Volleyball | November 03, 2023

From winning a national championship to suffering a serious injury not once but twice. Senior middle blocker Brooke Wroten has been through great times and has had tough times throughout her collegiate career. However, she's always been positive and pushes forward knowing that a bright future is in store for her.

Wroten got involved with volleyball at eight years old and has enjoyed it ever since that day. Growing up, the standout also was a swimmer and played basketball. Being a multi-sport student-athlete helped her skill set when she settled on playing volleyball.

In high school, the talent was evident as Wroten started varsity as a sophomore. Upon graduation, she ended up at a junior college that was close to home.

"As a sophomore at my junior college, I started as a right-side hitter," Wroten said. "The middle blocker quit the team and I got the opportunity to play that position. I performed really well prior to the midseason point and from that point forward, I stayed as the middle blocker. 

"We had a really good record," Wroten stated. "We only lost two matches that entire season and won the junior college national championship. It was an amazing experience and is one of the best memories I've ever had on the volleyball court."

After finishing her second season with the team, Wroten was recruited to – and decided on – USC Aiken. Fans, however, did not get much of an opportunity to see what kind of impact she could make on the team. In the third match of the season, she tore her ACL and was unable to play the rest of the season.

"Coming back from that injury, I recovered in about six months," Wroten said. After seeing the court in 2022, she tore her ACL during the first couple of practices during the spring semester.

"The first time I had to recover, it was more mental than anything," she mentioned. "It was really difficult building back up and strengthening the leg to where it used to be."

One to never back away from a challenge, Wroten worked tirelessly in order to get back on the court for her senior season.

"I was a little concerned the second time," Wroten stated. "I did physical therapy over the summer and in the beginning it was difficult. Once we found the right physical therapist, I went three times a week and we worked on it. I knew I could make it back at some point and I didn't want to put a lot of pressure on myself on being back right when preseason started.

"I was more positive after the second injury because I new the process of recovering from an ACL. I knew if I stayed disciplined with recovery and worked hard, I could be back playing again."

At the start of the 2023 season, Wroten was hesitant on trusting her ability. After two injuries, her focus was on not being injured a third time. That went by the wayside after getting her first kill of the season.

"I'm still a little cautious of where I land and how I land," Wroten said. "Now that we are later in the season, I am a lot more comfortable and I do trust my leg."

Her teammates have described her return from injury similar to a "Cinderella Story." Two serious injuries and being able to compete again at a high level is something fans don't see too often.

Wroten, who is slated to graduate, has another year of eligibility remaining if she chooses. 

From the top of the mountain by winning a national championship to the lows of a pair of season-ending injuries, Wroten has experienced it all. Back on the court this year, see is looking to have a tremendous experience with USC Aiken while showing others that no matter how bad things are, hard work can help get you where you want to be.