Bigger than volleyball: Lady Cats rally around injured captain

In the midst of a long winning streak, the Enterprise Lady Cats (18-4, 4-0) were getting set for a pair of crucial area games last week when team captain Sammie Neuwein was injured in a devastating car accident on Sept. 20.

The accident caused significant damage to both of Neuwein’s legs and will cause her to miss the remainder of her senior season.

“That was devastating to the girls and to me,” Enterprise coach Jen Graham said. “She was a huge part of our program with her play and her leadership. Breaking the news to the girls was really tough. They took it very hard but we’re glad she’s okay.”

Neuwein’s father, Skip, said that she had surgery to repair the damage to her legs and that the surgery went well and she is currently rehabbing the injury. Graham said that Neuwein asked to see her fellow seniors before an ambulance took her to Birmingham to have surgery.

“Some of the kids got to see her and, the seniors got to go over there and hug her neck,” Graham recalled. “She’s a fighter, so I know she’s going to be able to endure and fight through this.

“We keep messaging her and letting her know we love her and she’s going to get through this. We don’t know anyone tougher than Sammie.”

The Lady Cats also let Neuwein know how much she meant to them – as she has been watching the games online from the hospital – by holding up the No. 1 with their fingers in a “1s up” call, replacing their usual “Dubs Up” hand symbol the Lady Cats do by making a “W” with their hands.

“Usually we hold up a ‘W’ for Wildcats – ‘Dubs Up’ – but the girls wanted to hold up a No. 1 for her and we also have her jersey on the bench in the first seat there,” Graham said. “So, they’ve been determined to keep that with us every tournament, everywhere we go because she’s going to always be there with us. They dedicated the last two games to her and I think they’ll continue to do so.”

The Lady Cats also wore turquoise ribbons in honor of their injured teammate as they went on and dominated area opponents Dothan and Jeff Davis to capture the regular season area championship and the chance to host the Area Tournament at the end of the season.

After knocking off Dothan 3-0 on Sept. 20, Enterprise also beat Jeff Davis 3-0 on Sept. 21. Zationna Horne led Enterprise against Jeff Davis with 11 kills, while Hannah Chang had eight kills and Taylor Danford had seven kills. Lily Rhoades chipped in with nine digs, while Kayden Taylor had three aces and five digs. Abigail Wiggins earned four digs and Heather Holtz totaled 34 assists.

“It’s been a lot for the kids so for them to be able to fight through that these last couple of games with Sammie being out has been great,” Graham said. “They’ve done a good job of just being there for each other. It shows how strong they are, almost like a family.

“I’ve heard Hannah Chang and some of the other seniors saying, ‘We’re a family and we’re going to get through this together.’ Sometimes it’s bigger than volleyball.”