designed to attenuate impacts to the head of a cyclist in falls while minimizing side effects such as interference with peripheral vision. and bushy bush·y adj. bush·i·er, bush·i·est 1. Overgrown with bushes. 2. Thick and shaggy: a bushy head of hair. wigs. ``It was great to be out there with all these people cheering for you,'' Rawson said. Littlerock had its share of vocal supporters, and both sides ribbed each other without any incident. ``It's great to see my guys and the freshmen girls get all dressed up and just be crazy,'' Bird said. ``(Littlerock) brought a good crowd with them, and we've developed a neat rivalry with each other.'' Paraclete: Spirits standout middle blocker Christine Lambert has committed to the University of Connecticut The University of Connecticut is the State of Connecticut's land-grant university. It was founded in 1881 and serves more than 27,000 students on its six campuses, including more than 9,000 graduate students in multiple programs. UConn's main campus is in Storrs, Connecticut. . CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color) Highland's Jen Stevenson, left, and Melissa Rawson block a Littlerock shot during the Bulldogs' come-from-behind win. Phil McCarten/Daily News |
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