GIRLS' VOLLEYBALL: ANKLE IS MAJOR KEY QUARTZ HILL'S CARRICK HOPES IT IS FULLY RECOVERED.Byline: Nevin Barich Nevin Barich (born August 6, 1979) is a former American sports journalist now working as the Senior Editor of The National Notary, a trade magazine based in Los Angeles with a circulation of more than 300,000 nationwide. Staff Writer The fate of the Quartz Hill High girls' volleyball team this season could be riding on the shoulders of Christen chris·ten tr.v. chris·tened, chris·ten·ing, chris·tens 1. a. To baptize into a Christian church. b. To give a name to at baptism. 2. a. Carrick. Or rather, on her ankle. Carrick, a junior middle blocker, is expected to be a key for the Rebels in their quest to unseat five-time Golden League champion Highland. But much of that will depend on whether or not Carrick's left ankle holds up. Last year, in the third game of the junior-varsity season, Carrick attempted to block a shot and a tore ligaments in her ankle when she landed. ``The ankle felt like it was shredded shred n. 1. A long irregular strip that is cut or torn off. 2. A small amount; a particle: not a shred of evidence. tr.v. ,'' Carrick said. ``It was painful, excruciatingly painful. I was thinking I was never going to play again.'' The injury not only affected Carrick physically but also mentally. ``I never thought anything like this could happen to me,'' Carrick said. ``I would see it on TV, but I would never think, 'Oh, that could be me. I could be next.' And the next thing you know, I have an ice pack on my ankle. ``I'm still afraid. I'm kind of iffy if·fy adj. if·fi·er, if·fi·est Informal Doubtful; uncertain: an iffy proposition. [From if. about doing certain things. I'm just not sure.'' After the injury, Carrick got around on crutches for a few weeks before returning to the doctor to be fitted for a cast. Carrick practiced when she could, attended matches and helped coach the freshman team. ``Every chance I could get, I was out there,'' Carrick said. ``Whether I was hurt or not, I was playing. I so wanted to play.'' Despite having her junior-varsity season cut short last year, Carrick was promoted to the varsity and is expected to give the team a boost up front. ``She's very intense,'' Quartz Hill coach Larry Vocke said. ``She has real long arms and she jumps pretty well. She's a good blocker, a good all-around player. ``She played club all year and survived, so she should be OK. The club competition is better than high school competition anyway. So I'm not worried at all.'' While playing for the Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley Springboks Club team this summer, Carrick was named MVP (Multimedia Video Processor) A high-speed DSP chip from Texas Instruments, introduced in 1994. Officially introduced as the TMS320C80, it combines RISC technology with the functionality of four DSPs on one chip. of the 16-Gold team. The award was even more impressive considering it was her first year of club ball. ``I felt like I gave all I needed to give,'' said Carrick of her club experience. ``The coach (Andor Gyalai) would be like, 'Christen, we need you to do it. We're counting on you to do it.' It was a lot of pressure, but I did it.'' Carrick is confident about contributing to the varsity, as are her teammates. ``She always has a good attitude,'' Natalie Cole said. ``She's never negative. If she makes a bad play, she doesn't worry about it and just goes out and makes a good one.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Quartz Hill's Christen Carrick injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. her left ankle playing with the junior varsity junior varsity n. Abbr. JV A high-school or college team that competes in interschool sports on the level below varsity. Noun 1. last season. Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News |
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