Volleyball | September 20, 2024

"Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender. That is strength." Arnold Schwarzenegger

Pacer Nation has seen many student-athletes that have overcome numerous trials and tribulations over the years, but newcomer Sidney Hogan embodies someone that has as much grit and determination as anyone. 

Hogan, a native of Saint Louis, Mo., grew up playing softball, basketball, tennis and volleyball. 

At 16 years old, she tore her right ACL via contact. It happened in the middle of the club season.

"When I tore my ACL, I didn't hear from any colleges until after my senior season," Hogan stated. All Hogan did was guide her team to a state championship, having recovered from the ACL injury in just a few months. 

"I had nowhere to go to college," Hogan said. "My club coach knew Flagler's head coach and we played a qualifier. The head coach of Flagler watched me play one time and offered me a scholarship - and I took it."

After signing with Flagler, the head coach left the program and after a semester, Hogan decided Flagler was not the place for her. Knowing she was going to go elsewhere, Hogan decided upon Missouri Baptist. However, more challenges were in front of her.

"I came home for Christmas break, and I was playing on Jan. 3 at High Performance in an alumni tournament," Hogan stated. "It was a non-contact injury - I was hitting.

"I had just signed at Missouri Baptist and I was supposed to play beach volleyball, but that didn't happen. Again, I did rehab for my left ACL injury and in five months I was cleared to play in the fall. I wasn't myself, but I played and had decent statistics."

"The head coach announced he was not returning at the end of the season and we were without a coach for two months" 

Hogan looked again at transferring schools and she decided on a school where she knew two of the student-athletes who hailed from the Show-Me state in Alli Bishop and Anna Sommer. 

"I visited at the end of January and was cleared to play by the NCAA in April," Hogan said. 

Hogan, while in Saint Louis, was able to coach a club team throughout her recovery process. She coached multiple youth teams and ran lessons while she was injured and was able to show them that even though she was down, she was not out. 

"Being able to go through everything I've been through, I was able to mentor them," Hogan said. "I wanted to succeed and show them that they can also rise above any adversity that's thrown at them.

"The physical therapists from my second knee injury were so instrumental in getting me back both mentally and physically. They let me come in every week until the day I left and made sure I would be ready to perform when I arrived in Aiken."

Throughout the rehab processes, Hogan had to accept the fact she was on an emotional roller coaster at times. She was able to process how she was feeling and turn it into something positive. During her first rehab, her high school coach was able to channel that drive inside of her - and now she wants to be the light for others who have gone through similar circumstances. 

Having faced issues both mentally and physically, Hogan wants her experience to be a platform to make a difference for the next person who faces adversity in their life or career. 

"I took a risk starting over for a third time to come to Aiken, which never would've been possible if I would've given up," Hogan said. "Everything happened exactly how it was supposed to."

Through the first two weekends of play, Hogan's connection with her teammates has everyone feeling like she's been part of the team for several years. Sommer had a career-high 17 kills in the victory over Francis Marion and was named PBC Player of the Week for her effort. Many of the kills came off passes from Hogan, which points to their connection over knowing each other for several years.

Hogan has gone through a lot both on and off the court during her life. Some would say having gone through so much, Hogan is unbreakable.